Dollhouse - S01E13: Epitaph One

I finally got a hold of the unaired thirteenth episode of the first season of Dollhouse. I am pleased to announce that it met my high expectations completely. You see, I had some back story on the conception of the episode. Basically, it saved Dollhouse from cancellation, as well as lifting showrunner Joss Whedon to near godly heights. Joss made this episode on a dramatically cut budget by utilising the sets they already had, and yeah, not as many fast cars and explosions. That's not to say there aren't explosions, because there are heaps! The plot-twist explosions, the ones that matter, not the fiery ones. I knew Joss could pull this off completely - he was working under those conditions at The WB and UPN for years. In fact, part of me thinks it may be liberating for him to work with a lower budget. There won't be as much pressure to deliver to FOX what they wanted for that large budget: eg. motorbike races.

This episode is mythology heavy, and will likely act as a guide until the end of the series, or up until a certain point at least. Some fans are upset by this - being told so much so quickly. But let me assure you, Joss knows what he is doing - there will be enough twisting and turning for everyone, you will see. The episode is set a decade into the future where the Dollhouse has become defunct. Throughout the episode we are given flashbacks as to how it occurred. It all seemed very inevitable - but now we really know. I won't give too much away, but the episode stars Felicia Day (The Guild) and a ragtag group of survivors. What they have survived is imprinting, they are still themselves. The technology has become way out of control and handled the wrong way, so that it eventually destroyed mankind. The new actors all did exceptional work, and the script was handled well by couple Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen, while the story/idea was expertly crafted by Joss. Also, it seems fair that David Solomon should direct this episode as he did so for the unaired pilot.

I look forward to a stronger season two and for less engagement-of-the-week episodes.