According to House, Wilson has had multiple affairs throughout his three marriages. Whether that is entirely true or not, Wilson has been engaged in a different kind of affair during the entirety of House, MD – an emotional affair with none other than House.

An emotional affair is “an affair excluding sexual intimacy but including emotional intimacy.” [1] No matter how one views the precise nature of Wilson and House's relationship, it is clearly very intimate and the most intimate one in either man's life. Their closeness is greater than that of a typical friendship, but they are not lovers; they are in the gray area of an emotional affair.

Wilson, from the few details given, has definitely engaged in at least one physical affair during his marriages. Wilson himself said he always told his wives about these affairs (206 – Spin), although there is ambiguity whether he includes this emotional affair, especially with his avoidance of gendered pronouns. And, oddly, Bonnie doesn't so much as suggest Wilson had been unfaithful during their marriage, but does take the time to tell House how he affected the marriage, speaking to him as if he were “the other woman” (320 – Housetraining).

Although the time line of the show is fuzzy, Wilson and House more than likely met while working at the hospital. Emotional affairs emerging between coworkers are typical, considering this guarantees they have common interests, and they see each other often during the day. [4] At this point, there is not necessarily any sexual attraction; it can simply be a perfectly healthy friendship.

The friendship then takes a turn when Wilson starts confiding in House details about his marriage and/or generally confiding in him more than in his wife. There does not even have to be any problems in Wilson's marriage at this point. [1] [4] Knowing House, he likely prodded Wilson for details, but nonetheless, Wilson gives them when he doesn't have to. Any personal information about his wife or the marriage Wilson may give is an automatic betrayal of trust, the main component that makes an affair so damaging. [2] [4]

Wilson also spends an unreasonable amount of time with House. During the series, he's been seen ditching Julie to spend Christmas with House (104 – Damned If You Do) and to meet House at a bar without being given a specific reason (122 – Honeymoon). Bonnie says to House, “You always needed him, and he was always there for you” (320 – Housetraining). From the way they frequently seek each other out during the day, it's safe to assume that this behavior was typical from Wilson throughout all of his marriages. (Which, of course, begs the question – if Wilson is always with House, when and how was he having all of these other supposed affairs?)

A person engaged an emotional affair longs for spending time with the friend while with one's spouse. [2] Wilson is never shown at home with his wife, but it's safe to say that not once during his marriage to Julie does he seem to look forward to seeing her. In fact, Wilson at times seems to downright forget about her.

Also, rather than being supportive of his friendship with House, Wilson's wives likely felt there was something strange about it – Bonnie's tone in her final scene with House indicates this, although she likely kept it to herself while married to Wilson (320 - Housetraining). And, according to Wilson, Julie hated House (107 - Fidelity); there are plenty of more obvious reasons to assume why this is (ie, House is a jerk), but since no specific reason is given, it's entirely possible she didn't like the relationship he had with her husband. If any of his wives ever breeched the issue, Wilson likely became uncomfortable or defensive, shutting down any possibility of conversation. [2] Wilson also could have omitted any mention of House when talking about his day to his wives, either because he knew they wouldn't want to hear about him, or because he knew he was doing something wrong. [1]

Wilson continues to be in denial about the effect his relationship with House had on his marriages. [1] He claims that, “My marriages were so crappy, I was spending all my time with you. Your real fear is me having a good relationship.” (305 – Fools For Love) But the Wilson presented to the audience during the first two seasons makes no apparent effort to work at his marriage, instead actively running to House every chance he gets; in fact, Wilson seems reluctant to start a new relationship, running away from Cuddy when he thinks she's showing interest in him (319 – Act Your Age).

Emotional affairs do not include sexual intimacy, but can possibly lead to it; in most of these affairs, there is a definite sexual attraction. [1] The friends may flirt with each other. [4] There is one instance that Wilson and House's conversation had a distinctively flirtatious air, and even the directing seemed to indicate this was the case:

House: Your lips say no, your shoes say yes.
[Camera cuts to Wilson's shoes and pans up his body.]
Wilson: Well they're French. You can't trust a word they say.
(107 – Fidelity)

“A partner may spend extra time getting ready before seeing this 'friend' or may buy new clothing or change their appearance in order to seem attractive to them.” [1] In the same episode, House notes Wilson has a new tie, in a color Julie hates, and says, “You want to look pretty. At work.” For the briefest moment, Wilson cracks a slight smile before looking away and telling House to stop and denying that he's having an affair.

In a few areas, Wilson's behavior doesn't quite align with that typical of an emotional affair. Although there is little overt indication either way, Wilson doesn't seem to have a problem telling his wives when he is spending time with House. But because he's never seen with his wife, it's entirely possible he might lie about or downplay the amount of time he spends with House.

Wilson has known House for at least ten years; House is not someone new he met and can easily idealize in contrast to a difficult in marriage. His relationship with House is actually the most stable one, while his wives come and go. Wilson's attraction to House is in no way superficial – note that even while living together, they sought each other's company at work.

Finally, the person engaged in an emotional affair doesn't usually feel guilt, thinking it's okay as long as no sex is involved. Wilson, throughout the course of the series, has repeatedly mentioned guilt and seems prone to it. Bonnie says to House, “James at least had the decency to feel guilty when he hurt me.” What is Wilson always feeling guilty about?

Season 4, however, has brought a noticeable shift in House and Wilson's relationship; one, among others, is Wilson referring to it as a “relationship” rather than a “friendship” (405 – Mirror, Mirror). They have been single at the same time for quite a while, after all...


Websites I Stole From
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_affair
[2] http://dating-advice.suite101.com/article.cfm/friendship_vs_emotional_affair
[3] http://dating.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_danger_of_emotional_affairs
[4] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14287231
[5] http://community.livejournal.com/clinic_duty/


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And some more stuff I'd like to expand, but I've wasted enough time already...

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House's Sexual Attraction to Wilson

In contrast to Wilson, House exhibits overtly sexual behavior towards Wilson, while he's a little slower to admit to the emotional significance of their relationship. Casual viewers are fully aware of the sexual remarks House makes towards various women, but if one pays attention, it's obvious that House makes similar remarks to male characters (Chase, Cole, and the male CIA agent are a few), as well, particularly Wilson. The only logical assumption is that, yes, he is joking in both instances, but there's also underlying sexual attraction triggering him to say something in the first place.

Then people like me end up on the Wikipedia page for “booty call” by mistake: “In most instances, a booty call is made when the prospect of a traditional romantic date is highly unlikely, e.g., late in the evening, after midnight or in the pre-dawn hours), thus making it obvious that the intent of the call is for the sole purpose of obtaining and engaging in sexual intercourse.”

And then that reminds of this:

House: Wanna catch a movie?
Wilson: It's one in the morning.
House: I know a place. Although I wouldn't recommend wearing those shoes.
Wilson: [Changes topic.]
[321 – Family]

You have to wonder, what would House have done if Wilson took him up on the offer? (Maybe it would result in a very interesting game of Chicken...)

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The Case for Big Gay Wilson Continues
The Case for Big Gay Wilson continues to hold up so far this season, and that makes me immensely happy - well, except for the Wilson/Cuddy friendship thing. TPTB seem to want it, but can never keep it consistent.

Wilson's still a bit defensive - he had to check that no one was listening before he told House he was watching telenovelas (401 - Alone). Kind of odd, considering he had no problem insisting House was naked while on the phone, while a nurse was standing right there (406 - Whatever It Takes).

I also think Wilson made his first gay joke, ever, when he referenced Larry Craig and House in the same breath (407 - Ugly). Just...interesting.

Wilson's in a disgustingly good mood so far this season. Yeah, he's on the anti-depressants, but they don't work like that. He's...feeling good. Despite living in the hotel (cough metaphor for closet cough). Is he moving past Stage 4, Depression, to Stage 5, Acceptance?

On the meta front, RSL seems to be making some insinuations about Wilson in two separate interviews: "Yeah, not much with the ladies, uh, Wilson." "I don't think he can make things work with women [...] with women, he's hopeless." And he thinks Wilson watches the movie of the week on Lifetime and While You Were Sleeping. Um. Interesting.

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Season 4 Loves Slashers
Wilson is getting a lot more screen time (and I thought I was spoiled by Season 3!); he's also in more promos, especially leading up to Season 4, and for the first time he gets placed next to House in the group shots, and then there was even that Seventeen ad that was just the two of them. TPTB have something planned for Wilson.

Also, House/Cameron seems pretty done. Even though she had a bout of "I love Dr. House" in Ugly, they can't go anywhere with that (except in regards to her and Chase's relationship). Then [Spoiler] House and Cuddy sleep together, there's fall-out, that's it? Either TPTB are prepping House to start humping one of his fellows (OH SWEET JESUS NOT THIRTEEN, although I generally like her)...or Wilson.

Wilson gets the subplot in 409 from the way the summary is worded, but he's not in the promos. This actually gets my hopes up - the best reveals on the show have been the ones kept quiet or not mentioned at all.

And despite a lot people bitching House is being too straight or whatever, he's actually at his most rampantly bisexual this season; I feel like they're making House gayer, not straighter. I think the man's just horny, suddenly. Come on! Lap dances, two blowjob jokes, sexual harassment of his new, male fellows. There's a lot of gay going around; it's just not all directed towards Wilson. But it's there.

I'm not saying "OMG! Canon House/Wilson!" But something's definitely up.