Characters
I love the smell of pus in the morning. It smells like… victory.
— House · House M.D.
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker links the unpleasant smell of pus with the satisfaction of victory. Pausing before the final word gives the statement the shape of a triumphant declaration, despite its grotesque subject. The joke depends on treating something normally repellent as a welcome sign of success.
Context reviewed