Dollhouse: Second to Last Episode!
Posted under: 
Screen capture of “The Hollow Men” ©20th Century Fox
Season 2, Episode 12: The Hollow Men
Only one episode left now in the Dollhouse series and the one aired last night, like all the episodes this season, had tremendous momentum. For starters, another main and beloved character died from a headshot, which makes two of those for just the last two episodes. And another character—this time a main one—got blown-up! That makes two of those for the season. I know Joss has a strange obsession with killing his characters to dispel favoritism and keep his audience on their toes, but it never ceases to surprise me. I guess that’s the whole point.
When it comes to tying up loose ends, it was nice closure to finally see Ballard give Mellie the love she’s always wanted from him. It was also satisfying to realize Caroline/Echo’s relevance to the big picture, even if it did involve a very cringe-worthy spinal tap.
And Victor (Enver Gjokaj) once again did a fantastic job of portraying the Topher character because of an imprint left behind by Topher himself. I still can’t believe that Enver can modify his voice so well that he sounds just like Topher (Fran Kranz). He even has the mannerisms down! Bringing back that trick was I nice touch. I also can’t believe that Topher/Victor said he preferred his own physique to Victor’s and made fun of his outfit because he wasn’t wearing a sweater-vest. What is believable was his admission that he installed a hidden camera because he thought Ivy had been stealing…his turkey-jerky.
Best line, once again, came from Topher: “I did all of this. I’m the one who brings about the thought-pocalypse.”
DeWitt: “Thought-pocalypse?”
Topher, excitedly: “Is brain-pocalypse better? I figure, if I’m responsible for the end of the world, I get to name it.”
The thought-pocalypse has occurred. The Dollhouse’s tech has been weaponized. People can be wiped and imprinted with a device Topher invented out of curiosity but never intended for mass production. Next week we go 10 years into the future to see more of the world they showed us in the unaired episode from the first season. The final 2 hours of Dollhouse will be from 7–9pm (CT) January 29, 2010 and I suspect the first hour will be the previously unaired Epitaph One, because I saw some familiar characters in the teaser and the final one is supposed to be called Epitaph Two: The Return. We’ve finally gotten back to Epitaph, and now we get to go one step beyond it.
But I can’t help thinking, what about Alpha? Will he be a dangling end? Or will he be there at the end too?
For more options, like to view the episode reviewed above or to watch the 15-second “Dollhouse Simplified” recap, see this link.
4 Comments + Add Comment
Got anything to say? Go ahead and leave a comment!
Category Topics
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.
Archives
Sponsors
Network
I totally agree with your review. I thought the episode was great, and I particularly loved Enver’s Topher impression and the death scenes. And, like you, I’m really wondering about the Alpha situation. I initially figured that they would have to deal with him somehow, as the show is ending. But we’re down to the last episode, and it appears that most (if not all) of that episode will take place 10 years in the future. I imagine that they’ll have too many other important story lines going on to once again introduce Alpha, and I would also find it odd if Alpha is still randomly showing up to harass Echo after 10 years have gone by. Then again, he’s sort of an evil genius, so maybe he had something to do with bringing about the “thought-pocalypse.” I mean, in season 1 he built an imprint-chair in a basement, and he also was the first to figure out how to do remote wipes, so maybe he found out what Rossum/Topher were up to and built his own remote imprint device (which could have then put Rossum back on track). I think I’ll be surprise either way—if he shows up in the last episode or if he’s left out of the last episode.
All I know is that I’m strongly hoping for a happy ending for Victor and Sierra. In the unaired final episode (from Season 1), it was indicated that the two of them had split up—which I was not entirely happy about. Victor’s adorable, and Sierra’s been through enough crap already. I want them both alive and together when the dust settles!
Oh, one thing about last night’s episode: How about that Echo/Saunders fight scene?! At the time, Saunders had a guy using her body (who therefore dressed her in masculine-looking suits and ties). I think I just found it interesting that Saunders was in a hard-core fist-fight at all. Amy Ackers is really cute, but she’s pretty little and scrawny. Eliza Dushku, on the other hand, does seem to have some muscle on her. And I don’t mean to say that I found the fight scene unbelievable—I mean, Echo did win; plus, she had just gone through a spinal tap that would likely have left her weaker than usual, and Saunders’ host could have uploaded her with upgraded fighting abilities. I just found it a little funny to see Amy Ackers in a brutal hand-to-hand combat scene!
I did NOT expect that fight scene. It would’ve made more sense for her to fight Boyd! Dr. Saunders as herself was not a bad guy and the person inside her had very little relation to the story. I still thought it was kinda fun. And suspect Joss just wanted to have two pretty women fight.
There was one thing that bothered me about the spinal tap that I forgot to mention. Someone walks up to the door and knocks and one of the technicians just answers it? I mean, it’s a secret lab and you have to swipe your card or something to get in and they know that there are other captives in the building who probably don’t want Echo hurt, why would Scientist Guy just answer the door? “Oh who is it? You want to rescue her? Well come right in!” Seemed unrealistic. Anyone who was supposed to be in that room would’ve had a key!
Ha! Maybe that explains how Alpha got into the Dollhouse during his episode this season! As you may recall, I didn’t find it very credible that he managed to somehow show up in DeWitt’s office, seeing as how the Dollhouse has amazing technology and security and since they were supposedly on the lookout for him. But maybe this now explains it. Maybe he just knocked and some moron let him in!
Probably. They need to hire better science people at all the Dollhouses, apparently.