Not everything comes naturally to every writer. Even with a compelling script, attracting interest, securing an adequate budget, finding a suitable studio and network, and addressing numerous other challenges can be daunting. Fortunately, aspiring writers can learn and draw inspiration from successful shows like House (2004-2012).
House defies the conventions of medical dramas by enhancing character complexity and deepening audience engagement. Hugh Laurie’s portrayal of Dr. House and stellar writing add significant depth to the series. The show excels in depicting interpersonal relationships, character development, humor, drama, and mystery, making House exceptional and a perfect show to analyze.
Still from 'House'. Photo credit: Netflix
Having a Compelling Protagonist
The protagonist is the character who propels the action and whose fate is paramount. They are deeply involved in—and often central to—the plot or conflict of the story, serving as the narrative's emotional core.
Identifying the protagonist is usually straightforward, as they are the characters around whom the story revolves. Hence, it’s imperative to have a compelling protagonist in the pilot.
Dr. Gregory House, commonly known simply as House, is the central character and protagonist of the House series, portrayed by English actor Hugh Laurie. He is a board-certified diagnostician with dual specialties in Infectious Disease and Nephrology.
House is known for his dry, biting sense of humor and enigmatic personality, often hidden behind a veneer of sarcasm. He presents himself as selfish and displays a general disdain for most people, earning a reputation as a misanthrope. His contempt extends to various societal institutions, including feminism and religion.
House is an atheist, and his worldview often hints at nihilism, aligning him with the archetype of a Byronic hero. Despite his outward cynicism, he shows care for his colleagues, though he frequently refers to them as "idiots." He can occasionally set aside his pride to apologize when he has been particularly offensive, albeit in a sarcastic manner.
No matter the genre, your characters must be engaging and possess a strong voice, a unique personality, and a fascinating background. Essentially, you're creating several protagonists (or antagonists) and need to invest substantial effort in developing each one, even if they don’t all receive equal page time. If a POV character isn’t compelling, it’s best to fade them into the background and eliminate that perspective.
Great Dialogue
House’s most vital feature is its great dialogue. From the jump, there's a mix of dry sarcasm tinged with a bit of hate and respect. A sense of disrespect marks the exchanges between House and Chase, while mutual respect and friendship define the relationship between House and Wilson.
Each episode offers a masterclass in developing each character's distinct tone and voice. The consistency in their worldviews, upbringings, and life choices is evident in their dialogue, profoundly affecting their interactions.
If you aspire to write a script, you likely have a clear idea of what you want to write about. Now, it's essential to consider how your concept shapes and influences the world you aim to create with your pilot script.
For instance, if your premise involves a juvenile detention center, you must populate your show with characters who can fully engage with and exploit that unique setting. Identify your lead character and think about how their surroundings uniquely impact them. How does the central problem they face relate to or become complicated by this situation?
Dialogue reveals character through the content of what is said and how it is expressed. It uncovers immediate needs and desires while providing insights into background, education, social class, and other attributes. The interaction between characters exposes their relationships and the balance of power among them.
Managing Multiple Characters
One of the standout achievements of this show is its deft handling of several major characters' points of view. While Cuddy and Wilson might not always play central roles in every episode, they consistently get a few minutes of screen time, occasionally offering scenes from their perspectives.
This approach is crucial for understanding how they navigate the challenges posed by the erratic and unpredictable House, both as colleagues and friends. The bulk of each episode is seen through the eyes of the three members of House's team.
The distribution of POV scenes shifts depending on the specific medical case at hand. The nature of the patient's condition and how the case unfolds often dictate which team member takes the lead (interestingly, House rarely engages with patients one-on-one). This dynamic structure keeps the show fresh and unpredictable, as the focus shifts from one character to another with each new case.
This technique offers a fresh angle in each episode, highlighting the storylines and personalities of each doctor. Ultimately, House dominates most of the POV scenes, or at least his presence heavily influences the scenes he is in.
Generally, about half of the scenes are from House's perspective, while another good chunk is shared among Cameron, Foreman, and Chase. These characters frequently overlap, appearing together in many scenes. The remaining bit usually features scenes from Cuddy or Wilson's POV or glimpses of the patient. Episodes often start by showing the patient's mysterious illness from their viewpoint.
If this perspective reappears, it's usually during interactions with House, showcasing his medical prowess and often blunt bedside manner. The takeaway from this is clear: when writing a TV show with multiple POVs, it's essential to have one or two main characters who carry the bulk of the narrative.
Focus on crafting characters with compelling personalities and intriguing backstories. Place them in situations where their unique traits shine, but keep a balance. If one character starts overshadowing the others, it might be time to reassess your strategy. You may not need as many POV characters as you initially thought. However, it's crucial to ensure that one character stands out as the primary focus.
Great Writing
Everything comes down to writing. House wouldn’t be as excellent without the script and its foundation. House was fluid and adaptable, extending the show as needed to meet the network's demands. While this occasionally led to a dip in quality for a few episodes or even a season, the writers generally remained flexible enough to handle cast changes and craft compelling stories with the available characters and resources.
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