THE CASE OF A SCHIZOPHRENIC MOM WITH A DEADLY DISEASE AND HER TEENAGE SON WHO HAVE TRADED CARETAKING ROLES HOLDS A SPECIAL INTEREST FOR DR. HOUSE ON "HOUSE" TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, ON FOX

When it appears that Lucy Palermo, a schizophrenic mom with deadly deep vein thrombosis, is lying about her alcohol intake, Dr. House is the lone voice of reason. Under the scrutiny of her hyper-vigilant teenage son, House takes Lucy off all her medication and secretly sends Foreman and Chase to search her apartment for clues. An anonymous call to Social Services makes House question whether Lucy is really schizophrenic, and causes Lucy's son, Lucas, to blame Dr. House for making the call. Wading through Lucy's altered reality to get to the truth and save her life, House discovers it isn't mom who's keeping the secrets and reality isn't always what it seems in "The Socratic Method" episode of HOUSE, Tuesday, Dec. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (HOU-103) (TV-PG L)

Cast: Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Lisa Cuddy, Omar Epps as Dr. Eric Foreman, Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. James Wilson, Jennifer Morrison as Dr. Allison Cameron, Jesse Spencer as Dr. Robert Chase

Guest Cast: Stacy Edwards as Lucy Palermo; Aaron Himelstein as Luke Palermo; Sonya Eddy as Sally; Al Espinosa as Dr. Wells; John Prosky as Dr. Bergin; Lilas Lane as Terri; Veronica Leigh as Wendy; Pat Musick as Trina Wyatt; C. Xavier Drayton as Male Truant Officer; David Vegh as Clark; Farrah Skyler Grey as Nurse; Kenya D. Williamson as Scrub Nurse