Subject: Dollhouse - Epitaph One (1x13)

Observers: John Pavlich, Kevin Bachelder

Record Date: January 25, 2012, 07:24 PM

Plot Summary: Jumping ahead ten years after the events of "Omega", a small group of anti-tech rebels enter the derelict Dollhouse to discover the truth behind the dystopian world they live in, and how much of the population became imprinted killers or mind-wiped vessels.

Note: Kevin Bachelder, co-host of Tuning Into Sci-fi TV, as well as Active Architecture, a Dollhouse retrospective (also check out my appearances on Kevin's podcast, Saturday B-Movie Reel here and here), returns to the podcast, this time to examine the thirteenth episode from Dollhouse's first season. We discuss the more unique elements of this polarizing episode, including the video format and editing, the colorful dialogue and the new cast of characters. Also of note, I mention in this episode, the similarities between fonts used in body art for different characters. Upon closer inspection after this recording, I realize now there is more of a difference in styles than I first thought. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Tim Minear returns to the podcast to discuss episode twelve from season one of Dollhouse, "Omega" which he wrote and directed! Alpha has kidnapped Echo from the Dollhouse and destroyed all her previous personalities. Meanwhile, Agent Ballard is forced to work for Adelle, in order to find her missing Active and stop Alpha from killing more people. Also, Dr. Saunders discovers a terrifying secret about herself and confronts Topher with what she knows.

Please join Tim and I as we talk about Frankenstein, nature versus nurture, the joys of slow motion and writing the second half of a two-part story when you didn't write the first. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

The new release of Dollhouse: Season 2 on Blu-ray just arrived in the mail, so I decided to open it on camera and share with other Whedon fans my collection of his past works.

 

 

Kevin Bachelder, Kim Butler and Andrew Ball join the podcast to discuss the eleventh episode from season one of Dollhouse, "Briar Rose". A dead body has been discovered. Adelle thinks it may be the work of Alpha. She imprints Sierra with CSI knowledge to find out for sure. Meanwhile, Dominic's brain is uploaded into Victor's body in order to learn the contents of an encrypted flash drive. To make matters worse, Paul Ballard finally infiltrates the Dollhouse, with the help of a design contractor who seems to know a little too much information about the entire operation.

Please join Kevin, Kim, Andrew and myself as we talk about medicinal carrots, recycled urine, networks versus cable and the acting acrobatics of Enver Gjokaj and Alan Tudyk. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Kevin Bachelder joins the podcast to discuss "Haunted", the tenth episode from season one of Dollhouse. A Woman of high society has recently died, and Adelle DeWitt uses the resources of the Dollhouse to visit one last time. Uploading her friend's persona and memories into Echo, the dead Woman tells Adelle that she suspects foul play, and must attend her own funeral to find out who murdered her and why. Meanwhile, Topher borrows Sierra for a special, personal assignment and Paul runs Mellie's prints via his former partner at the FBI, with surprising results.

Please join Kevin and I as we discuss life after death, FBI security (or lack there of), horses, what happens when your B-plot is more entertaining than your main storyline and how Dollhouse is sometimes a lot like Quantum Leap. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Kim Butler and Andrew Ball drop by the podcast (hopefully more appearances to follow) to talk about episode nine from season one of Dollhouse, "A Spy In The House Of Love". Adelle steps out for a bit, leaving Dominic in charge. While the boss lady is away, Topher discovers that a potential spy has infiltrated the Dollhouse. Sierra is programmed and sent on a mission to find the mole, but Echo comes up with her own idea to be imprinted with interrrogation skills to learn the truth from within. Meanwhile, Agent Ballard discovers Mellie's terrible secret and Adelle is hiding a secret of her own, and it concerns Victor!

Please join Kim, Andrew and I as we cover a wide range of topics including blatant product placement, the difference between show content and the quality of that content, Topher's side project known as "The Ravehouse" and comparisons to how this episode is a lot like Quentin Tarantino's 1992 crime film, Reservoir Dogs (you can read my essay on the subject here). Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Ray, from The Dollhouse Podcast joins in on this commentary for "Needs". In the eighth episode from season one of Dollhouse, Echo and her fellow actives mysteriously awaken to find some semblance of their original selves intact. Unfortunately, their memories are still very fuzzy, having no idea where they are or how they got there. They must band together in order to escape the Dollhouse and try to return to their former lives. Meanwhile, Paul Ballard discovers a chip in his phone that may lead him to Caroline.

Please join Paul and I as we discuss disturbing dreams, telegraphing the story, the importance of foreshadowing and the pros and cons of Dr. Saunders' "experiment". Remember to listen for my preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

NOTE: Coincidentally, I was in the middle of editing this podcast, around noon of November 11th, 2009 when I heard the sad, yet unsurprising news that Dollhouse had been canceled.

In "Echoes", the seventh episode from Dollhouse's first season, a viral epidemic breaks out at a college campus. As Echo investigates, memories of Caroline shed more light on The Rossum Corporation. Jenn from The Dollhouse Podcast joins me for this commentary as we discuss show continuity, similarities to Buffy the Vampire Slayer's, "Band Candy" and the comedy stylings of Olivia Williams.

Please remember to listen for my preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Now that the DVDs are finally here, I resume commentaries for season one of Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. In the sixth episode "Man On The Street", Paul Ballard comes face to face with Caroline for the first time, sort of. During this particular engagement, she takes on the personality of Rebecca Mynor, wife to wealthy internet mogul, Joel Mynor (played with heartbreaking sincerity by comedian, Patton Oswalt). As soon as Boyd takes Echo away, Paul and Joel have a meeting of the minds about the need to pursue a fantasy and the justification for that need.

Back at the Dollhouse, someone is abusing Sierra, sexually. An investigation leads first to Victor, but then down a more disturbing path. Meanwhile, Agent Ballard retreats back home to lick his wounds, after having come so close to rescuing Caroline, but failing to keep her within his grasp. Luckily, his friendly neighbor, Mellie (the delightful Miracle Laurie) is there as a willing consolation prize. If you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with.

Please join me for this jam-packed, game-changing episode written by Joss Whedon. I discuss obsession versus nobility, the importance of geography and physical space within a fight scene and Patton Oswalt's truthful, satisfying brand of stand-up humor. All this and more as I try to fight off drowsiness from painkillers, while recovering from Kidney Stones.

From this point on concerning Dollhouse, please listen for my preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

After our Dollhouse Commentary for "True Believer", Tim Minear (writer/consulting producer/narcissist) keeps the party going. Please enjoy as Tim and I talk about more Dollhouse, digital downloading, listening to your public, the "cult" of Darla and war stories concerning creative credit. Also, we get a little punchy and take many lighthearted, verbal jabs at each other. It's nearly an hour of podcasting that defies the laws of thermal dynamics (probably), due to its deadly combination of astounding brilliance and sheer stupidity (mostly). BEWARE: This recording contains some mature language not necessarily suitable for younger audiences. Listener discretion is advised.