I still watch House, even though I know better. I was never the biggest fan of the show, even though I enjoyed it’s earlier seasons, but it’s quickly wearing thinner and thinner and thinner.

This is, of course, the danger of a procedural. Even with a quirky fresh premise, eventually it all just becomes procedure and, thus, sort of boring to watch.

So why do I?

I think it’s best explained by looking at another procedural that I wholeheartedly adore: Bones. Bones and House share many of the same flaws and while both had lackluster season starts, I’m probably going to watch Bones for the rest of the season, whereas there’s a good chance I’ll drop House.

Part of that is just that House has been on the air a season longer and has had a chance to stale more. But a larger part related back to why I watch what I watch: I’m a character person.

Oh sure, I loves me a good plot and obviously, ideally, my shows would have both. But in an imperfect world, I’ll choose the show with the people I like (or at least like to watch) over the people that annoy me.

Yes, House has House. But it also has the rest of the cast. Wilson is fun, but only when he’s with House, and everyone else? Let me count the ways in which I don’t care or find them slightly offensive to me as a woman. Whereas on Bones? I enjoy pretty much everyone on screen so as the plots become less and less, I’m at least entertained the whole time.

It’s not even a matter of new team v. old team: I find both teams equally uncompelling. They have their moments and I don’t hate the characters by any means. I just don’t mind in they’re not around (save for Amber who they, of course, killed).

Essentially, I still watch House because I still like House and that goodwill has carried the show far. The premise of this season is interesting enough that, provided they don’t go back on it instantly, I could stick around. But the truth is, even the season premiere, which banked entirely on how much the viewers like House and give a good damn about the rest of the cast, fell a bit flat for me.

Watching House has become a bit of a chore and I don’t like that. I hope that the writers find a way to work well with the material this season, but frankly, I really hope it’s their last. A good procedural should always quit while it’s ahead, a lesson a lot more shows could stand to learn.