Cursed

A young boy goes where he shouldn't and ends up with one of the most bizarre and deadly conditions House and his team have faced to date. The kid is a decent enough actor, but this is an episode that relies heavily on makeup and special effects as the kid's condition goes from bad to worse to deep-fried. It is very unsettling to watch this kid choking and breaking out in what at first appear to be sores and then rickets or shingles. The actual condition turns out to be far more grave. This is one of several episodes where House's colleagues grab his interest in a case by describing seemingly unconnected symptoms. Patrick Bachau of THE PRETENDER and PANIC ROOM fame shows up as Dr. Chase's ailing dad, an eminent physician who abandoned his son many years before. Bachau is one of those actors you either love or hate, depending on your tolerance for big, broad-faced guys with suave demeanors and intolerably thick accents. I happen to love the guy, and he and the Aussie surfer boy have some excellent give-and-take scenes. Bachaus is what this show is missing, more than anything else: seasoned actors with some bearing and weight.

A 12-year-old thinks he is cursed because of an ouija board. He is presenting with a host of extremely rare diseases including anthrax.

In the middle of this case walks Chase's dad, played by Patrick Bauchau ("The Pretender"). He walked out on Chase when he was 15 and Chase holds him responsible for his mom's death. Thing is, he is dying, but doesn't want Chase to know. he just wants to see him. The conflict that Chase is having with his father mirrors the conflicting emotions of the boy when he finds out what his real problem is and that his father lied to him.

Excellent acting by all involved, but Chase (Jesse Spencer) steals the show.

Once again well done. An average boy, a follower, goes with his friend to a for sale house. The guys there are drinking beer and carrying on like real grownups. The boy trips on the steps and falls on his face, scraping his arm. The boys have a ouija board which says this kid will die. Next thing we know, he begins having breathing problems and experiencing rashes. His father is insufferable. He is a big contributor to the hospital and demands special treatment. As they are sorting through the possible ailments (sound familiar) this kid has, Chase's father shows up. He is a world renowned neurologist and he and Chase are estranged. Of course, they spar on several occasions. But the father has a secret. The final result is a real mindbender.