Dollhouse

[Kadayi]

Latest one was good. I liked the fact that the Agent confounded their expectations, and that they expanded upon the idea of what use the 'dolls' can be put to. I also thought it was pretty funny how they had to negotiate with Sierra to get her to advise them, to the extent that they had to show her the money. I thought that was a smart move putting emphasis on the fact that these created personalties aren't necessarily wholly compliant.

 

[Kadayi]

Another good episode, one building on the fact that not everything runs smoothly at the Dollhouse. Seriously more of you guys (and girls) should give this one a shot.

 

[Yorick]

I thought this past weeks was pretty insane. I couldn't believe that what's-his-name really tried to kill Echo. And it's obvious that she's not wiping clean as she's meant to be. Very interesting to see where it's going.

My only real complaint so far is the serious lack of an antagonist. The guy at Dollhouse wants Echo decomissioned, and there's worry of Alpha, but there's no real villain yet. Even Agent Helo is just groping around in the dark and isn't a bad guy.

 

[Kadayi]

I thought this past weeks was pretty insane. I couldn't believe that what's-his-name really tried to kill Echo. And it's obvious that she's not wiping clean as she's meant to be. Very interesting to see where it's going.

My only real complaint so far is the serious lack of an antagonist. The guy at Dollhouse wants Echo decomissioned, and there's worry of Alpha, but there's no real villain yet. Even Agent Helo is just groping around in the dark and isn't a bad guy.

True. My early fear was that Agent Helo was going to turn out to be Alpha and it was all some kind of hideous and drawn out Schizophrenia type gig. His apparent immunity to the gravitational pull of his neighbours ridiculous cleavage being a warning sign (I'm sure I witnessed some small moons circling her..). However given he's getting more notes I suspect he's not Alpha and that we'll meet him down the road eventually. I definitely dig the fact that the security chief has it in for Echo. It adds an interesting dynamic to it all, esp given she seems to have an awareness of this now.

PS: we definitely need to see more of Agent Helos neighbour imho. I'm sure she holds the key to many of the shows mysteries

 

[Yorick]

lol yeah the neighbor is something else.

I really hope he doesn't turn out to be alpha, and I'd be surprised if they did that kind of thing. It was pretty cool seeing how close he got to Echo this week, it's good to see it progressing.

Here's my big question. We saw someone kill who are sort of expected to be Echo's parents, and said person has sent her photograph, and now a video of her, to Agent Helo. Whether or not that's Alpha, why would someone on the inside be trying to expose the project in such a roundabout kind of way?

 

[Eejit]

The neighbour is rather plain, wtf guys.

Alpha's probably doing it in a roundabout way due to some Xanatos Gambit.

 

[Kadayi]

lol yeah the neighbor is something else.

She's a chunky monkey, but it's all good from where I'm sitting.

I really hope he doesn't turn out to be alpha, and I'd be surprised if they did that kind of thing. It was pretty cool seeing how close he got to Echo this week, it's good to see it progressing.

Short of major plastic surgery there's very little chance he's Alpha. The Doll house have been using 'Victor' to lead him down the garden path now a couple of times. If they were vaguely suspicious they'd have dealt with him properly by now. Even Alpha isn't going to be immune to a car bomb or a well placed sniper.

Here's my big question. We saw someone kill who are sort of expected to be Echo's parents, and said person has sent her photograph, and now a video of her, to Agent Helo. Whether or not that's Alpha, why would someone on the inside be trying to expose the project in such a roundabout kind of way?

I definitely go along with it being Alpha. Albeit Echo is unaware of the nature of their relationship, I suspect that the reason she was spared the slaughter by Alpha is because he represents a part of her past prior to being 'recruited' to the Doll house'. It seemed from the pilot that recruitment into the Doll house was akin to joining the French Foreign legion for Echo (or Caroline as she was named), a means to escape some personal ugliness that the agency would tidy up on her behalf whilst she worked for them. I'm thinking that, that ugliness probably ties into Alpha somehow.

Albeit he's probably more than capable, simply kidnapping her wouldn't bring back her past because when she's not a personality, she's a doll, and clearly security is much tighter now, so the only real way he has of freeing her is to bring the Doll house down by using the agent and by undermining her instruction as he did in EP 2. Still just my take on events so far.

The neighbour is rather plain, wtf guys.

Eejit is Alpha... ***n!!!

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2934937088/nm2829954

She's not that bad Eejit, she's just nicely rounded

 

[Eejit]

Eh she isn't horrible, but I prefer women with a bit of a jawline rather than chipmunk cheeks.

 

[Yorick]

Loved Patton Oswalt in this latest episode. He was amazing in Reaper too. And Aqua Teen. And Flight of the Conchords. Etc. And it's always amazing to see Mark Sheppard.

Very cool to see plots thickening as they are. Very very excellent episode. Possibly the best one so far.

 

[Lucid]

****, forgot about this show.
Need to start watching again.

 

[Kadayi]

Loved Patton Oswalt in this latest episode. He was amazing in Reaper too. And Aqua Teen. And Flight of the Conchords. Etc. And it's always amazing to see Mark Sheppard.

Very cool to see plots thickening as they are. Very very excellent episode. Possibly the best one so far.

EP6 was definitely worth the wait

Also the fight sequences were tight to say the least. Kudos to the choreographer on that, given it was done on tv schedule & budget rather than film.

 

[Yorick]

Yes. Can't wait for next weeks.

 

[staticprimer]

I've read discussions on hulu that suggest that after episode 5, Fox allowed Joss off the leash and gave him a lot more control. It might explain why episode 6 was much more bold in terms of plot.

 

[Krynn72]

Whats Michael J Fox got to do with it?


lololol


What day/time does this air? I've only been able to watch downloaded ones so far because I keep missing it.

 

[Kadayi]

What day/time does this air? I've only been able to watch downloaded ones so far because I keep missing it.

It's on Friday nights after T:TSCC on FOX

 

[staticprimer]

Whats Michael J Fox got to do with it?


lololol

Oh, you so crazy!

 

[Hobostomp]

Anything made by Joss Whedon has to be awesome. The second it starts airing in Aust I'll watch.

 

[Yorick]

I've read discussions on hulu that suggest that after episode 5, Fox allowed Joss off the leash and gave him a lot more control. It might explain why episode 6 was much more bold in terms of plot.

That sounds about right, given how Fox has treated Joss and his creations in the past.

At least they're actually promoting this one. I, and many other people, didn't even hear about Firefly until after it was canceled.

 

[Kadayi]

At least they're actually promoting this one. I, and many other people, didn't even hear about Firefly until after it was canceled.

I'm one of them. Loved Firefly though.

Damn, I can't wait for the next episode now. I'm still laughing about that fight sequence, they really went at it big time for a TV show. Ballard was like 'If it's on, I'm going to **** your shit up real good and proper missy', quality stuff.

Also I loved what they did with the neighbour, I must admit I didn't figure it at all until it happened. :rolling:

 

[Krynn72]

Yeah, that really took me by surprise.

 

[Lucid]

So, this is getting much more watchable now?

 

[staticprimer]

Very much so. The first few episodes were average at best, but the last couple have definitely upped the quality significantly.

 

[Eejit]

You guys didn't see anything coming with the neighbour? I expected something like that, it's a very Joss thing to do.

 

[Yorick]

Wow what a great episode. Really gave a lot of background and insight into some different people.

 

[Krynn72]

The last episode was craaaaaaaaaaazy! They really brought out some actual character in their characters.

 

[Kadayi]

Wasn't too bad at all, I quite liked the humour of the Dolls ordering the security head around and him having to play along to maintain the pantomime.


The only problem I have is about how the thief intended to get into the building in the first place. It didn't seem like he had a plan in place before echo turned up in my view? (someone subverting her memories again?)

Anyone else think that her Boyfriend was cut a deal originally as well and that he is probably Alpha?

Was also surprised they shifted the neighbour away from Ballard, though I guess in their view she'd achieved her objective so they could afford to free her up for other work.

Also I have to say, Echo running around the entire EP in the short skirt, stockings and heels was a quality move.

 

[Yorick]

Wasn't too bad at all, I quite liked the humour of the Dolls ordering the security head around and him having to play along to maintain the pantomime.

Haha yes that was very amusing. Also his whole "I'm so sorry I tried to kill you" thing was pretty fun. And omg the head british lady was amusing.

Topher still kind of pisses me off.

The only problem I have is about how the thief intended to get into the building in the first place. It didn't seem like he had a plan in place before echo turned up in my view? (someone subverting her memories again?)

Well he had the vial hidden so it's possible he wasn't in any rush initially. Then again given how ****ed up almost everyone was and the fact that he wasn't too against killing people, I'm sure he'd have managed.

It was interesting to see Echo not listen to Boyd. She's really going well outside what she ought to be, as far as being a Doll goes.

Anyone else think that her Boyfriend was cut a deal originally as well and that he is probably Alpha?

It's one possible explanation for why Alpha didn't kill her and is taking such an interest in her, but I really kind of hope that it isn't that simple.

Was also surprised they shifted the neighbour away from Ballard, though I guess in their view she'd achieved her objective so they could afford to free her up for other work.

I'm not, I think she served her purpose as a character.

Something that happened in this past weeks episode has me thinking. When the head British woman was talking to Echo, and then the black kid at the end, she made mention that they only contract for a few years, I think she said 5.

So, how does that work? Do they download the original personalities before wiping them, or do they just set the dolls up with a random imprint, or is it in fact all a complete lie? That corporation, Rossum, was also running tests on fetuses. I'm curious to see what that was all about.

 

[Krynn72]

I doubt that the "boyfriend" had anything to do with it really. I think he was simply a device for Joss to get her outside while everything happened. There was no subtle hints to suggest anything else really. I may have missed something though, because it sorta felt contrived. I'd bet my left arm that he isnt Alpha though. Im pretty certain of that.

 

[Kadayi]

Topher still kind of pisses me off.

Agreed. Topher is not remotely as funny as they think as the geeky guy.

I'm not, I think she served her purpose as a character.

I'm sure they'll bring her back to check on him.

Something that happened in this past weeks episode has me thinking. When the head British woman was talking to Echo, and then the black kid at the end, she made mention that they only contract for a few years, I think she said 5.

So, how does that work? Do they download the original personalities before wiping them, or do they just set the dolls up with a random imprint, or is it in fact all a complete lie? That corporation, Rossum, was also running tests on fetuses. I'm curious to see what that was all about.

I'm pretty sure the 5 year contract aspect was mentioned before in the pilot. I'd say the gist of it is that they (The Dollhouse/Rossum Corp) use you as a doll for the 5 years and then after that they restore your full personality. Pretty much seems that they hook people into it who have little option but to comply, or face some serious jail time as a consequence. After all it's not like you'd honestly know whether they're going to cut you loose after the 5 years or not. As for the embryos I fully expect Rossum have their fingers in a lot of pies, no doubt more of which we'll discover as time goes on.

I doubt that the "boyfriend" had anything to do with it really. I think he was simply a device for Joss to get her outside while everything happened. There was no subtle hints to suggest anything else really. I may have missed something though, because it sorta felt contrived. I'd bet my left arm that he isnt Alpha though. Im pretty certain of that.

It's one possible explanation for why Alpha didn't kill her and is taking such an interest in her, but I really kind of hope that it isn't that simple.

Likewise I also think it's unlikely that he's Alpha (he didn't seem distinct enough) but it would add a degree of motivation. Still all speculation.

 

[Yorick]

Great episode, very different from what I expected going in.

Wonder where it's going from here.

 

[Lucid]

Decided now's a good time to start catching up before it's too late.
Christ, didn't realize I only watched two episodes originally. D:
I've got 6 episodes to get through.

 

[Yorick]

Yes you do. Keep us posted on what you think.

I feel very alone in this thread. It's just me and Kadayi and Krynn.

 

[Krynn72]

wait... so

Spoiler

That man doll raped the fugly asian one?

 

[Yorick]

wait... so

Spoiler

That man doll raped the fugly asian one?

Spoiler

Wut? In this episode we find that she said no to some powerful guy so he pulled strings in put her in the Dollhouse. While in the Dollhouse, she was raped by her handler. Victor the doll knew but was powerless because the dolls are retarded children. Boyd (Echo's Handler) found out about it, and the guy was set up by the Dollhouse to be killed by November the Neighbor

 

[Lucid]

Yes you do. Keep us posted on what you think.

I feel very alone in this thread. It's just me and Kadayi and Krynn.

I'm really shocked that there weren't more people on the forum that were excited about a new Joss Whedon show.
I mean, it's no Firefly or Buffy but it's still damn entertaining and it's the only show that I watch(or plan on watching after I catch up) on Friday nights now.

Also, Jesus Christ @ Eliza Dushku trying to sing. :x

 

[Yorick]

I'm really shocked that there weren't more people on the forum that were excited about a new Joss Whedon show.

Maybe they (like me) are expecting to hear any day that this is canceled.

 

[Krynn72]

Spoiler

Wut? In this episode we find that she said no to some powerful guy so he pulled strings in put her in the Dollhouse. While in the Dollhouse, she was raped by her handler. Victor the doll knew but was powerless because the dolls are retarded children. Boyd (Echo's Handler) found out about it, and the guy was set up by the Dollhouse to be killed by November the Neighbor

Ok thats what I thought. I just got confused because:

Spoiler

He just seemed really suspicious in this episode being all "I
know you from somewhere" and every time he said that pretty much the next thing they showed was her flashback of her getting raped. So I thought maybe I remembered the last episode wrong and the flashback was him raping her in the dollhouse.

Also, this show seems to have pretty low viewership. The Terminator has like 18 million watchers while this has like 4.5

EDIT: Nevermind, that was just the pilots. They seem to have the same amount of viewers now. (lol @ terminator series going from 18 million to ~4 million)

 

[Yorick]

Ok thats what I thought. I just got confused because:

Spoiler

He just seemed really suspicious in this episode being all "I
know you from somewhere" and every time he said that pretty much the next thing they showed was her flashback of her getting raped. So I thought maybe I remembered the last episode wrong and the flashback was him raping her in the dollhouse.

Spoiler

Ohhh. No, The dolls were experiencing their most important emotional states. Echo needing to save people, November needing to grief, Sierra needing to confront that guy. Victor was remembering the rape thing because he cared about her / wanted to protect her / etc. They could have made it a bit clearer.

Also, this show seems to have pretty low viewership. The Terminator has like 18 million watchers while this has like 4.5

The show feels like something is missing, but I'm not sure what. If it wasn't a Whedon show, if I didn't have faith in him, I wouldn't be watching it. 14 Episodes of Firefly and the movie Serenity are enough for me to give this a chance, and I'm liking it well enough but, I don't know.

 

[Krynn72]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I think he just picked a ridiculously hard idea to make a tv show out of. Its hard to show any sort of character or have any emotional appeal when most of your characters are just empty husks. All of Whedon's other works (firefly, serenity, even Dr. Horrible) just oozed personality in every character, and so far the only episode of Dollhouse that I felt any sort of connection with the characters was last weeks when they were all trippin balls. And even then, it wasnt with any of the Dolls.

 

[Yorick]

Yeah that's very very true. It would be easier I think if Agent Helo was the main character, but he isn't. We follow and focus on Echo quite a bit more.