Dollhouse Rewatch: "Getting Closer" (2.11)

[VisionGirl]

The primary wedge containing Caroline's mind is found to be missing. Adelle has Bennett Halverson (Glau) kidnapped to aid Topher in repairing Caroline's backup wedge, which Alpha damaged in "Briar Rose". November, who was placed in the D.C. Dollhouse, is brought back with Bennett. A series of flashbacks reveal that Caroline became a terrorist and a freedom fighter working against Rossum for two years, and that Bennett voluntarily joined her; Bennett's maiming was an accident, and Caroline abandoned her to draw off Rossum pursuit and allow Bennett to portray herself as an innocent victim. It is revealed that Boyd now has a romantic relationship with Dr. Claire Saunders (Acker), who returns to the Dollhouse at his request. While all the LA Dolls are restored to their original personalities and sent home, and Priya and Anthony flee (with Echo's blessing) for one last night together, Topher and Bennett repair the Caroline wedge and share a first kiss... followed by Dr. Saunders proving that she is a sleeper Active by shooting Bennett through the head. As Rossum strike teams breach the Dollhouse, Topher finishes the repairs on Caroline's wedge and Echo downloads its contents, which reveal the identities of Rossum's leaders: the current incarnation of Clyde, the so-called "Clive 2.0," and the co-founder of the Rossum Corporation... Boyd Langton.

Source

Trivia from Wikipedia:

Eliza Dushku's significant other, Rick Fox, makes a cameo in this episode as an active Topher restores to his original state of mind.

Mike Massa, David Boreanaz's stunt double for Angel, appears in a non-speaking role as Apollo, the compromised D.C. Dollhouse Active.

Trivia from TV.com:

When Caroline is in the research room of the Tuscon Dollhouse, one of the people, who had appeared to be dead or comatose, suddenly grabs Caroline and says "Help me". This is an echo of the key device used in Eliza Dushku's TV show Tru Calling, in which dead bodies awaken and ask her to help them.

Rhashan Stone, the actor who plays "Test Subject 1" is married to Olivia Williams in real-life.

Interesting points from the Dollhouse Wiki:

■The excerpt from Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto" is from the canzone of the Duke of Mantua (Act Three). Interestingly, the text revolves around the fickle nature of women as well as being deceived and manipulated by their theatrical behavior. Whether this is an allusion to one of the female characters—especially to Caroline herself, who in this episodes proves to be well capable of deceiving others—remains unclear.

My thoughts:
-"You can kill me with your brain". Score- Firefly reference!!!
-"We have to cut the head off the snake". So similar to what Angel & co do in season 5.
-The people being experimented upon remind me of the Angel episode "I Fall to Pieces".
-Saunders killed Bennett in front of Topher- that was shocking and something I did not expect (didn't even remember it from the 1st time). Makes sense of the Saunders/Boyd relationship though- he's using her to do his dirty work.
-Rossum, just a name from a play.

Neither of the corporation's two founders is actually named Rossum. The name, according to Clyde 2.0, is a reference to Karel Čapek's play R.U.R. or "Rossum's Universal Robots", which tells of humanity being replaced by artificial people.

http://dollhouse.wikia.com/wiki/Rossum_Corporation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.U.R._(Rossum's_Universal_Robots)

-Boyd is the head of Rossum!!!! Remember when you first found that out? 😱

 

[Jules]

So was the original Dr Saunder's in on the fact that Boyd was the head of Rossum or has Boyd made Claire Saunder's part of his team since she started to go crazy after she figured out she was a Doll?

I loved Topher in this episode. I felt so sorry for him when Bennett got shot and then when he tells his tech girl (sorry, I've forgot her name) to leave and ''not be like him'' I thought that was so noble and heartbreaking. He was also really funny when he was imprinting Caroline and he's saying that he's been imprinted with fighting skills.

Seeing Caroline's actions from her point of view rather than Bennett's does make me like her more. I aso think she's growing on me because she freely admits that she's a terrorist. I felt sorry for Echo when she realises that Paul's feelings for her have been taken away. Her scene with Topher was so sad.

I wasnt shocked about Boyd being the head of Rossum but that's because I'd read the spoilers. Re-watching this episode it is pretty easy to tell. His reactions when Echo offers to bring Caroline back arent one of joy.

 

[Washburne]

Did you get the ”I bet she could kill me with her brain” reference?

Spoiler

A quote from Summer Glaus character, River, on Firefly. ”Also. I could kill you with my brain.”

So why is Bennett more upset by Caroline not using her more instead of being used at all. Does she look up to Caroline that much or in desperate need to feel like she belongs?

The situation that Bennett hates Caroline for didn't play out as we first thought. Quotes taken out of their context give you a whole different view. She's trying to save Bennett.

Small detail. Gary is played by Rick Fox. Or Elizas boyfriend if you will.

Yay. Topher and Bennett. :: red :: The show is coming to an end. Joss Whedon is well known to... you know. So what happens next shouldn't come as a surprise. Damn you Joss! Saunders shooting Bennett. :bawling:

Boyd! I hate to do this but O M G. Did not see that coming (the first time around.). I love Boyd. Or do I anymore? Brain can't process...

So that was some repeating to what's already been said but hey, it's my thoughts as I was watching.

 

[Valjavertjinn]

So was the original Dr Saunder's in on the fact that Boyd was the head of Rossum or has Boyd made Claire Saunder's part of his team since she started to go crazy after she figured out she was a Doll?

I always figured that Saunders was a sleeper - she didn't join Boyd, but he got her imprinted with a sleeper program on top of her original personality and had it triggered remotely or by Bennett's voice.
I don't that that she went evil.

 

[Washburne]

on top of her original personality

You mean the Saunders imprint?

I always figured that the decision to kill Bennett was made very late. To prevent Echo from meeting Caroline. Not that it helped so Boyd had to take other measures to achieve that. I haven't decided how I think Boyd made her shoot Bennett but I never believed that Claire would shoot Bennett without Boyds influence.

 

[Vamp Jenny]

Topher infiltrating Washington's facility from the outside: genius!
"Is she okay? She's still cute? Don't you hurt her." XD aww he still cares about the villain lol

Paul just can't let Mellie go, can he?

Topher's like the worst ever at flirting. But it's adorable.

Shipping Boyd/Saunders <3

And Joss Whedon crushing one of my ships :'( Paul/Echo....

Saunders' back!!

Video footage missing 3 months ago? No wonder everyone can come in and out of the house as they want.

Dominic's back.

Oh God, why did they have to take Mellie back... Poor Echo...

Aww Topher and Bennett working together

The Boyd/Saunders moment :'( so sad.

Bennett and Topher's kiss: adorable and they look like teenagers XD

Saunders just killed Bennett... What???

Topher needs a hug 🙁

Boyd is the head of Rossum... OH CRAP!!!! Didn't remember that!!