Charity Case

This episode seems loosely based on the American investor Zell Kravinsky, even using his quote that "to withhold a kidney from someone who would otherwise die means valuing one’s own life at 4,000 times that of a stranger".

Philanthropist Benjamin Byrd (Wentworth Miller) collapses outside of a training center for the homeless where he's made an incognito visit.

When brought into Princeton Plainsboro, he offers a large payment to the hospital so that House will be able to reassemble his diagnostics team.

The team tries to determine whether Byrd's generosity is a symptom of mental instability, something confirmed when he offers his other kidney to Thirteen and says he's willing to live on dialysis.

She aids him on the case and is nearly persuaded to return to the diagnostic team full-time.