Another season has begun and it was nice to see the writers try something a little, or rather a lot, different. Although "Broken" wasn't an unqualified success, it had enough to cheer about to make me feel good about the rest of the season.

The writing in "Broken" was, as usual, a little uneven, but this episode was saved by its amazing cast of actors. Of course, we expect no less from Hugh Laurie (still no Emmy, thus proving the Emmy voters are blind, deaf, and not very bright), but from Andre Braugher on down, the cast made it all believable and touching.

Let's be honest, this could have been a "Very Special Episode," but somehow it managed to be just a bit more. We the viewers have always known that House was broken, but to see him come to understand and accept it was very powerful.

The detox scenes were well done, which is no surprise, since this show loves montages! And it was equally no surprise that House would assume he was ready to leave as soon as the Vicodin was out of his system. (By the way, some day I will write my meta about how badly this show handles the concepts of addiction and chronic pain. Today is not that day, however.)

I thought Dr. Nolan's blackmail was brilliant, because nothing less than the threat of losing medicine forever could have compelled House to stay. It was, however, completely in character for House to resist and make a ruckus, although it was painful for me to watch. House has never spared his scorn for people who deserve it and can handle it, but to unleash his full intellect on people suffering serious mental illness is low, even for him. (Although, as I said, it was completely in character. I think the writers played that exactly right.)

Even while I was wincing, I was impressed by just how much havoc House can cause. I think I (and Wilson, Cuddy, et al.) have gotten so used to seeing what he can do at Princeton-Plainsboro that it took a change of venue to show just how dangerous the man really is. He is, as Dr. Nolan points out, a natural leader. It's easy to forget that, because he treats his underlings so terribly, but...why else would so many people continue to follow him, no matter how badly he treats them?

This week's stand-in for the ducklings--Alvie--was great, fabulously manic and an interesting contrast to House's grim anger at himself and other people. He continued to follow and trust House, and his final moment proved Dr. Nolan's point: House managed to be a good role model despite himself.

I really enjoyed watching the team of House and Alvie. The fake fight cracked me up--even if competent doctors would have a) given him a shot not a pill and b) locked the door or posted an orderly rather than leave House lying around in an empty room in an empty corridor. But the two of them and their relationship were hilarious and touching. The rap was awesome, the "I hate you" lines were funny, and generally, Alvie was a perfect foil and accomplice.