Michelle Trachtenberg

Dr. James Wilson is still sleeping on the couch at the home of Dr. Gregory House, the brilliant diagnostician with a bad leg and no bedside manner on Fox network’s "House." (Spoiler alert: Stop reading now if you’ve taped this one for later viewing.)

Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) is having marital problems, but House (Hugh Laurie) has sabotaged the amiable oncologist’s plans to find his own apartment because Wilson can cook. (No more peanut butter and canned soup!)

But there’s trouble in paradise. Neither physician - who are longtime friends - likes to scrub the pots and pans. And House, of course, schemes to get out of kitchen detail.

Meanwhile, House must treat 16-year-old Melinda (guest star Michelle Trachtenberg), a recent heart-transplant patient who experienced a severe allergic reaction after kissing her boyfriend.

While in the hospital, Melinda also suffers congestive heart failure and then paralysis. House and his medical team must discover whether these three incidents are related. As they search for answers, the teen continues to deteriorate.

As Melinda gasps what could be her final breaths, House drills her about what happened the night she kissed her boyfriend, gaining a valuable clue to what is killing her.

With time running out, House blocks Melinda’s parents and hospital administrator Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) from entering an elevator as Melinda is being wheeled to the ICU. He then stops the elevator between floors to give himself a few extra minutes to find what he believes to be the culprit - a tick.

Wilson supports House during Melinda’s medical crisis, but shows growing irritation at his friend’s domestic scams (and pranks) by filing halfway through House’s cane while he is sleeping. When the cane snaps, House is sent tumbling to the floor in a hospital hallway, much to Wilson’s satisfaction. It’s curious how acting like juveniles can bring friends closer together.