# Dollhouse 3/20 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231 "2009-03-21T01:49:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Xan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ac8455/32.png) [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/21 "2009-03-21T21:11:22Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Hmm. You know, I just had a thought - I think I know what the bigger goal of the Dollhouse backers is: > > [SPOILER] It’s an immortality project. If you can make a perfect copy of a person’s mind, and download it into another body - well, that’s as close to immortality as makes no difference. Sure, you could quibble, and say it’s just a _copy_ of you - but imagine being 80 and dying (or thirty and dying, for that matter), and someone offering you the chance to live again in a healthy, young, smokin’ hot body. What price _wouldn’t_ you pay for that? What sacrifices _wouldn’t_ you make? > > As for the Dollhouse operation currently - it’s beta-testing, nothing more or less. These people want to make sure that the imprinting technology _works_. [/SPOILER] They could be doing that. They’re probably also working on cloning technology as well. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/22 "2009-03-21T21:31:28Z")
Now \*that \*brought the Joss - finally a truly well-crafted, tight show, with some touches of Joss humor. > [@](#): > > Porn! ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/23 "2009-03-21T21:48:02Z")
I liked it. A lot. I’m with the others in that it was light years better than the previous episodes. However … when Ballard was fighting the security guys I was thinking “Wow. that is one badass mothafucka.” And I know it’s TV. And I know it’s fantasy. But there is no way in hell that any 110 pound woman who has ever lived would have lasted 60 seconds in a fight with him. I don’t care how much fighting experience she has. It just bugged me that Echo could take out a guy who kicked the asses of half dozen trained security guards. Just not gonna happen. She doesn’t have the mass, or the leverage, or the strength. Kind of like Gina Carano fighting Randy Couture. Over in a flash. And she was absolutely unmarked when she got back to the dollhouse. Unless that imprinting machine gives her titanium ribs and skin, she should have been bent over like an old woman from the punishment she took. But she was fresh as a daisy. Just make it a bit more believable, Joss, that’s all I’m asking for. ---
**Author:** ![Xan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ac8455/32.png) [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/24 "2009-03-21T21:52:02Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > I liked it. A lot. I’m with the others in that it was light years better than the previous episodes. However … when Ballard was fighting the security guys I was thinking “Wow. that is one badass mothafucka.” And I know it’s TV. And I know it’s fantasy. But there is no way in hell that any 110 pound woman who has ever lived would have lasted 60 seconds in a fight with him. I don’t care how much fighting experience she has. It just bugged me that Echo could take out a guy who kicked the asses of half dozen trained security guards. Just not gonna happen. She doesn’t have the mass, or the leverage, or the strength. Kind of like Gina Carano fighting Randy Couture. Over in a flash. > > And she was absolutely unmarked when she got back to the dollhouse. Unless that imprinting machine gives her titanium ribs and skin, she should have been bent over like an old woman from the punishment she took. But she was fresh as a daisy. > > Just make it a bit more believable, Joss, that’s all I’m asking for. My fanwank is that he didn’t want to hurt Echo/Caroline. He figured the beefy security guards could take what he could dish out but not a 110 pound woman. So he held back a little. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/25 "2009-03-21T21:52:10Z")
The “obvious” mole is Boyd, Echo’s handler. So it’s probably not him. Probably. Of course him interrupting Topher during an important process is a big clue, but he couldn’t mask the message. That would have to be Ivy, who might be working with Boyd. (Just inadvertently learned that Boyd is an anagram for Body). Or there is no mole. This was the first show where I really liked Dushku’s acting. Thought she did a good job on this one. Ballard is TOO good a fighter for a flunky FBI agent. He could kick Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris’ asses put together. You just don’t get up after being tasered like that. But I will let it slide for now. Question: what else has the mogul dude been in? He looked VERY familiar. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/26 "2009-03-21T21:55:32Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Question: what else has the mogul dude been in? He looked VERY familiar. [A bunch of stuff.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patton_Oswalt) Among other things, he does stand-up, and was a character on [The King of Queens.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patton_Oswalt) ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/27 "2009-03-21T22:07:39Z")
This was the best episode so far. A lot of emotion. The computer geek’s fantasy was touching (even in as much as it is creepy.) IMO, the answering machine was natural. I have one and know many who do as well. **Saltire** IMO \*every \*dramatic show would be better off with a planned arc to end. One reason I rarely watch a drama is that too many of them are canceled with no closure. I liked this exchange:[spoiler] I’ve placed a bonus in your account. I don’t need a bonus. I need to give you one.[/spoiler]I’m a little disappointed about the neighbor, I think we all saw it coming… A good episode, I’ll watch again next week. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/28 "2009-03-21T22:08:41Z")
My WAG for the mole is Reed Diamond. Also, Miracle Laurie is a total babe. She looks like a curvier Eliza. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/29 "2009-03-21T22:42:53Z")
Dollhouse is firing on all cylinders now that Joss is at the helm. So many delicious moments that I must thank our gourmet. Patton Oswalt was good in his guest appearance. I wonder if Joss is comparing his craft akin to Topher’s, since he must also sprinkle little soupcons of rage into his characters. So, I wouldn’t put it past him to make Topher the mole, although DeWitt, Boyd, and even Dr. Amy Acker could be as well. But I’m still confused about the scene from an earlier episode where Dominic pumped the religious leader full of lead. Maybe he just enjoys violence and inflicting pain? (Although I sure enjoyed it when he slapped Hearn upside the head.) ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/30 "2009-03-21T23:50:03Z")
What i don’t get is what FOX had against this episode, it has more action than any of the others. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/31 "2009-03-22T00:09:40Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > What i don’t get is what FOX had against this episode, it has more action than any of the others. Huh? This isn’t like Firefly and the ridiculously delayed pilot. Joss’ concept of where the show should be from the start didn’t match Fox’s concept of where the show should start from so the episodes were made the way we saw them. Personally, while the first few episodes weren’t anywhere near as good as the most recent 3, the story had to start at that point. Otherwise, the “Dollhouse” concept would be dropped that much quicker. Because let’s face it, if Echo doesn’t end the season with a “composite event” and becoming fully aware of what’s happening to her, I’ll eat my hat. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/32 "2009-03-22T03:54:49Z")
Sierra’s ‘handler’ was the cop from Deuce Bigalow… right? I’m guessing that Dewitt has the passcode to remotely erase the message she left on Ballard’s answering machine. The door next to Topher’s area that he downloads the imprints onto drives was closed when he left with Boyd, and opened when he returned. My guess is that Fred (don’t recall the doctor’s real name) is the mole. Best fight scenes on TV - absolutely loved the way DeWitt handled the handler - messy and perfectly clean. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/33 "2009-03-22T04:04:48Z")
> [@Ataraxy](#): > > Also, Miracle Laurie is a total babe. She looks like a curvier Eliza. She’s very cute, and has a disarming smile. Easy see why the dollhouse would find her very useful. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/34 "2009-03-22T04:29:10Z")
I think this episode mentioned Bouncy the Rat about three times. I didn’t get the reference until I found out surfing elsewhere that Patton Oswalt was the voice of the rat in Ratatouille. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/35 "2009-03-22T05:15:59Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > I liked it. A lot. I’m with the others in that it was light years better than the previous episodes. However … when Ballard was fighting the security guys I was thinking “Wow. that is one badass mothafucka.” And I know it’s TV. And I know it’s fantasy. But there is no way in hell that any 110 pound woman who has ever lived would have lasted 60 seconds in a fight with him. I don’t care how much fighting experience she has. It just bugged me that Echo could take out a guy who kicked the asses of half dozen trained security guards. Just not gonna happen. She doesn’t have the mass, or the leverage, or the strength. Kind of like Gina Carano fighting Randy Couture. Over in a flash. > > And she was absolutely unmarked when she got back to the dollhouse. Unless that imprinting machine gives her titanium ribs and skin, she should have been bent over like an old woman from the punishment she took. But she was fresh as a daisy. > > Just make it a bit more believable, Joss, that’s all I’m asking for. Nor would all the imprinting in the world magically give you the dexterity, strength, muscle training and flexibility that a real figher has. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/36 "2009-03-22T06:41:32Z")
The whole Bouncy the Rat bit made me wonder how much money one could reasonably make from a web cartoon. I suddenly wonder if The Brothers Chaps are a pair of sinister billionaires. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/37 "2009-03-22T07:52:34Z")
Good ep. My theory about where it’s going … It was implied that governments were covertly supporting the Dollhouses. Why would governments be interested in a technology that allows them to control people’s minds, I wonder? It wouldn’t help them retain power indefinitely and completely, would it? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/38 "2009-03-22T13:23:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Nor would all the imprinting in the world magically give you the dexterity, strength, muscle training and flexibility that a real figher has. The whole premise is magical, guys. Your personality is partly a chromosomal thing; the amount of testosterone in your b lood stream when you’re at rest, for example, is not something that could be changed by uploading a program to the brain. your thoughts are built of actual connections among cells of your brain; the idea that billions or trillions of new connections could be grown instantaneously is magical. If you don’t accept the magic of the premise, there’s probably no point in watching the show. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/39 "2009-03-22T15:06:53Z")
> [@Offkenter](#): > > I’m going on record as thinking that DeWitt is the mole on the inside. The only question is if she’s doing it to take down the Dollhouse or if she’s using it as a shield to protect the Dollhouse. I agree that she’s the likely source of the message sent through Echo, although I’m not so sure that Topher actually built that in to the impression. She could have altered it from her office while Topher was talking to Boyd. But I admit that I may think this only because I see a lot of neat ways that it could lead the story. But even if I’m wrong, I’m now sure that I’m going to enjoy finding out. The more I think about it, the more I like this. Joss seems to be writing DeWitt as the ultimate strategist. Someone who plots five chess moves ahead of anyone else. The “there are 20 dollhouses” aspect could lead the show towards having Echo’s dollhouse take down the other ones. DeWitt could recruit Lawful Goods like Ballard to help her under this noble pretext, then Joss could subvert things when it turns out DeWitt is toppling dollhouses in order to make a power play. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231/40 "2009-03-22T15:08:03Z")
> [@Xan](#): > > My fanwank is that he didn’t want to hurt Echo/Caroline. He figured the beefy security guards could take what he could dish out but not a 110 pound woman. So he held back a little. No fanwank about it. In the kitchen, Ballard said “I don’t want to hurt you.” Echo replied, “I’m counting on it.” She was sent specifically because Ballard would have simply wiped the floor with, say, Sierra or Victor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollhouse-3-20/490231.md?page=3)