Ep 10. Carrot or Stick

In "Carrot or Stick," the tenth episode of House's seventh season, the team faces a medical mystery involving a patient named Samantha who comes in with various symptoms, including a rash and excruciating pain. House suspects drug abuse, but the team discovers that Samantha has been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks and has been self-medicating. As they dig deeper into Samantha's medical history, they uncover a shocking secret that could explain her symptoms.

Meanwhile, House deals with the repercussions of his recent behavior as he tries to earn back the trust of his team. He searches for a new assistant after firing his previous one, and finds an unlikely candidate in a janitor named Lee. As House tries to teach Lee the ropes of diagnostics, he begins to learn some unexpected lessons about himself.

The episode explores themes of addiction, trust, and redemption as the characters grapple with personal and professional challenges. With its trademark mix of medical drama and snappy humor, "Carrot or Stick" is a standout episode in a beloved series.