Weekly Round-Up: 31/01/10

So, it’s been an interesting week. Sadly Dollhouse came to an end with an Epitaph that was both great and yet, in a strange way, a little disappointing. Also SyFy returned with the first new episode of Caprica.

Please note, I try to be brief in these round-ups but they do contain some spoilers.

Heroes – The Art of Deception

As the title suggests, this weeks episode is about deception. Specifically between Samuel and Noah. After Claire discovers that Noah intends to kill Samuel and disband the carnival, she offers to negotiate a peaceful surrender. Samuel agrees, pretending to feel guilty for destroying that town the other week. However, he has really sent his right hand man, Eli (The Copy Cat), into the woods to open fire on the carnival, immediately prior to Samuel’s surrender, thus making it seem like Noah did not keep his word.

In the process however there were two casualties. The first being Lidia. Samuel confesses to her even as she lies dying that he was the one who got her killed; it is not apparent if Eli had specific orders to shoot Lidia, but I think it is a definite possibility. The other is poor Lauren, who, as she lies dying in the woods, manages to call for help from non-other than Tracy-Freakin-Strauss.

However, all that Samuel nonsense pails into insignificance when we look at the truly dark moment that Sylar and Matt share together in his basement. After his wife demands that Matt put Sylar somewhere he can never hurt anyone again, Matt takes her at her word and traps the killer inside his own mind. Much like Matt’s dad did to him and Nathan. But better still, Matt bricks Sylar up in basement…

Unfortunately Peter arrives and ruins all the fun! Heroes has been extended to 19 episodes now, so just two more to go but who else is for the chop?!

Chuck – Vs. First Class

This week’s episode introduces a possible replacement for Anna Wu as well as a new love interest for Chuck (and who can blame him) in the form of Smallville’s Kristin Kreuk. The episode itself is quite good too.

Shaw sends Chuck on his first solo mission, although to be fair, we’ve seen Chuck voluntarily take on harder missions by himself before. Shaw believes that Chuck could be a great asset but that Sarah smothers him. I wonder what Fedak and Schwarz have planned for the show if they are trying to teach Chuck to stand on his own two feet?

Supernatural – Swap Meat

This week Supernatural delivers another one of their, fast becoming, trademark Bait and Switch episodes. By this I mean that they draw us into the episode and make us think, ah… it’s just a one off… and then they throw in some mythology just when we weren’t expecting it.

This weeks episode focuses on a “coven” of witches, well, three teenagers, who have taken it upon themselves to collect the devil’s bounty on Dean Winchester. Unwittingly however, they also nearly fulfil the prophecy in the process. Gary switches bodies with Sam so to get closer to Dean. If Gary were to say “Yes” to Lucifer…

I really wouldn’t have minded the episode going this way, but it didn’t, which means we still don't know, why or if Sam will allow himself to become Lucifer’s vessel.

However, with all this talk of a sixth season, I’m beginning to wonder just exactly how Eric intends to leave things this season. There have certainly been a lot of “Monster of the Week” style episodes of late (which I love btw) but you would have thought he’d be working on wrapping things up… Unless he is staying on???

But if that is true it makes THIS even more evil… *shakes fist with rage*… Damn you Kripke… Damn you to HELL!

Dollhouse – Epitaph Two

So, that’s it then, it’s over! Epitaph Two is unashamed of what it’s purpose is. It is the tomb stone for one of the best shows in recent times. It stands up and admits defeat, it is a calming word to the fans that the show is dead and that there will be no more.

By the time Epitaph Two is done the apocalypse has been averted and those responsible have been brought to justice. There is still so much we don't know, so much development from the characters we see in Dollhouse to those we see in the Epitaph that we will just never see. And if Epitaph Two has a major fault that is it. It’s a beautiful ending, but we missed out on the journey.

Join me later in the week as I break this final episode down and talk about exactly what I did and didn’t like about it.

The Clone Wars - The Mandalore Plot

After a rather disappointing episode last week, the Clone Wars returns with a story about the Death Watch. A group of Mandalorian warriors (the same race as Jango and Boba Fett), who, with the help of Count Dooku, are planning to overthrow the Duchess and take over Mandalore.

There is a astonishing amount of new material in this episode. Two new planets, dozens of new characters. It all seems like a hell of a lot of work, especially for a rather predictable episode. There were some nice touches, here and there, like the introduction of the black lightsaber, (I know someone who would have been very excited about that!) but overall the episode was disappointingly formulaic.

That said, this is just the beginning of a three episode story arc so hopefully, with the setting now established, next week will see some awe inspiring action!

Caprica – Rebirth

Caprica’s second episode, although an interesting insight into Caprican life, really doesn’t go anywhere very fast at all. That is not a bad thing by any stretch. They spend a lot of the episode developing the Zoe/Cylon character and a lot more development is needed if we are to understand how she comes to start a war against humanity.

However the most major plot point in the show is that Zoe’s mother finally comes to understand that Zoe was one of the Soldiers of the One and she admits this publically, that her daughter was possibly the person who blew up that train and killed all those people. Of course, she admits this at the memorial service for the people who died in that tragic incident… Not a smart move. 

A couple of minor niggles… The credit sequence feels… erm… pretentious. Oh and William Adama’s eyes are brown… which is interesting because I’m pretty sure they’ve turned blue by the time he becomes a commander. Oh… and… I have no idea where this series is going…!

Coning Soon

We cannot possibly ignore what happens next week, as, on Tuesday, Lost returns to our screens. Like with 24, Lost is a show I never read about elsewhere until I have seen the episodes, so I have spent the week hibernating and avoiding those previews ABC have been showing. I can’t wait to find out where this final season will take us.

Missed the last episode of season 5, check out my three part ramble in which I discuss the very nature of the island and what I think it is all about.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Until then… This has been My Two Cents…

10 Reasons to Watch: Alice

If there was ever a network that truly commits to its show’s, it’s   Sy-Fy and with Alice it is no different. I discovered Alice a couple of months back when I was wondering what Matt Frewer was doing with himself, instead of being in Eureka.

I have to say, Alice is not perfect but as this is a “ten reasons to watch” post I wont be focusing on the negatives, I will be giving reasons, that in my opinion, make this show worth watching.

So… Was it worth not having Taggart for a whole season? Let’s find out as we go through the Looking Glass and find ten reasons to watch Alice…

1. It’s Bonkers – What else did we expect from the channel that brought us Farscape? Possibly the best and yet most deranged Sci Fi ever envisioned. Everything from the Mad Hatter to the White Rabbit finds its place on this psychedelic canvas.
2. It’s Stunning – If Tin Man can be seen as a precursor to Alice, then take the visual spectacle that it was and quadruple it and then add some just to be on the safe side. Unlike Tin Man that was almost apocalyptic in it’s grey-brown world of bleak disaster, Alice is bright and vibrant. Even the city, which is little more than a decimated husk of a world is visually splendorous.
3. The Story – Even if you don’t know the Lewis Carroll original like me, you can still enjoy the way that Alice twists the story elements. This is not a retelling of the Alice in Wonderland story, it is more of a Return to Wonderland and everything is a very different and yet strangely the same. All the original characters are there, but, for example, The Mad March Hare is now an assassin.
4. The Actors – I’ve already mentioned Matt Frewer, who plays the terrified White Knight. He reminded me quite a lot of Brave Brave Sir Robin from “That Monty Python Film”. But add to that Colm Meaney and Kathy Bates as the King and Queen of Hearts and the terrific Andrew Lee Potts as Hatter and the show really comes to life. Alice herself is portrayed by Caterina Scorsone and, although occasionally shaky, her beauty and charm should be enough to win over even the harshest of critics.
5. A Tale for Modern Times – Whether or not Alice sets out to be a moral tale about a society built on instant gratification or not it certainly succeeds in being one. Although the issues that Alice deals with are dark, such as abandonment, addiction and revolution, the show itself remains vibrant and colourful.
6. Straight into the Action – Unlike other Sci-fi miniseries, for example BSG, Alice draws the viewer through the looking glass and into the meat and gristle of the story, almost instantly. Although Battlestar as an entity is brilliant, the original miniseries takes it’s own sweet time getting going, Alice however goes down the Rabbit Hole after just 10 minutes and its all action from that point on.
7. And What Action! – The locations for the action sequences are stupendous. The old library for example is an epic mix of fantasy and post-apocalyptic sci-fi that you just don't see everyday. The roof-top battle with the Queen’s agents feels like something from the matrix and chase sequence with the Jabberwock… I could go on!
8. Nick Willing – The director who brought us Tin Man, is not only the brains behind the look and feel of this epic tale, but he is also the words and the creative genius. For a writer without that much experience Willing spins an excellent yarn, that coupled with his creative vision helps Alice to feel like a cohesive story, with rich characters and interesting plots. 
9. Flying Pink Mopeds that look like Flamingos – Where else will you find that?
10. One Off or Back Door Pilot? – I can list at least two shows that started on the Sci-Fi channel as just one offs and neither of them remained that way for long… Yes I am talking about Battlestar and Caprica. Will Alice too get itself a regular slot on the Sy-Fy channel? I don’t know… Admittedly Sci-Fi’s last venture into the literary remakes “TinMan” was never taken any further. On the other hand there is nothing else like Alice on any network that I’ve ever heard of, but can Sy-Fy really afford another big cast, special fx show when they already have Caprica and Stargate: Universe?

Whatever Sy-fy decide to do, Alice is certainly a brilliant reenvisioning of the classic for the modern age and while it has numerous problems, it scratches an itch we didn’t even know we had…

This has been My Two Cents, until next time…

 

Weekly Round-Up: 24/01/10

So, another week over and what have we learned? Well, why not read on and find out, but beware these posts contain spoilers from the start, if you don’t want to know what happens look away now…

 

Heroes – Pass/Fail

This weeks Heroes still felt like it was just putting off getting to the finale, although several important plotlines were fulfilled. First off the Claire/Sylar storyline played out to its conclusion, in which Sylar discovered that if he is ever to atone for his past he must learn what it is to be human, he must rid himself of all his powers. To that end he closes the episode by going to see Matt Parkman.

Does this mean that Sylar is getting the same treatment as Hiro and Peter did last series. All three characters have an insane amount of power which made the show difficult for the writers, now it looks like all three will be neutered. I’d rather see Sylar dead, than have him returned to a weak and whining human.

Also this week, Hiro’s brain tumour was cured by his mother in a dream sequence… Yup, makes sense…! Mohinder leaves to return to India… And Samuel finally brings Vanessa to the new home he built just for her… Only she doesn’t want it, or Samuel… so the good old carnie levels a whole damn town…!

Predictable but cool! The last two episodes will surely now be a superhero team-up to take Sullivan down and that means action packed adventure for all. 

How I Met Your Mother - Jenkins

Continuing the long list of guest stars this show has seen, Amanda Peet makes an appearance this week. However, the episode itself really does little new or exciting and after enjoying Amanda as the strong spirited Jordan McDeere in Studio 60, I found her role as “the other woman” rather lifeless.

As with most shows in this genre H.I.M.Y.M suffers from caricature-syndrome, where the principal characters stop being three-dimensional characters and can be boiled down to catchphrases and predictable jokes. That said, I don’t mind too much because H.I.M.Y.M is often very clever with its stories, but just not this week.

Chuck -  Vs. Operation Awesome

Devon isn’t dead…! Although I guess that was implied by the title of this week’s episode. Chuck undertakes a solo mission against the Ring to get his brother-in-law out of trouble. In the process we are introduced to the leader of the anti-Ring task force, Agent Shaw. I suspect Shaw might become a new love interest for Sarah. (He was also the mystery man with answers that appeared to General Beckman at the end of the second episode this season.)

Meanwhile Jeff and Lester perform a rather dark-comic homage to the David Fincher film Fight Club. 

Although the episode on the whole was enjoyable, the sitcom-esque, nothing-really-matters style storytelling still grates on me. It just feels too easy that Devon has gone from being in mortal peril back to marital bliss in a single episode. I guess I just long for a true metastory to evolve from the show but that’s probably not going to happen. I still enjoy it for what it is, I just can’t but wonder if it could be even more.

Supernatural – Sam, Interrupted

Ok, so I don't really get the title. I had assumed this episode would focus on Sam giving himself over to Lucifer. It didn’t. It was, however, old style, fun loving Supernatural without an Angel or Demon in sight. A evil wraith is stalking a mental institution and Sam and Dean check themselves in to investigate at the behest of an old, now nutty, hunter.

The best part of this story is the way the writers recapped the story so far. They had Sam and Dean reel it off to the doctor at the asylum and sure enough they were banged up and labelled crazy. A really funny episode, certainly not the best of the season, and it was a little bit of a filler episode with only 10 or so more to go, but it was really enjoyable.

The Clone Wars – Lightsaber Lost

This episode felt like a bad 80’s children’s tv show, back when cartoons had to deliver a moral message. The episode focused on Ahsoka, Anakin’s padawan, I don’t much care for her character at the best of times so this episode felt quite blah. Plus the criminals who stole Ahsoka’s lightsaber, which was the focus of the episode, looked like the fluffy, squishy things that used to advertise washing powder.

Although there were some nice Coruscant-based action sequences, this episode really just felt like filler. Hopefully the series will begin to climb towards a climax quite soon but so far it just seems a bit aimless. Unlike the first season which felt driven and focused.

Dollhouse – Epitaph Two

Wait a minute… where did my Dollhouse go?!

Next Week

So, next week then, Dollhouse’s final episode will air, and we will finally see James Masters return to our screens in the first episode of the Battlestar spin off Caprica. In the meantime I will be bringing you another 10 Reasons post, check back mid week to find out on what.

In preparation for Caprica starting back up, why not check out my thoughts on the pilot here.

Alternatively, if you want to know what I thought of last year’s Dollhouse Epitaph just scroll down and check out the recap below.

Recap: Dollhouse – Epitaph One

In preparation for next week’s second Epitaph I thought I would repost this. Below this short discussion on the first Epitaph you will find links to each of the expanded flashback posts.

I just finished watching episode 13 of series one of Dollhouse and seriously, we’ve seen Joss being ambitious before, but this is on a scale we’ve never seen!      

10 years on and the imprinting technology has gone wireless. The entire population of the world can switch bodies whenever they want, become who they want, what they want. That was the motto of the Dollhouse, giving people what they wanted, what they needed, children, playing with matches, burnt down the house…

At first I was a little sceptical as it appeared Felicia Day would be spearheading the episode and although I loved Dr. Horrible, she, in my mind, was the weak link. Then we had a flashback and I felt cheated, I couldn’t believe that Joss was daring to do a clip episode, but then again, this is Joss and he doesn’t do things the same way normal people do…

The story follows Mag, (Felicia) and her team. They are actuals, people who are still themselves. Since the imprinting technology went wireless no one can really know who they are. Actuals tattoo themselves with their names so that they will know if they forget who they are. Mag’s team have dedicated themselves to resisting the new order and saving as many as they can in the process. They eschew technology and fear it.

The team has liberated a small girl and her father, although her father is a vacant shell who the team intend to put down. They quickly hole up in an underground bunker that we recognise as the Dollhouse. After finding the chair they imprint the little girl’s father with a series of memories that tell the story of what happened to the world, of how it all began in the Dollhouse with a scientist called Topher.

The list of memories appears to have been specifically compiled by someone, maybe Topher, Dewitt or Caroline, so that anyone who comes after may learn the truth. As we enjoy these cleverly crafted flashbacks (which give us a sneak peak into where the show is going without giving us a timeline to reference it by)

Mag’s team are picked off, one by one, by none other than the little girl, who it turns out was a spy, sent to kill those who resisted. However, Zone, another member of the team, is too quick for her, slamming her tiny child-like body into the imprinting chair and downloading a copy of Caroline’s personality into the little girl.

After a quick skirmish the team leaves with Caroline, heading to a place know only as “Safe Haven”. Doof… Joss Whedon…

That in and of itself makes Epitaph One a very interesting episode, but it’s the flashbacks that ultimately make this episode mind-blowing in the scope of its ambition. The title itself tells us more than maybe we realise at first. Epitaph, is defined as “A brief literary piece commemorating a deceased person.” In this case it’s not a person but the show itself. This episode is a hint about where Dollhouse would have gone if it had not been cancelled. (It hasn’t been cancelled yet but it looks doubtful that it will last to the point at which Epitaph One is set in 2019) A kind of commemorative statement about Joss’s vision for the show, a vision which seems to be constantly under fire from fans and critics alike. The second half of the title, One, seems to suggest that that season 2 will end with Epitaph Two, meaning part 2, because Epitaph One is only part of a larger story arc. 

So this episode tries to be what Serenity is to Firefly, the conclusion that we will ultimately never see because of the fickle, capitalistic nature of  television, and like Serenity, Epitaph One leaves the story open enough to continue, while offering enough answers to satisfy the fans. It is an amazingly clever mix of conclusion and intrigue that only Mr. Whedon knows how to achieve. It would be a dire blow to the future of intelligent television if we lose Joss’ talent and if we do not continue to cherish his genius, we will!

Now you may notice that I didn’t mention any of the flashbacks, well, that’s because I wish to talk about those in my daily nibbles, which will actually give me more space to give them the analysis they deserve.

So for now, this has been My Two Cents, make sure to pick up your copy of Dollhouse season 1 for your chance to witness the brilliance of Epitaph One for yourself.

You can check out the Epitaph One flashbacks here:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Spotlight: Dollhouse - “Hollow Men”

If you read my weekly round-up this week you’ll know that I found this episode to be a bit of a let down, but that doesn’t make it irrelevant and there were some pretty big plot points that need to be discussed. 

The episode opens with Boyd telling Caroline that Rossum is everywhere, involved in every aspect of medical research, with medical files on practically everyone. He explains that he wants her to become a Doll, with the alternative being that she be executed as a terrorist. “Not a chance” Caroline replies. “Believe me when I tell you, Caroline, this is your only chance. You are special, you have amazing potential. I wan to see exactly how far you can go and I promise you I will protect you.”

Ok, so that explains why Boyd becomes Echo’s handler, however, he wasn’t her first and if Alpha hadn’t composited she would still have her original handler. Also, why would the founder of Rossum place his original self in a position where he could end up dead? Why not use a Doll with his personality?

Quickly then we are returned to the present day as Anthony and Priya return to the Dollhouse, Priya’s sense of duty to Echo making her unable to stay away. However, by the time they arrive the house is in ruins and there are bodies everywhere. “Looks like the war started without us…” Anthony remarks.

Outside the House Ballard destroys all the mobile phones and any other devices Rossum might use to track them. Moments later Boyd arrives with Echo/Caroline and Topher. Echo is screaming in pain, Boyd tranqs her. The group quickly assume that Echo is broken, that her multiple personalities are clashing and without her all is lost. However, it is Boyd who insists that they all must keep going, even without Caroline to guide them.

It is obvious that Boyd has drugged Caroline to prevent her revealing his identity. What is not obvious yet, is why Boyd is so desperate to destroy the facility in Tucson.  

Back at the House, Anthony and Priya have checked in with security, they are all dead and all surveillance footage has been taken. Further protecting Boyd’s identity. The two of them return to the Chair room to discover a note that simply reads: “Press Enter :)”

After a quick discussion Anthony decides to jump in the chair and get zapped with an unknown personality. His decision seems to be based purely on propelling the story forward rather than any other emotion, especially as he has twice suggested getting out of the House and leaving all the mess behind. It was these small undeveloped or contradictory moments that made this episode fail to satisfy.

When he comes round Anthony is no longer himself, but Topher instead. I like Enver’s Topher impression so I was glad to see it make a return. Priya quickly brings Victor-Topher up to date with current affairs in an attempt to discover why someone wanted them to use the wedge. Then Topher remembers that he had a secret camera installed in the Chair room, that was lucky. Quickly he pulls up the footage to see Boyd injecting Echo with something. “Why would he drug Echo?” Topher asks, he trusts Boyd unquestioningly since he helped Topher get rid of Nolan’s body. “Not Echo, Caroline, she was going to tell us who the founder of Rossum is.” And then it quickly dawns on Topher “Boyd’s working for Rossum.”

Back in Arizona the band of Dollhouse Rebels are met in the lobby of the Rossum building by non-other than Clyde, only, now he’s sporting a brand new body… Whiskey’s to be precise. BTW, Amy Acker looks weird in a suit!

Clyde invites Adelle upto his office for a drink to thank her for all the work she has done preparing Caroline/Echo. “Above anything, Caroline is your success. You nurtured her, fostered her growth, guided her to become what she is now. Our saviour.” What Clyde means by this will not become clear for sometime.

Meanwhile, Topher, Boyd, Paul and Mellie are trapped in an interrogation room. Boyd is working on overriding the security. After he does so he asks Paul to go and find some weapons. Paul wants to take Topher, but Boyd insists he needs him. This can only mean one of two things. Boyd needs to Topher to achieve something or he wants to kill the genius.

Back in the House Priya is trying to track November/Mellie but of course Paul cut out her GPS strip. She insists on going after Boyd and Topher offers to return Anthony to his body but with some enhanced fighting skills. Priya is not so hot on the idea of having her man’s head fuzzed with. “I know, I get it, the tech is responsible for all of this, but in this instance, why not give the good guys a fighting chance.”

I liked this concept. In another series, it may have seemed noble to not use the weapon of the enemy for the purposes of good (think Lord of the Rings) but here, in Dollhouse, logic takes precedent over nobility and I like that.

Back in Tucson Boyd and Topher are sneaking about. Topher pulls Boyd aside to confide in him. “Echo, Caroline, whatever happened to her, it wasn’t a bad wedge. This is something else.” Topher explains. “What do you think it is?” Boyd asks. “It’s eerily similar to Sierra when Nolan drugged her. It had to be someone in the Dollhouse, I don't know who yet but I’m working on it. I left a little helpful something something back at the ranch. Topher 2.0, hopefully Victor and Sierra came back, fired it up and are on their way here with reinforcements… Go Team!”

Well, that really put a spanner in Boyd’s plan. What I don't get is why Topher didn’t figure out who drugged Echo, other than the Rossum operatives that knocked Topher out, no one other than Boyd has even had contact with her. Had it been me I would have been at least a little suspicious of my “man friend”. 

Back in the House Anthony comes to. “I don't feel any different.” Seconds later the elevator pings and Anthony flattens two black ops guys without breaking a sweat. “Looks like someone in Tucson knows we’re here.” (That was quick, Boyd!)

In Tucson Boyd leads Topher into the R&D room where the Rossum guys are working on the Wireless Imprinting Tech. “I thought it would take Rossum years to realise my schematics.” Topher is petrified. “Now that they have?” Boyd asks. “We’re even more screwed than we thought. With this you can wipe and imprint anyone. One zap with the laser and bzzz you’re a Doll.” Boyd picks up the laser and pulls the trigger.

A moment I loved, quite like that moment in Lost where Jack pulls the trigger on Locke. And just like that moment, the gun doesn’t work. “Whoa! What is wrong with you!?” Topher screams. “It doesn’t work!” Boyd says disappointedly. “Well good, maybe they didn’t have the cojonies to finish the job. They’re setup for mass production, this is catastrophic.”

TOPHER! BOYD JUST TRIED TO WIPE YOU!

Topher smashes the prototype and Boyd tries to stop him. “They are going to weaponise the Tech, my Tech.” Topher explains emphatically. “Topher think.” Boyd tries. “That’s what got us here in the first place. I’m going for mindless destruction now.” But Boyd persists. “We can use this Topher. If the tech stays in our hands we can stop Rossum and get out of this building without taking another life. All you have to do is fix one of them.”

SERIOUS TOPHER, LISTEN TO THE WARNING BELLS!

Meanwhile Ballard knocks out the security guard and steals his pass to get into the weapons cache. He hands Mellie a weapon and tells her to protect herself. Then she asks the question we are all asking. “Why am I here Paul?” he replies “I guess I couldn’t let you go.”

Pile of crap. He let her go at the end of season 1. He let her go and testify in “The Public Eye” even when he knew she was being used. She is there for one reason, because someone has to die!

“That’s very sweet Paul but I don’t believe you. I’m not real. I’m a program.” Mellie protests. “So am I!” Paul exclaims. “And I decided it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Another statement that riled me. Had Dollhouse been given another season or two then Paul “might” have come to accept his situation, but he wouldn’t have done so after just a couple of hours, not a chance! I can see why this line was there, it was an attempt to wrap things up, but it was unnecessary, we can assume that Paul took the appropriate time to adjust to his situation, we don't need his story to be resolved with a throw away statement like this.

Back in the R&D room Topher figures out how to get the tech working. “A team of engineers couldn’t crack that but you, Topher Brink, you did it in ten minutes. You truly are amazing, I’m glad I chose you.” And so Boyd finally reveals his true colours… oh wait… but Topher still hasn’t cottened on! Luckily Echo shows up and kicks Boyd butt. Unfortunately Clyde is not far behind. He points a weapon to both Echo’s and DeWitt’s heads and the fight stops.

“What the hell is going on?” Topher asks…

“Boyd’s the founder.” Echo explains. “There is no way, not a chance on this earth.” Topher protests. “It’s the truth Mr. Brink.” Adelle assures him. “You really think I was going to kill Topher?”

Side Scream: THE HELLS YES! First he fired the imprint gun at Topher, then he reached inside his jacket for a bullet firing gun… Of course he was going to kill him.

“Why bring him here?” Echo asks. “Not just me?” Boyd looks about, a hint of crazy dawning across his face. “You’re here because you’re my family”

And snap. From this point on Boyd stops being Boyd and becomes a rather insane scientist/entrepreneur, no warning, no subtle change, just sane to crazy with the flip of a switch. You could blame time constraint but I don't feel it was necessary to have Boyd turn maniacal, the story could have functioned just as well without it. To me he isn’t crazy, he’s possibly not even evil, if anything he is logical… sigh…

“You’ve proven yourselves in so many ways I wanted you all with me. Except for Paul.” (Why the hell not Paul?) “Frankly I never understood what you saw in him.”

“So, you want us to keep you company, fiddling while Rome burns?” Adelle asks. “Thank you very much, I’d rather be dead.” A nice moment from Adelle, although if push came to shove she would side with Boyd.

“We have to face the facts, the technology exists. It can’t be un-invented. Once it gets out there it will be abused, none of us can prevent that from happening, but we can choose where we want to be and on what side when the end finally does arrive. You want to be the destroyed or the destroyers?”

Boyd returns to his “I care for you all” routine, but Echo doesn’t want to hear it. “You’re the key.” Boyd explains. “You’re going to save us all.” But Echo is defiant. “I wont save you Boyd. Given the first chance, I will kill you.” Boyd seems unnervingly calm at this news. “I have no doubt you’ll try. But the fact remains, inside that body of yours is ever lasting life. Every time your nervous system blocks an imprint, it leaves neurochemical traces in your spinal column. It’s unique to your physiology. So we’re going to harvest it from you.We’re going to use your spinal fluid to make a vaccine against imprinting.”

Ok, so that explains what “The Cure” is or at least might be, in the Epitaph flashbacks. It doesn’t explain why “we have Alpha to thank for that.” but hopefully we will find that out next week.

Meanwhile Paul and Mellie discover the mechanical room and decide to destroy the air con unit that keeps the servers cool and thus disable the Attic Hive Mind. Unfortunately Boyd simply activates the secondary cooling system and while he’s at it, he digs out a convenient recording of Adelle activating Mellie’s sleeper protocol.

Side Scream #2: WHY! Why would Topher not remove the sleeper protocol from the imprint. Why bring a doll with you that could turn on you. Why bring Mellie at all…? WHY WHY WHY!

Mellie opens fire on Paul. Paul throws down his gun and tries to appeal to the girl inside of the killing machine. “Listen to me. You’re not a killer. Remember us, remember what we had.” Mellie puts a gun to Paul’s throat, but then the Mellie imprint breaks through and she can’t kill him… so instead she shoots herself.

Side Scream #3: WHY! (Sorry, I’ve screamed that once already.) Firstly, Mellie and Daniel have both failed to resist the sleeper protocol in the past, her doing so now is just a soppy plot device that holds no water. Secondly, Mellie knows she is a program and not a person, therefore blowing her brains out sentenced Madeleine to death too. Although that sounds like a good moral dilemma to deal with, it isn’t dealt with, it’s just ignored. But finally, if you have to kill her it would have had much more impact if Paul had done it, after he swore to protect her? Plus it would have been far more in keeping with Joss’ ethos of killing the ones you love. Buffy killed Angel, Angle staked Darla, Wesley attempted to kill Fred, Connor killed Jasmine, the list goes on.    

So, Boyd and Clyde strap Echo to a rather Giger-esk machine to extract her spinal fluid, without killing her. Boyd neglects to mention whether or not it would leave her paralysed though. While Echo lies motionless, her spinal fluid being drawn away, a knock comes at the door.

Seriously…? A knock!? The scientist clearly decided that one of the authorised personnel who would be allowed in the room has left their keycard at home so he opens the door… HE OPENS THE FREAKIN’ DOOR… FOR A KNOCK?!

Quickly Anthony and Priya enter and get Echo out of the machine. “I thought you two would be on a beach in Cancún by now.” Echo mutters. That’s a Reaper reference by the way, but unlike Tim Minear’s cute Firefly references last week, this one did not evoke fond memories, it just reminded me who was responsible for the KNOCK ON THE DOOR BIT!

Echo instructs Anthony and Priya to get everybody out while she tries to blow the building up.

Meanwhile in the R&D lab Topher is blaming himself. “I did all this. I’m the one who brings about the thought-pocalypse.” Adelle shoots him a look. “Thought-pocalypse?” “Is Brain-pocalypse better? I figure, if I’m responsible for the end of the world, I get to name it.” Topher explains. “I gave the plans to Harding, I’m just as culpable.” DeWitt reminds him. “Thanks Adelle, you handed someone a piece of paper, I invented it… Which means I have to destroy it.”

Moments later Anthony shoots the lab to pieces, when he is finished he simply asks. “What next?” and Topher replies. “We wipe this tech off the face of the earth.”

Meanwhile Echo runs into Clyde, who’s fighting style reminds me of a certain primordial demon… The two go at it and Echo wins. However we still don’t know why Whiskey was left behind in the Dollhouse after the others left, was it her choice, or was she being condemned for what she did as Claire or Clyde.

Meanwhile Boyd meets up with Ballard, who is the only person still not clued in on what is going on. Pissed at DeWitt for triggering Mellie, Ballard joins up with Boyd and they go after Adelle. Boyd leads Paul into the mainframe room, where he immediately switches sides and puts a gun to his head as Echo draws and aims at Boyd and rather tongue-in-cheek-ly Paul looks almost at the audience and says “What did I miss.” (nice line :) )

Boyd goads Echo, explaining that her future is already written, that she will save the world whether she likes it or not. “Don’t think, shoot.” Ballard says calmly. “She can’t.” But she does, she shoots Paul in the thigh and he goes down in pain, giving her a free shot a Boyd, but she can’t take it, her programming wont let her. Luckily Topher shows up with a fixed version of the imprint gun and bye bye Boyd.

In a rather macabre ending to Harry Lennix’s Dollhouse appearances, Echo straps him with C4 and orders him to blow up the mainframe and Boyd replies with those immortal words “I try to be my best.” Although I like how dark this demise is, I found myself wishing they had given Boyd more time to be the Founder of Rossum, for him to be that bad guy, so that we could really have understood him, now we never can. It’s a shame and I wonder if Boyd would have still been killed had the series not already been canned when this episode was shot.

So the lab is destroyed, Boyd is dead and the world has been saved… but it was all in vein, as the episode closes out with a “Ten Years Later” moment, which felt rather unnecessary. Also the “So did we save the world?” “I guess we did” moment feels too neat, hopefully Epitaph Two will do more to explain what went wrong after they destroyed the lab and how Rossum was still able to bring about the apocalypse.

Overall this episode would have benefitted from an extension, preferably to a whole season, but to at least a double would have been nice. Also if Joss wasn’t going to write it, a Whedonesque veteran like Minear, Edlund, Craft and Fain or even Marti Noxon would have been better choices than new comers Tara and Michelle.

All of my complaints and I still think that Dollhouse has been the best new series of 2009 and the small issues I have with this episode in no way ruined the series… it just didn’t feel as awesome as it could have. I can’t wait to see what Jed and Maurissa have planned for  the Epitaph, it’s going to be epic!

This has been My Two Cents, tune in next week to bring the final curtain down on Dollhouse: Epitaph Two.

Weekly Round-Up: 17/01/10

We’ve got a lot to cover this week with 3 episodes of Chuck, plus Dollhouse, Heroes and How I Met Your Mother with its musical 100th episode, so let’s get right down to it…

 

 

Chuck – Vs. The Pink Slip, Vs. The Three Words & Vs. The Angel de la Muerte

Yes, that’s right, 3 episodes of Chuck this week because one just isn’t enough. When we last left Chuck he had just turned super nerd, uttering those immortal words “I know Kung Fu.” and even I have to admit that I was worried about how season 3 would pan out.

But as it turns out, I had no need to fret. Yes Chuck knows Kung Fu, but he is still as inept and as funny as before. The first episode really focuses primarily on getting us back into the action and letting us know some of what Chuck can do. The real major plot developments are Chuck and Morgan’s return to the Buy More, the loss of Anna (she left Morgan and hasn’t returned) and the apparent death of Tony Hale’s Emmett. I say apparent because his death was not confirmed to the audience after he was shot and in Chuck people have been known to rise from the dead… ala Bryce.

The second of this week’s episodes continues that streak of unlikely guest stars that Chuck is becoming weirdly famous for as Vinnie Jones takes on the role of a hapless weapons dealer. Once again, the actual mission has little of interest, its just a backdrop for the character development, particularly Chuck and Sarah’s relationship. The episode had a lot of laughs and some really nice moments, especially during Chuck and Sarah’s sparring match.

The third and final episode of the week follows the same format of every other episode, although Devon’s knowledge of what Chuck does helps add some comedy and some nice interplay between two characters who don’t really get to play together often. But as the episode closed out I was ready to write that Chuck is on the verge of Power Rangers style storytelling, by which I mean, each episode Chuck can’t flash when he needs to, but then, right in the nick of time he can and saves the day, he might as well just morph into a megazoid.

I was about to write that down and suggest that Chuck needs to fail in at least one episode for us to start to feel the realism, to feel the threat and then what happens? The bad guys only go and get Devon! Now the writers have deliberately set it up to make us think Devon’s dead, but honestly, I can’t see it… Whatever the case, I got that funny tummy churning feeling I get whenever I fear the worst and my faith in Fedak and Schwarz was restored.

YOU CAN’T KILL AWESOME!!!

How I Met Your Mother – Girls Vs. Suits

I don't think I have ever known a show to get away with teasing us as much as H.I.M.Y.M… It’s been 5 seasons and still we haven’t met her. This week Ted is actually in his wife-to-be’s apartment and all we see is a foot! However, at this moment, Ted is more interested in her roommate, star of the O.C, Rachel Bilson (Although I know her better as the Deli Girl from Chuck). However, as he nearly always does, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) steals the show and makes it his own. Neil’s long await musical return closes out this episode, sure, it’s not Dr. Horrible… but it’s still pretty good.

Heroes – Close to You

Well… I got my wish. Last week I suggested that we should have a Claire/Sylar free episode and we did. In fact the infamous cheerleader only appeared briefly in the doorway of her dorm room to chat with Noah. I wonder if this week we will see that same conversation from the other side of the door, with Sylar holding her hostage?

Other significant things? Hiro, Ando and Mohinder escape the asylum and Ando’s red lightening conveniently cures Hiro’s scrambled mind. Peter takes his mother’s ability to dream the future and subsequently smashes Emma’s cello to stop her killing thousands of people. Meanwhile Parkman and Noah track down Vanessa, Samuel’s old flame, in the hopes of using her to capture Samuel. They fail and Samuel takes her hostage.

When Noah gets back Lauren finds him and they admit how they feel about each other, before being rudely interrupted by Hiro, Ando and Mohnider. An ok episode but ultimately it did nothing to further the story, it just brought a few people together for the fast approaching finale.

Overall Redemption has lacked some of the energy and imagination and character of Fugitives. It’s not been all bad, but there has been too much filler. 3 episodes left… I wonder who will be left alive at the end of it?

Dollhouse – Hollow Men

It may just be that I was expecting too much, but I was kind of disappointed by this weeks Dollhouse. Sure, the story was there, but the character development was not. It all felt a little off. Of all the series finales on all Joss Whedon shows, this ranks only a small amount above Objects in Space and way behind Chosen or Not Fade Away. I just don't understand why newcomers Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters were allowed anywhere near this script, especially after their rather dull first episode Instinct. I know Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen were working on Epitaph Two but surely Joss could have found the time to write the season finale?!

Ok… so it wasn’t terrible, it just wasn’t everything I felt it could have been. Of course, I’m still spotlighting it this week and I can’t wait for Epitaph Two next week… It’s going to be awesome.

Coming Next Week

Another episode of Chuck where we will find out Awesome’s fate. The second and final Epitaph of Dollhouse, it’s going to be great, I just know it. But possibly even more important, next week sees the beginning of the end as Supernatural returns for the countdown to that final climatic battle between Good and Evil as Sam and Dean try to take down the Devil himself.

Spotlight: Dollhouse - “Getting Closer”

So, we have arrived at the penultimate episode and what an  episode it was. I’ll admit, when it began, I suspected that this episode would be little more than a filler piece to fill the gap between the “It’s time for me to meet Caroline. It’s time to win her war!” ending of “The Attic” and the season finale “Hollow Men”, especially after one of the first things we learn is that Caroline’s wedge is missing… But, boy, was I wrong.

The episode begins “3 Years Ago” Caroline has managed to seduce a Rossum security guard to gain access to DeWitt’s office, although it seems this was long before she knew about the Dollhouse. After she handcuffs the guard to the wall she begins to rifle through DeWitt’s desk. She finds a file marked Priority with a photo of Bennett Halverson (the D.C Programmer). “What’s in Tucson?” Echo asks. (Only the freakin’ HQ for Rossum, that’s what)

Then Echo notices the monitors and she sees the goings on in the Dollhouse below. Interesting point, she sees the Chair in full operation, that means Topher is already working there, which places flashback 2 from Epitaph One at least 2 years prior to the pilot.

Moments later we are returned to the present day. “We need to know what she knows.” Echo explains, continuing the conversation from last week. “Clyde said there was one person who had seen his partner face to face, that was Caroline. We have to cut the head off the snake!” Echo states. “And Caroline is the only one who has met that snake.” Boyd repeats.

Ivy goes on to point out that while Echo is impressive they don’t know what will happen if they try to add Caroline to her already overcrowded brain. This point will become mute rather soon, but am I the only one thinking, there is a whole house full of Dolls, imprint one of them with Caroline instead?

While Topher, literally, straps Echo into the Chair, Ivy goes off to the vault to fetch Caroline. Only Caroline’s wedge is missing. Ok, so I have four possibilities here. The first is that the wedge was there and Ivy took it. The second, more likely option, is that while Alpha was in the house during “A Love Supreme” he stole the wedge. A third option would be that Harding took it while he was running the Dollhouse. The fourth option is that the Head of Rossum him/herself managed to somehow get to the wedge… 

After the opening credits roll we return to the past and Summer Glau begins the episode’s long list of guest stars. The scene shows how Caroline engineered a meeting with Bennett and how the two became friends.

Back in the 2010 Topher is rigging the Chair to enable him to perform a wireless imprint, the way he and Bennett did in The Left Hand. “We’re in,” Ivy says. “Ghost chair has just been engaged.” As one of the D.C. Dolls is lowered into the chair, Topher hijacks the imprint and programs the Doll to be a sleeper. Bennett realises what is going on but not fast enough. Topher’s imprinted Doll grabs her by the throat, moments before Ballard and Anthony/Victor burst out of the elevator. “She’s here, we got her.” Ballard explains to Topher on the other end of the phone.

Anthony takes Bennett and deactivates the Doll holding her. Paul however has noticed Madeleine on the monitors. “We’re not leaving yet.” He grunts gruffly.

Bennett is returned to the House, where she is handed over to Topher. It seems that Bennett has the ability to restore damaged imprints. Topher wants her to restore the Caroline imprint that Alpha destroyed in “Omega”.

Paul hands Madeleine over to the House, she is back to being November, back in a Doll-state. “You did a good thing.” Echo tries to comfort Paul. “We’ll fix it, we’ll make her right.” But Paul is not convinced. “Once they’ve done this to you, can you ever be right again?” Of course, he is talking about himself, rather than November.

Back in his lab Topher is flirting with Bennett whilst trying to get her to restore Caroline, not that she knows that’s who she is working on. “Why do you need this one restored?” Bennett asks. “Would it sound OTT if I said this could help prevent the end of civilisation as we know it?” Topher replies. “I would need to understand the context.” Bennett replies in a wonderfully River-like way. Tim Minear is brilliant at writing these awkward but witty scenes and Fran Kranz and Summer Glau are really a gift to his words.

Bennett tells Topher she can fix it. “How much data loss would we suffer?” He asks. “None.” is the reply… phew… that was lucky. Topher leans in for a kiss but something just dawned on Bennett. “Who’s on that wedge?” Topher realises he’s been caught out. “It doesn’t matter.” He replies, trying to get back to the almost kissing part. “It might.” Bennett says, knowing she is right and that Topher is trying to bring back the person who left her for dead. The next time we see Topher, his face is not so pretty!

Meanwhile my prediction about Boyd living with Whiskey comes true. Because DeWitt has ordered a full lockdown of the Dollhouse Boyd decides it is time for Dr. Saunders to return to the House. The two are clearly romantically engaged. Boyd asks her “Are you scared?” She smiles at him and replies “Not any more.”

Quick analysis, what would she be scared of? What is it that Boyd wants her to do? The point of the line completely bypassed me on the first pass, why would Boyd think she’d be scared…? Nervous to be returning to the House, but scared?

Back at the House Topher is in Dr. Saunders’ lab looking for something to mend his split lip when Echo walks in and starts asking about Ballard. “What did you do to him?” Topher struggles with the answer, his conscience tugging at his mind. “I gave him his life back. He’s still Paul.” Topher insists. “No, he’s not the same, he’s different.” Echo replies. “Half his brain tissue was scarred, I had to do major rewiring. Which required healthy brain tissue, there were two pieces of real estate big enough  for the job, the motor cortex or the cingulate gyrus (Wiki Quote: It functions as an integral part of the limbic system, which is involved with emotion formation and processing, learning, and memory.) So, either he could live his life trapped in a paralysed body, or I could take away something else…”

“Me.” Echo answers her own question. “Our connection.” Topher looks sad and replies. “I think so.” Echo has little else to say to Topher, so simply points out “You’re still bleeding.” At which point Dr. Saunders and Boyd walk in. As Whiskey sets to fixing Topher’s lip DeWitt appears in the doorway. “Topher, that troublesome one-armed creature where is she?” “I had to lock her up.” Topher replies. “Couldn’t leave her in the lab unattended.”

Not long after that we flashback to three months after Caroline broke into DeWitt’s office. Mr Dominic has just discovered that one of his men had deleted the footage and confessed to allowing Caroline Farrell access to the office. He also tells her that two of her files are missing, Caroline’s and Bennett’s. “Who else knows about this?” DeWitt asks. “Just us.” Lawrence replies. “Keep it that way. We need to get to Tucson.”

Back in their dorm room Bennett awaits Caroline’s return, she found the file and she’s pissed, but not for the reason Caroline thought she might be. “You’re not pissed because I used you?” Caroline asks, not really able to believe it. “I’m hurt that you wont.”

Back at the House Bennett is under lock and key. Boyd gives Echo a pep talk and then after a touching hug moment he tells her its time to put the House on lockdown. But Echo has one more thing to do before he does. She leads Anthony and Priya out of the House. “Guys, if you somehow forget the way back here… that’s ok too.” She says as she waves them goodbye. Of course we know that they do return in the Epitaph, but I’m not sure if they will play at part in the season finale.

As Echo turns back into the stairwell yet another guest star appears, this time Reed Diamond. Mr. Dominic can barely remain upright. “Clyde’s dead.” He manages, “Rossum is onto you.”

But wait… Lawrence doesn’t get out the Attic until after the apocalypse.

Armed with the information that Rossum is coming DeWitt orders the House evacuated. She orders every active to have their original imprint restored and for them to be released. “I’m not leaving behind a House full of helpless creatures.” See, I told you she was one of the good guys. “Behind?” Topher asks. “Where are we going?” DeWitt gives him a withering look. “Tucson, obviously.”

And we’re back in flashback land. Bennett and Caroline are preparing to blow up the Rossum building. However, while crawling around in the vents Caroline notices a lab that’s not on the schematic. Bennett warns her to get out of there but Caroline ignores her. When she discovers there are people in the lab, experiments of Rossum’s, Caroline changes her mind about blowing up the lab, but its too late. She orders Bennett to run, the timer hits Zero and BOOM!

Back in the House Mr. Dominic is going into shock. Dr. Saunders wants to move him to a hospital but DeWitt points out that isn’t possible, the House is on lockdown… Plus, she really doesn’t like him. “Put him back in the Attic, it’s his best hope.” She orders. “I’d rather die.” Lawrence manages. “I’d rather you didn’t.” Adelle replies.

Ballard wants to take Lawrence to the hospital but DeWitt’s mind is made up. “She’s right.” Echo points out. “And we could use someone on the inside when we hit the mainframe.” Once again Echo is planning to use people, just like Caroline did with Bennett. Moments later November comes down the stairs, imprinted with the Mellie personality, Ballard’s ex-lover. “You insisted she comes along.” DeWitt explains. “I insist she be someone who trusts you entirely.” What possible purpose Mellie can serve is unclear right now. The only thing I can think of is that the writers need someone to kill off next episode who isn’t in the Epitaph but that the audience will care about…

Boyd pulls DeWitt away and leads her upstairs where Mr. Ambrose awaits. Yes, the same Mr. Ambrose from flashback 5. He informs DeWitt that he is taking over the House and liquidating it’s assets. “Nobody comes out of the Attic Adelle. You’re done!” However Boyd has other ideas, shooting Ambrose and the two goons with him. Of course, we know from the before mentioned flashback that Ambrose’s personality is safe and sound and he will later recapture Victor and use him to deliver an ultimatum to DeWitt and Topher.

However, in the confusion Boyd has been shot, leading us right to the conversation in Flashback 4 of the Epitaph. I predicted Boyd would be shot helping Echo and Ballard liberate the Dollhouse, I was almost right…

Back to the flashbacks… Caroline survived the explosion in the lab, but Bennett wasn’t so lucky. Caroline tries to free Bennett but when she can’t she mutters those immortal words from “The Left Hand.” “If I stay we both get nabbed.” and as she leaves she finishes the thought “And I’m going to make sure it’s just me.”

That line annoyed me… I preferred to think of Caroline as a user of people, the death of her boyfriend in “Echoes” didn’t stop her crusade, why should she care about one more body?

Back in the House Echo confronts Bennett, ordering her to fix the wedge and bring back Caroline. She makes her an offer, if Bennett resurrects Caroline, she can do whatever she wants to her, she can have her revenge.

“When he finds out you’ve killed him you’ll be a target.” Adelle explains to Boyd. “How will he find out.” Boyd asks. “I’m going to tell him.” Adelle intends for Boyd to run and draw Rossum’s attentions in at least two directions and buy them the time they need to bring back Caroline.

Boyd and Claire have their conversation. (Click the link)

Up in his lab Topher is working on the wedge with Bennett, unfortunately things were going too well with six minutes of the episode left. Ivy left the room and, already suspecting that she had stolen Caroline’s wedge, I thought she might reappear and kill Bennett, turning out to be a Rossum spy after all…

… but she didn’t. After a little more awkward conversation Topher and Bennett finally kiss. One thing I’ll say about all Joss’ shows, whenever there is an apocalypse looming, people always find the time to make out…

“More of that if we prevent the end of the world?” Topher asks (or promises depending on just how large you think his ego is.) Topher leaves the room and good old Dr. Saunders enters, her hands clasped behind her back. “Is that Caroline?” The Doc asks. “Do you really think you’re going to be able to get her back?” “I’m confident of it.” Bennett replies. Seconds later Claire blows Bennett’s head off, splattering Topher with the remnants of her brain.

Even though I thought it was coming this is possible the most shocking death on a Joss show to date… Wash doesn’t count, that was a film.

Back to the flashback… Caroline has left Bennett trapped and walks straight into DeWitt and Mr. Dominic. However, Caroline is not yet destine for L.A. with DeWitt, first she has to go upstairs and meet the director. “You weren't invited?” Echo mocks. “No hard feelings, darling. A trip to see our director is generally one-way.”

And as the lift door closes we’re back in the present day. Topher is catatonic and the gang is speculating on why Dr. Saunders would shoot Bennett, suggesting that while she was AWOL Rossum got to her and reprogrammed her as a sleeper. Adelle brings Topher back and gets him to finish Caroline’s wedge. The blood splattered monitors prompt him to dismiss Ivy and she takes the opportunity like there will be no tomorrow.

Seconds later the House is breached and the bullets begin to fly. Topher finishes the wedge and sits Echo down in the chair. Topher demands that Adelle leaves and she takes Mellie with her. Echo goes down in the Chair and it flares to life… A black ops soldier appears and knocks out Topher, but the imprint is already up and running. Boyd appears silently behind the guy and snaps his neck.

Final flashback… Echo steps out of the elevator and is greeted by Clyde 2.0. “My partner and I have been quite eager to meet you.” And Caroline asks the obvious question. “Why me?” and then freakin’ Boyd steps out of the darkness. “Because you’re very special, you’re going to help us in ways you can’t understand.”

“Not likely.” Caroline replies. “You don't have a lot of options.” Clyde points out. “So, I’m going to be one of your zombies? Open up my brain like the rest of them?” Boyd half smiles. “You’ll never be like the rest of them. You wont be harmed in any way. You’re far too valuable.” Boyd explains. “And I’m just going to trust you?” Caroline asks and in true corny Tim Minear style, Boyd replies. “With your life.”

Doof

Cliffhanger and a half no? After that revelation I did spend quite some time going “Boyd, really, no serious, it can’t be…” but I’m sure Joss has an explanation. It certainly would explain why Boyd’s character has been sidelined for most of the season, make him seem less important so the smack stings so much more when it hits us in the face.

As for, what the hell is Boyd talking about at the end, I suspect that Rossum made Caroline. As for why Boyd would wish to destroy his own company through Caroline/Echo I have no idea. But there is one thing we can be sure of, if he can order the execution of Bennett through his girlfriend and empty his best friend’s head out and stuff him the Attic, then Boyd is no longer batting for our team!

Weekly Round-Up: 10/01/10

So as I promised, a new format for a new year. Despite the fact that I enjoyed the daily posts, it was difficult for people to keep up with everything as posts would disappear quickly from the front page. So until the end of this season I will be doing a weekly round-up of the shows I watch every Sunday with a Spotlight post on my favourite show of the week.

Obviously, until Dollhouse finishes its run the Weekly Spotlight will focus on my favourite show of 2009.

So what’s been going on this week…?

Clone Wars –Grievous Intrigue & The Deserter

Cartoon Network’s superb Star Wars spinoff returned on New Year’s Day with a double bill of episodes.

Both of this week’s episodes focused on the Jedi Council’s attempts to capture General Grievous. In his continuing mission to wipe out the entire Jedi Order, Grievous captured Master Koth. Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ada go after him and while Anakin and Ada chase down Koth, Grievous goes after Obi-Wan. Other than some pretty cool fight sequences, all this episode really does is set up for the next two (possibly more) episodes. Just before the Jedi destroy Grievous’ ship he escapes to Saleucami (the nearby planet).

Down on the surface of the Planet Grievous and his troops set out in search of a functioning communication device to call for a taxi home. Meanwhile an injured Rex is taken care of by a local Twi’Lek farmer and her husband… A Clone Deserter. An interesting point is made here that the Clones have free will (and therefore were partly to blame for the Rise of the Empire.) I’m pretty sure that this fact will come to play a big part in later episodes for Rex and Cody. Obviously, in the end, Cody sides with the empire… but what about Rex?

Although neither episode really did much to further the plot they weren’t bad episodes. However the fact that both were focused on the capture of Grievous with no success made them feel a bit like filler episodes.   

Heroes – Upon this Rock & Let It Bleed

Monday saw Heroes return too with two of the remaining six episodes.

The first of this week’s episodes focused almost entirely on the circus. We discovered, finally, what purpose Kring had in mind for Emma, the hero with the seemingly useless power to see sound. Turns out she is in fact the Pied Piper, able to express emotion through music and specifically for Samuel’s purpose, she is able to summon specific individuals by concentrating on them as she plays.

Specifically Samuel was seeking a Hero with the power to give life to the barren earth. Claire, who was growing increasingly suspicious of Samuel’s intentions, is somewhat placated when he shows her why he has been gathering Heroes to him… He is building them a new home. Then before her eyes Ian, the green fingered hero, causes the barren valley to blossom. Although Claire declines to stay with Samuel, she can at least see some good in him.

Hiro also returned this week, convincing Ando to go with him to free Mohinder from the insane asylum where Hiro put him to be out of the way while he did Samuel’s dirty work (in order to save Charlie). Unfortunately Hiro’s run in with Samuel has left his brain all screwed up and he can only communicate through riddles.

The second episode focuses on the faking of Nathan’s death (in a plane crash) and the aftermath of that conspiracy. Less interesting than the previous episode, Let it Bleed sees the return of Sylar. After a lot of posturing and not much else Sylar leaves and heads after Claire (Samuel’s magic ink informing him of his path.)

Noah and Lauren capture Edgar and eventually get him to help them. Unfortunately Noah and Edgar don’t see eye to eye on what should happen the to Carnival after they take down Samuel and Edgar takes off, stealing Noah’s files into the bargain.

After burying Nathan, Peter goes out looking to get himself killed because he feels guilty about not being able to save Nathan. Claire shows up and saves him the nick of time and Peter takes her ability.

Not that great a start to the second half of the season, it certainly feels as if Heroes is dragging its heels a bit now. Although I like the rather Magneto-esque brotherhood Samuel is forming, it just seems to be slowing the whole story down. I feel like 12 episodes would have been better than 18, more condensed and fast paced storylines like we had in seasons 2 & 3. I’m hoping that the last four episodes will be a bit more action packed, with stories from Hiro and Mohinder, rather than Claire and Sylar, but we’ll see…

Dollhouse – Getting Closer

Quite possibly the best episode of the season, really edge of your seat stuff. In what, at the start, felt like a filler episode to stave off the finale, we learnt more than we’ve learnt in the last two seasons. Special guests Summer Glau, Amy Acker and Reed Diamond  all returned for an explosive episode. Tune in again soon to My Two Cents for a spotlight on this episode.   

Next Week

Tonight in fact will see the return of everyone’s favourite spy Chuck and Friday will see the finale of Dollhouse *uncontrollable sobbing* Can’t wait!

Dollhouse Doubles: “The Attic”

And so we come to the episode I have been looking forward to the most (with the exception of Epitaph Two, but that’s really a series in its own right), episode 10: The Attic.

Written by Jed and Maurissa who have so far given us Belonging and Meet Jane Doe, how could I expect anything other than excellence? Well, when the Attic starts it really does feel like the weaker of the duo’s Trio of episode for the season, but by the time it concludes, it is possibly the strongest.

The Attic runs that fine line between being nothing more than an irrelevant dream sequence, done just play with the format and being a mythology defining episode that will change EVERYTHING! This episode is the moment before the Epitaph, the events that unfold in this episode spell out the future for all mankind…

Have I built it up enough yet? Have I built it high enough that no matter how good it is you wont be able to enjoy it? Oh well…

So unlike previous weeks I’m going to split the episode into two parts because that will make everything simpler.

The Attic

The episode begins with Echo waking up in the Attic, wrapped in a sheet of clingfilm, breaking free, knocking out (and killing) some Rossum employees, freeing Victor and Sierra, only for them to be gunned down while Echo watches helplessly. Only, we know Victor and Sierra survive to Epitaph One (although I’m pretty sure Jed and Maurissa will kill Sierra off in Epitaph Two, explaining why she doesn’t feature in the final two flashbacks with everyone else.) Of course, knowing they survive didn’t stop me jumping up with shock and yelling at the TV, but I digress.

Quickly (although I’m not sure how much time passes) Echo realises that she is living in a loop where her nightmare of her friends dying repeats over and over and realising that she can do nothing to stop it, she leaves them behind, escaping into a surreal version of the Dollhouse, covered with snow with a white tree growing at its centre.

After some Faith-esque agonising and self torture a black skinned monster appears to kill Echo, it calls itself Arcane. This whole sequence is very in-keeping with the Whedon family’s love of comic books, but it seriously breaks the illusion of reality that Dollhouse has managed to retain despite the sci-fi-esque subject matter. Arcane was a really “Oh dear…” moment for me, but its ok, I grow to love the episode by the end…

Echo then teams up with Mr. Dominic (Reed Diamond) who had been sent to the Attic by DeWitt a year or so ago. Since then Mr. Dominic has learnt the true nature of the Attic. It seems that the people in the Attic are connected and Lawrence can move from one mind to another. In this way he has chased Arcane as the monster tries to kill everyone in the Attic.

Figuring out that Arcane uses each individual’s worst fear to travel from one mind to the next Echo faces her own fear (the Chair) and jumps into the next mind, with Lawrence right behind her. After asking a couple of questions Echo quickly realises that not only are all the minds in the Attic connected, but that all the Attics are networked together.

Unfortunately Echo and Lawrence couldn’t stop Arcane and they quickly exit into Victor’s mind before the one they were in shuts down. They chase off Arcane and Victor joins their merry band. Victor’s nightmare was to kill himself over and over, I guess that is why he suffered from post traumatic stress, because he couldn’t tell what separated himself from the supposedly ‘evil’ enemy.

All that remains now is to rescue Priya/Sierra and escape. She is trapped with the corpse of Nolan Kinnard (who she killed in Belonging) only he has been reanimated as a Zombie and is trying to kill her. Only problem is, Nolan isn’t the only one trying to kill her… Arcane is there too.

After a quick scuffle with Arcane Echo and the others tumble through a window and into another mind. This time it’s the mind of Rossum co-founder Clyde a.k.a Arcane. “So this is your nightmare Clyde?” Echo asks. “This isn’t a nightmare, this is the shape of things to come.” And naturally the camera zooms out to show us the apocalypse in full swing.

Unimpressed with the devastation Echo turns on Clyde and demands to know why he was trying to kill them. “I was trying to take down Rossum’s mainframe.” He explains. It turns out that the networked brains in the networked Attics are one giant computer. “I was trying to take out Rossum’s number of CPU’s to prevent this.” Indicating the Epitaph One madness happening all around them. “How do you know this is real?” Echo asks. “Because it was my idea!”

“I’m one of the original founders of Rossum. Me and my best mate at university. I had discovered ECC, Encephalic Communication Encoding (that’s ECE btw…). He was the one who had a plan for it, I hadn’t even begun to imagine all the possible applications for the technology. We thought we were making history, we weren’t wrong.”

It turns out that the first test subject was Clyde 2.0, a modified version of Clyde with all his knowledge but none of his ambition, someone who would follow orders without questioning them. “Your friend betrayed you.” Echo states, making the obvious leaps to propel the story onwards. Clyde explains that he was the first person in the Attic, the founding member if you like. “That was 1993” he sighs. 1993? Isn’t that the year the internet went online? Co-incidence?

“My nightmare, my loop, has been to run statistical analysis as to where the technology might lead, all but 3% of them include the end of civilisation.”

“What year is it?” Clyde asks. “2010? Is that all? Then we still might be able to stop them. The first thing they will try and do is install an imprinted person in the government.”

“They did that.” Echo explains. “Then they’re way ahead of most schedules.” Clyde theories that if they could eliminate Clyde 2.0 and the other founder of Rossum then they may be able to turn back the tide of the apocalypse. However Rossum cleaned his head out and erased the name and face of his friend. Priya however doesn't think it will make a difference.

“But there’s no way out of here… is there?” She asks. “No.” Clyde replies. “But there has been talk amongst the security personnel that they mistakenly let a woman in, she saw them, she could indentify them, but apparently they got to her too, they scrubbed her clean.”

“Caroline” It was a statement not a question from Echo. “Yes!” Clyde replies overjoyed with the response. “We need to find a way out of the Attic.” Victor states almost angrily. Echo hears him, they are pinned down now by a man with an assault rifle, so calmly Echo stands up and lets herself get shot. “Echo! What are you doing?” The others scream. “I know a way out.” She replies.

Echo plans to flatline in order to disengage from the Attic Mainframe, in the hope that she can wake up again on the other side. Victor and Sierra vow to go with her, as long as she goes first and revives them in the real world. Clyde and Lawrence determine to stay and help those still trapped in the Attic.

After a sad music montage we return to the House…  

The House

Much of this week’s non-Attic action is about restoring function to Paul’s damaged brain. Topher is at the end of the line. He admits to DeWitt that there is no way to restore Paul without introducing Active Architecture, to which DeWitt responds “We are in the market for a strapping new Victor are we not?”

Topher has all but given up when Ivy accidentally suggests something which sends a spark to Topher creative genius. Effectively Topher thinks he may be able to rewire Paul’s brain, to assign new functions to undamaged parts.

However, only seconds after she inadvertently fixes the problem Ivy is called up to see DeWitt. Topher’s final words of support to his underappreciated assistant are  “Don’t worry, Darth Vader kills Lieutenants not Stormtroopers”. Wow Topher, way to scare the girl!

When Ivy returns Topher tries to ask her about DeWitt and Ivy flinches away from him, saying in a cold, dead tone “Don’t speak to me.” Perturbed by this turn of events Topher goes to DeWitt for an explanation. “I simply prepared her for the possibility of taking over your position here.” DeWitt explained. Going on to point out that the Corporation has big plans for Topher.

Next DeWitt drags Boyd into her office to reprimand him for his tardiness. Since Echo went into the Attic Boyd has been spending a lot of time “at home” and I suspect with Whiskey, although that has not yet been revealed. When the conversation turns to Echo, Boyd become rather defensive, like a father protecting his daughter, but DeWitt doesn’t think Boyd has the right to take the righteous path.

“You knew where she was heading. You encouraged her. You put her in that Attic as much as anyone else. You didn’t come to the Dollhouse because of Echo, you came because you had nowhere else to go.” Boyd starts to walk away. “You work for Rossum and that means your options tend to slim to three. Carry out Rossum’s work without question, the Attic or Death. You must decided if that life is to be put to good use or laid to waste. I have seen the future Mr. Langton and it is not for the weak.”

Ok, so far DeWitt has tried to recruit Boyd, Topher and Ivy and each time there are parts of the conversation missing, deliberately left unshot to keep us in suspense…  

“Does that take away the fear?” Topher asks, walking in on Boyd sipping from his hip flask after his big conversation with DeWitt. “That’s what we’re going to do to Paul, you know, take something away.” Topher explains, his science and his genius finally tempered with conscience. “That’s going to make him more pissed off than he usually is.” Boyd jokes. Boyd tosses his flask to Topher, who takes a sip and then looks back at Boyd, so sincerely it hurts and he whispers. “That woman is going to drag us straight to hell!”

Despite how literally that sentence may have been interpreted in both Buffy and Angel, damnation has never felt more real than it does in Dolhouse.

Up in the chair room Paul comes to, prefaced by Topher’s comment “He’s not going to take this well” and he doesn’t. Paul stumbles from the chair, unable to stand or talk, yelling out random phrases, his face contorted with pain. “His brain is completely reorganised.” Ivy explains. “It will take a moment for him to adjust.”

But the moment he does he launches himself at Topher. “What the hell did you do to me?” Boyd tries to calm Paul. “Alpha damaged your brain, we did it to save your life.” Paul stops struggling and the colour drains from his face. “Did what?” No-one says a word. “You made me a doll? Then why do I feel like myself?” Topher is scared of answering him. “You are… but it’s an imprint.”

“I’m sorry.” Topher offers. “It was an order and we don't have many friends left.” When Boyd explains that Echo, Victor and Sierra have been sent to the Attic Ballard takes Boyd’s gun and the head of security makes no attempt to stop him. After he has gone Boyd turns to Topher and warns him “At some point he’s gonna figure out what we took away from him.”

Of course, nobody tells us what that might be, but I’m guessing it has something to do with his free will, but I’m only guessing.

Ballard storms into DeWitt’s office, gun in hand. “I’m not afraid to lose my life taking you down.” He grunts at her. “I don’t want to die.” She replies coldly. “Then only one of us is going to be disappointed. Any last words?”

Presumably she had last words, the same words she gave to Ivy and to Topher and to Boyd, because the next time we see DeWitt Echo has returned and everyone is together, ready to overthrow Rossum.

“We got it. The information we were looking for, maybe more. I know how to get at the heart of Rossum, your plan worked” DeWitt has but two words for Echo “Thank you.” and you can tell by the look in her eyes that she meant every syllable. “And everyone else?” Echo asks. “I think I’ve impressed upon them the dangers we’ll be facing.” DeWitt replies “We’re ready.”

“No, we’re one soldier shy.” Echo replies. “It’s time for me to meet Caroline. It’s time to win her war!”

Doof!

See… I told you it was good…

Last time I suggested that this whole season has been about Adelle DeWitt? Everything that has transpired since she lost control of the House in Meet Jane Doe has been about getting to this moment, it has been about destroying Rossum. A part of me wonders if Epitaph One will actually occur or if it is simply a divergent timeline, a clever way to knock us off guard. Whatever the case, tonight's episode will be awesome and the finale next week, even better!

This has been My Two Cents… 

Dollhouse Doubles: “Stop Loss”

I’m back! As promised before Christmas the new format for the blog will start on Sunday, but until then (and until the end of the season) the full Dollhouse posts will continue, so strap in and get  ready for episode 9 “Stop Loss”

P.s. This post makes several references to Epitaph One, each hyperlink is keyed to the relevant flashback to save me repeating myself.

When I settled down to watch this episode I knew we were in for a Victor-centric episode, however by the end of episode 10 “The Attic” I had discovered the truth and that is that this whole season has really been about Adelle DeWitt, but I’ll get to that later!

The episode begins with Adelle taking Victor out for one last “ride” (innuendo intended). Last year we discovered that Adelle was a Dollhouse client herself called Miss Lonely-Hearts, now that Victor’s contract is up she wants to ensure she gets to be with him one final time. Victor, however, tries to break up with Adelle, he tells her he is in love with another woman (Sierra).

Meanwhile back at the Dollhouse Topher has worrying news. He and Boyd are standing around a scan of Paul Ballard’s brain and Boyd confesses “I don’t see anything…” Topher explains that there is nothing to see, that Alpha emptied out Ballard’s head and just left him as a shell. Of course, we eagle eyed Epitaph viewers saw Ballard walking and talking with the best of them so we KNOW Topher can fix him… The interesting part will be how!

Annoyed and humiliated Adelle thinks Topher has reprogrammed Victor on purpose as payback for her selling him out. After she confronts him Topher quickly realises the true identity of Miss Lonely-Hearts and then he explains the situation with Victor and Sierra. This is really just reiteration for those of us who have been asleep for the past twenty episodes, we know from episodes like Belonging that Victor and Sierra’s love for each other extends beyond imprints, even affecting their original selves in Epitaph One.

Meanwhile Boyd catches Echo trying to use the all-access pass he gave her back at the start of season 2 to see Ballard. Boyd assures her that Topher will find a way to bring Paul back, but he warns her that Victor’s contract is up and that she should say goodbye. “I thought you’d be pleased” he offers. “I was going to use him to help me get the others out.” Echo replies “He’s already been used for five years.” Boyd points out, possibly foreshadowing how Echo will later treat people in her war against the wireless tech (the same way Caroline treated Bennett; see The Left Hand) 

Later Boyd petitions DeWitt to let Echo see Ballard, but she has no intention of doing so. Boyd’s impassioned plea that the separation is killing Echo only pleases DeWitt, as if she were testing Echo, deliberately pushing her to see how she might react. Changing the subject DeWitt asks Boyd to see to Victor’s release, explaining that Victor was assigned to the House and that she did not recruit him. The relevance of that becomes clear later.

So Anthony is finally returned to his original body and Victor is gone for good (well… not for good…) and the first question out of his mouth? “And the war?” Topher sighs… “Still going on.” Nice social comment… very subtle! Boyd checks Victor out, giving him the usual spiel. I liked the cross series reference with the “We’ve reserved a suite at the Hyperion until you find something more permanent.” They shake hands and Boyd finishes with “Congratulations, you’re a free man…” but as we know from Madeleine nobody is ever truly free of the Dollhouse.

What follows is a really nicely put together sequence where Victor tries to adjust to the idea of waking up with five years of his life just gone. Eventually he crawls into the bath to sleep and we find ourselves visually reminded of the pods in the House. It’s all very evocative and its one of those many moments in the show that remind us just how horrific the Dollhouse and its practises really are.

Back at the House Echo sneaks out of her pod to go and see Paul, who it turns out isn't there. Not content with that security violation Echo promptly hops into DeWitt’s private elevator and demands to know what has happened to Ballard. DeWitt informs Echo that Ballard has been moved. She knows about Echo’s keycard and I suspect there is very little of what has supposedly transpired in secret that she doesn’t know about.

After a little posturing Echo offers DeWitt an ultimatum “You can be on my side or on Rossum’s but the time for playing both is over…” I have always believe that in the end DeWitt will come down on the side of good, if not due to her conscience then due to her fear, but the final flashback from Epitaph One shows that even ten years in the future she had not chosen a side. That said, I suspect DeWitt may well answer Echo’s ultimatum before the series concludes!

Back at the Hyperion, Victor’s gentle bath time slumbers are rudely disturbed by a group of black clad soldiers. After Victor politely smacks their heads together a little, he is knocked unconscious and dragged to the commandos secret underground lair. (Sound familiar?)

Back at the House Victor’s vitals spike in a “fighting for your life” kind of a way, before dropping off entirely, quickly alerting Topher to the need to act. He calls in Boyd, who, of course, then recruits Echo and the terrible twosome head out to the Hotel.

After establishing Victor isn’t there Boyd and Echo start to look for evidence that may point to where he went. “So, how does this work?” Boyd asks, a question that has been burning a hole in him for weeks. “I used to have to make an effort to switch between imprints but now I can slip back and forth without even thinking.” Echo explains. “So, who am I talking to now?” Boyd asks the obvious question. “Echo, you’re always talking to Echo.”

Getting back to the case Boyd quickly surmises that Victor’s disappearance must be an inside job, based on the timescale and the technological know how to disable his GPS and Biolinks. And sure enough he is right. The men who have taken Victor/Anthony are quickly revealed to be ex-members of Victor’s old rangers unit, all of whom were placed under the care of the Dollhouse for the last five years. That is why Victor was transferred to the L.A House rather than recruited.

Backtracing a hack into the Dollhouse databank Boyd discovers that it is most likely Rossum who has Victor. Using her other personalities Echo hacks Rossum server, discovering that Rossum’s military wing Scytheon is the one with an interest in Victor. 

Meanwhile Victor jumps at the chance to be a part of his old unit again, even going as far as to allow the commandos to strap him down and implant foreign technology in his brain. A piece of technology Rossum is calling Group Mind. This allows all those with the implant to think as one. Just imagine the Borg but instead of cyborgs they are U.S Rangers.

Knowing where Victor is and what Project Mind Whisper is planning to do with him Boyd goes to see DeWitt, who now in a constant state of inebriation. DeWitt however is not keen on crossing paths with Rossum again after she betrayed the man (she will eventually) loves to regain control of her House the last time. Boyd ignores her orders and sends Echo and Sierra to the secret base anyway. 

Imprinted with her original self Priya and Echo set off to save Victor/Anthony before he is absorbed into the group mind and lost forever. Once inside Victor quickly finds Sierra, while Echo dispatches the other Rangers. “Anthony, I’m so glad it’s you.” Pryia breathes, but Victor grabs her throat and shoves a rifle in her gut. “Anthony’s gone.” Pryia pleads with Victor to remember. “They don’t want me to remember, they want me to kill you!” But he doesn’t. Echo knocks Victor unconscious so that his connection to the group mind wont give away her position. 

Back at the House DeWitt awakens from her drunken slumber to a phone call from Mr. Harding informing her of Echo and Sierra’s location. She is not pleased with this information! “You sent Echo and Sierra to retrieve Victor?! I ORDERED YOU TO LEAVE IT ALONE!” Boyd explains that he took actions because the DeWitt he knew and respected no longer exists. The woman who put the House and Actives first. “What happened to that woman?” He asks. “She’s standing in front of you.” And she is, only Boyd can’t see the bigger picture because Adelle doesn’t want him to.

“You’re going to lose control of this House and I’m going to be the one knocking down your door.” Boyd explains, which fits perfectly with my theory about how Boyd got injured in flashback 4 of Epitaph One. 

Back at the Bunker Echo jacks herself into the Group Mind while Victor leads Sierra to safety. Once inside it is only a matter of time until Echo dominates the group mind, her forty-odd personalities overpowering the soldiers.

As soon as they escape Echo gives Anthony and Pryia the order to leave, to escape the clutches of the Dollhouse, to go and be together far away from all of this. However, no sooner has she finished convincing Pryia to go does the option cease to exist. The Dolls are targeted (through their biolinks presumably) with Topher’s disruptor.

Moments later DeWitt appears, Vader-like, with evil apocalyptic music swelling beneath her, she stands over Echo and explains that “You leave a wake of destruction wherever you go. There is only one place for a Doll as irreparably damaged as you.”

The Attic…

And so the episode closes with Echo, Sierra and Victor in the attic, Ballard still in a coma and Boyd under House arrest. Awesome… Tune in again by Friday to find out what happens next. Until then, this has been My Two Cents…