Dr. Gregory House is the main protagonist of medical drama House MD. He is an arrogant and selfish but world-renowned doctor. Thanks to a rare leg infarction he was forced to cut out a huge chunk of his leg leaving him with chronic pain and causing him to become dependent on Vicodin to cope. This added to House's already bitter outlook which has alienated him from pretty much everyone in his life beside his friend James Wilson.
What Makes Him Sympathetic?[]
- He was treated horribly by his father growing with up John not only being cold to House but physically abusing him, leaving lasting trauma which contributes to his negative personality.
- The leg pain he feels and the withdrawal he gets whenever he tries to stop taking Vicodin are played for sympathy in several scenes.
- His girlfriend Stacy made the decision on what to do about his leg against his wishes which led to the end of their relationship and devastated House as he genuinely loved her.
- He has a real friendship with Wilson, even saving his career by stopping him from giving a speech about euthanasia,
- Despite his contempt for his patients he occasionally helps them with no pragmatic reason such as taking the blame for reporting a family to social services to keep the mother and son's relationship intact.
- He has tried to kill himself multiple times in the series.
- He comforts a rape victim and opens to up her in order to help.
- He feels remorse when his actions result in Freedom Master being hurt and make up for it by taking rehab seriously, forming friendships with the people there.
- He stops Chase from getting a nun to stay with him rather than return to the monastery by honestly telling him that he doesn't want to end up miserable and alone because of selfish choices like he is.
- He tries to better himself as a person in the finale by faking his death and sacrificing his career to be there for Wilson.