NEW YORK (AP) — Whither Dr. Gregory House? Would the cantankerous hero of the Fox medical drama mend his ways or self-destruct for all time?

That was the mystery as "House" barreled to its conclusion Monday night. In a recent interview, series star Hugh Laurie had teased that House was coming to the edge of a precipice eight years in the making: "Is he gonna step forward or step back? Is it life or is it death?"

Viewers were rewarded with a satisfying answer in the one-hour finale. (Caution: Read no further if you want to preserve the surprise.)