Dollhouse #1.4 "Gray Hour"

[KSiteTV]

You know what to do!

[Shadowlord367]

Well, that was a twist. That "Did I fall asleep?" cliffhanger was a good one.

That said, I really like how Sierra is actually being integrated into the A storylines. Shes a great character, and a great actress.

And honestly, it's getting kind of funny that Topher screws up in every single episode.

The Alpha storyline is building suspense, curious to see where that goes.

I liked how this episode dealt with "best" and the "science vs. art" debate.

However, initially, I thought Eliza's portrayal of Taffy was over the top. I get frustrated when they rely on vobaculary to define Echo's current imprint. First with Jenny and the "freakin' woods" and then with her last week and all the "dayyyyyyum gurl!" shananigans, Whedon should know that actions speak louder than words.

The episode lacked drive at some points, I felt like it was just too chilled out and not moving forward.

And what is the point of having a handler when he did nothing to protect Echo?

I feel like all of Eliza's imprints so far have merely been slight variatons on Faith. She's always a rogue, tough, rocker, smart, girl power chick, and we need to see the other side of the spectrum. A vulnerable, compassionate, sensitive, kind girl to balance it out.

Anyways, next week looks good.

[dru-zod2501]

damn this place is dead.

another not bad episode, though I was hoping when they gave the already "blank" Echo her treatment it wouldn't be as clean as wiping an imprinted Echo, what a twist that would be if blank Echo remembers most of what happens to her in when she's not imprinted, including this mission?

It would make sense then especially if Alpha did it. We know he has a thing for Echo, he wants to keep her alive, but he also hates Dollhouse. This could've been his way of making her see what he feels is the truth, pull the covers from her eyes so to speak

[Vergon6]

Instead of being asleep like I was during the second episode, this time I was actually out with friends for the first time in a long time, so I will have to catch this on Hulu, commercials and all :p. Same with Sarah Connor.

[InactiveUserID]

I wonder if something cool happened during the couple minutes I looked away and they got out of the vault. I'll hulu that part again because it looks like she busted them out of there on her own somehow maybe?
You get the feeling that this is most of a show. Trouble is, all the d-bag type CSI shows are so polished now that Dollhouse isn't so shiny.

[AngelaV]

I wonder if something cool happened during the couple minutes I looked away and they got out of the vault. I'll hulu that part again because it looks like she busted them out of there on her own somehow maybe?
You get the feeling that this is most of a show. Trouble is, all the d-bag type CSI shows are so polished now that Dollhouse isn't so shiny.

The guy Echo saved threw a smoke bomb and then told her to go because no one would see her. Next we see her she has the guy with so guess she wasn't going to leave him behind.
I don't watch CSI so what do you mean by polish?

I loved the little bit where Tropher is all concerned because 3 dolls are sitting together because they seem to be drawn to each other even though they shouldn't. Doesn't seem like anyone was listening though.

I didn't get a preview. Global put their feed over Fox. Since Fox has Sarah Connor and Dollhouse back to back I record the Fox station. At the beginning of DH though I did see Fox's logo and then suddenly it was gone and Global popped up. Annoying as hell that meant I wasn't getting a preview though I don't know why Global doesn't air the previews.

[weemanwise]

Another great episode.

I wonder if personality imprinting over a phone is possible.

[Hopefulsuicide]

I felt in "The Target" that the relationship between Echo and Boyd had been set up well, and that it was important to do it early. I absolutely love that, though he may not admit it, he cares for Echo more than anyone else does. I think Echo confuses him though, and there may be a slight edge of curiosity, and we got to see a lot of that in this episode.

It was great to see what Echo is capable of in her blank slate. They aren't just zombie's, and they aren't children, they are just sort of empty. I think if you allowed a doll to be introduced to the world, after a while they would become fairly normal. It's only because they continue to be wiped that they stay so controllable.

The more of the Dollhouse i see, the more intriguing it gets. I loved all the scenes with the dolls, especially the last scene.

The action in the episode wasn't very exciting. The Target still stands as my favourite episode so far in those terms.

I'm hoping that Topher's new security clearance means that we the audience will be hearing more and more about Alpha.

The thing i didn't like in this episode was Ballard... I don't really understand his plot, and i'm not sure i like his character at all yet. In fact the more i see of him the more i don't like him...

Anyway, i'd give the episode a 7 out of 10. It wasn't as good as i was hoping, but still solid.

[Xanderman]

Not a great episode but not bad either. Definitely more enjoyable than the boring Terminator episode before it. So sad to see how far TSCC has fallen.

"Whedon" dialogue makes me cringe sometimes. Like when they had the thief who was wounded say he was "peachy". Ugh, go home Buffy writers. Go home. lol This is usually how I feel about almost everything that comes out of Topher's mouth. (And every last thing that ever came out of any character's mouth on the Buffy/Whedon wannabe series, Veronica Mars. ugh)

The Ballard/Lubov(Victor) stuff in this episode was SO BORING. Midwife stuff at the start was boring. And I'm getting sick of the "did I fall asleep" routine. And Sierra? Yes, she still looks like an alien. Somebody'd better call Sigourney Weaver, and quick.

6/10



The Target still stands as my favourite episode so far in those terms. Yeah The Target is the best ep of the series so far for me too. It was moved up for a reason.

[Vergon6]

I think this was one of the better episodes. Hopefully, this trend will continue...if you can call it a trend yet.

[Hopefulsuicide]

I agree with all your complaints, no matter how hard i am trying to stay damn positive about Dollhouse. I am holding all of my major criticisms until the end of the series. At which point i will have one long ramble of dissapointment if things have not vastly improved by then.

That said, even a bad show by Joss Whedon is a better show than most. :)

[Vergon6]

I agree with all your complaints, no matter how hard i am trying to stay damn positive about Dollhouse. I am holding all of my major criticisms until the end of the series. At which point i will have one long ramble of dissapointment if things have not vastly improved by then.

That said, even a bad show by Joss Whedon is a better show than most. :)
I think more of the Whedon-esque dialogue started to seep in during this episode, or am I just noticing it more?

[Hopefulsuicide]

The problem is, with the exception of Topher (and even that feels forced) there is simply no one who's character would sound natural saying anything 'whedonesque'.

Ballard is nothing like Mal. Mal was hilarious in places, whereas Ballard is miserable as sin. Everyone Echo has been programmed with so far has been serious or a faith type girl, and faith never really had any funny lines.

Saunders is miserable, Boyd is serious, DeWitt is serious.

Can you imagine any of them having a funny storyline? I really can't, and i wouldn't want to see it attempted if it would lead to cheese.

I think we just have to accept that this show has all the aspects of Jossness EXCEPT the humour.

[Vergon6]

The problem is, with the exception of Topher (and even that feels forced) there is simply no one who's character would sound natural saying anything 'whedonesque'.

Ballard is nothing like Mal. Mal was hilarious in places, whereas Ballard is miserable as sin. Everyone Echo has been programmed with so far has been serious or a faith type girl, and faith never really had any funny lines.

Saunders is miserable, Boyd is serious, DeWitt is serious.

Can you imagine any of them having a funny storyline? I really can't, and i wouldn't want to see it attempted if it would lead to cheese.

I think we just have to accept that this show has all the aspects of Jossness EXCEPT the humour.
Mal? Is that a character in Firefly? I never really got into that show.

Yeah I know what you mean. This show doesn't really lend itself to that humor as you said.

[CallMeClark]

Not a great episode but not bad either. Definitely more enjoyable than the boring Terminator episode before it. So sad to see how far TSCC has fallen.

"Whedon" dialogue makes me cringe sometimes. Like when they had the thief who was wounded say he was "peachy". Ugh, go home Buffy writers. Go home. lol This is usually how I feel about almost everything that comes out of Topher's mouth. (And every last thing that ever came out of any character's mouth on the Buffy/Whedon wannabe series, Veronica Mars. ugh)

The Ballard/Lubov(Victor) stuff in this episode was SO BORING. Midwife stuff at the start was boring. And I'm getting sick of the "did I fall asleep" routine. And Sierra? Yes, she still looks like an alien. Somebody'd better call Sigourney Weaver, and quick.

6/10


Yeah The Target is the best ep of the series so far for me too. It was moved up for a reason.

This has been a problem even since Buffy. Some people love the dialogue (myself included) and others hate it.

I like the Ballard stuff. I am so happy it is the B plot for now. Plus I think in the comiong weeks they will start to integrate Ballard with Echo.

The only thing I have an issue with is how episode 2 was basically saying "Echo" is starting to remember, but we have yet to really touch on it in recent episodes. I mean, I know episode 2 was moved from episode 8, but I really thought they would follow the storyline better.

Although I must say Dollhouse is much more enjoyable for me to watch than many other shows this TV season...

[InactiveUserID]

The second time watching this episode it was better.
I recommend all America watch the show twice.
It improves each time, and ratings would also increase using this viewing method.
No wait that's impossible, because the ratings only allow you to watch it when it's on.
Anyway that's what I've noticed is the first time watching an episode it can seem disorganized but when you revisit it you realize it's all good.

[CallMeClark]

Episode 2 has still been my favorite thus far, closely followed by this episode.

[mangafreakazoid]

I liked this episode, but the series seems like it just keeps taking the same story and painting a new coat each of these first episodes. I'm just gonna hope it improves in a few episodes, because it seems like it could be so good!

[Magda Halliwell]

I am loving some Dollhouse! Great new show to watch!

[KSiteTV]

I'm a little behind - just wathced episode #4 with one of my friends. Four weeks in there's still not a lot that I like, though some things are at least becoming interesting.

I still don't like the idea that Echo and the others seem basically like prostitutes. I hope they move away from that element.

The storyline with Ballard and tracking down Echo, THAT is interesting to me but not seen enough.

I really, really can't stand Topher. He's smarmy, and written with such dialogue that is typically Joss, but that kind of dialogue looks stupid from certain actors. They seem to try too hard to be clever. As things stand now I just keep wanting him to die.

I like Joss Whedon but I'd still like to see him doing something better. Eliza, too, for that matter. It's still too bad she wasn't the Huntress on <i>Birds of Prey</i>... that would've been right up her alley.

I also think there's far too much trying for sexual titilation on the show too. How many times can Echo be showering or otherwise taking off her clothes? And the interstitials for the show look like porn. Are they THAT desperate for viewers?

Allegedly things get better around episode #6. I hope so. I haven't seen ep. #5 yet so we'll see what I think.

[Novak Fan]

Craig, I agree so much with your post. Specially on the Topher and prostitutes thing. Still this show isn't getting to me. Shame really :(

[Vergon6]

I'm still giving the show a chance. If nothing else, I like it better than Tru Calling (Eliza's last show). But I still have issues with it like the ones pointed out so far.

[Novak Fan]

I'm still giving the show a chance.

Yeah, same here. I'll wait and see what happen.

[Hopefulsuicide]

I'm a little behind - just wathced episode #4 with one of my friends. Four weeks in there's still not a lot that I like, though some things are at least becoming interesting.

I still don't like the idea that Echo and the others seem basically like prostitutes. I hope they move away from that element.

The storyline with Ballard and tracking down Echo, THAT is interesting to me but not seen enough.

I really, really can't stand Topher. He's smarmy, and written with such dialogue that is typically Joss, but that kind of dialogue looks stupid from certain actors. They seem to try too hard to be clever. As things stand now I just keep wanting him to die.

I like Joss Whedon but I'd still like to see him doing something better. Eliza, too, for that matter. It's still too bad she wasn't the Huntress on <i>Birds of Prey</i>... that would've been right up her alley.

I also think there's far too much trying for sexual titilation on the show too. How many times can Echo be showering or otherwise taking off her clothes? And the interstitials for the show look like porn. Are they THAT desperate for viewers?

Allegedly things get better around episode #6. I hope so. I haven't seen ep. #5 yet so we'll see what I think.

I agree with most of what you said, but the things is YES they are that desperate for ratings :lol:

So they want to show skin, they want to have storylines that people will 'relate' too (bodyguard rip off). I also see the over the topness of Topher's 'Whedonesque' speak as caused by ratings too. They are trying to force the humor in because they want to make it more like Buffy... but it feels like a foreign agent.

I really enjoyed episode 5, and i'm thinking from the trailer that 6 will live up to expectations. I refuse to give up on the show, and not just because of my loyalty to Whedon, but because i genuinely like the premise.

The prostitution doesn't bother me. And i don't really understand why it bothers everyone else. It's not like it's never dealt with on TV. Anyone see Billie Piper's call girl series? :lol: It's just much more complex and thoughtful.

P.S. i think Topher is much easier to take in scenes with Dr Saunders, because he dry monotone misery and is the perfect balance.

[Magda Halliwell]

Yeah..the show is good and I think it will only get better from here on out. Hey Buffy was a midseason replacment and we all know how well that show did and was. I hope Fox gives it a second season!

[ClarkyBoy14]

I gave it a '7.' I thought it was a pretty good episode. :)

----- Added 58 Seconds later -----


I still don't like the idea that Echo and the others seem basically like prostitutes. I hope they move away from that element.

I think they were just pretending to have sex in this one. Right?

[lorenzovanmatterhorn]

GRAY HOUR

The good;
Lovely scene where wiped Echo gazes around in wonder at all the beautiful works of art. Interesting to see Sierra and Echo play the same character 'Taffy' in the same ep.

The bad;
The scenes from the ep 'Echo' are repeated. However this means that Sierra has the scar from that ep on her forehead without any explanation and it later disappears. We never get a proper explanation of how Echo and her friend get out of the vault, even with smoke grenades and the other goon distracting the guards with his shooting.

Best line;
Goon 1 (of a suddenly infantile Echo) "What's wrong with her?"
Goon 2 "I don't know, hysterical woman syndrome?" (un-PC but FUNNY!)

Packing heat;
Boyd shoots the Professor in the kneecap. Echo with a pistol again

Kinky dinky;
Hooker Echo, mini-skirted and black PVC thigh booted in true Pretty Woman style. She considers her own breasts 'spectacular'. The Sierra version of Taffy says that after nearly getting killed on her first job she learned how to lapdance.

Notches on the Dollhouse bedpost;
Echo; 2

How'd they get away with that?
Accomplice slapping Echo is nasty

This weeks fantasy;
Midwife Echo and safecracker Echo/Sierra (the two skills not dissimilar, just one normally involves a lot more noise)

Total number personalitites;
Echo; 11
Sierra; 4
Victor; 1

Total dolls;3
Echo, Sierra and Victor

Addy is a bit British;
She's at the tea again.

Topher is a bit geeky;
He seems to eat nothing but junk food to judge by his shopping list. Also worries about a rival programmer from Tokyo

Subverting the Hollywood cliche

Bondage;
Sierra tied up; 1

Knocked out

Kills;
Sierra; 2 kills
Echo; 1

Dolls injured;

Capt subtext;
The baby girl Echo delivers has 'linebackers shoulders' which her father takes to be a sign that she'll be a lesbian.

Happy hookers
The hotel security guard is used to dealing with distraught hookers and offers Echo hush money

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

Guantanamo;
Topher, at the heart of the conspiracy freaks out about the much larger conspiracy now attacking the Dollhouse

Fanfic;

Missing scenes

Reminds me off;
Echo's alias is Taffy, one of the teen Angels from Captain Caveman. Dollhouse does heist movie just like Buffy in Choices and Angel in Ground State.

Questions and observations;
Good ep, the scene between Addy and Topher at the end where she takes him into her confidence and they both look scared as hell at the idea of Alpha raises it to a better level. Adele seems to drink Tequila, Vodka and Johnny Walker whiskey to judge by her drinks cabinet.

Marks out of 10; 8/10
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