(S01E02) In what was seriously a step up in show quality, Dollhouse gave us its version of the short story "The Most Dangerous Game". In effect, humans hunting humans with lethal weapons. I'm surprised the concept isn't a Fox reality show yet.Episodes that fill back story always enrich a series (and remain one of Whedon's strengths). A good example of this sort of story is "Out of Gas" from Whedon's previous television show Firefly. I've also seen the concept in Torchwood and The Sarah Connor Chronicles. In this case, we learn about Boyd Langton's introduction to the Dollhouse and the nature of his relationship with Echo.
Now we have a potential Moriarty to Echo's Sherlock Holmes in the form of Alfa (which is spelled that way and not "Alpha" in the NATO phonetic alphabet). It's uncertain as to whether Richard himself was Alfa, but if he was, it would have been likely that Adelle DeWitt would have recognized him in his initial interview (unless plastic surgery was involved). Thus, that seems unlikely. Had he been, it would have added a level of complexity to his name since hunting is such an alpha-male sport (much as how Echo lives up to her name by containing traces of memories).
If Richard wasn't Alfa (which is likely), then he still had an appropriate name since he was such a Dick. However, it also leads to a mess of questions (some of which were expressed by characters in the episodes). Does Alfa remember his experiences with the Dollhouse? How did he know the exact methodology of getting past their screening process like that? It seems like an inside job to me. The only question we got an answer to was the fate of all of Richard's ex-girlfriends.
After establishing their relationship throughout the story, it was somewhat unbelievable that Langton would abandon Echo (or her current personality, Jenny) to fend for herself against Richard. Granted, he was injured, but it still seemed out of character. At least he was in character during the handler/handlee hug.
Favorite line of the episode: as Echo was cocking her gun..."I had four brothers, none of them Democrats."
I have no doubt the audience will be introduced to Alfa at some point, probably this season. If Richard rated as "moderate" danger, I can't wait to see what intense danger looks like.
Agent Ballard had a minor role this week, essentially investigating last week's episode (and dealing with the subtly amorous intentions of a shy neighbor).
Amy Acker still looks adorable even with her scars. Did anybody else catch the use of the phrase "Tabula Rasa" and note that it was the title of a Buffy episode, or am I alone in being that much of a geek?
This week's opening with white-water rafting was very similar in theme to last week's opening on motorcycles. I wonder if that will be a recurring motif of the series.
The episode was definitely a step in the right direction for the series. Many questions remain, but that's why we tune in next week, same Doll time, same Doll channel.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-21-2009 @ 10:35AM
Argus said...
The connection between "Tabula Rasa" in two Whedon episodes isn't really a connection. When you have so many episodes under your belt a common term like that is bound to come up. I felt that this episode was still a bit weak. Was not a fan of the pacing. I'm also concerned that we might be getting Alfa as a Big Bad and an awakened Echo (with a bunch of different skills) quite soon. This would hurt the premise of the show IMO... Also, I tend to like bad guys that stick around for more than one season, but that's just me.
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2-21-2009 @ 10:39AM
Mathew said...
FYI, whilst your alpha/alfa comment is somewhat interesting in and of itself, it's worth pointing out that in the first episode his file was clearly labelled "Alpha" so it's not really relevant.
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2-21-2009 @ 10:46AM
Alana said...
I, too, thought this episode was a vast improvement from last week. I know they have to establish the character in the pilot, but this episode was a wonderful combination of backstory and current relationship status between Echo and Langdon.
My thoughts on Alpha are all over the board. If he did set up this little test for Echo, I don't think he had any intention of her dying, though how he could have known she wouldn't is unclear. I think he's trying to force Echo into what we learned happened to him: a composite event. Alpha didn't kill Echo for a reason. We don't know that reason, but he didn't leave her alive because he was in a giving mood. It could be he wants Echo to become what he has become: a culmination of all the personalities that have been integrated into his mind.
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2-21-2009 @ 10:56AM
Jesus said...
I agree that this episode was better. It's still not great in my opinion. I really dislike Topher's character. Perhaps it's the actor?
I also wish we could see more of the other dolls' experiences.
And what was with the cinematography/effects in this episode? That POV shot of her dizziness was so amateurish.
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2-21-2009 @ 11:07AM
Frank Wrench said...
We're gonna find out that that Lubov gangster is an Active, right? Cause that's what that guy was cast as, so I'm assuming that will be a main twist pretty soon.
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2-21-2009 @ 11:46AM
Christopher said...
Definitely a step up from last week.
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2-21-2009 @ 11:51AM
tom jones said...
Man, she's super hawt.
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2-21-2009 @ 12:24PM
chrissthomas said...
Has anyone else noticed the plethera of BSG actors joining this show? I am excited if they are gonna get some quality actors they should get some quality acting.
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2-21-2009 @ 1:44PM
scottR said...
To be fair, it was also the other way around ( in terms of Joss-verse) . Mark Sheppard was 'Badger' on Firefly before he was 'Romo' on BSG.
2-21-2009 @ 3:13PM
charleswheeler said...
scottR said...
To be fair, it was also the other way around ( in terms of Joss-verse) . Mark Sheppard was 'Badger' on Firefly before he was 'Romo' on BSG.
Umm ... has anyone else noticed that Mark Sheppard has been the bad guy on Leverage, Burn Notice and Dollhouse practically within the same week? Geez, fella, give some other actor a break. (And I don't mean Alex Carter, who was with him on Lev and BN 2 days apart)
2-21-2009 @ 12:45PM
Joni said...
Alpha is a greek letter. Shame on you
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2-21-2009 @ 12:47PM
Nicolas Graf said...
Brad, where did you see it written as "Alfa"? In the pilot it clearly was spelled "ALPHA" on his file, same in the "previously on…" this ep. I don't recall seeing the file elsewhere…?
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2-21-2009 @ 1:49PM
jsmith12 said...
I think the point was that the actives' names seem to be taken from the NATO phonetic alphabet (Echo, Sierra), and so you might expect it to be spelled 'Alfa' in keeping with this.
2-21-2009 @ 2:05PM
Nicolas said...
ahh, that makes a lot more sense ;)
2-21-2009 @ 1:22PM
Hutch said...
This was a fantastic episode, and really should have served as the pilot. I'm still up in the air as to whether Dushku will be able to evolve as an actress into playing all these parts, but the plotting and the pacing were spot on this week. There was also some great back and forth between Topher and Langton. I really appreciated some of the witty dialogue that seemed to be missing last week.
Let's be real: this isn't Buffy and this isn't Firefly. It's a different show than either of those. It's a serious show dealing with serious questions about what makes you you. It's also dealing with some really creepy elements (like when she came back from her date with the fat guy), so as a show, it's bound to have less humor. But by the end of this episode, I was pumped and ready for another.
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2-21-2009 @ 1:36PM
Modwild said...
This episode just lead me to wonder WHY they didn't leave well enough alone and make this the first episode. They even had some of the exact same scenes in this that were in the new first. That has to be one of the poorest choices in television history.
Topher is a horrible character. I get the feeling they are trying to make him funny and quirky, but instead he's quirky and creepy. He says things to the actives and it seems like he's thinking very bad things. I don't like him at all.
It hit me last night that this is a 2009 version of Fantasy Island, without the island. This same story was even done on the first season, a man who wanted to hunt a woman and she ran for her life in her perty khaki hunting outfit. They even sell it the same - as your ultimate fantasy.
I liked this one better, but was so damned angry the whole time that it was traded places for first with last weeks ep I wanted to scream.
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2-21-2009 @ 1:49PM
Gill said...
It seems like they're trying to make Topher kind of goofy like Wash, but its not being written/acted very well so it does come off as creepy and inappropriate.
2-21-2009 @ 2:22PM
Asa said...
I know in the past they mentioned that the original pilot would be the 2nd episode, but that's changed. The original pilot has been thrown out. I heard this was originally the 8th episode, but FOX throught the premise was so cool they wanted to move it up. So i think they made the right decision.
2-21-2009 @ 2:29PM
Hutch said...
I don't think they're trying to make Topher funny and quirky at all. I think creepy is exactly what they're trying to make him. He's not like a lovable, endearing character like Wash, Topher's a mad scientist. A genius, an artist whose job it is to rip the minds from these actives and then build them back up again. I'd be willing to bet that Topher has a very dark psychological profile.
He's not like langdon in that he doesn't care about the Actives. They're playthings to him. To do what he does, he'd have to be amoral, not prone to viewing the actives as people. Instead they're his blank canvas. There is a very fine line between genius and madness.
2-22-2009 @ 12:26PM
edgore said...
"It hit me last night that this is a 2009 version of Fantasy Island, without the island. "
Ding Ding! That is exactly what I was thinking. Anytime you do the "Most Dangerous Game" episode it's a very poor indicator of future performance. Pulling it out on episode two is inexcusable...