Ballard, assigned to handle Kiki, was so unnerved by this incarnation of Echo that when he was pulled off her case to extract information from a serial killer, he blurted, “Serial killer? Thank god!” (Trust me if you didn’t see the episode: That line killed.) The real evil derived from this other subplot: serial-killer Terry, nephew of the former Saul Tigh — Uncle Brad, that is, to Terry.
Early on in the hour, Terry is wheeled into the Dollhouse in a coma. (Uncle Brad is a major Dollhouse investor, and wants help for his troubled nephew.) The Dollhouse gang needed access to his killer thoughts, so Victor got a “treatment” that poured all of Terry’s nastiness into him. Ballard’s interrogation of Terry/Victor was tense and fine, and things got even better when Terry/Victor was slipped out of the Dollhouse by Uncle and Topher couldn’t track him down because Victor didn’t have his cranial GPS installed. (Wouldn’t you know it? It was removed during the operation to get Victor’s scars repaired and wasn’t reinstalled.)
Topher attempted the super-tricky “remote mind-wipe” and things go haywire: Terry’s mind gets deposited into Kiki’s pretty little head, and, boy, did actor Enver Gjokaj have a good time wiggling around as Kiki.
The episode contained a fair amount of Dollhouse angsting — dialogue that poked us in the ribs with sentiments such as, “we’re human, not his toys,” and “you’ve surrounded yourself with the fakes, the copies.” But this week, such sentiments were woven into the story in an essential way: It didn’t come across as though a message was being delivered via the thwap of a croquet mallet to our heads (Terry’s chosen method of punishment). Regular characters who usually don’t get handed laugh-lines were rewarded with some sharp ones, and they made the most of them. It was satisfying, for example, to hear Boyd, during a discussion of serial-killer mind-info extracting, observe with comic disbelief, “Topher has ethical problems [with this] – Topher!”
All in all, one of the most enjoyable hours of the season. Or as Kiki would say, this stuff about “Chauncey ” deserves an A. Or at least an A-. Do you agree?
Comments (1-15) of 71 Add your comment
Last night was a great episode but I wish that it didn’t have such a stand alone feeling to it. With the shorter season we really need to get more progression in the main story line.
I agree that the feel of the ep wa mostly stand alone, but I don’t feel that is a bad thing as the show was criticized for not having enough of – making it hard to get newer viewers who might jump in mid season. I think that the storyline progressions came with Echo uttering “Goodness gracious” at the end showing that all of her personalities are still around and what the fallout of that will be. Also, I think that Ballard’s character might be changing his view of Adele in that she might actually have some humanity/morals to her contrary to what he previously beleived…. Everything was subtle but I really enjoyed this ep.
It was a great episode! Victor as Kiki was great!
Perhaps the most interesting after effect was Echo being stuck with Terry’s memories and possible Terry himself perhaps popping out of her.
It begs also will Caroline ever be free of all these personas when she’s done?
I know they have to create new drama each week but it’s getting to be a bit ridiclous that EVERY week something else goes wrong with the programming of the dolls.
I was thinkimg the same thing – last week she stole a baby, this week she stabs somebody in the neck. Not to mention allowing a serial killer loose on LA – at what point does somebody say that the experiment isn’t working and just shut the place down?
Having said that – it was a really good episode and I’m looking forward to Summer Glau coming on board.
“at what point does somebody say that the experiment isn’t working and just shut the place down?”
Right! And when does someone decide to sue the Dollhouse for the mistakes? Or is that not possible because it’s an underground operation? Seems like there would be some sort of repercussion to these events.
WAY better than last week. I’m with Helo…Echo looked crazy sexy.
This ep actually managed to equal, at least in content quality, Epitaph One from the DVD. I was extremely impressed, now if they can maintain this type of quality, it’ll definately keep it’s season pass on my DVR. I also felt this episode was much more cognizant of the ethics of Dollhouse tech and better at addressing not just what can go wrong, but what’s wrong with it when it goes “right”.
Agreed. The latter eps of S1 and especially Epitaph were awesome and this was the first time this season they’ve come close.
It was a pretty good episode… had some nice bits. Victor as “Kiki” was a hoot. I thought Michael Hogan was wasted in what was basically a bit part. Hopefully he will be back and they give him something worthy of his talent and gravitas. For me, the most interesting scene in the episode was at the end where Echo repeats one of Terry’s favorite phrases (can’t recall it exactly and I’ve already deleted the episode). This seems like the only part that advances the plot as it further illustrates the fact that Echo is retaining some of each new personality that is imprinted in her. Is Echo turning into Alpha 2.0? Hopefully she isn’t wasting her time on being a self-absorbed diva and is paying attention to, and learning from, the many talented guest stars who come through and give her free acting lessons.
“Goodness gracious.” That does not bode well for Echo later on.
I was thinking about divorcing this show afer the firs two episodes – but now I’m, at least tentatively, back on board.
Not THAT is how you do a Dollhouse episode. It was much batter than the last week. I thought the pacing, the plot and the humor was much better. I find myself more and more impressed with Eliza’s acting with each episode so far. The girl can act, so stop hating. I think my fave scene of the night is a tie between Ballard/Terry interrogation when he mentions living with the “Fakes” as Adelle watched in the monitor and pretty much the entire Victor/Kiki sequence. (Okay, that’s several parts XD)I thought it was hilarious when he knocked that guy out in the club and when he hugged Paul. <3's it!!! And speaking of Adelle, I friggin' LOVE her character. She reminds me a bit of Lilah from Angel: Lonely, cold hearted, complex and in charge. One criticism I have is that I think head of security, Boyd should get fired. Again people somehow find ways to escape the Dollhouse. Last week it was Echo, this week it was Terry/Victor and his uncle. But over all, it was a really good episode.
Sorry, Ken. We didn’t see it. We’ve given up on this show! It’s burned us too many times.
Your loss. It was a great one.
Must’ve burned you bad, since you insist on coming back to the boards and mocking us.
Oooh. Ouch. Thinking you hurt me good? Palms getting a little sweaty? Heart racing? Don’t worry, getting off on hurting people doesn’t make you perverted at all. You’re totally perfectly normal.
Is it just me, or is Enver Gjokaj possibly one of the best actors on television. He absolutely and convincingly /becomes/ these people, to tone structure, mannerisms. When they put the agent in the attic last year, then downloaded him into Victor, I was floored about how precisely he copied the other actor’s mannerisms, speech inflection. (Too lazy to go and look up names.)
Now last night, he just absolutely absorbs this serial killer. Completely just becomes the guy you saw in the beginning of the show. He just astonishes me with how accurate he portrays them.
Absolutely agree, Bek! Enver Gjokaj has been great since the beginning, but this show let us see just how good the guy is at transforming himself. I hope when this show is eventually (inevitably?) canceled, he gets lots of opportunities, because he deserves them.
yeah i completely agree. He’s bloody brilliant and so convincing every time! they need to use him more often.
I’m beginning to believe that Enver Gjokaj is a Doll himself. That man is one talented mimic.
AMEN!!!!!
i’m adding my amen!!! to this – he’s a brilliant actor and completely believable in each role.
I really enjoyed last night’s episode. I found it to be engaging, suspensful, a little bit creepy and even funny at times.
Victor being Kiki was perhaps the best moments of the episode… but well done Dollhouse, give us more of these.
This episode blew my mind. I would give last week’s episode ‘Instinct’ a B, but ‘Belle Chose’ gets an A+++ from me, if only on acting alone. Eliza Dushku IS getting better (which was painfully necessary, but it is happening, so we should give her props); Michael Hogan was DELIGHTFULLY creepy, well-meaning, and ineffectual; Tahmoh Penikett delivered his most articulate and multi-layered work so far; and Enver Gjokaj knocked it out of the park – and quite possibly the solar system – with his portrayals of both Terry and Kiki. And all this without even getting started on the so-wrong-it’s-right-ness of Echo’s ‘Kiki and the professor do Chaucer’ storyline. I haven’t had so much fun in one hour for a very long time.
I was glad to see the show back on track – moments of humor mixed in with the action. I just hope that it is not too late. I love all the BSG crossovers.
Best. Episode. Ever.
I should have known Minear was behind it. I wasn’t sold until the story lines crossed and the dolls switched bodies. Man, I didn’t see that coming! And Victor as Kiki? Good gracious!