(S01E12) I'm not sure if I should label this one the series finale, but I live in hope. In any case, it was an excellent episode and gives some sense of closure to the series, yet allows for a continuation of the story should it be picked up. And there is the unaired episode "Epitaph One," which hopefully will be included in the DVD set.This episode was rife with characterization and philosophical debate, two strengths of Joss and his minions. Echo even brought up the simple fact that many viewers have been saying all along: "you can't sign a contract to be a slave."
Those of you who deduced that Doctor Saunders was a Doll: congratulations. You were correct. I wonder what this means for Victor's future since he is another broken Doll.
The episode was concentrated on Alpha's backstory. I have to wonder: once the technology behind the Dollhouse was perfected, why keep a convict on staff? I guess Adelle figured his brain had been rebooted so many times that it was safe. That only works if the virus is in the operating system and not the BIOS.
Joss and company also used the quick-cut "crazy" filming technique to represent insanity in the last episode of Firefly (which was never even broadcast during that series' initial run). At least they're consistent.
I'm so glad Fox showed all the episodes in the correct order. It made it easier to pick up on the recurring themes and motifs of the show and made it much more enjoyable. Notice that Victor's feelings towards Sierra were similar to Alpha's feelings toward Echo, but not as twisted. The fundamental philosophy was that people had a core being (call it a soul) that goes beyond memory. I can only hope that Fox is waiting to see how DVD sales go before making a final decision on a Season Two.
I liked the fake-out at the end where you were supposed to think for a moment that Ballard was agreeing to work for the Dollhouse in exchange for Echo's freedom, but the freed Active ended up being Mellie/November/Madeline. I do wonder if the series continues if Ballard will become Echo's handler, given his protective feelings toward Caroline.
Sierra's appearance in the episode bordered on a cameo. The same can be said for Mark Sheppard in his FBI role. I had thought more would come of his character.
Considering Alpha's ability to put together imprinting equipment in that power station, I wonder if future seasons would deal with the theme of "back-alley imprinting"? Surely there must be geniuses out there that don't work for one of the Dollhouses.
Why would anybody hire a pair of Dolls to go on a cross-country crime spree? It takes all kinds.
Why did Echo touch Topher's heart at the end? I didn't understand the point of that gesture. Was she forgiving him? Was she making an observation of some sort of burden on his heart?
While the series wasn't as good as Whedon's previous ones, I still thought it was better than most of the stuff on TV nowadays and am hoping for a second season pick-up. I plan to rewatch this season to pick up on all the nuances I didn't catch when I didn't know where they were going with the story.
So, what did you think of the series? Do you think you'll buy the DVD?
The TV Squad Podcast: Linda Purl talks about The Office, we talk spoilers, and more
Ask TV Squad: Ghost Whisperer and more!
The TV Squad Podcast: Bill Scheft of The Late Show, Cake Boss, Mad Men and more
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-09-2009 @ 6:43AM
bruce said...
I happened to catch last week's penultimate episode, which I thought was the first decent episode of this show yet (I quit watching it after the 2nd or 3rd episode). As this was the finale, I watched it tonight and it was extremely disappointing compared to where it left off last week. Blah. I won't feel the least bit upset when Fox cancels this show. And it's fox, so you know they will. After all, the world could always use 5 hours of american idol each week instead of only 4.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 8:46AM
fashionwoman said...
"I still thought it was better than most of the stuff on TV nowadays"
Quite agree with this!
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 8:58AM
Claire said...
I figured they would let echo remain multi-imprinted so she could help catch Alpha. I realize that technically they owe it to Caroline to keep her body safe but I think she's be willing to risk it. Maybe Boyd did the same thing Ballard did and discovered the Dollhouse and was hired the same way...since they both have needed skills. I really want to see the next episode and wish they would tell us the show's fate already.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 11:18AM
Bill said...
People give Fox a hard time for cancelling lots of good shows, but I think that's because they take more chances than other networks. If it's not about cops or doctors or lawyers, CBS, ABC, and NBC are reluctant to put it on. They'd never have aired a show like Dollhouse. And the ratings apparently show that there's not a big market for this show. Fox can make better money showing Cops reruns. But they showed 12 episodes of a pretty darn good show no one else would've. So blame the viewing audience for poor taste, not Fox.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 12:39PM
Gordon Werner said...
Don't equate ratings with people who actually watch the show ... everyone I know watches it and none of them contribute to the ratings count
5-09-2009 @ 6:35PM
Suntzu said...
So you want to give them credit for showing it but letting them off the hook for not having the conviction to give it a chance?? Prison Break sucked after season 1 they let it continue to suck for 2-3 more seasons. However Dollhouse has proven to be good but in a poor timeslot why not take a leap and move it around??
5-09-2009 @ 11:24AM
Elisabeth said...
I replayed the conversation between Tofer (Topher?) and Whiskey over and over and there is something I am missing. Can someone help me?
Whiskey asks him "why did you make me hate you so much" (understanding that she is a doll).
Tofer answers "Didn't you look? Don't you know who you are?"
And Tofer looked so sad.
What am I missing?
Thanks!
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 12:17PM
carrie said...
She had pulled up her file on his computer. She asked him why he had made her imprint to hate him. He asked her why she hadn't gone into the file to see who she was before being wiped. And she replied she already knew, seemingly confirming the earlier notion that the dolls still have some sense of self.
5-09-2009 @ 1:52PM
Hutch said...
It would make a lot of sense if the imprint Topher used on Sierra on his birthday was the real Whiskey/Dr. Saunders. There's obviously some history between Whiskey and Topher, like the knew each other before she became a doll.
5-11-2009 @ 12:10AM
MT said...
There is another possibility. The "original" Dr. Saunders could have been related to Topher. Father?
5-12-2009 @ 2:05PM
Leah said...
He saw she had found out who she was before she was a doll and he asked her why she didn't look at the file.
I didn't get the part about her hating him. Maybe he put hate for him in her because he feels guilty about what alpha did to her.
5-09-2009 @ 11:25AM
mdisloki said...
I will be picking up the DVD set ASAP! Same goes for season 2 of TSCC.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 11:26AM
Melissa said...
I am keeping up hope that they will renew the show. I thought it was fantastic, and deserves at least a second season!
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 11:29AM
Jimmy said...
This was an interesting episode, one of many. It was becoming apparent over the last few episodes that Doctor Saunders was a doll but how interesting that she was once the most popular and that she imprinted with a former man. It makes you wonder if any of those people are real. Considering Topher's computer genius ability he has to be a doll. The interesting question is, does he know he's a doll? Moreover, how many more people there are dolls.
As for these scars, these days wouldn't plastic surgery pretty much take care of those scars? Anyway, given a second season I wonder if they'll imprint Victor with someone useful like they did with Whiskey? I guess a second season is too much to hope for.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 1:35PM
sww said...
I was thinking Topher was a doll, too, which is my theory why Echo touched his heart with such a sad expression. Some sort of sensory realization that they're in the same position.
But then, I remembered that during the outbreak virus, Topher was affected in the same way Adele and Boyd were, not the way the dolls were. So, I think that scene with Echo and Topher is a sign of Echo's heightened awareness.
5-09-2009 @ 12:46PM
Dottie said...
I actually enjoyed watching Dollhouse because I recognize the potential that it has in becoming an excellent program. I think if Josh gets another chance for a second season, we will be in for a treat. Here's Hoping!
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 11:32AM
warren said...
hopefully the DVD will release very soon.
http://www.1gadget.net
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 12:02PM
MCW said...
July 28th, also on Blu-ray.
5-09-2009 @ 12:05PM
MCW said...
What is it with these two weeks... 3 of my favorite shows either canceled (Prison Break, Scrubs, Dollhouse), or presumed to be over out of speculation. Not cool. I can only hope Fringe isn't the fourth show claimed.
I REALLY hope there are more seasons... Wikipedia suggests a 5 year plan for the show, which would please me very much.
It's too freaking good to cancel. The season may have had a rough start, but every episode of Dollhouse was better than the last, leading up to the excellent season finale. If Fox were to cancel it, there would be nothing left.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 1:12PM
Leroy said...
Another full season order has already been made for Fringe. It was announced earlier this week.