AMBER: Amber was a very intelligent woman who would do anything to achieve whatever she set her mind on. House wasn't far off in calling her a manipulative bitch - but it's how she got the job done. She knew people didn't like her and compensated by feeling like she always had to be right - if she was right it wouldn't matter what people thought. Ring a bell? Sounds a little like our favorite drug addict doctor. The difference? To Amber, manipulating people was a tool to get the job done - for House it is a way of life.
THE INTRIGUE: By the time the new team's first case rolls around it is common knowledge that Amber is the one and only Cutthroat Bitch, but there is something about her that still draws everyone in. Kutner admits that he asked Amber out on a date and in "Mirror, Mirror" we are made aware that Taub finds her attractive as well. By the finale we know that House sees something in her that he likes and we all know that Wilson adores her. Throw 13 in the mix (which wouldn't be completely unimaginable) and that's nearly the entire cast. For a cutthroat bitch she has quite a following. Then again - everyone still likes House, no matter how much they deny it. There is something about the strong House/Amber personality that intrigues people. Something makes them stick around.
WILSON: We are all very aware of Wilson's relationship handicaps and at first Amber seems like the worst possible choice for him. Both House and Cuddy look out for him and the audience is even made slightly apprehensive - we don't want a cutthroat bitch hurting our Wilson. But wait. Wilson has been friends with House for years and has been pushed and shoved and crushed - we still allow it. Why should Amber be any different? Because she, like House, is exactly what Wilson needs. A needy but strong personality. Obviously House is the king of neediness, which feeds Wilson's desire to help, but Amber has her fair share as well. She doesn't feel liked by people, just respected. As she tells House, with Wilson she feels love and respect - something she has never had. At last a sigh of relief - Wilson will be ok after all.
LOVE TRIANGLE: Once House realizes that Amber isn't going anywhere it becomes a fight for Wilson, resulting in some great exchanges and scene work. We like seeing House on the run and being reminded that he wants to spend time with Wilson. House misses Wilson and is even forced to stoop to the level of bowling with Chase (which I thought was an adorable moment). Poor House. Lucky Wilson though, being fought over by the two people who probably care most about you - he had to enjoy that, even just a little bit.
THE FINALE: Part 1. What was House doing by himself at a bar at 5 in the afternoon? We never do find out and the closest hint we get is House sarcastically saying that he was hiding from Wilson. But maybe that wasn't to far from the truth? I think it's highly plausible that House was drinking because he missed Wilson. He was scared that he was losing his best friend and it hurt even more because Amber was so much like him. He felt replaced. He felt replaced and didn't want anyone to know. Part 2. One of the final scenes of the season was the heartbreaking exchange between House and Amber on the bus. It only makes sense - at least to me - that this was yet another journey into House's mind and not a real conversation. This was our last glimpse into House's thoughts after two episodes filled with them. It is extremely fitting that we would find Amber there. She is the perfect representation of House's subconscience; somehow everything he is and everything he is not wrapped into one person. In her form he reminds himself that this was his fault, that Wilson is his best friend, and that sometimes you can't always get what you want. He fights the pain and leaves the bus and Amber - knowing that nothing will ever be the same again.
And it won't. The days of House and Wilson's friendship are gone. Now it's going to be a challenge for House to get his friend back - if he can do it at all. What we don't know is if he will even try.
