Foreman was absolutely the best replacement for Cuddy in House season 8. When House returned for season 8, it did so without one of its main characters, who played a pivotal role in the show and in the hospital. As seen throughout House, Foreman was by far the best candidate to fill this role.
Dr. Eric Foreman (played by Omar Epps) appeared in every season of House, initially as a member of House’s very first team in the Department of Diagnostics. After Cuddy (played by Lisa Edelstein) left House in season 7, Foreman is promoted to her position of Dean of Medicine. Foreman is the perfect choice for this role, both within the fictional universe of Princeton–Plainsboro Teaching Hospital and for House as a show.
Foreman Was The Only Person Who Could Replace Cuddy In House
Foreman is the only central character who has genuine leadership experience. Foreman is temporarily put in charge of the department during season 2, supervising House after one of his patients dies. Later, Foreman runs a Department of Diagnostics at a rival hospital before returning to Princeton-Plainsboro. This experience makes Foreman by far the most qualified of the remaining characters to run the hospital after Cuddy leaves. Foreman’s ambition is clearly demonstrated throughout House, implying he would certainly pursue the Dean of Medicine position when it became available.
Throughout his time on House’s team, Foreman is routinely the only person who stands up to House, an important part of the Dean of Medicine’s job. This makes Foreman the ideal candidate to fill the role left vacant by Cuddy’s departure. This is important for both the fictional hospital and the functionality of the character and narrative dynamic in House.
House Needed Somebody Who Would Stand Up To Him
Part of House‘s premise is the titular character’s clashing with authority. This means the role left vacant by Cuddy had to be filled with a character who matched Cuddy’s (and House’s) intensity and strength. The main character House respects the most is Foreman, making him the best authority figure available from the main cast. Additionally, Foreman had already clashed with House in a dramatic and effective manner, meaning Foreman could easily slide into the Dean of Medicine role.
Foreman is rehired onto House’s team in season 4 because Cuddy trusts him to keep an eye on House and his behavior. Evidently, Foreman has the approval of his predecessor, who actively positions him to oversee House’s actions. But Foreman, like Cuddy, could also be appealed to with emotion and previous experiences to bending the rules when it will save a patient’s life, cementing Foreman as the perfect replacement for Cuddy in House season 8.
