Since the beginning of the 21st century, many societal changes have taken place. Old fashion trends have become obsolete and societal boundaries are non-existent. Cultural advancements such as women's rights, same-sex marriage, abortion, and other controversial issues are now accepted by most in society. As outmoded boundaries crumble beneath our feet in today's progressive society, man struggles to determine his identity as an individual and as a group. The television series "House, MD" presents a dilemma in which Detective Gregory House struggles to reach his conclusions about society and the nature of man. The series itself stems from the roots of the detective fiction genre. Traditional crime fiction served society to the extent that it highlighted cultural anxiety about the unknown as well as poverty. Now that these issues are no longer relevant, modern detective novels, like “House, MD,” have adjusted their themes to demonstrate the needs of society. Viewers can draw their own conclusions based on House's discoveries and receive answers about the nature of man and society. As traditional institutions have weakened, today's media have been tasked with carrying the burden of organizing public opinion. Mass media such as fashion, news, magazines, radio, and popular television series often convey society's views on a large number of topics such as politics and religion. However, American culture has now become relatively tolerant of many different opinions. Society no longer has a set of boundaries deemed “appropriate.” As a result, the image reflected in the media has become a vast maze of unrelated topics and ideas. "House, MD", provides common ground for all...... middle of paper ......ake. Similar to the series' religious references, sex in "House, MD" is used to represent society's new openness and celebration of limitless boundaries. House allows viewers to follow him as he discovers the cultural needs of today's society. Using many detective fiction elements and themes relevant in today's society, House illustrates the loss of boundaries in society. The needs of society can be considered a discovery. Man yearns to discover more about topics that were previously inappropriate. Works Cited “Everyone lies.” House, MD brief. Shore, David. Real. Barclay, Paris. Fox. May 17, 2005. “Wilson’s Heart.” House, MD brief. Blake, Peter. Real. Jacobs, Katie. Fox. May 19, 2008. Winks, Robin. “The Crime Scene: Detective Fiction Discovers America.” The Wilson Quarterly. 9 (winter 1985): 148-55. Print.