House Season 1 Episode 15: Mob Rules

Full Recap

A mobster, Joey Arnello, and his brother and lawyer, Bill, are being protected by the Federal government as a witness when Joey has an attack of some sort and goes into a coma. House is given a warrant to check on Arnello, and all the initial tests prove negative. Bill wants House to stall for time so he can convince his brother not to go through with the testimony. Joey inexplicably revives but House doesn't want him to be released despite his staff's belief the problem is resolved. Vogler has Joey released since he's not making money, but he's brought in two hours later, back in a coma.

Tests show hepatitis-c but it doesn't account for the sudden onset of symptoms. House lets Chase run with it and takes Forman off the case to make Vogler thinks that he thinks Forman ratted him out to the transplant committee (in "Control"). Bill isn't happy with Chase's diagnosis of hepatitis and forbids him to treat Joey for it. Meanwhile, Vogler is insistent on finding a reason to get rid of House, much to Cuddy's dismay.

House confirms that Joey was raped in prison, which is why Bill doesn't want him treated for hepatitis – House agrees to cover with a second set of fake records and gets a new car in return. House's biopsy confirms he doesn't have hepatitis and suggests Joey was poisoned. They run Joey's blood through a pig to filter it and buy them time to figure out the poison – a Chinese herb in his candy that reacts with the interferon. House decides to shape up, putting on a lab coat and everything, and says they can release Joey. But Joey goes back into a coma, even worse then before.

They try an experimental treatment with little chance of success while House determines that it's not a poison affecting Joey but an allergy to steak – Bill snuck in a meal to Joey at the hospital. It doesn't explain the elevated estrogen levels, but the fact that Joey is taking a herbal aphrodisiac for gay men that contains estrogen. Bill is forced to admit the truth rather then have his brother die. Joey testified so he could go into witness protection and get a new life. The two brothers come to an understanding of sorts while Cuddy reveals Vogler wanted House fired and she managed to buy him some time. But she warns that some things are going to change – he has to do six more clinic hours a month . . . and fire one of his staff.

Not written by me. Credit to Tv.com