Dollhouse

Fox says of 1.4:

Echo’s stint as a midwife doesn’t prove as laborious as when she becomes an expert safe-cracker, and more than an invaluable piece of art is stolen from her on the engagement, forcing Sierra to take on a familiar persona. Agent Ballard gives Lubov an ultimatum, and Adelle confides shocking information to Topher. Guest Cast: Amy Acker as Dr. Claire Saunders; Reed Diamond as Laurence Dominic; Liza Lapira as Ivy; Anson Mount as Vitas; Toby Leonard Moore as Walton; Mark Ivanir as Cyril; Kevin Will as Gerry; Sarah McElligott as Nancy; Andrew Bowen as Scott; Atalo Diakos as Tony Amendola.

Notes:

* Never mind that “American Idol” stalker nonsense last week. While Dushku played a southie in “Stage Fright,” it’s her role this week as safecracker girl that’ll remind fans of Faith Lehane. She even comes with her own “five by five”-like catchphrase.

* While the episode is identified on the Fox screener as “Grey Hour,” the Fox press release calls it “Gray Hour.”

* It was scripted by Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain, the team that gave us the five-star “Angel” episode “Underneath” five years ago.

* It’s a bit funnier than the earlier episodes, but still in no danger of being mistaken for a comedy.

* Alpha – Echo, Sierra and Victor’s deadly prodigal big brother – looms perhaps larger in this episode than in the previous three.

* The “midwife” part of the episode only lasts about 90 seconds and we’re left to wonder why Dollhouse didn’t simple program Echo to be a obstetrician. Or just hire an obstetrician.

* Despite what the Fox press release (and IMDb) says, Amy Acker’s scar-riddled Dr. Claire Saunders does not turn up in this episode. Topher’s sounding board this week is another hot (if far more Asian) girl in a lab coat.

* Invisotext hides spoilers. I found Echo’s ultimate escape, which involves smoke and running around a corner, weirdly anti-climactic.

9 p.m. Friday. Fox.