Episode Discussion 1.07 "Echoes" - Aired 3/27/09 (FOX-U.S.)

Ugh, finally caught up with the Dollhouse episodes! Just finished watching this one a few minutes ago, and I can say that it was dripping with ripe humor berries and plot-confusing bananas! I think the episode's plot wasn't played out the best it could possibly have been, and at the end I was still being led to believe that further problems were going to develop. I guess the drug just wore off and everything was back to normal, I think. It had to wrap - right? One thing I did like was the flashbacks of Caroline's life and what possibly led to her detainment slash volunteering at the Dollhouse, I have a feeling even if she didn't sign she would have somehow did it anyways. I as expecting something more BOOM behind the reason though, but it shows that she truly does have a heart and a fight-worthy character. Tonight. Yey, I want more! 🙂
 
This is probably my favourite episode so far. I felt Olivia Williams played Adele perfectly throughout this episode - she managed to portray a gradual descent into buffoonery so well. I loved the whole Dollhouse side of things. The Campus side of the episode wasn't so strong, however. I thought that Caroline's motivation as being an animal rights protester was a bit weak, although it seems from the last scene of her fleeing that we might get a bit more of the two years she was courted by Olivia. I also thought Eliza's portrayal of Alice was weak. She seemed far too Echo-like. Alice should have been a person who is remembering things, not a doll doing the same. She was too naive and accepting of the stranger things going on.

Even so, despite its flaws, who can fail to love Adele's soft rrrrs; her clambering over the guard rails; or her incomprehensible lentils? The comedy in this one made the silly plotline all worth it.

So, what did you other UKers think?
 
I totally agree with you. The Caroline side of the story makes this not one of my favorite episodes, but everyone else acting crazy was hilarious! Very reminiscent of Spin the Bottle and Tabula Rasa. 🙂
 
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charmingslayer
That's what I thought when I first saw it.
Yeah, loved the story, it was really funny and really made me like the characters.

The Caroline story was boring, totally agree on that.

Most importantly, how hot was Echo in the cloths she wore for most of this episode!
 
C
charmingslayer
[No message]
ECHOES

The good;
So we find out how Echo came to the Dollhouse. Hilarious to watch Dominic bossed around by Victor and the other dolls and lovely scenes between Adele and Topher.

The bad;
Why do they use the NSA as cover? Surely they're involved in intercepting communications, not stuff like this?

Best line;
Toper (of Dominic) "He didn't take any, no way would Dominic have any fun"
plus
Again "Nothing is what it appears to be"

Packing heat; Dominic with his Glock (personally I always found them a bit light for my taste?) Sierra and Victor also get one whilst we also see Victor with an M16 in his flashback.
Echo;4
Boyd; 6
Dominic; 6
Sierra; 3
Victor; 2

Kinky dinky;
Echo's knee socks, high heels and micro-mini dress are spectacular, especially when she's on the bike (but is that ED?). Check out her stumble when she chases Sam from the lab. She engages in bondage sex with her returning client.

Notches on the Dollhouse bedpost; none unless Echo goes back to finish her engagement. Why are Topher's trousers off? What did he and Adele get up to? He says she's his 'Superior in every way"?
Echo; 3
November; 1
Ballard; 1

How'd they get away with that?
The poor kid headbutting the glass, yeeesh! Tophers ode to drugs is also pretty near the knuckle.

This weeks fantasy;
Echo returns to her biker-party-girl persona which we see in Ghost, Victor is a federal agent and Sierra a goverment scientist

Total number personalitites;
Echo; 14
Sierra; 5
Victor; 2
November; 1

Total dolls;4, but we hear of another Doll, Foxtrot? Sam becomes an active at the end but do we ever see him again?
Echo, Sierra, November and Victor

Addy is a bit British;
"Sarcastic? Unfeeling? British?" She uses the British term crisp. Brown sauce is actually a mix of fruit and spices. Topher also refers to his machines that go 'Ping!' which is a reference to Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.

Topher is a bit geeky;
Topher is so excited to meet the Rostrum head guy he might throw up. He quotes Mighty Mouse 'Here I come to save the day'.

Subverting the Hollywood cliche;

Bondage; no but Echo ties up her client
Sierra tied up; 1

Knocked out;

Kills;
Sierra; 2 kills
Echo; 1
November;1

Dolls injured;

Capt subtext;
Adele's interview of Caroline is reminiscent of seduction. Paul wants to take care of Mellie, just like he wants to save Caroline, always the white knight. Topher and Adele begin to share. Adele says she has a good story about Victor. Dominic hints that there's more to him than just a professional heavy, namely his suits, is he hinting that he's gay?

Happy hookers

Know the face?
5 Whedon alumni-Mark Shepherd, Amy Acker, walking action figure, Eliza Dushku, Jim Piddock

Guantanamo;
The press are fed a cover story of a student prank gone wrong

Fanfic;
One theory explored in fanfic is that Caroline is actually Adele's daughter?

Missing scenes;

Reminds me off;
Very reminiscent of the classic 3rd season Buffy ep Band Candy, Adele in particular similar to the wonderful Joyce.

Breaking the programming;
In this ep all the Dolls glitch but Echo starts before she even get's the drug. She actually says 'No' to her treatment.

Questions and observations;
Adele refers to her and Caroline playing this game for 2 years? First return client, the same guy from Ghost. Caroline is an anti-war protester and animal rights activist. My personal theory was that Leo, her boyfriend who was shot was actually Alpha. Boyd plays the piano pretty well. We learn Caroline's full name, Caroline Farrell and Dominic's, Lawerance Dominic.
We find hints of the Dolls previous lives, Victor was a soldier, November is mourning someone

Marks out of 10; 7/10 again, enjoyed this more than I thought
 
I enjoyed it too. The best scene is when Dominic acts funny. "My arm's tired." 😀 He became much more likeable, right after I hated him in True Believer.

Good to see flashback about Caroline's life. I feel like she took too much risk to do what she did. That ain't good and sometimes causes people life.

Okay, Boyd's laughing is creepy like hell. And yay, first time we saw Adelle being emotional. Nice idea when November gets up off the chair and say "There's three flowers in the vase...". I almost fell off my chair with excitement. 😀

8/10
 
Ha i♥ this episode.
Adelle and Topher are so funny. It's nice to see Adelle loosen up. 😀

Topher: I'm working! What are you doing besides"¦ being"¦

Adelle: Being what?

Topher: Wait a minute.

[Topher is trying to think of the word. He sighs.]

Adelle: Sarcastic? Unfeeling? British?

Topher: It's an animal.

[Adelle looks quickly behind her]

Adelle: Where?

Topher: No! The word!

Adelle: Still, you have to admit, I am"¦ very"¦ British. I don't say hard Rs.

Topher and his Junk food drawer. :L

'Topher: You haven't seen my drawer of inappropriate starches? Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Ah.'
 
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