After saving a stranger who fell onto subway tracks, a man suddenly collapses despite appearing to be unscathed; House tries to avoid a dinner with Cuddy and her opinionated mother.

Cuddy’s mother, Arlene, is admitted to Princeton Plansboro after complaining about unusual symptoms, but stubborn Arlene insists that House be removed from the case, forcing House to come up with non-conventional means to treat his patient.

When House discovers that the experimental drug he's been using causes fatal tumors, he decides to attempt to excise them himself. However, he can't complete the surgery and ends up needing Cuddy's help. Meanwhile, Thirteen's friend from prison (Amy Landecker), a relapsed drug user, arrives at her apartment needing medical care after being stabbed. With her friend unwilling to go to the hospital, Thirteen enlists Chase's assistance when the friend loses sensation and movement in her arm. Also, Taub receives some unexpected news that could change his life.

The team learns that their 14-year-old patient is suffering from more than teen angst when her physical symptoms worsen. Despite Foreman’s firm opposition, House becomes obsessed with solving a peculiar case of a deceased four-year-old patient, which gets him into serious trouble. Meanwhile, Park tries to get Chase to admit the reason behind his recent obsession with grooming.

House and the team take on the case of a 22-year-old minor league hockey player who collapsed while coughing up blood after a fight on the ice. Meanwhile, House drops a bomb on Wilson, and Chase offers to help Park change her living arrangement.

The team takes on the case of Derrick, a 19-year-old college student who had a mysterious nose bleed during cheerleading practice, and discovers that his health issues are likely both physiological and psychological. Possibly suffering from schizophrenia, Derrick claims to hear his deceased brother’s voice in his head. Meanwhile, Foreman tries a different approach with House.