Well, first off, I'd like to give major kudos to all who have participated in this thread. *karmas everyone*
Already, so many interesting questions have been raised! Everyone's observations have been great.
I am honestly astounded by the quality of this episode. The show has found its feet - and its running, man. RUNNING. Which makes its enviable cancellation all the more disheartening.
Enver was fantastic in this episode. I agree with others when I say that this guys range in incredible. Victor is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in DH.
No Paul? Interesting. What's even more interesting was that I didn't even notice he wasn't around! Which is strange, because he's my favorite character. Although, Topher has been interesting me more and more lately.
And yes...I've also decided to jump on the Victor/Sierra shipping bandwagen. How gorgeous are these two together? And the fact that they appear to still love each other while in their Doll-states in incredible. On the Buffy-Forum they've been talking about a possible Adam and Eve analogy regarding the two. I can definitely see that.
I say it again: This episode was absolutely astounding. The ratings are discouraging, but I'm not willing to give up on this fantastic show yet! The concept is fascinating. I promised myself I wouldn't get attached to this show...but hell, it's too late for that, I guess.
Yes, I also loved the focus on the collective cast and not so much on Echo. She interests me, but the rest of the cast is so fantastic and has such a interesting dynamic that it'd be a shame to continue for the show to keep it's uber-focus on All Things Echo.
For me, this Victor/Sierra relationship is a breath of fresh air in the dark, dank universe of the Dollhouse. They sort of give me hope. But if we've using the whole Adam and Eve analogy, what happens when they "bite" the apple? I have a feeling something awful is going to happen.
It was very interesting to me that Boyd chose to give Echo that note and the access key. It seems as though he wants to "back her up" but not be her "white knight" savior as Ballard obviously dreams about. Boyd does believe in her and her ability. He sees her as an individual. There definitely appears to be a breaking down of policy, a letting go of the notion of how the Dollhouse is supposed to be run. The core is falling apart, the center can not hold I suppose (damn, am I unconscionably quoting poetry again?)
As for the relationship between Adelle and Topher at the moment...I don't think there's been enough focus on the two as of yet for me to really come up with any sort of shippy or non-shippy conclusion but I definitely sense a mother-son vibe with them. She feels responsible for him and he feels in indebted to her possibly?
I've said this before, but I feel there is something about Topher that just attracts women to him. There is this sexual tension, a vibe, in my opinion, regarding him with almost every girl on the show (except the Dolls). I do see a mother/son thing going on for sure with Topher and Adelle, but I don't know if I get a romantic vibe. I'm certainly not ruling out the possibility of them getting together or having an interest in each other, I just can't see it playing out now. I think it's just been a while since either of them have been intimate with another person.
And yes, I agree with others regarding the connection with this episode and with E1. We see the beginnings of Topher's "breakdown."
Other comments:
I was particularly struck by how visually powerful this episode was. I mean, this is a show that deals with a lot of beautiful people and many things can be taken symbolically of course, but this episode was just so visually assaulting for me (but in a good way):
- The scene when Pyria (sp?) stands up after stabbing Nolan and we see her silhouetted in front of her painting. An abstract painting about birds and freedom contrasted with the unnatural, human violence that has just occurred. WOW. What an effective and haunting shot.
- The scene with Topher cutting up the body was awful. His disturbance at doing that contrasted with Boyd's calm and controlled manner was ingenious.
- The image at the end of Victor and Sierra sleeping together. Beautiful.
---------- Post added at 04:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 PM ----------
I still find it so irritating for everyone to say Topher has no morals. I guess this was true of him as Adelle says this is why he got the job in the first place, but Topher's conscience has come into play way before this episode.
Wish there'd be a sign of Paul though, that is my only qualm with this episode!
Oh, and also I found Adelle to be defeated way too easily. She was SO determined for this not to happen but she didn't even try, unless she had more to do with what Topher did than we think? Who knows, but I expected a bit more perseverance from her to do what was right.
FOX has GOT to keep Dollhouse. I'm so gutted we've got to wait for the rest of the season, it just keeps getting better and better.
I agree with everything you just said. Labeling Topher as having no morals is just so....finite, you know? It leaves no room for interpretation. This idea of everyone being "morally compromised" is a very interesting theme, but saying someone has no morals is just downright bizarre. He has shown he
is affected by things, he's not a robot. I mean that scene with him and Adelle was certainly for dramatic effect, and it was a good scene, I just don't feel it was entirely correct.
I'm becoming sort of fascinated with Topher. I can't wait to see what happens next...especially when Dr. Saunders comes back.
