(S01E11) So apparently, Echo/Caroline is Briar Rose. The big twist is that Ballard didn't end up being the Prince. Alpha did.So now we know Alpha's face (and with that knowledge, my Ballard-as-Alpha theory gets blown to Hell in a handbasket), but we're still missing a lot. We don't know his motivation or his connection with Alpha. We do know that while masquerading as Stephen Kepler, he acts a lot like Topher (whom he may have used as inspiration for his facade) and when he reverts to character he acts a lot like Heath Ledger's Joker (Alan Tudyk is a brilliant actor).
Many law firms take on pro bono work to help those that can't afford legal help. I can only conclude that the Dollhouse has a similar service (or perhaps Topher does a little on the side), which is why a care center for abused children can afford a Doll that has been programmed to act like a grown-up, therapist version of their most abused patient.
That ability to actually create fictional personas based on postulations on how people will emotionally mature would be an interesting concept to explore if the show gets future seasons.
It's amazing how Adelle, Boyd and the rest of the crew treat the Actives like cattle. They had no problem injecting Victor (even if he was imprinted with Dominic) with whatever crap they pumped into him to get him docile.
Dollhouse Headquarters is in Tucson? Brilliant. Nobody goes to Tucson.
Alpha must be a brilliant chess player. He knew exactly where Kepler would be so he could lay in wait (notice that Kepler was looking for recyclables). He knew that Ballard would eventually look for Kepler. Hell, he even planted his own photo at the FBI so he'd be mistaken for Kepler. All this to get back into the Dollhouse. So, why did he need Ballard to do it?
Did you notice how Alpha hid behind Ballard anytime someone in the Dollhouse who would recognize him came around? Perhaps he just needed Ballard to act as a barrier.
Speaking of, it was time for the Friday night main event of Ballard vs. Langton. And quite the smackdown it was. At least now Ballard knows exactly how much the Dollhouse has been trailing him since he learned of Lubov/Victor. Of course, so has Alpha.
Alan Tudyk really was the star of the episode. He even had the best lines, such as using the word "frakked" and saying "I heart my porn, but this is cool."
Given how obsessed either of them are with Echo, I wouldn't be surprised if we learn that Alpha was implanted with Ballard's personality, which made him go nuts. Unlikely, but possible.
There are too many questions remaining and only one more episode to explain them. I'm particularly curious about the relationship between Alpha and Echo. And what's with the Southern accents?
Despite seriously enjoying this week's episode, I suspect the ratings will continue their decline and the odds of a renewal are slim. I remain in hope. Tell your friends to watch it online.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-01-2009 @ 11:49PM
djbuhhda said...
im really hoping they renew this show, if back to you got renewed, and til death, then this show needs a renew cuz this show is awesome unlike the two i just named.
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5-02-2009 @ 12:17AM
Nacho said...
No mention of "Dominic" yelling out to Whiskey right before he got the needle? The Doctor played it off like he was yelling for a drink, but surely it's no coincidance that Whiskey is in the NATO phonetic alphabet, just like the names given to all the other dolls. Who was he yelling to? Is the doctor a doll too?
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5-02-2009 @ 6:46AM
AL said...
I had noticed when he said it, but completely forgotten about it as the episode progressed. Good catch!
5-02-2009 @ 2:02PM
Ryan said...
Looking at it again, it kind of makes sense... Like when Alpha asks her if she always wanted to be a doctor, and when she says yes, he says "That's a lie." Maybe he knows she's just been imprinted that way? Would explain why she spends all of her time at the Dollhouse.
5-02-2009 @ 3:02PM
Keith McDuffee said...
Actually I said something about this over on CC:
http://www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/05/01/is-dr-saunders-actually-whiskey-the-doll/
5-06-2009 @ 9:13AM
Eric H said...
Yeah I was thinking that she is either a doll or another NSA agent.
5-02-2009 @ 12:25AM
Si said...
The promo for the next episode said "season finale." There may be hope yet.
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5-02-2009 @ 12:39AM
Malren said...
Didn't Topher say "frakked?" Not Alpha/Kepler?
That nitpick aside, this was one damn impressive episode and I pray this show gets picked up for art least another half season.
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5-02-2009 @ 6:56PM
Robert said...
Yeah, Topher definitely said frakked.
5-02-2009 @ 12:58AM
Greg said...
Another great episode. The fight scene between Ballard and Boyd was amazing. The reveal of Alpha was well done, though I suspected when Alan Tudyk hid from Topher.
Funny how Ms Dewitt calls Alpha a genius making it sound like Paul wasn't when Ballard got the dollhouse to reveal its location when Paul dumped November.
I can't believe next week is the season finale, the previews look so good. I'm guessing Alpha used Ballard to distract Boyd and Ms. Dewitt so he could have his way in the house. I'm curious as to why Alpha didn't kill Victor and Dr. Saunders plus what also got me curious was when he asked her if she always wanted to be a doctor and when she answered yes he said wrong. I know someone said this above me but Whisky is in the Nato Phonetic Alphabet and I'm wondering if Doctor Saunders is an active.
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5-02-2009 @ 1:36AM
Midnight13 said...
Wow, twelve episodes seemed to go by so darn quick. This episode was insane. I can't believe Whedon didn't write this episode himself. It was really good throughout. Imprinting Echo as the potentially older version of the teenager she was there to help was a good idea. Good job Topher. Even though the cat was let out of the bag weeks ago the moment Alpha (Alan) just changed his face was so creepy. One minute he's the bumbling sweet Wash-like character we've come to love, the next he's Norman Bates (ah, used an older comparsion). Next week's looks equally as awesome. Like him and Echo are going to go all Bonnie and Clyde. If this didn't bring back the ones who gave up on this show in the beginning, then I don't know what to say. This show needs a season 2.
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5-02-2009 @ 2:02AM
Age-K said...
Awesome episode. There were a few times early on that I thought "Wouldn't it be funny if Alan Tudyk turns out to be Alpha?" but at the time he actually jumped out and cut Victor's face, that thought was not in my mind and the music sting made me jump a mile high.
Random thought: Is there really a Paul Bunyan statue in Tuscon? Because I was in Tucson not too long ago and I don't remember seeing any trees. I'd think it'd be a pretty weird place for a freaky statue of a lumberjack. Then again, I was in Old Tucson...I figured that was at least next to Tucson, but I don't know...maybe they're really far apart.
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5-02-2009 @ 1:25PM
TJ said...
I think it's near Grant and Stone. I've driven by it several times. Recognized the statue as soon as it showed up on the computer.
5-02-2009 @ 3:10AM
Jophiel said...
Great episode but I'm not gunna lie when alpha cut Victor I screamed not the face!!!!
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5-02-2009 @ 4:04AM
Joseph said...
Dude that's true - the character's not coming back from that - Scars like that don't just go away.
5-02-2009 @ 3:04PM
Keith McDuffee said...
I'm betting Dr. Saunders dies and Victor takes over as the new Dr. with an implant.
http://www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/05/01/is-dr-saunders-actually-whiskey-the-doll/
5-02-2009 @ 4:03AM
Joseph said...
I'm pretty sure Alpha gave us a few hints that the good doctor - I forget her name, but Amy Acker's character - Is a doll.
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5-02-2009 @ 4:10AM
AzHousePro said...
Considering that she said on an earlier episode that she never left the dollhouse, I think we can be pretty sure now that she is a doll.
5-02-2009 @ 5:00AM
mfeige said...
If we really want to start thinking about who could be a doll. Which I don't because I like to be surprised. Anyone could be a Doll. DeWitt, Boyd, Ballard. Ballard could've been just a ploy to lure out alpha. That's maybe a stretch but theoretically it works. I'm along for the ride. I'm not trying to guess anything. I loved the twist and loved the episode. IT BETTER GET RENEWED. But I won't die if it doesn't. I watch too much TV and if Fox wants me watching less of them that is quite alright.
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5-02-2009 @ 5:23PM
AL said...
Unless they rewrite history, Boyd and DeWitt can't be dolls. In Echoes, Topher explained that the drug affects dolls differently. While Boyd, Topher, DeWitt and Dominic were all tripping, all the dolls had memory glitches. This eliminates the four of them from being dolls. The only people who could secretly be dolls would therefore have to be Ballard, Ivy and Saunders, who were not exposed to the drug. Unless, of course, they conveniently forget about that episode.