Hugh Laurie stars as brilliant but caustic New Jersey medic Dr Gregory House in the fourth series of the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning medical drama. This week, House kidnaps the lead actor from his favourite soap opera in the belief that he has a brain tumour. Tests appear to disprove House’s theory, until the patient develops new symptoms that defy explanation.

Evan Greer (Jason Lewis, ‘Sex and the City’), the handsome star of a daytime soap opera, is stunned when he climbs into a waiting limo and is kidnapped by the chauffeur. The driver claims the actor has a brain tumour and needs urgent treatment. A bewildered Evan realises that his abductor has tried to contact him before. “You’re the nutjob doctor that keeps calling my publicists!” he says. “Actually,” replies House, “I’m the nutjob head of diagnostic medicine.”

Once at the hospital, House persuades Evan to undergo a test to confirm his theory. House explains that, whilst watching the soap, he noticed Evan displaying signs of a loss in peripheral vision that could be due to a tumour. However, Evan’s test is negative, and House’s attempts to keep him in the hospital under false pretences are exposed by Foreman. A furious Evan makes to leave, only to be sedated by House in a lift and taken for an MRI.

House’s shenanigans in keeping Evan against his will are particularly ill-timed this week, as the hospital is undergoing an inspection. In a desperate bid to keep her star doctor under control, Cuddy asks Cameron and Foreman to keep a close eye on him. At the same time, she begs House to tone down his excessive behaviour. House, however, is more concerned by the news that the MRI shows Evan is healthy. “See if you can talk him out of suing me,” he asks his team.

Evan is about to check out when he suddenly collapses in the lobby, suggesting that House was right all along. Tests confirm that the numbness in his foot is indeed the symptom of something more serious and the team begins a differential diagnosis. House visits Evan’s dressing room for clues about his lifestyle and, after talking with his co-star, returns with the news that the actor may be impotent. However, before he can establish whether this is another symptom of Evan’s condition, the actor almost suffers a heart attack.

Cameron now suggests Evan may have an autoimmune condition, which could be fixed by zapping his thyroid gland with radiation. House is keen to launch straight into the treatment, but Foreman disobeys his orders and runs a test to confirm the diagnosis first. Foreman’s prudence proves to be wise as the test proves negative, and instead reveals that Evan’s kidneys are failing. Matters are further complicated when Evan develops a fever and slips into a coma.

House is now convinced that Evan’s condition is due to a severe allergic reaction, while Foreman believes he has an infection. Unfortunately, they do not have time to confirm the diagnosis – and know the wrong treatment will kill him. House overrules everybody and prepares to administer Evan with a massive dose of steroids – enough to “jump start a car”, in the words of the pharmacist.

Cuddy arrives in time to beg House to wait for a confirmation of the diagnosis, reminding him that his actions – under the nose of the inspector – could get her fired. “If you think I’m wrong, tell me I’m wrong,” House snarls back. He has been wrong throughout this whole case – are his instincts correct now?

Also this week, Wilson and Amber probe the balance of power in their relationship as they make the vital purchase of a new bed. And Cameron finds herself back working for House as she is charged with the onerous task of completing his filing. Her willingness to submit to the chore prompts House to challenge her: “You miss me,” he declares. Is Cameron regretting her decision to leave the team?