According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the moral of the biblical tale of Cain and Abel is that "... God is a God of grace and second chances." In the "House" episode "Cane and Able," Dr. Gregory House gracefully accepts the renewed extreme pain in his leg, and pushes through his agony long enough to give his young patient Clancy Green -- brilliantly portrayed by a then-10-year-old Skyler Gisondo ("Vacation," "Time Freak," "Licorice Pizza") -- a second chance at a normal life. The writing, acting, direction, cinematography (credit: Gale Tattersall, also the cinematographer for films including "The Commitments" and "Pushing Tin"), and special effects in this episode are nothing short of incredible; notice, for example, how the aliens' eyes act as a mirror, perfectly reflecting the image of a terrified Clancy near the end of the episode. Also, the story arc regarding the well-intentioned lies propagated by Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) and Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) -- and the realization that House doesn't need to be "humbled" in order to be a great doctor (as recognized by Dr. Allison Cameron) (Jennifer Morrison, never better) -- was extremely well-conceived (teleplay by series creator David Shore, Russel Friend, and Garrett Lerner), and perfectly portrayed by all concerned.
Review of Cane and Able
