Ep 10. The Down Low

House season 6 episode 10, titled "The Down Low," follows the story of an environmental activist who falls ill with a mysterious illness during a protest. The activist is brought to Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, where Dr. Gregory House and his team of doctors work to diagnose and treat her.

The episode begins with House playing an elaborate prank on one of his team members, Dr. Chris Taub. Taub is called away from the hospital to treat a patient, only to find out that it was a setup by House to teach him a lesson. This sets the tone for the episode, which includes moments of humor and lightheartedness juxtaposed with the serious medical case.

The patient, named Frankie, is a passionate environmental activist who has been protesting in a marshland contaminated by toxic chemicals. She is brought to the hospital with symptoms including respiratory distress and hallucinations. House initially suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, but this theory is quickly debunked.

As the team struggles to diagnose Frankie's illness, they are faced with a number of obstacles. Her husband is reluctant to share information about her personal life, and the hospital administration is worried about the negative publicity that could come from treating an environmental activist. Additionally, Frankie's condition rapidly deteriorates, putting even more pressure on the team to find a solution.

Throughout the episode, House forces his team to think outside of the box and consider diagnoses that may seem unconventional. He also clashes with Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the hospital administrator, who is concerned about the negative publicity that could come from treating Frankie. House is also dealing with unexpected tinnitus, adding a personal element to the episode.

As the team continues to investigate, they discover that Frankie may have been exposed to a rare and deadly disease. However, they are unable to determine how she could have contracted it, further complicating their efforts to treat her. The episode builds to a tense climax as House must make a difficult decision to save Frankie's life.

Overall, House season 6 episode 10 is a gripping medical drama that explores complex ethical issues alongside the medical mystery. It also showcases the witty banter and inventive problem-solving that fans of the series have come to know and love.