Holy Mother of God and all her wacky nephews...

[rogueslayer452]

Amazing. Phenomenal. Absolutely fantastic and such a brilliant episode of Dollhouse, I am not even joking right now.

Dollhouse 2.04 "Belonging"

GODDAMN IT! JOSS WHEDON MADE ME CRY THIS EPISODE, YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARD!

There are no words to convey how much I absolutely adored this episode from beginning to end, I was astounded with what we were given. What this episode gave us with Sierra's background, the moral ambiguity of the entire Dollhouse operation (the higher ups more specifically), the morality of Topher and the battling of his conscience, and of course Echo's evolution from just a doll to a self-aware doll. It was dark, it was almost scary and quite uncomfortable with Sierra's situation, but most importantly it brought us a lot of interesting background information, along with lingering questions about certain characters. Mainly Boyd, who I am very interested in hearing his backstory.

First of all, major credit goes to Dichen in this episode. She gave a wonderful performance and just shined throughout the entire hour. I loved the background of Priya and how she arrived at the Dollhouse and given the persona of Sierra. It was dark and disturbing and uncomfortable, which makes it so devastatingly perfect. We knew bits and pieces from last season, that she was sold to the Dollhouse because she refused to have sex with a billionaire. Here, we see more to that story and how it all came to be. Let me just say, it broke my heart. Just everything about it. This man, who thought that he needed her, his obsession with her driving him to such sickness and perversion, of taking control of her like that, taking away her freedom by drugging her, making her go mad just for his selfish need, just because she wouldn't say "yes" to him -- and using her for his own fantasies, keeping those Polaroids of every single fantasy concept he ordered from the Dollhouse with her. It's just so...disgusting, perverted.

But what I loved most of all about her storyline was that, despite everything, once being re-imprinted with her original personality she was able to confront him. Unlike before when it was part of their self-fulfilling journeys, she was able to confront and defeat the man responsible for it all. It reminded me of the movie Enough with Jennifer Lopez, fighting back and regaining the power that was stolen from you.

She did kill him in self-defense, but this was a man with such wealth and powerful connections, especially with Rossum, and seeing how the higher ups weren't the least bit concerned over Sierra's well-being, it was certainly best to ignore it ever happened.

Speaking of which, we really need to have some serious backstory on Boyd, like for real. He seemed far too experienced with his knowledge of how to clean up a crime scene and getting rid of a body. From his calm and collected behavior to his outside connections with helping of disposing of evidence and of a body. Just the way he directed Topher in cutting up the body, my God. I'm thinking he was part of another top secret organization before he came into the Dollhouse, like the mob or something. Boyd is quite an enigma, and it's almost scaring me, in a good way of course. But still.

Topher. Oh my goodness, Topher, my poor boy. :((( *HUGE HUGS*

Seriously, you know before when the show premiered I didn't like Topher that much because of his amoral attitude? Actually seeing his character development and growth and just gaining more insight to his character, his mental state and just seeing everything unravel for him on the morality scale...giving him that three-dimensional layer is just so fascinating that it's breaking my heart. I feel so horribly for him, because of his moral dilemma. He's having much ethical issues this season, which I'm presuming is getting us ready for what we know is going to happen to his state of mind from "Epitaph One". I love seeing that in this episode, and just seeing him undergoing serious ethical debates with himself, his first major moral conflict which he made a decision to restore Priya's personality so she could get back at the man that did all this to her, even though it went horribly wrong, leaving him to live with such a secret and with that particular choice. Oh man. I just, I can't articulate how amazing it is seeing Topher going through this on the screen. Every single shot of his facial expressions, he was just a mess. And it was beautiful.

I just wanted to give Topher a huge hug. Same with Sierra/Priya, the poor dears.

Fran Kranz and Dichen pretty much stole the screen this episode, not going to lie. They were outstanding and deserve a freaking Emmy for their performances.

Other things I liked about this episode:

++ Flashbacks were amazing. The episode opening to a flashback was even more amazing. Also, continuity! When having the flashback to the Dollhouse you could tell because they had Olivia wear a wig to indicate as such that they were back in time, not now with her short haircut. HA! I love this show!

++ Adelle telling us upfront that the reason they chose Topher, besides his genius, was that he was so perfectly amoral and didn't have those emotional ethical issues that most of the Dollhouse staff might have. That was downright cold and heartless, but it's the harsh truth. The thing is, Topher is developing that morality which I think he had before, it's just been pressed down just to do his job. But now things are emerging, the stresses are higher than normal. He's bound to break somewhere. Topher might put on that front of "playing with his toys" so to speak, but that's part of the job while working at the Dollhouse. I can't wait to see more of this unfold for him.

++ MAMA ECHO! :D I loved how Eliza played her here, it's less with the clueless doll-like state and more of the self-awareness. That subtly in her performance, instead of just innocence the dolls have by default, she's more alert and aware of things happening around her, observing and piecing things together (like she always has been, but it's different this time). She's also knowing and understanding when something is wrong and taking action, at least somewhat. She approaches Topher, which seems to be more frequent judging from how he addressed her after she sneaked up on him. Hee.

++ ECHO IS CHOOSING TO REMEMBER. BIG REVELATION HERE, PPLS! ECHO KNOWS SHE MIGHT BE WIPED TO FORGET SO SHE'S MAKING SURE SHE DOESN'T. WRITING INSIDE THE POD. READING BOOKS WITHOUT PICTURES, BECOMING MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE THAN THE NORMAL DOLL. OMGOMGOMG. YES, CAPSLOCK IS NECESSARY BECAUSE YET ANOTHER REASON WHY I LOVE ECHO SO MUCH. ECHO IS AWESOME AND ANYONE THAT DOESN'T AGREE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THIS, NEEDS TO STFU AND GTFO. SHE IS MADE OF AWESOME.

++ Also, notice how she looks after Sierra and Victor in the end? Sitting against the ottoman reading and keeping an eye on them as they sleep together in the pod? Awwww! ♥ Echo clearly is the mama, making sure all of them are safe.

++ The cuteness factor of Victor/Sierra is almost too much for me. Facing-painting. Hand-holding. "I am an Indian Chief!" OTP IS MADE OF CUTE! ♥ ♥ ♥

++ Boyd confronting Echo...truthfully, I thought that Boyd would turn Echo in for some reason. I don't know why, but his demeanor as of recently this season has been quite unnerving. Usually he would be the morally rational one, asking questions. Now he's in the background, almost like a lingering shadow. Huh. Anyway, I liked that she can also talk to him like she does Paul. He understands that she's evolving and wants her safe. And in the end, he gave her a library card! :D :D :D "For the storm..." Awww Boyd, never change with your sneaky, somewhat unsettling enigmatic ways.

++ "You're like a ninja!" lol oh Topher, ilu. ♥

++ Adelle getting threatened by the higher ups was frightening. We knew that she isn't the big boss lady, that there are many others that outrank her, but actually seeing it like this. Just, wow. She looked genuinely terrified and disgusted, also when the guy called her out for being "Miss Lonelyhearts" that was like opening up a wound for her, realizing the irony of her statements of stopping the engagement for being permanent to a perverted client.

++ I like the theme that there are always consequences for everyone's actions and choices, even in the fairytale Utopian world of the Dollhouse where the belief is that once signing up there are no consequences for their actions. That they are all caught up in this web of lies and deceit, and it continues to grow and grow and grow until it's too late.

++ Tahmoh wasn't in this episode, which made me sad. I was hoping to hear his take on the Sierra situation.

++ Joss Whedon is a genius. 'Nuff said.

I have more to say but uh, this'll do for now. I'll have more meta regarding Dollhouse and where it's going this season, which I am totally loving by the way. Such dark, twisted, sadistic and unimaginable and uncomfortable concepts yet it is so fascinating because it does challenge the mind and make you think. This episode really pushed those boundaries, and I'm hoping there's so much more in the future.


SEE WHAT THE HYPE IS ABOUT - WATCH DOLLHOUSE ONLINE

FOX.COM // HULU.COM // DOWNLOAD FROM ITUNES // AMAZON.COM

Yes, shameless pimping of the show. But it's going on hiatus until after November sweeps, which in my opinion is ridiculously long, therefore in order to gain more viewers for their statistical roundups it's best to get the word out because this season? Is rocking so hard that even the skeptics from before are getting into it. Seriously.

Comments

[cinandtonic.livejournal.com]

I sometimes wish this show was on a different day so it would have a better chance. I'm hardly ever home on Fridays, but I DVR it, so I can keep up.

This episode was intense and so so good. Sierra/Victor is so adorable, I loved the end with them in the same bed/pod and Echo reading her book. Seems like an awesome season ahead for us.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

That's the biggest obstacle with Fridays, either nobody is home or there are too many shows colliding together. But they do count DVR as part of the ratings, I believe, and of course watching it online on any one of those websites helps too.

Intense and dark, and one can only hope there are more episodes like this. I'm actually glad this is the last episode we're to be seeing before the November sweeps. It's a great opportunity to get more people to watch simply because it was just that amazing.

[lotuseyes.livejournal.com]

I think I loved this episode. Not quite a 10 I can't forgive the fact that after having not seen my Vincent Ventresca for so long he is such a pervert I can't forgive Joss that. yes its irrational but definitely the best in terms of being rounded overall.

I had wondered how Sierra could have been sold to the Dollhouse on the one hand, but Adelle (and everyone) insisted that the Actives came into the Dollhouse of their own free will. Her being a psycho (or appearing to be one) makes more sense. And poor Topher. I bet you he doesn't often feel like he is doing 'good' by the Actives or 'helping' them and to know that his 'good intentions' actually did more damage to her instead of helping her (both times)...poor Topher. I'm not sure I like him yet (though oddly, I found him disturbingly attractive this episode?), but I don't HATE him anymore.

Its funny I kept thinking throughout the episode 'if Vasser's brother (Dominic) was still in charge this wouldn't have happened' except it DID happen on his watch. Way to be Dominic, way to be.

I loved when Adelle was serving Noland his tea and she slipped up and told him exactly what she thought. Olivia played that line perfectly I think because she had just the right amount of disgust and condemnation, but also a waver because she felt the guilt of that. I've always assumed that despite all else Adelle felt they were giving the Actives something better--in Echo's case an escape from punishment, Sierra's they thought she was insane, Victor I'm assuming must have had something really terrible happen while a commando and wanted it erased (PTSD? it looked like he had been in command of a unit and it all went FUBAR), November an escape from her all consuming grief...this must have been such a rude awakening for her.

Echo was...more disturbing I think. I would have liked to know what she was reading (The Art of War? XD), but the scribblings on the inner side of her pod are what really made me go 'oh shit'. I guess they can't see it from the outside?

As adorable as Sierra/Victor is (more on this later), I thought the Actives weren't allowed to form personal relationships with each other? Isn't that what lead to Alpha going loonbird--his one-sided feelings for Echo? Didn't they try to NOT encourage it last season?

As for Sierra/Victor...when she was telling Noland about how she felt about Victor--without really knowing who she was talking about, just knowing she had that feeling--I felt so sad. Obviously Sierra/Victor are having the kindergarten equal to a romance (at least that's how I see it, since there are no expectations of either party except that they want to be near each other and help each other out), but we already know that Priya/real!Victor (what's his name again?) aren't together. That broke my heart. I think that was one of the biggest motivating factors for Priya to rejoin the Dollhouse quietly, she knew he was there and she wanted that safe feeling again.

And Boyd--we know he worked for a Government Agency before, he said as much to Adelle when they were discussing Paul in season 1 (though I can't remember which one or if they said which one), which of course doesn't preclude less savory ties outside of the Gov, but he was morally damaged as well. I want to know how and why.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I bet you he doesn't often feel like he is doing 'good' by the Actives or 'helping' them and to know that his 'good intentions' actually did more damage to her instead of helping her (both times)...poor Topher.

That's the devastating part of the whole ordeal, I think. We're finally seeing Topher in this manner, morally conflicted and confused, as we saw him with Saunders and how that affected him now it's with Sierra's backstory and how he feels morally responsible for what's happened. I just, oh man, that's a lot. And it's what Boyd said, he was having a moral dilemma and it wasn't working out very well because not everything can be solved even with good intentions set behind them.

And don't feel bad, I found Topher quite attractive this episode too. The disheveled look kinda works for him.

Its funny I kept thinking throughout the episode 'if Vasser's brother (Dominic) was still in charge this wouldn't have happened' except it DID happen on his watch. Way to be Dominic, way to be.

I think it would have happened either way though, no matter who was in charge because it seems there are more powerful people in the Rossum food chain that wouldn't let anyone compromise their business.

I loved when Adelle was serving Noland his tea and she slipped up and told him exactly what she thought. Olivia played that line perfectly I think because she had just the right amount of disgust and condemnation, but also a waver because she felt the guilt of that

It was an excellent delivery, I agree. She makes it clear where she stands but also still maintains the visit as a mere business transaction. She's one classy woman, that Adelle DeWitt.

I like that there's this gray area within the Dollhouse that, despite what they do and the business they run, Adelle truly does believe that they are helping those they take into their care. She also considers herself responsible for those underneath her care, and feels that she'd be breaking a moral line if she does not keep that promise to those that are so morally wounded and traumatized. It makes the conversation between her and the higher ups a lot more tense, because while she runs the Dollhouse there in Los Angeles they can easily trade her from own boss to another. It's scary.

Echo was...more disturbing I think. I would have liked to know what she was reading (The Art of War? XD), but the scribblings on the inner side of her pod are what really made me go 'oh shit'. I guess they can't see it from the outside?

I don't find it disturbing as it is intriguing, because she's finally coming to terms that she can become her own person by remembering things. By recalling and feeling and understanding the past engagements, people's faces, I like that about her evolution. I do wish we could have seen what book she was reading and how she acquired it (I'm thinking maybe Paul), maybe that'll pop up later.

No, they can't see inside the pods from the outside. When the lights are on you can see silhouettes of the dolls inside, but without the lights it's just dark. And with it scratched I don't think there's any visibility either way.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I thought the Actives weren't allowed to form personal relationships with each other? Isn't that what lead to Alpha going loonbird--his one-sided feelings for Echo? Didn't they try to NOT encourage it last season?

But it was Alpha's original personality of a stalker-psychopath that lingered, causing that obsession and dangerous persona to arise. I think with that knowledge, any active that expressed feelings towards another, even innocent ones, aren't much of a threat unless their original personality was also a threat. Besides, even with we know that Sierra, Victor and Echo recognize each other and those feelings won't go away, even if they tried to wipe and re-wipe them every single time. So, I don't think it's much of a threat anymore than what they initially were worried about.

That broke my heart. I think that was one of the biggest motivating factors for Priya to rejoin the Dollhouse quietly, she knew he was there and she wanted that safe feeling again.

Yeah, that's the feeling I'm getting too. And if we remember "Epitaph One" they don't exactly hook up after everything with their original personalities. It just makes me love Victor/Sierra as they are now. Cute in their adorable puppy love. ♥

Boyd is one tough cookie to make out. There's much secrecy with him, too many questions and not enough answers. I'm hoping there will be more revealed about him soon, along with Victor and even November/Madeline.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Do you think Echo remembers Priya as the vibrant, awesome artist she once was?

I don't know. It makes you wonder how many personalities Echo remembers since she's been inside the Dollhouse, or if it's been just with the recent. Maybe it might all come back to her later on.

And Nolan deserved to die. I almost wish that Priya high-tailed it somewhere, but she has that chip in her neck, doesn't she? Poor baby.

He really did, and while it was self-defense her killing him what he was doing, what he was planning on doing, there is no justifications. And although the entire organization of the Dollhouse is of deception and using people, there seems to be that line drawn even in the moral ambiguity of the business. Adelle clearly did not want to deal with people like Noland who wanted to bend the rules only because they had money and power. Yeah, and after what he put her Priya through? I cheered for her killing him like that, even though it was terribly horrific for her to do.

Didn't Topher mention that she didn't belong in the Dollhouse now? Because initially it had been Noland that sold her there, but now after what happened, there is no way she can high-tail in her state of mind, killing someone like that. :( She deserves a hug, the poor thing.

I didn't like Topher until Epitaph One, actually I called him Andrew Jr. because I couldn't stand him, but good on the team for making him sympathetic.

Yeah, I was very indifferent towards him but I started warming up to his character in the latter half of S1 and in "Epitaph One", holy shit. Apparently if that is the inevitable future we know this is the starting point of his deteriorating mental state to how we see him in that episode. I just love them fleshing out his character like this, and how Adelle just told the cold hard truth about Topher and his morals, or lack thereof before, and where he is now with his struggling with his own morality. It's fascinating to see and Franz does a beautiful job in showing us that.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I know, isn't that just unfortunately sad? It's also where some countries don't get the show premiering until a bit later, and they don't have a chance in a say whether they would like to see more or not. All based on our stupid ratings systems. Ugh.

I do think there's a website somewhere that people not from the States can watch from, but I don't know if it would help with ratings and whatnot.

[alexwhitman25.livejournal.com]

Topher went to see the wizard and got himself a heart/conscience! Loved it.

Heh, immediately I thought omg Boyd was mixed up with the mob. Interesting to know there is some darkness in his background.

The episode was amazing and Dichen did such a fantastic job. I was so happy to see her get a chance to confront what happened to her and the man behind it all.

Also I loved loved that Priya knew that she loved Victor even if she couldn't really remember who he was. Also, Victor sitting there that whole time waiting for Sierra totally reminded me of Cas standing by the side of the road all night waiting for Dean.

Echo was freaking awesome. Pushing and manipulating. I love it.

I totally thought Boyd was gonna clue someone in about Echo too. Unnerving is a great word to describe how I've found him this season.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Also, Victor sitting there that whole time waiting for Sierra totally reminded me of Cas standing by the side of the road all night waiting for Dean.

OMGYES! THIS! I was just thinking about this earlier today, that Victor was doing the exact same thing that Castiel did, waiting for the person that they love. Awww! Both these ships warm my heart it's almost ridiculous. ♥

Dichen, I loved her before but after this episode I love her even more. Her performance was fantastic, from being Sierra to Priya in both the flashbacks and in present day, and seeing that Topher does feel responsible and has guilt and regrets and will have to live with them. Ohmygosh, so much awesome. They really went all out in this episode with fleshing Topher out and giving Sierra all that screentime. I loved it all.

I am loving protective!Echo, and how awesome was it seeing that she's actively gaining knowledge that the Dollhouse wouldn't approve of? The writing inside of her pod was brilliant. Plus, she was looking over Victor/Sierra at the very end. Awww. Love.

Boyd. Oh shit, I don't even know anymore. That man has some darkness and it does make one wonder how he came to the Dollhouse, and for what reasons.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Tahmoh wasn't in this episode, which made me sad. I was hoping to hear his take on the Sierra situation.

I liked that he wasn't there since he didn't have a part to play, as with other characters in episodes one, two, and three. They're doing a good job this season of giving characters fully-fleshed stories in turn and not having extraneous scenes. I'd rather have another two minutes of Sierra's story than two minutes of Ballard's reaction.

If the tidbits revealed about Boyd in Belonging don't lead to a story later on, I'll eat my hat.

It was great to have Sierra's history explained and terribly ironic that this was perhaps the worst way a Doll joined the House but they thought it was a charity case.

Oh yeah, this is definitely setup for the deterioration of Topher's mental state, just as it was great foreshadowing to see him trying to figure out the science of remote wipes (No, Topher! Leave it alone!).

Interesting to see Echo taking charge in her Doll way.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

That is true, Paul wouldn't have fit into the flow of the episode since it did focus primarily on Sierra, Topher and Boyd, with a little Echo. Nevertheless, it would have been interesting to see that reaction from him.

If the tidbits revealed about Boyd in Belonging don't lead to a story later on, I'll eat my hat.

Such much agreed. I have no doubt that Joss wouldn't have introduced such a darkness within Boyd to not return to it later. It's all the matter of when and how and if Boyd is going to get an episode like this to explain his background. In fact, I've always been curious about his story since last season, and we're getting more questions than answers at this point. WE NEEDS TO KNOW NOW!

It was great to have Sierra's history explained and terribly ironic that this was perhaps the worst way a Doll joined the House but they thought it was a charity case.

It makes you wonder how much to Dollhouse really knows of their newcomers and their stories, whether or not it was fabricated to make it look like charity cases such as the case with Sierra's past. Adelle was genuinely disgusted at Noland's sick perversion at what he was doing, and had done, to Sierra that if she had known this before I doubt she would have allowed any of this to continue on (although it seems like she might not have had a choice in the matter anyway, judging from her boss's reaction to her reaction).

it was great foreshadowing to see him trying to figure out the science of remote wipes (No, Topher! Leave it alone!).

Yes, this. I was thinking the exact same thing. We know that it'll happen, we've seen the outcome, and this is just the beginning of it all, and honestly I'm terrified with how we see it follow through. Especially with Topher and how he'll handle it, with the secrecy and living with the consequences and the guilt and just, oh man.

I can't wait to see more progression to Echo's evolution.

what a mindfrak

[rawthorne.livejournal.com]

Dollhouse is back. I loved everything about this episode although I couldn't help think that for a man like Nolan, who must know what the Dollhouse can do, he was horribly naive to think they'd just bend over for him. I was expecting Topher to modify the imprint and make her into something of a killing machine. He didn't, he tried to set her free, but it still amounted to the same thing in the end.

I loved the Topher/Adelle, Topher/Priya moments. And the growing complicity between the Actives is fascinating. I loved Echo's "I don't care. I want them to wake up." It reminded me of River. Actually, a lot about Echo these days reminds me of River...

Re: what a mindfrak

[wytchcroft.livejournal.com]

i think Nolan was just overused to having his every whim catered for. in Angel terms he'd be in the Circle of the Blackthorn...
which is not to say he was completely fleshed out, he wasn't, villainous cypher is all. But considering how much extra depth was gained by the main players Nolan's brittleness doesn't matter.

i agree with you about River - which is why i think Joss was adamant that Summer could not be cast as a doll. Remember River's drawings of the Russian dolls? And her speech about the Alliance dressing her up as a 'Gorram Doll'? Dollhouse was born right there.

i notice JOSS OMG WHEDON is getting the kudos again - and why not, but c'mon guys credit the WRITERS and DIRECTORS sometimes will ya?

Re: what a mindfrak

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Noland also had power and wealth and connections to Rossum which certainly outrank the Dollhouse. We're finally seeing that the Dollhouse is just a fraction of the larger picture attached to these big, powerful corporations like the Rossum Corporation.

Joss has a way of incorporating similar themes in his shows; the big evil corporation looming over, being a ominous presence, those taking control from being controlled and having their power taken away (like River and the Alliance, Echo is doing so with the Dollhouse, same with Priya confronting the man that was responsible for all that happened to her), a sense of "created family" even though they might not be blood-related (I'm definitely sensing that with Victor/Sierra/Echo, with Echo being the maternal lookout for those she cares about), etc.

I'm glad that Joss isn't having Summer play a doll, that would be typecasting and Joss knows that Summer has a lot of versatility. Seeing the promo made me shiver because, holy shit.

Of course the writers/directors of episodes are equally as important. Why would you think otherwise?

Re: what a mindfrak

[wytchcroft.livejournal.com]

LOL! i garbled my last point - i think it's weird/funny that apart from 'Man in the Street' none of the most popular episodes have been his! :)

Re: what a mindfrak

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

With Noland, I think with his ties with Rossum and how ultimately powerful and wealthy he seems, of course he believed they would bend over backwards for him. Of course we seem to see that Rossum outranks the Dollhouse, especially Adelle, whenever a client wants or needs something. And since Noland had actually sold Priya to the Dollhouse in the first place, I'm guessing he thought he could have full reign in the say whatever he could do with her.

I was expecting Topher to modify the imprint and make her into something of a killing machine. He didn't, he tried to set her free, but it still amounted to the same thing in the end.

I was thinking the same thing, because this is Topher who's having moral conflicted issues about the entire situation and, of course, being the genius that he is, he would imprint Sierra to become like an assassin or something. Like what they did with her previous handler, remember? But Noland is a client, not an employee. But the thing is, Noland didn't specify what he wanted imprinted. Just as long as he could have her.

I liked that Topher tried to do the right thing but it ended up a huge mess, he didn't think of the consequences all the way through. What would happen if Priya hadn't gotten away?

I loved Echo's "I don't care. I want them to wake up." It reminded me of River. Actually, a lot about Echo these days reminds me of River...

Me too. I've thought this since last season, actually, making those connections of similar themes. The Dollhouse/Rossum is certainly the Alliance of the Dollhouse universe. It's a common theme risen from Joss Whedon shows, apparently; evil and corrupted corporations taking control of people, taking away their freedom, messing and toying with them. To me, Echo is the River who finally understands and is going to fight back from within, taking back what they took. Echo isn't broken, but wants to find the missing pieces, wants people to "wake up" too. I love it, and I love that Echo is taking more control over what she knows/doesn't know.

Re: what a mindfrak

[rawthorne.livejournal.com]

Fair point, but I guess knowing the full extent of the Dollhouse imprinting process, I would've expected him to be cautious when it came to forcing their hand into giving him something they so obviously didn't want to give. You're essentially signing up for one on one time with an assassin, for all you know. And while you may be used to getting your way and having your every whim catered to, surely you can't be so deluded as to think you're invincible when it comes to a bullet.

Or maybe you can; he was, after all, a villain.

[spankulert.livejournal.com]

Dollhouse is on fire lately! I completely agree that this was one of the best episodes of the entire show. Pity it's going on hiatus after such a strong run. I hope people still remember when it comes back, and gets their friends to give it a shot as well.

"I am an Indian Chief!"
Gold!

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I've been managing to play the episodes on Hulu on repeat because I want them to realize that yes, we do watch the show. I just wish that FOX had the audacity to promote the show as much as they do their other shows.

VICTOR IS ADORABLE! *squishes him*

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

I forgot to say before, Victor's flashback is also a clear plot lead-in for later (Maybe we'll finally get to know his real name - funny if it actually is Victor).

I've been leaving the episodes playing on Hulu on my home computer while I'm at school.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I am very curious about Victor, what his real name is, and how he managed to get into the Dollhouse. I mean, clearly he's military and had something traumatic happen that he blames himself for, but what and how we need to know. Just, more Victor plz.

I've been doing the same thing too! I'm hoping other fans are doing the same, we want more DH. *crosses fingers*

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

From the flash, it looks like he was thrust into command of a situation he wasn't ready for.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Does it count your Hulu watch in the ratings when you begin or when you finish?

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest with you. I would assume after you finish.