Could House, M.D. have had an alternate ending with Cuddy still in the picture? Explored

The ending of House, M.D. still triggers discussions, years after the show concluded. One major topic is if a different ending — where House and Cuddy get back together — would have been a better option. People on Reddit have different opinions.

While some think a sad but hopeful ending would have been nice, others believe the confusing and upsetting ending fits the show better because it matches the themes of self-destruction and reality. After Cuddy left, House, M.D. changed a lot, which upset fans who felt it didn't match the feelings built up in earlier seasons.

Although the showrunners seemed determined to portray House as a flawed person whose relationships always ended badly, some people still think Cuddy could have provided a better ending. Could House, M.D. have taken this different route without compromising on quality?

Let's look closely at fan theories and whether a different finale could have worked.

What made House and Cuddy’s relationship important to House, M.D.’s DNA?

The connection between Gregory House and Lisa Cuddy, which fans referred to by the ship name "Huddy," was a big part of the show’s story. Cuddy was not just House’s boss but also someone he trusted and sometimes looked to for guidance.

Fans on Reddit, such as u/macrian, were upset when House and Cuddy broke up after a big fight in Season 7 of House, M.D. They felt it was a sad ending to the relationship.

"House and Cuddy should've been the endgame."

They thought the show didn't handle their relationship well, especially when House had a violent moment — he drove a car into her living room — that ruined any chance of them getting back together.

A Reddit user named u/Drindisguise8814 said that House's actions showed his self-destructive behavior, but they felt sad that Cuddy didn't get a better ending after supporting him for so long.

“There is only so much a woman in love can take before she breaks,” they wrote.

This shows how their rather tumultuous relationship caused left both of them upset. Although their love story wasn't perfect, some people think it should have ended in a way it allowed both characters to learn and change without making the show seem too unrealistic.

Problems with a happy ending on House, M.D.

People who do not favor House and Cuddy having a "happily ever after" ending say it would go against the show's ideas of cynicism and realism.

Reddit user [deleted] wrote,

"Addicts usually relapse, old habits die hard, and sometimes people with major psychological problems continue to spiral out of control despite their best efforts."

The viewpoint matches the show's focus on showing House's steady decline. House's problems with dr*gs, chronic pain, and other mental challenges were important parts of his story, and a happy ending might not have seemed right.

As u/gracoy said, House's self-destruction was bound to happen.

“For the first time, he HAS TO admit it’s his fault and there’s no fixing his own mistake.”

The idea shows House's troubles were important for him to change and become better through his friendship with Wilson in the last season of House, M.D.

Some fans, like u/CatrickSwayze, thought of a different ending — one where House admits his mistakes and finds peace in his relationships. They suggested a touching final scene where House goes to Cuddy's daughter Rachel's graduation, which would show he's grown as a person and accepts his past mistakes.

This idea might have been a good mix of being realistic and hopeful, giving the audience a sense of closure.

Would an ending focused on Cuddy have made House, M.D. Season 8 better?

House, M.D. Season 8, where fans couldn't see Cuddy, generated some negative comments because of how much it had changed. Many people on Reddit thought her leaving made the show lose its important emotional core.

A user named u/Drindisguise8814 noticed,

“Cuddy had the most storylines on the show, alone or with House... House needs them both, and he is not complete without them.”

This feeling shows that having Cuddy around in the last season could have made House's story more interesting. Bringing Cuddy into the final episode might have helped us understand House's thoughts and feelings better. Her serious attitude and constant support were important opposites to his unpredictable behavior.

A final episode showing them making up — as friends or more — could have upheld the show's focus on human relationships during tough times.