TV Weekend: That Episode of Dollhouse Joss Whedon Says You Should Watch? Watch It

FNL is also on at 9pm. Too bad this episode wasn't schedule for next week. HULU.com is another option. I don't know how long it takes for episodes to come on the site though.

I realized while watching Dollhouse a few weeks ago that if I didn't have Whedonspectations, I would mildly enjoy the show -- as much or more than other other shows I watch(ed) regularly (Chuck, True Blood, *cough* Reba *cough*). So I resolved to give the show a fair shake, Whedon qualities or no Whedon qualities. And now I hear that it's Whedoning up this week! Alas, I'm married to the BSG finale. I hope Fox takes that into account when looking at this week's ratings! I mean, seriously, if my dad called to say my mom was on her deathbed tonight, I'd . . . well, of course I'd go to her, but I'd think wistfully of the Battlestar finale at least once. Dollhouse didn't stand a chance.

Holy expletive, Batman!
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When you tell me to watch a show, I must obey and you were right. Whedon did not disappoint. That was awesome! I'm having fangirl glee, currently. Dollhouse is finally good. *sheds a tear*
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In fact, there was so much goodness, I don't even know where to begin. I am so glad that we finally get a personality on Agent Helo - ahem, Agent Ballard. (I'd complained to a friend of mine about how wooden I thought Tamoh Penikett was as Agent Ballard, and he told me to watch Battlestar Galactica for a better look at the man's skills. I picked up BSG and fell totally in love with Helo, so I'd been hoping to see more and better writing for Penikett. And lo! Whedon provides.)
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I will say no more until others discuss. But man, freakin' awesome. I think I have to go watch that again. Then I have to get back to BSG. I am only on season 2, darnit! Do you know how hard it's been to avoid spoilers while I get up to speed?

I was watching it anyway, but I was obviously looking forward especially to this one. I was so happy about this episode. I won't give anything away, but I'm just giddy with excitement about the series now. This could be a mixed blessing if it ends up getting canceled, but now I'll officially be in "Super bitter and pissed mode" if that happens.

OMG!!!! This episode was freaking awesome!!! THIS is what I was wanting the show to be like from the start. Yup, a personality for Ballard, a personality for Mellie (omg how cool was that 3 vases scene!!!), a really interesting and plausible case of the week, good writing, it was all just right on track. Yippee!!!

This was quite a bit better than the other episodes. I'm definitely going to continue watching. However, I do hope they already have a story arc planned that lasts 1-2 seasons and then ends. I don't think the premise can stretch longer than that.

I hadn't watched episodes 3-5, because I was so disappointed/bored with the pilot and ep2, but this, THIS is a show I can watch. Even if I did have to go and read a wiki to find out who Sierra and Victor are.
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I always assumed there were multiple dollhouses, but the idea that they are working towards something a little more nefarious was nice. The Attic stuff is a little hamhanded. Super secret organizations that wipe peoples minds should really be smart enough to just kill people and move on.
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My only concern, is that the creative team has to be very careful with the "person X is a doll" gimmic. That river runs dry pretty quick. If you have a show where you have lies within lies within lies it quickly becomes a goofy mess. See Damages, Alias, etc.
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I am already dreading the reveal that Echo wasn't reprogrammed and that there is no one on the inside and oh it was all just a clever trap, and Boyd is really a doll, and watch out for that tiger jumping out of the bushes! I blame Ben Linus.
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Of course, caring enough to worry is a good sign.

Lost is like the Hattori Hanzo Sword of television shows. All other shows are eventually compared to it.

I still have to catch up on this show. Hulu should have them methinks.

You know, I never even imagined there were multiple Dollhouses. I was just like Agent Ballard - fixated on THE Dollhouse. I'm pretty sure the look on his face was the same as the look on mine when Echo spilled the beans. That's silly because any organization powerful and well-funded enough to put up a Dollhouse could do more than just one, certainly. (Pretty sure this is the fault of tricky Joss Whedon - or I'm not as smart as I think I am.) Also, best fight scene I've seen in a long time. I wonder if it's the same team that did Angel. Those were always epic butt-kickings.
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I was sitting there horrified for poor Mellie, getting teary for her and for how Ballard wouldn't get there in time. I mean, it IS Whedon. He murders indiscriminately and with glee - and he waits until you care, darnit, just to twist the knife. Then sadness and horror became sheer bad-assery! (Is that a word? It is now.) Ahh, bliss. Now I need more. MORE, darnit.

After seeing the episode, I still question if there really are multiple Dollhouses around the world. It seems like Echo was programmed to find Agent Ballard, kick his ass in a Chinese restaurant's kitchen and then supposedly spill the beans about the organization.
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But I thought the entire point was to throw him off and keep him away, so by saying, "There are Dollhouses in different spots around the world, and they're all tied to executive positions that you don't want to mess with. Don't worry, we have someone on the inside trying to take it down," Echo was just throwing him off any lead he may have. Am I wrong?

@alekshy: Dewitt near the end of the episode mentioned contacting all the other Dollhouses and warning them of something-or-other. Re: why Echo said all that stuff, I see a few different options (some of which might be off-track 'cause I just saw the episode once, and might have forgotten some important clue):
1) This is all part of the Dollhouse grand plan - let Ballard think that he's making progress by giving him the pieces they want him to have, and Topher included that little bit in the programming - they knew that Ballard was fixated on Caroline/Echo, so they're giving him what he thinks he wants
2) In the time that Topher turned around, was distracted, and turned back around Alpha snuck in and altered the programming (not really likely, although the whole b-storyline about Boyd finding the dead spots in the camera angles might be implying that an individual, with thought and effort ("doing the work"), could find ways to circumvent the Dollhouse security and sneak about unnoticed.
3) Alpha did some kind of remote upload, like he (or someone) did the remote mind wipe a couple weeks ago.
4) Echo/Caroline's levels of self-awareness are way higher than previously believed possible.

@shara: I was thinking along the lines that the "someone inside" was not Alpha, but rather a non-active. Could be a Boyd/Dr. Saunders team-up or maybe Topher's assistant (could have the techical know-how to change the imprint).