May 04, 2006

Some Observations on Last Night's TV Programs

Has House, M.D., jumped the shark? They resolved Foreman's case by revealing it to be Naegleria amebic meningitis, and used the biopsy as the episode cliff-hanger. Will House find the pathogen first, or will Cameron cut open Foreman's brain?

They dismissed the meningitis with the throwaway remark, "He's been started on anti-parasitics".

The problem is, in medical history through 2002, only seven (7) people have survived Naegleria meningitis. The diagnosis is in 90% of cases made post mortem, and in the other 10%, pre-mortem, except for the lucky seven.

Here's a description of Naegleria meningitis:

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis is divided into acute amebic meningoencephalitis (AAM) and granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). AAM is principally caused by N.fowleri in a patient with excellent health with prior intimate contact with fresh water, especially in summer months. The portal of entry is via the olfactory mucosa and neuroepithelium.
Incubation period is 3-8 days with acute and rapidly fatal course. Patient usually dies within 7-10 days of onset of symptoms. Clinical picture resembles acute bacterial meningitis.

So Foreman should have been toast. And Cuddy should have allowed autopsy of the cop, which would only have confirmed that Foreman was toast.

I am of two opinions on the return of the final episodes of Alias:

1 - I am grimly determined to stick it out to the end; and
2 - thank God these are the final episodes.

Lost? Lost jumped the shark when the 2nd group turned up. Last night's episode where all but one of the cute girls were massacred was just piling on. I am guessing that this is the final season of Lost unless they're planning on crashing another plane to replenish the cast.

Posted on May 4, 2006 01:39 PM