When "5 to 9" opens with Cuddy waking up and starting her daily routine, it becomes apparent that this will not be the usual episode of House. Like "Wilson" earlier this season, the episode chooses to focus on one of the secondary characters and show us what they're day is like while House and his team puzzle over diagnostic mysteries. In the case of Lisa Cuddy, her day involves a lot of bureaucracy.
Cuddy's Busy Day
By the time Cuddy get's to the hospital, she already has a full plate on her hands. Princeton-Plainsboro's contract with their health insurance provider is due to expire, and the negotiations have dragged on for eight months. She discovers that one of the pharmacy workers, Gail (Celia Finkelstein) has been stealing medicine. Cuddy's personal life has her stressed over daughter's fever, as well as a spat with Lucas. And of course, she has to deal with House and his eccentricities.
The most pressing matter was of course negotiating a new contract with the health insurance company. The company's rep (Anthony Tyler Quinn) refuses to budge on their offer, even though it's much lower than the last one, and lower than what other hospitals are getting. Cuddy feels that even though they are one of the smaller hospitals, they deserve a better offer because they are the one of the highest rated hospitals the company covers (which is good for publicity). She makes a stand, and says that Princeton-Plaisboro will terminate their contract if the demands aren't met. The rep seemingly walks.
