Dollhouse #1.3 "Stage Fright"

[STFanatic]

I liked it

[Pamela]

This was the best episode yet!

I'm very intrigued at why Echo is able to think beyond the pieces of identity that they give her, much like the way she handled this whole situation. Also, the dawning of her friendship with Sierra and the how it was underlying even through their imprintings and lingered afterwards is interesting.

I also think that it's interesting they threw in the bits about human nature splitting atoms, building bombs, and firstly using new technology to destroy.

During Buffy, I wasn't on the Whedon is a visionary train, but I am now.

I am also intrigued about Echo thinking beyond her given identity. I think we'll continue to see more and more of that.

One thing I didn't like in this episode was Raina. But we weren't suppose to like her. If the writers tried to evoke pity for her in the end, I wasn't having any of it. In fact, when Echo acted like she was dropping Raina to her death, I wanted her to actually fall.

[Hopefulsuicide]

i agree, i thought we werent supposed to like her, but just to see that Echo is incredibly efficient at her job, no matter who the person is

[ClarkyBoy14]

One major thing about this episode: the dolls weren't sent out to be hookers!!

[Xanderman]

One major thing about this episode: the dolls weren't sent out to be hookers!!

Lol to be fair to the show though they only did that in one episode so far (#2). First and third were different imprints. In the first she was a hot looking negotiator who we only expected to start stripping at any time and dance around a pole. In the 2nd she was a hooker. And in the 3rd she only looked like one. lol j/k (although she did use sex appeal as part of her cover as a backup singer/dancer/whatever).

I think we can say with confidence that this series will most likely never exploit the Echo character or Eliza in a sexual way again, because Eliza has so much more going for her than looks. And besides that, sex doesn't sell, never has. lol

Sierra all together has a very, unhuman look to her. Not calling her ugly, but she definately looks like a porcalain doll.

Yeah, you know maybe they chose her at least in part to make Eliza look prettier. You know, the old tv/movie trick where a somewhat overweight or chubby star is paired with an even fatter person, or an older star is paired with someone even older, in order to make the main star look better. A great example of this is Jerry Seinfeld, who surrounded himself with a bunch of "freaks" for 9 long years. Way to go, Jerry, you stud. lol..

Did anyone else think the 'FAN' looked exactly like the nuts fan from the Bodyguard

I'm afraid I don't remember that film (or actor) well enough to say, but he actually resembled Jake Gyllenhaal to me. They could pass as brothers imo.

[Hopefulsuicide]

Lol to be fair to the show though they only did that in one episode so far (#2). First and third were different imprints. In the first she was a hot looking negotiator who we only expected to start stripping at any time and dance around a pole. In the 2nd she was a hooker. And in the 3rd she only looked like one. lol j/k (although she did use sex appeal as part of her cover as a backup singer/dancer/whatever).

well technically we saw he being a prostitute in the first episode... she was with that guy, and if you watch the clips that fly by when he memory is erased, you see them having sex

I'm afraid I don't remember that film (or actor) well enough to say, but he actually resembled Jake Gyllenhaal to me. They could pass as brothers imo.

i'd show you a picture, but i cant find a single one of him online... weird

and yeah i saw a little bit of donnie darko in there too, but it was the expressions and stuff on top of the face that made him an obvious rip off of the stalker in the Bodyguard

[Novak Fan]

The episode was ok but still I'm not really excited about this show. Though I liked the ending. Interesting.
And agree, that fan looked a lot like Jake Gyllenhaal lmao

[WickedJenn]

I didn't like this episode as much, I hope this week's is better, though I think I'll miss it due to travel.

I agree Iz, the ending was good.

[dreamsofnever]

The episode was ok but still I'm not really excited about this show. Though I liked the ending. Interesting.
And agree, that fan looked a lot like Jake Gyllenhaal lmao

Yeah, Izabel, I'm afraid I'm with you on this one. I really want to like this show because I loved Buffy a lot, but it's just not hooking me quite like I would hope.

But I did enjoy this episode and there were some interesting twists.

I'm also not a fan of the way Echo basically was a high priced hooker in the last episode (and didn't see the first one, so I will reserve judgement). It's squicky.

[Hopefulsuicide]

I wish everyone would stop calling her a hooker... there are many things that make her not a hooker in this situation... and it's so much more complcated than that...

plus, if it was just a show about a women for hire, and she remembered everything and was a hooker, would that be so bad?

this is a ridiculously complex issue, and that's precisely why i love Joss Whedon's work. because he deals with the things that no one else will... no other writer/director would touch an issue that leans more towards rape and have it be a staple part of the series

but is it rape? i mean she knows she is signing up to be a doll as far as we can tell. she enjoys it as much, if not more than a girl on a hot date.

but is it prostitution? she doesnt get payed (although we are lead to believe after the 5 years she will be well off), she thinks that she absolutely wants to do it, so there is no feeling gross about it, and she doesnt have to live with the memory of prosituting herself, because even if she remember it, she enjoyed it... but she doesnt remember it

do you see why i think referring to echo as a hooker is a bit of a generalized statement?

[Novak Fan]

Well, I don't think we should go that far...to the rape thing, it can a be a sensitive theme.

But I do think that what she's doing it can be considered prostitution, and I talking about Echo only. I mean, yeah, she doesn't has memory of prostituting herself but the agency get paid for. When people have hired their services it have been because they wanted a "date", with all than that involves. Like those escort services.

Claire said something to Toper about Echo's profile last episode though. I didn't get it right at the first time, I'll have to watch again. That on Echo's profile said for romantic engagement and "------" only. Something along those lines.

[Fat Elvis 007]

Well, I don't think we should go that far...to the rape thing, it can a be a sensitive theme.

Well, yeah its sensitive, but its exactly what this is. Ignoring the subject doesn't help or protect anyone.

These people may be signing up for the Dollhouse, but from the first scene in the pilot it looks like they're being heavily coerced. We also don't even know how much they are told about what they will be required to do.

Also, just because a person consents to sex that will take place at a later date, doesn't mean they no longer have the right to take away that consent (obviously). In real life, this kind of rape is very frequent--a girl will at first say yes, but then take it back before the actual sex begins, the guy gets angry and feels like it can't possibly be rape since she did say yes at first, and things get ugly. This is kind of like what's happening here, only the girls don't even have the option of changing their minds.

Squicky? Absolutely. Is it supposed to be? Again, I think yes. The Dollhouse is bad, bad, bad, and I think it opens up tons of interesting themes. Some people may be too uncomfortable to watch, and I do think Joss is having a leetle too much fun trying to have his exploitation cake and eat it too, but so far its still working for me, for the most part.

[AngelaV]

I've rewatched all 3 episodes in a row. This is not some simple little show. There's lots of clues being thrown out and lots of questions of what is being done with the "dollhouse" dolls. I love this show for that. I'm sick off all the detective shows (seriously how many CSI and Law and Orders do we really need on tv?) and all the reality crap.

[Hopefulsuicide]

definitely, Joss doesn't do simple

[lorenzovanmatterhorn]

STAGE FRIGHT

The good;
Not much. Ballard is one tough nut to take on the Russian mobsters. If you never watched the ep 'Echo' then Victor's true identity is a heck of shock

The bad;
Such a weak story, you wonder if Joss had to take a week off sick? Must also have been hugely expensive?

Best line;
Rayna (of Echo); "Did they grow you in a lab?"
and
Echo; "*****, you can fire me but don't ever think you can take me!"

Packing heat;
Echo takes the villain's Walther PPK

Kinky dinky;
Rock chick ED and scantily clad Rayna is stunning. Rayna's manager apparently uses twins (male or female?) from the Dollhouse to relieve tension (better than valium?). Topher likes the idea of Rayna and Echo getting romantic

Notches on the Dollhouse bedpost;
Echo; 2

How'd they get away with that?
The diva is so blatantly Beyonce it's a wonder she didn't sue?

This weeks fantasy;
Bodyguard and backing singer for Echo, No1 fan for Sierra.

Total number personalitites; 1 each for Echo and Sierra
Echo; 9
Sierra; 3
Victor; 1

Total dolls;3
Echo, Sierra and Victor

Addy is a bit British;
Faced with another British actor her accent goes into overdrive

Topher is a bit geeky;
Keen to know the inside scoop on the gorgeous music superstar

Subverting the Hollywood cliche
The successful Hollywood diva is actually suicidal

Bondage;
Sierra tied up; 1

Knocked out

Kills;
Sierra; 2 kills
Echo; 1

Dolls injured;
Sierra roughed up

Capt subtext

Happy hookers

Know the face? Jim Piddock who plays Rayna's manager was memorable as the Valet in The Trial episode of Angel (also a screenwriter now).
5th Whedon alumni-Mark Shepherd, Amy Acker, walking action figure, Eliza Dushku, Jim Piddock

Guantanamo;
Rayna's manager slaps her but possibly she deserves it? Echo then knocks her senseless with a chair and uses her as bait to trap the assassin.

Fanfic;
Plenty where Rayna and Echo do get romantic.

Missing scenes

Reminds me off;
The assassin's crutches scene reminiscent of Day of the Jackal. No1 fan is how Mark Chapman described himself to Stephen King at a booksigning before later shooting John Lennon, a story which inspired Misery

Questions and observations;
Does ED do her own singing? If she does it's a pity she missed Once More with Feeling on Buffy. In lots of little ways Echo seems to be breaking her programming and her kinship with Sierra becomes apparent. Why does the Dollhouse seem to use Victor to set Ballard up yet has Mellie trying to get the inside scoop on him?

Marks out of 10; 5/10, actually enjoyed this more when rewatching than I thought I would