Episode Discussion 1.11 "Briar Rose" Aired 5/1/09 (FOX-USA)

[wickedtiger86]

Yeah, I loved some parts of this episode. I had the Alpha thing pegged but my husband about had a seizure. haha.

The whole sleeping beauty aspect was interesting to me because I love folklore. I just watched the Buffy ep "Hush" the other day and remembered how I love when Joss goes all fairy tale. So I pretty much enjoyed the episode but not as much as I thought I would until about, the middle-ish. Still totally good though.

I kind of agree that Echo is the least interesting Doll too. She has little bouts of interesting when she remembers a few things. Of the dolls my fav is probably Victor.

 

[WhiteHat]

I thought Tudyk's (sp?) agoraphobic/stoner character was freaking brilliant, and it's very rare that I laugh out loud at TV shows. I was totally sucked in and didn't expect the twist at the end. I felt *so* sorry for poor innocent Doll Victor lying there on the floor totally helpless like a wounded infant. Stand out acting by many cast members here.

 

[Bluebird]

Ah! Now I have too many questions, I need to see the next episode! I thought that was just amazing. 😀 Alan was fantastic. I wondered how he would pull off playing a bad guy, but he did a great job! Fairly freaksome, it was.

I felt so bad for Victor with his face all cut up though. 🙁

 

[Flannen]

That was simply awesome! I did NOT see the twist coming at all and I'm so glad I didn't.
I really cannot wait for next week. I've just watched the last five back-to-back so I now I feel like I'm being left hanging!
I'm wondering if Alpha and Dr Saunders knew each other beforehand, that's the impression I got anyway. I'm not sure what to think about who Echo has become thanks to Alpha, it didn't seem like it was Caroline, considering what we saw of her in the flashbacks.
I also go the impression that they'll use Paul as an ally, I think he'll help them sort out Alpha cos he'll want to save Caroline!
This really is what the show has needed, just hope its not too late. I guess the next two episodes will determine whether there's room for another series...I'd like to see it but not if it means dragging out the story.

 

[eveagain]

Is anyone else wondering... I think Dominic was referring to a person when he said "whiskey" - I'm just not sure who I think the person is. But I have my suspicions!

I have loved every episode so far and I am dying to see next week!

 

[Friendly Lurker]

Is anyone else wondering... I think Dominic was referring to a person when he said "whiskey" - I'm just not sure who I think the person is. But I have my suspicions

Ooh, I thought about that too when I saw it but I forgot it afterwards because of all the awesomeness going on!

 

[Bluebird]

Is anyone else wondering... I think Dominic was referring to a person when he said "whiskey" - I'm just not sure who I think the person is. But I have my suspicions!

I thought so too. I'm thinking Whiskey was another doll, and that they're inside Echo now. Whiskey and Alpha. 😀

 

[AndrewCrossett]

That's an interesting theory. I assume Adelle and the others would have immediately thought of that. Does anyone remember exactly what Adelle said when Dominic asked for whiskey?

 

[Friendly Lurker]

Dr. Saunders is about to give him the shot and he begs them not to but then he pointedly looks up at Saunders (or Topher?) and clearly says Whiskey. Definitely not talking about a drink. 😛

Saunders: He wants a drink and stat. (I'm not sure about "stat", something that starts with sta)
Adelle: I'm not surprised.
Dominictor: No, no...
Topher: Oh god, that was...
Adelle: Necessary. Doctor, he's calm now, is there perhaps something else we could give him to make him more receptive to our questions?
Dominictor: No, I'd rather not.

 

[MinwaraYana]

Oh man, I loved Alpha before he revealed himself. Alan's acting was brilliant. I SO HATE him now to do that to Echo.
I think it's the best episode ever. 😉
- Who's the person in the garbage? Alpha?
- That Susan girl is such a cutie. I love what Echo told her.
- Paul's so in love with Caroline. How could he loves the person he doesn't really know.
- Ivy seemed to have a crush on Topher.
- I was confused about Mr.Dominic imprint. Why did he talk about his body in the attic? They imprinted just the personality. But they did like they did a ritual to put Mr.Dominic's spirit in Victor's body. ^^
- LMAO when Topher walked pass Paul and turned around "Hey, the person I don't know".
- LMAO again when Alpha told Paul to go.

Alpha : Wait...go.
Paul : Okay(still remain standing).(Paul's face is funny)
Alpha : I said go.

- Poor Victor to got cut on the face, but I like the way Alpha did it. 😛
- I wonder, like Flannen, if Dr. Saunders knew Alpha before. Or, maybe, she's ever done bad thing to him because he seems to have a grudge on her, especially.
I love this episode and going to watch again, right after I've just finished, YAY!. 😀

 

[Buffyverse Fan]

That's an interesting theory. I assume Adelle and the others would have immediately thought of that. Does anyone remember exactly what Adelle said when Dominic asked for whiskey?

I figured it was a codeword/"trigger" meant for one of them. Only that specific one knew what it meant, and they'll enact some type of Plan B...

 

[Primal Slayer]

I have seen a lot of people think that Whiskey is possibly Saunders and taht she is a "retired" doll. And Alphas asking her if she always wanted to be a doctor as a possible way of saying that she was a doll or still is to a certain point with a definate personality in her that they keep.

 

[sk]

Yeah, to me it looked like Dominic/Victor was calling Saunders for Whiskey. As in forgetting himself when panicing before the shot.
So the theory that Dr. Saunders is/was a doll sounds very likely to me.

/SK

 

[Friendly Lurker]

I have seen a lot of people think that Whiskey is possibly Saunders and taht she is a "retired" doll. And Alphas asking her if she always wanted to be a doctor as a possible way of saying that she was a doll or still is to a certain point with a definate personality in her that they keep.

It's an interesting idea, it would explain Alpha's doctor thing and Whiskey. But if it's true, why doesn't she need "treatments"? Or don't we just see them?

 

[charmingslayer]

I wonder how Sierra and Echo are gonna become bounty hunters while Alpha has gotten Echo ??? I wonder why Alpha is imprinting that blonde lady as Caroline? maybe to drive her crazy as Alpha is.

 

[Primal Slayer]

It's an interesting idea, it would explain Alpha's doctor thing and Whiskey. But if it's true, why doesn't she need "treatments"? Or don't we just see them?

Treatments are only for active dolls, Saunders wouldnt be an active, more like a retired doll. And they wouldnt be wiping her anymore since she this is either her real personality or a persona that she is permantly stuck with.

And Echo could be a "bad" bounty hunter along with Alpha. Though im surprised Adelle (possibly) didnt have a switch for Echo like she has with November. Say some words and make her deadly thus resulting in her fighting against Alpha, even though I think Echo still will since she will probably be fighting against whatever imprint Alpha gave her.

 

[crimsonsai89]

OMG U GUYS HAVE ME ALLE XCITED WITH THIS BOUNTY HUNTER TALK!!!!!!!!
Does it say somewhere that sierra and Echo are gonna become Bounty Hunters??????

 

[disturbedvanity]

Gotta say, I thought that was fantastic!! It's really a shame that this might be the end for the Dollhouse. The show really does have potential. I didn't want this episode to end!

 

[Harm]

I really liked this episode until Alpha came on. The whole time he was on screen I just kept saying "Oh please."
It made me not want to watch the next one, Last week's "Haunted" was faaarrrr superior.

 

[Revolver]

It's an interesting idea but I really think it's overkill to make everyone secretly a doll. They've already gone that route twice this season. I already felt that the second one was too much.

This was a good episode. Yeah, I already knew Alan was Alpha which took away any element of surprise that twist might have had but he did a good job in this episode. He was funny, weird, and then the right level of scary. But the highlight of the episode had to be the fight between Paul and Boyd, not because of the actual action, but because both of them seemed to think they were trying to protect Caroline/Echo. Echo naturally trusts Boyd, but she was for a time programmed to trust him so this doesn't mean much. Indeed, I thought this scene called into question everything we know about Boyd's motives up to this point (not that there weren't questions before). His relationship to Echo has often been likened to a father/daughter (Buffy/Giles) sort of relationship, but at the end of the day, Boyd still works for the Dollhouse, a group of very sketchy individuals who are doing things most people wouldn't find acceptable. Up until this point, it could have been argued that Boyd was there against his better judgement to see to it she was safe. But as of this episode, it's clear he's willing to beat and possibly kill someone who's not trying to actually harm Caroline but potentially liberate her from the Dollhouse. And while he is supposed to be head of Security and perhaps he does believe Caroline would be in grave danger escaping from the Dollhouse, this doesn't really justify attacking an FBI agent.

Interesting episode. I've found the series to be very hit or miss even since "The Man On the Street" but I definitely liked this one. It's too bad there's only one more.