... I wonder if the reaction they're getting from fans and critics will make them retcon something in.

I'm wondering that also.
That's my worst fear about this, that they'll say "uh oh" and start season 8 by saying "oh no, silly us, we forgot to tell you that House was stoned on Vicodin and thought he was driving his car into Cuddy's garage! And he has a tumour in his brain! And Bobby's in the show and Pam was dreaming! And anyway, Cuddy deserved it for daring to date someone else!".