Dollhouse

Wow! What a long way DOLLHOUSE has come from the beginning of the season. With mythology firmly in place, “Omega” erases any doubt that this show should continue for another season.

Expertly written and directed by Tim Minear, this episode provided great storytelling, ample twists, philosophy lessons and more – all tightly wrapped around the enigma of a character known as Alpha (Alan Tudyk).

After a season of keeping Alpha a mystery, he finally returned in the flesh to abduct Echo (Eliza Dushku) and make her in his image by escaping the Dollhouse and putting it in lockdown so they can’t follow.

If you haven’t seen the episode yet, there are big SPOILER ALERTS ahead, so I’d suggest stop reading now before something major is revealed.

Anyway, what we learn through a series of well-placed flashbacks is how Alpha snapped, why and what he’s really up to.

Way back when, the doll Alpha used to paired with Whiskey who is SURPRISE, played by Amy Acker. Whiskey was one of the top dolls at the agency – everyone loved her and so did Alpha. They even performed a little NATURAL BORN KILLERS-esque Mickey and Mallory crazy kidnapping/torture routine on a paying client.

Of course, when Echo arrives at the Dollhouse, Alpha’s attentions are drawn to her and he wants Echo to be the Top Doll, thereby disfiguring Whiskey with his blade and going on the killing spree at the Dollhouse and his subsequent escape.

Even though Saunders’ face is cut, they didn’t want to waste a good doll. And since Alpha killed the real Dr. Saunders (he was male), they imprint Whiskey with his skills.

Pretty cool twist – and one I didn’t see coming.

Now, Alpha is on the road and imprinted Echo with the crazy Mallory-type character Whiskey played prior. Since Alpha inadvertently had 43 or so imprints thrown into his skull during his slaughter in the Dollhouse, he now feels he’s ascended to God-like status and plans to do the same to Echo.

Of course, once he does, Echo doesn’t have the blood lust he does (that blood lust came from the person Alpha was before he came to the Dollhouse – a potential serial killer on his way to becoming the next Ted Bundy).

Alpha also imprints the original Caroline in a random waitress, hoping Echo would kill herself – to get to his level of craziness, but instead Echo decides to kick the crap out of Alpha.

Making any sense? Well, you needed to follow the entire series to really be up to speed like the rest of it.

Some nice humor creeps in when Alpha threatens to shoot Echo’s computer imprint of herself if she doesn’t calm down. A great twist on a classic cliché.

Meanwhile, Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) decides to help out the Dollhouse with his F.B.I. skills to track down Alpha and Echo. He pairs up with Boyd (Harry Lennix) and their similar philosophies and detective skills come in handy as they track down Alpha and Echo in the nick of time.

Of course, Alpha gets away (which he should, since if there is a Season 2, we wouldn’t want to be deprived of a season long arc of a Big Bad who now has a face).

Another big twist, Ballard agrees to work with the Dollhouse, as long as someone special to him is let go, services rendered with full pay. That person ends up not being Echo, but rather Mellie (Miracle Laurie).

Another cool twist!

Finally, we see Echo acting a bit strange after being wiped clean – she’s not and before she goes to sleep she says “Caroline.”

Damn. This is great storytelling. We learn so much, in such a small span of time. Topher (Fran Kranz) has become great comic relief and a solid character – and we realize that he has a thing for Whiskey/Dr. Saunders which explains why she was kept around and why he imprinted her with the need to dislike him.

Whiskey/Dr. Saunders is also a character now aware of her own past – instantly making her one of the most interesting characters at the Dollhouse. How do you go from being the best, to being the least.

Interesting stuff.

Acting is top notch, with Dushku getting some nice moments to play and Tudyk stealing the show as he goes in and out of his personalities at a break neck speed.

I also liked the Ballard/Boyd pairing. Cool stuff – and the transition for Ballard joining the Dollhouse makes complete sense.

Minear really deserves kudos for bringing the already great second half to a rousing conclusion. Definitely the best episode of the entire season and so good, Fox needs to really bring this damn thing back for Season 2.

It also pains me to know that there’s a bonus episode floating around called “Epitaph One” which adds a coda to the season (and perhaps the series). Fox has decided not to air it (at this time) and chances are fans will have to wait for the DVD to check it out.

But hopefully it’s sooner or later, because I’m hooked. DOLLHOUSE has managed to go from zero to hero in the span of its 12-episode run. Whedon and his crackerjack writing brain trust has found a great balance that infuses more of his trademark humor, while also having time to create complexity and interest in all the amazing supporting players on the show.

It’s a shame it took four episodes to really find its way, because some of the potential audience were probably as unimpressed as we were in the beginning — but we stuck with it and were rewarded quite nicely.

This is a show that defied all odds and really found its way, pretty quickly. The mythology elements (which were sorely lacking or limited initially) are what saved the show and put its pieces back together again.

Here’s to DOLLHOUSE and a Season 2. It’s a no brainer to give it another shot – and with so many cool things set into motion with this season finale, Fox would be foolish to let another FIREFLY incident happen on their watch.