Episode Discussion 2.05 "The Public Eye" & 2.06 "The Left Hand" - both aired 4/12/09 (FOX-US)

The 'doll' thing is not something that's ever really bothered me so much. Each one has been done in a different way; Dollhouse has the power to put dolls into people's lives, broken doll needs a place in the world and with Perrin he's not exactly a doll. He's a real person, he's just modified.

Which reminded me of how awed Topher was when he realised that Bennett was capable of that; adding the technology to a non-wiped brain. For me, that highlighted that Topher and the LA Dollhouse may not be the only culprits in the events that cause what we saw in 'Epitaph One'.

I think the only issue I have is actually the connection between Bennett and Caroline. It appears to have been made clear it IS Caroline involved and NOT Echo which just doesn't really add up for me at the moment as to when that would have happened and how she would have known Bennett in the first place if she isn't a doll. Joss better have some good answers on that one 😉
 
Very interesting episodes I wasn't too crazy on Perrin being a doll or having his mind tweaked so he falls under the "doll" catergory. But hey it makes a neat twist on things. I thought Summer Glau as Bennet was pretty good Im glad shes not playing a stereotypical roll. It makes me curious on what her connection with Caroline is and I love how Echo is developing. I thought that Victor as Topher was by far the best part from the two episodes, he had Topher down to a perfect tee acting wise.
 
Flannen said:
I think the only issue I have is actually the connection between Bennett and Caroline. It appears to have been made clear it IS Caroline involved and NOT Echo which just doesn't really add up for me at the moment as to when that would have happened and how she would have known Bennett in the first place if she isn't a doll. Joss better have some good answers on that one 😉
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Totally agreed. It seems like too good of a coincidence that Caroline and Bennet happen to just know each other, and that they were best friends. I mean, how did Bennet get to such a high position in the Dollhouse? It's just sort of far-fetched.
 
I loved these 2 episodes,these 2 and belonging are the best ones this season. I was SO shocked when Perrin turned out to be a doll. I think it was because I thought Joss wouldn't do it because it was so obvious. Should of guessed he would!.
The 2 Tophers were just epic win! Enver Gjokaj has really stepped up the the plate and I can't wait to see him in more shows after watching him in Dollhouse.
I didn't get the link that Bennett and Caroline shared either. But I guess that will be explained in later episodes.
When November got told she was crazy and making it all up I was gutted! why did he change his mind!?!?!? he could have taken Rossum down!.
I also like the bit were Echo and Perrin were talking about not wanting to "die" or be replaced by the real Caroline and be who they want to be, that was interesting. Maybe it has something to do with that?.

Oh also anyone think when they were fighting "oh Wes is getting his own back on Faith!" hehehe okay...just me?.

and WERE IS AMY!
 
L
LaneMeyer
I agree about Enver, but I can't help but think any other show he plays on will be underutilizing his talent since he'll only play one character. It'll almost be a shame.
I just finished the second ep (I watch DH with my mom, and she was tired and didn't want to watch both in a row lol), and I have to say that it's better than the first!

I really like Bennett, even if she is evil. ;P I also really miss Sierra! Where is she!?

I didn't like Perrin before, but I actually did in this episode.

I LOVED Victor as Topher! That was both hilarious and spot-on!

I'm looking forward to next week with Alpha! =D
 
I didn't really like Bennett's character, it was too Alpha reminiscent for me. BUT, I loved both of these episodes! Especially "The Public Eye." I loved how we finally had a real interaction and taste of another Dollhouse, and how it's now Dollhouse vs. Dollhouse. Doll vs. Doll, sorta. Man, it's such a shame that I see Dollhouse's full potential and it's being cut short. I'm happy! I'm just going to continue enjoying the time that Dollhouse is airing and savor the "Grr Arrhh" at the end of every episode! 🙂
 
Okay, just watched it. Yeah I know I'm late. But I have to wait much less for the next two-parter than you guys. 😛

Okay here are my random impressions, all very randomy. Enver Gjokaj is my new God! Seriously awesome. He's like the new Nathan Fillion, only he's Enver. There's just no way to describe it.

This episode reminded me of a Buffy quote "It's about power." I loved it how they are all working together... somewhat – Echo, Ballard, Boyd, Adelle and Topher. There was this sort of team vibe in these episodes.

Gotta love how Adelle had that guy by the balls.

I loved how misleading the episode 5 was. I was really thinking that Perrin's wife was a doll.... but, awesome.

And Topher's and Bennett's awkward attraction for each other... golden. Speaking of Bennett, perfection from the first moment. I guess there's more to Caroline than we've seen. I guess that must have happened between the time Caroline escaped from the hospital (Echoes flashback) and before she became a Doll.

This two-parter was just so rich in story and characters. Balancing brilliantly between regular and guest characters – Perrin and his discovery, his wife the handler, Bennett, Topher, Echo, Ballard and November. Dollhouse is blowing it's wad and I love it.

I just hope they manage to put a bit of Boyd's background somewhere there too in these last 6 episodes. And hot sex between Ballard and Adelle. I'm a Badelle, or should it be Paudelle? Since, you know. Speaking of Ballard, can't wait to see what he is going to do.

Echo's Journey: Echo has really changed. I love how Echo has produced a really deep philosophical thinking to the catchphrases of Dollhouse. As in, she's thinking in those words, because that's the vocabulary she possesses, but she really has made the meaning of those words her own. "You try to be you're best." - with a really understanding look. "I understand. I don't want to fall asleep. Not even for a little while." - with a look like she really means it.

"She's broken. Let's go." Okay the last one wasn't very philosophical, but "brokeness" is a big part of Echo's philosophical system. Okay, I just resisted posting a 70-page essay on "Echo's philosophical awakening from mental slavery and class warfare in Dollhouse", but basically in Gray Hour, Echo makes her first important choice by choosing not to be broken. And from that moment ever since, broken vs not broken is big part of her philosophical system. Echo is a warrior-philosopher. Or hero of the working class. Or just crazy. Depends on your take on the show.

Gotta love Echo-speak. "You just awoke a lot of people and they all think that you're a bitch!" We can see how guarding Echo is of her friends. November is sad. Echo sees that.

And it's funny that by now the whole Dollhouse crew is like discussing these things with her. Their body language... and Topher's "Echo's a friend" to Bennett. Makes you think about Bennett's words that Caroline has hold over people. Kinda seems true, doesn't it. Because Adelle would have had a reason to Attic Echo a long time go, but in the first episodes it is sort of hinted that Adelle admires Echo (or Caroline in her). It's quite interesting. You can even see a rather meaningful thoughtful glance from Topher when Adelle is speaking about using every resource to find poor defenseless Echo.

Oh and "They're in your head but you don't have to listen, you don't have to be what they tell you to be, you can belong to you!" - best definition of individualist anarchism ever.
 
It just hit me that Eliza used to be Faith and Alexis Wesley. Makes it even more interesting when you think about it. Awesome reunion.
 
So I really hated it when they gave Dolllhouse a break but it can't be denied that having two episodes at a time now is a great feeling. 😛

First obviously.

Kean said:
Just when I think I can't love Enver anymore he gives us Kiki and then when I know it is impossible to love him anymore he gives us Victor!Topher!
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True. Even if it was Kiki for me that made me reach the point of "can't love him more than this" feeling.

Perrin being a doll should feel like "oh no not again" but it didn't which I'm really thankful for. Didn't expect that at all even if it being his wife felt very believable. Can't get them right every time.

Even if Summer isn't playing River I can't say that it feels like a totally different role. But I love Summer so it's not a problem for me. She having a past with Caroline wasn't something I expected and I want to see there it ends.

Oh and it can't be denied. I'm definitely having a crush on Maurissa Tancharoen. The role wasn't big and nothing special but it was enough to confirm it. I should so be over having celeb crushes. :blush:

Two new episodes tonight. Can't wait.
 
These 2 episodes sorta blended into one for me, and although I did enjoy them a lot, I don't think I fully understood what was happening. 😛 I'll need to watch again I think.
 
Bluebird said:
These 2 episodes sorta blended into one for me, and although I did enjoy them a lot, I don't think I fully understood what was happening. 😛 I'll need to watch again I think.
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Yeah i found by the end of the 6th episode I was confused why Perrin had actually gone against exposing Rossum and it's all a bit hazy!.
 
Same here, since I don't think they ever fully explained. You were just supposed to assume that his handlers got to him and put him "back on script", so to speak. I thought that Bennett was a very interesting character, and Summer played her well. I also appreciated November/Madeline's anxiousness over exposing the Dollhouse, and what that would mean for her. Great job by Miracle Laurie there, especially when she feels that Perrin has betrayed her at the end. It was also nice to see Ray Wise, but I can't look at him without thinking about his role as the Devil in Reaper, so that was in the forefront of my mind when I watched his performance (especially since he's also a bad guy here). And given what we now know about Caroline (her abandoning of Bennett), I'm leaning toward's agreeing with Echo that she should think of herself as Echo and not Caroline. Better yet, though, Echo should eventually give herself a new name and new identity when and if she decides to cut off all ties to the Dollhouse. I agree with Ballard that "Echo" belongs to the Dollhouse, and, if she wanted, Echo could and possibly should deny the Dollhouse control over her. But she's taking steps in that direction, which is a good sign.
 
THE PUBLIC EYE

The good;
Laugh out loud at the scene where Topher tries out his disruptor only to knock out a random passing doll, sending them tumbling down the stairs. The conspiracy storyline really kicks in and lovely to see Mellie back once again. Masterful bait and switch that Perrin is the doll and his wife is the handler, she seems so threatening to Ballard even when she's a tiny little woman and he's this ripped martial arts expert. .

The bad;
Not much, heck of a good ep. One question, if Perrin is so security conscious how do they dope his drink?

Best line;
Adele; "An emergency measure for when things get hot"
Ballard; "I'd say things are warmish"
plus
Ballard; (pointing to Topher's gizmo) "What is that?"
Topher; (nervously) "It's the thing that if it doesn't work won't get me in trouble"
and
Perrin; "You're a doll"
Echo/Bree; "You're cute too"
also
Echo/Bree; "If you want to do the right thing don't bring your hooker mistress to meet your wife"
not to mention;
Cindy Perrin; "If this plan doesn't work we're going to be demoted to being dead"

Packing heat;
Echo;8
Boyd; 8
Dominic; 9
Sierra; 4
Victor; 3
Ballard; 10
November; 1
Echo kissage; 4

Kinky dinky;
Echo in hookerwear and almost naked Senator Perrin for the Alexis fans. Echo/Bree enjoys it 'a little rough' and whilst she considers Perrin twisted she 'likes that a lot'.

Capt subtext;
Echo/Bree is into the idea of threesomes with the Senator and his wife but charges extra for them. Washington Doll 'Hades' is out servicing a 'closeted' councilman.

Notches on the Dollhouse bedpost; Echo/Bree and Perrin
Echo; 5 definite, 2 possible
November; 1
Ballard; 1
Victor; 1
Adele; 1
Sierra 1
Topher; 1 possible

How'd they get away with that?
Bennet tortures Echo very nastily indeed.

This weeks fantasy;
Echo is an extremely kinky but very likeable nympho callgirl Bree.

What do we think of the client?
Adele's plan for Perrin is rather underhand, seducing and blackmailing him. But compared to robbing him of his free will and brainwashing him into their slave it's pretty minor.

Total number personalitites; Echo is call girl Bree
Echo; 29
Sierra; 12
Victor; 10
November; 3

Total dolls; we meet the petite and lovely Kilo
9-Echo, Sierra, November, Victor, Mike, Tango, Alpha, Whiskey, Kilo

Topher is a bit geeky;
He refer to disruptors and Star Trek (weapons that the Romulans use, right?)

Bondage; Echo/Bree offers to tie Senator Perrin up. She is tied up by Bennet at the end
Sierra tied up; 1
Ballard; 1
Echo; 1

Knocked out; Echo twice by Topher's gadget
Echo; 4
November; 1
Sierra; 1
Victor; 1
Topher; 2

Kills;
Sierra; 3 kills
Echo; 3
November;1

Dolls injured;
Poor Echo get's pistol-whipped then brutally tortured by Bennet.

Happy hookers;
Echo is imprinted as call girl Bree, a very happy hooker who wanted to be a dancer but found escort work more lucrative and likes what she does.

Know the face? It's hot in here, it must be summer! Summer Glau, another hattrick. Also Maurissa Tanchon who in addition to being a Dollhouse writer featured on Dr Horrible
14-Whedon alumni-Mark Shepherd-2 (Dollhouse/Firefly), Amy Acker-2 (Dollhouse/Angel), walking action figure-2 (Buffy/Dollhouse), Eliza Dushku-3 (Buffy/Angel/Dollhouse), Jim Piddock-2 (Angel/Dollhouse), Gregg Henry-2 (Dollhouse/Firefly), Alan Tudyk-2 (Dollhouse/Firefly), Felicia Day-2(Dollhouse/Buffy), Alexis Denisoff-3 (Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse), Kristoffer Pohala-2 (Dollhouse/Angel), Stacey Scowley-2 (Buffy/Dollhouse) Clyde Katulas-2 (Buffy/Dollhouse), Maurissa Tanchon-2(Dollhouse/Dr Horrible), Summer Glau-3(Angel/Firefly/Dollhouse).

Whedon cliches;
Characters with just one arm (like Lindsey in Angel). Rich and powerful famillies who cover up the evil deeds of their wayward sons. Top security installations which aren't secure at all. Loving self-sacrificing mothers who risk all for their children.

Breaking the programming;
Echo can now refuse the offer of a treatment and is aware of her past personalities even when imprinted. She speaks of being able to see the patterns of her past imprints as though they are 'seams'

Questions and observations;
Perrin is an interesting comparison to George W Bush who also came from an influential political family, also went to Yale and was also a drunken wastrel well into his thirties. He got religion whilst Perrin got 'dolled'. Did you notice Bennett's computer keyboard adapted for a user with only one hand? Or the statue of Romulus and Remus (the she-wolf suckling the human infants) in her bookcase. She also get's rid of everyone else before torturing Echo BUT she refers to her as Caroline. So we have history here? No Victor or Sierra at all this ep. So the DC Dollhouse names it's actives after Greek mythological characters? Love to see Hercules, Appollo etc and especially Xena and Callisto.
Central point here is that Perrin might have been wasting his life but it was his life to waste, once again as we saw with Sierra in Belonging, Rossum are quite prepared to take away people's freedom and exploit them if it suits their purposes, slaverly plain and simple.
Marks out of 10; 8/10, very good stuff
 
THE LEFT HAND
The good;
Once again some great acting from Enver, his Topher impression is flawless. Nice face off between Adele and her Washington counterpart too.

The bad;
It all seems a little overly complex, surely there must be simpler ways for Rossum to protect itself. Equally it rather beggars belief that with all the attention focused on him Rossum could get away with controlling the senator in quite so blatant a manner.

Best line;
Topher; "The only person in the world I would trust" (HIMSELF!)
also like
Adele; (grabbing the Washington Dollhouse heads groin)"If you don't return my active I will send someone to cut these off!"
plus
Adele; (upon finding Topher arguing with Toper/Victor); "Finding him obstinate are we?"

Packing heat;
Echo;8
Boyd; 8
Dominic; 9
Sierra; 4
Victor; 3
Ballard; 10
November; 1

Echo kissage; 4

Kinky dinky;
Topher thinks Bennett's 'Librarian energy' is through the roof, she has got a serious case of the Diana Princes.

Capt subtext;
Bennett remarks to Topher 'Looks like you got the girl'. Love the little smile of pride Adele gives Topher as he tricks his way into Perrin's brain print. Topher asks himself "Who's your backdoor man?" before deciding on a better phrasing.

Notches on the Dollhouse bedpost;
Echo; 5 definite, 2 possible
November; 1
Ballard; 1
Victor; 1
Adele; 1
Sierra 1
Topher; 1 possible

How'd they get away with that?
Echo getting tortured is nasty indeed, she can't pass out and can't even cry out to god. Can we please have an ep without needles, I really don't like them. Bennett's headbutt is also nasty, somehow it's easier to watch people harm one another than themselves. On a similar vein hard to watch Perrin and Echo cutting on another's chips out. Perrin snapping the goons neck and strangling his wife is also disturbing, Alexis showing some of the creepiness he demonstrated in the Angel ep 'Billy'.

This weeks fantasy;


What do we think of the client?


Total number personalitites;
Echo; 28
Sierra; 12
Victor; 10
November; 3

Total LA dolls; Mellie is a Doll once more at the Washington Dollhouse, I wonder what her new name will be?
9-Echo, Sierra, November, Victor, Mike, Tango, Alpha, Whiskey, Kilo

Addy is a bit British;


Topher is a bit geeky;


Subverting the Hollywood cliche;


Bondage;
Sierra tied up; 1
Ballard; 1
Echo; 2

Knocked out; twice for Echo
Echo; 6
November; 1
Sierra; 1
Victor; 1
Topher; 2

Kills;
Sierra; 3 kills
Echo; 3
November;1

Dolls injured;
Echo roughed up again.

Happy hookers;
As Bennett stares quizically at Echo/Bree's brain print Topher explains "She was kinda a hooker"

Know the face? Ray Wise, another great character actor from Twin Peaks, Robocop and especially good as The Devil in Reaper.
14-Whedon alumni-Mark Shepherd-2 (Dollhouse/Firefly), Amy Acker-2 (Dollhouse/Angel), walking action figure-2 (Buffy/Dollhouse), Eliza Dushku-3 (Buffy/Angel/Dollhouse), Jim Piddock-2 (Angel/Dollhouse), Gregg Henry-2 (Dollhouse/Firefly), Alan Tudyk-2 (Dollhouse/Firefly), Felicia Day-2(Dollhouse/Buffy), Alexis Denisoff-3 (Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse), Kristoffer Pohala-2 (Dollhouse/Angel), Stacey Scowley-2 (Buffy/Dollhouse) Clyde Katulas-2 (Buffy/Dollhouse), Maurissa Tanchon-2(Dollhouse/Dr Horrible), Summer Glau-3(Angel/Firefly/Dollhouse).

Guantanamo;
.
Fanfic;

Missing scenes;.


Reminds me of;
With her useless arm Bennett has more than a little Dr Strangelove about her.

Whedon cliches;
Maimed characters. Rich and powerful famillies who cover up the evil deeds of their wayward sons. Top security installations which aren't secure at all. Loving self-sacrificing mothers who risk all for their children


Breaking the programming;
Echo can now distance herself from the personality of Caroline and perhaps doesn't want her back. If Bennett's memories are to be trusted we can see why? Echo is now able to overcome her imprinting to the degree that she can use her arm even though Bennett programmed her not to.

Questions and observations;
So it appears Caroline is not the saint we might first have thought. Topher refers to Echo as his friend, a small but somehow huge moment. Boyd refers to 'manufacturing a president' (Kennedy?) whilst Adele actually refers to Rossum as 'facists' seeing them for what they really are at last.
So it seems that Rossum can 'improve' people, take away their negative qualities and give them beneficial ones? Part of me says that's a wonderful power, part of me says it could so easily be abused. On the one hand we could cure people of phobias, addictions, prevent paedophiles being attracted to children, take away criminals violent and anti-social traits, brave new world. On the other hand who decides what is truly negative and what is beneficial, what if someone decides to 'cure' gay people? To make everyone fit into their narrow vision of morality? The prospect sounds scarily like some form of mental eugenics.
So now we have Echo out in the world on her own, dechipped and free of the Dollhouse. How will she cope? Can't wait to find out.

Marks out of 10; 8/10, good ep
 
Taake
Taake
awesome review
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