[Stupid cold. Didn’t even feel up to blogging. Bleah. I’m going back into work today at least.]
This was an interesting episode in lotsa ways. The A-plot took advantage of the sci-fi premise for once, and it provided a heck of a ride with great reversals coming in to mark every ad break cliffhanger, but by the end it just felt too shallow – like in the writers’ room they’d satisfied themselves with coming up with all the plot twists and forgot to layer in some actual plot underneath it. Lots of sound and fury. But not to be too harsh – the plot they indicated (if not explored) was fairly interesting. (Best thing about this storyline wasn’t even in the storyline, it was the reaction from Dollhouse staffer Detective Kellerman, and how Ms. Williams responded to that reaction.)
The B-plot, back in the Dollhouse with Topher and the Doctor, fell completely flat. It was entirely exposition; there was, throughout the whole episode, not a single moment where the B-plot characters had to make any decision whatsoever. Very weird; presumably more pipe-laying for the future. The C-plot, with the FBI agent, was much the same- nothing much going on there.
Next week is the much-ballyhooed switch-up episode. I’m ready for some payoff now plzkthx.
Aside: I’ve noticed a bit of backlash at the actor playing Topher, along the lines of “he’s playing this guy like he’s a nice friendly Xander, but he’s an abusive douche! He should be a better actor so that comes across!” These critics are in the Do Not Get It camp as far as I can see. The character is indeed an abusive douche, and yes he is being played precisely as a nice friendly Xander or a nice friendly Wash. That is the whole point of his character, and it’s obviously intended as a signal to the viewer about how to read the whole show. (Whether the rest of the show follows through on this remains to be seen. Next week!)