I knew that House would have to mellow out a little. I have remained a steadfast House fanatic since the beginning, but I know that House's antics have lost him a fan, or two. I know my mom has gotten a little sick of his over the top, bad behavior. It became obvious to me at the last of the last season that House would have to reel it in, a bit.

I have to admit, the psychriatric hospital has done him well. I was touched by the season premiere and I was shocked. I am glad I was shocked because that is what I expect from the series. I want to be stymied, from time to time.

In short, Gregory House has found himself in a mental ward. He is thrown into a barrage of lunatics with all sorts of quirky personalities. After House's detox, he expects to be allowed back out on the street, and back to practicing medicine. Not so fast....

He finds his nemesis in the form of a strict ward director, Dr. Nolan. Dr. Nolan is needed to write a letter to the medical board. Without Dr. Nolan's letter... Dr. House will not get his license back. Needless to say, chaos ensues. Dr. Nolan uses the coveted "letter" to get Dr. House to finish his rehab.

Those of us who know Dr. House, know that he doesn't take very kindly to manipulation. At first, House creates havoc on the ward. He pushes the boundaries until he finds himself stealing a car to take a delusional patient to the fair. If that doesn't sound crazy enough for you, after House's "good deed", the delusional patient, believes he can fly, and throws himself off the ledge of a parking garage.

After the delusional patient's near death, House gets an epiphany. He finally sees that he needs help. Under the close tutelige of Dr. Nolan, and a few SSRI's, Dr. House gets his heart back. House develops a close "friendship" with a the visitor of a catatonic cellist, and long story short, he ends up having a torrid affair with said visitor. Did I mention the visitor was married? Oh yes, there is always some deviance.

The two hour premiere was well worth the time. My beloved Dr. House learned to trust again, and he even found it in his long lost heart to apologize to the patient he nearly killed with his bravado. In a strange twist, it is the delusional who ends up "waking" the catatonic cellist with a bit of House-like observation.

In closing, House loses the girl, and finds himself. Dr. Nolan relents, after House's personal affirmations, and writes the letter to the medical board. All's well that ends well... until next week. Maybe, we will see a kinder, gentler House, after all. I, for one, hope not. I will agree that a little humanity is needed, but I like ol' Greg.

If you have never seen the show, I highly suggest giving it a try. It is a refreshing break from crime scene dramas, or sappy love dramas. The show always makes me think. You can't say that about "The Real Housewives of Atlanta".