Dollhouse #1.4 "Gray Hour"

[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 Birds of Prey... 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 Birds of Prey... 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

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? 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