Thirteen as the Stereotypical Lesbian

I want to begin by saying that House, along with The Office, is one of my favorite television shows. After discussion about portrayals of lesbians in the media and different aspects of lesbian stereotypes presented on TV and in the media, it became evident that "Thirteen," or Remy Hadley (the character's little known and rarely used name) is in many ways exemplary of this stereotype.

On the show, "Thirteen," who's "name" comes from the competition for a job position on House's team during which House numbers all of the applicants, (only one character, though, continues to be called primarily by her number), is diagnosed with Huntington's disease. After her diagnosis, she throws caution to the wind, and begins experimenting not only with drugs, but with women. She goes through a phase in which she "loses control" and has no concern for her body. The members of House's team, especially Foreman, become worried about her and are critical of her "risky" lifestyle, which includes doing drugs and "hooking up" with random, but always extremely attractive women. While Foreman is concerned, House is clearly turned on by Thirteen's interest in women. One episode begins with an extremely provocative sex scene between Thirteen and a woman who she seduced at a bar and brought back to her apartment.

Here is a clip from the scene. If easily offended, or not of age, viewer discretion is advised.

As you can see, this encounter, as many lesbian encounters in today's media, is purely sexual and largely unrealistic. It was most likely intended for the show's male audience, as a some sort of fantasy fulfillment.

As the season continues, "Thirteen" regains control of herself, and begins leading a "healthy" life once again. She "regains her senses" and begins dating Foreman, in a normal, heterosexual relationship. Her reckless, experimental phase is over.

Thirteen's story line exemplifies many of the stereotypical images associated with lesbians, and as presented in today's media. Lesbian representations in the media are often experimental, purely sexual, and short term encounters. They tend to only occur between extremely attractive women, and are viewed as risky, adventurous, and provocative to both the other characters in the show, and the viewers of the show. "Lesbians" in TV shows like House, are usually bisexual and often return to their more steady, long term male partners after their short term lesbian encounters, reinforcing hegemonic heterosexuality.

So, as exemplified by Thirteen, while the inclusion of lesbians in the media has become more acceptable, their representation in TV shows is primarily via sexual encounters, and viewed as a deviation from the heterosexual norm, and a sort of rebellion, as opposed to a serious issue.