What's an outlet? For the purposes of this entry, any activity that allows us to channel negative thoughts and emotions in a direction that is creative rather than destructive. To be successful as an outlet, an activity must be ongoing, stimulating and satisfying.
One outlet, particularly prominent in this episode (though not discussed directly), is sex. As an act of physical release and of emotional connection, sex provides an excellent outlet. In conversation, the topic of sex can either increase or defuse tension. A blatant example of the first was Thirteen offering to tell "the story" about her roommate at Sarah Lawrence. The episode was rife with examples of the second - I only wish I had kept track of the number of "balls" jokes tonight.
The outlet suggested by Dr. Nolan is a hobby. House decides to join Wilson at his cooking class, and turns out to be a fabulous chef. The reason for his success at cooking, unfortunately, is the same reason that he ultimately finds cooking unfulfilling. He understands the chemistry of it, so he can figure out what ingredients will contribute to the appropriate balance of bitterness, salt, sweetness, sourness and savoriness, the right amount of piquancy and astringency. Looking at cooking that way, there is no challenge in it for him, and his attention returns to the pain in his leg.
The outlet that House really needs is one which fully engages his mind, challenges him. He finds this towards the end of the episode in (surprise, surprise) a return to diagnostic medicine. He loves solving those endlessly variant puzzles, and it's just possible that he loves helping people too.
