Needs (108)

[GateWorld]

<DIV ALIGN="center"><TABLE WIDTH="450" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="7"><TR><TD><DIV ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Verdana, Arial, san-serif" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><A HREF="http://www.scifistream.com/dollhouse/s1/"><IMG SRC="http://www.scifistream.com/dollhouse/graphics/108.jpg" WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="120" ALIGN="right" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="2" BORDER="0" STYLE="border: 1px black solid;" ALT="Visit the Episode Guide"></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#888888">DOLLHOUSE SEASON ONE</FONT>
<FONT SIZE="4"><A HREF="http://www.scifistream.com/dollhouse/s1/" STYLE="text-decoration: none">NEEDS</A></FONT>
<FONT SIZE="1">EPISODE NUMBER - 108</FONT>
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Echo and a group of Actives try to escape the Dollhouse after waking up as their original selves, with no knowledge of where they are.

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[pjt]

Am I the only one who saw this episode? :eek:
I think it's getting better with every episode.

[lunarleviathan]

Yea, no thread for this??

Anyway, it was a good episode. It was great to get an idea of the backstory of Sierra and November, but I wish there was a little bit of something more for Victor.

I wonder why those 4 Dolls (Echo, Sierra, November, and Victor) are the ones are most affected by whatever weirdness is going on? It has to be more than a coincidence that they're all in the same room. Could the bed that Mike (was it Mike? the blonde guy Doll) is in was previously occupied by Alpha and it's tied to those events?

[pjt]

We know, that Echo was in the same room with Alpha, and he spared her life only. So it's a good question.

[lunarleviathan]

We know, that Echo was in the same room with Alpha, and he spared her life only. So it's a good question.

Ah right. I had thought that when they said he only spared Echo they meant that she was the only one in the room at the time. Then I guess if the previous occupants died, Victor and November must be pretty new Dolls just like Sierra. Hmm.

[knowles2]

Pretty awesome episode. Totally awesome, I am almost certain the mole is not the psychologist. It be to obvious. But the fact that dolls keep going psycho in those pods, I suspect they are not getting the same medication as everyone else is through.
The English women have not got a clue of what the dollhouse greater purpose is either.

The whole set up was perfect. The trickery in story telling was alright.

The fact that at least two of them suffered losses before becoming dolls is interesting.

I think the dollhouse is becoming more ensemble of cast than the first few episodes were which has led to great improvement.

[Shan Bruce Lee]

It kinda sucks that the show is starting to pick up now that it's pretty obvious it's gonna be canceled. I just hope JW realizes that and gives the show a decent finale instead of what happened to FireFly.

[huntress]

: whines : Come on guys turn this thread into a sticky.

I really, really liked this episode and yeah "Dollhouse" is getting better and better with each episode. I am really happy about that :) I also do not think the psychologist is the mole.

I just loved how the original personalities of the dolls came through - even without their memories.

[Nylon]

It kinda sucks that the show is starting to pick up now that it's pretty obvious it's gonna be canceled. I just hope JW realizes that and gives the show a decent finale instead of what happened to FireFly.

Why do you think its going to get cut?

[jelgate]

Why do you think its going to get cut?

Its ratings are beyond poor for a primetime show.

[Shan Bruce Lee]

Its ratings are beyond poor for a primetime show.

and to add to that, a primetime show on a broadcast network. If that same show were getting those same viewer numbers on the SciFi channel it would be the highest rated show on the network.

[Commander Zelix]

At the moment Dollhouse feels more like it should have been a movie than a TV series.

Needs was a pretty descent episode compared to the dreadfull one last week. The best episode was probably 'man on the street' (ironically the man on the street part was dreadful!). I don't think the actors and the girl playing Echoe got enough range for this particular show. For example, she felt ridiculous in the negociator role, in the second episode I think. While she was comfortable in the "girlfriend on a hiking trip then hunted down".

The best part of Needs was the fact that it was more of an ensemble episode than the others like someone already mentionned on this thread. But I don't know really how they could do that every week. Group assignment?

[Bagpuss]

Till Darren gets a chance to create the official Episode thread with the links and codes,I'm stickying this one .:)

[Marianne_24]

Ah right. I had thought that when they said he only spared Echo they meant that she was the only one in the room at the time. Then I guess if the previous occupants died, Victor and November must be pretty new Dolls just like Sierra. Hmm.

Considering the alphabet it makes sense that those three are newer than Echo...although I wonder if they assign the names new again when the old one leaves/dies/whatever?

[Madwelshboy]

Considering the alphabet it makes sense that those three are newer than Echo...although I wonder if they assign the names new again when the old one leaves/dies/whatever?

I think assigning names is pretty much based on the leaves/die basis. its been stated that Sierra is the newest doll and is definatly newer that November and Victor, because when we were told that Sierra was new, both Victor an November were both "undercover".

As for the episode itself i enjoyed it. I kinda new going into it, that there would a reset at the end of the episode. Was nice to get some back story on November and Sierra, and good to get an introduction to more dolls, Mike and Tango. Shame there was backstory for Victor.

The numbers look pretty dire, wish is a shame because of the potensial im starting to see.

[Marianne_24]

I think assigning names is pretty much based on the leaves/die basis. its been stated that Sierra is the newest doll and is definatly newer that November and Victor, because when we were told that Sierra was new, both Victor an November were both "undercover".

As for the episode itself i enjoyed it. I kinda new going into it, that there would a reset at the end of the episode. Was nice to get some back story on November and Sierra, and good to get an introduction to more dolls, Mike and Tango. Shame there was backstory for Victor.

The numbers look pretty dire, wish is a shame because of the potensial im starting to see.

Ah see, I had forgotten about that.
The paper work on the dolls must be a b****

[Amalthea]

This was a really interesting episode. The people in charge have finally acknowledged that it's not all gone when they wipe the Dolls. The fact that Echo et al had to be given back some of their memories to resolve their problems is fascinating. Their perfect dolls are not so perfect after all! I'm really looking forward to seeing how all of this changes our main Dolls going forward.

I am still undecided who the spy is though. But it definitely has to be someone with access.

[LoneStar1836]

I'm not ready to write Dr. Saunders off as the mole just yet. Even though it turned out to be her idea to hit the reset button with them in this way (and nice little reveal there at the end that it was her idea), I think it could be her way of sparing them from the attic, which is an even worse fate.

Made her seem cold, but if she is the mole, it might take some attention away from her if the DH suspects a mole.

There are just not that many choices for who the mole is IF there is even a mole. Heck the little implanted message may have just been the Dollhouse screwing with Ballard yet again.


Anyway I guess the main dolls in the show are back to square one as far as their identities go. Just when they start to get some individual character, they become blank slates again....

[Easter Lily]

Overall, the episode is an interesting study in human psychology.
So that was why Mellie signed across the dotted line. Poor lass.

I also think that Saunders was trying to protect the actives from a fate worse than death although I'm not sure that she is the "insider".

But I'm really curious about the attic... is it a metaphor or real place? Is it like Bluebeard's attic, stacked with bodies in pods?

Nice to see Morena Baccarin as a handler? if only for a few seconds. :)

[Marianne_24]

I'm not ready to write Dr. Saunders off as the mole just yet. Even though it turned out to be her idea to hit the reset button with them in this way (and nice little reveal there at the end that it was her idea), I think it could be her way of sparing them from the attic, which is an even worse fate.

Made her seem cold, but if she is the mole, it might take some attention away from her if the DH suspects a mole.

There are just not that many choices for who the mole is IF there is even a mole. Heck the little implanted message may have just been the Dollhouse screwing with Ballard yet again.


Anyway I guess the main dolls in the show are back to square one as far as their identities go. Just when they start to get some individual character, they become blank slates again....

I suspected her, too but although on the one hand it would make sense on the other hand I somehow think it would be too obvious.


Overall, the episode is an interesting study in human psychology.
So that was why Mellie signed across the dotted line. Poor lass.

I also think that Saunders was trying to protect the actives from a fate worse than death although I'm not sure that she is the "insider".

But I'm really curious about the attic... is it a metaphor or real place? Is it like Bluebeard's attic, stacked with bodies in pods?

Nice to see Morena Baccarin as a handler? if only for a few seconds. :)

Really? Where I missed that.

[Shan Bruce Lee]

Really? Where I missed that.

Yeah, I didn't catch that either.

[_WraithQueen_]

There are just not that many choices for who the mole is IF there is even a mole. Heck the little implanted message may have just been the Dollhouse screwing with Ballard yet again.


Anyway I guess the main dolls in the show are back to square one as far as their identities go. Just when they start to get some individual character, they become blank slates again....
I'm with the dollhouse screwing with him still, just because it would be awesome if they were.
Also, Echo may still be broken. Her problems started when she drank the poison in the hunting episode, and that may have broken her permanently.

[Naonak]

Anyway I guess the main dolls in the show are back to square one as far as their identities go. Just when they start to get some individual character, they become blank slates again....
I doubt things would work out so smoothly for the Dollhouse... ;)

[LoneStar1836]

I doubt things would work out so smoothly for the Dollhouse... ;)
Oh I don't think they will remain that way for very long. The DH will still have problems with them eventually, but what little built up personality they had got cleaned away for the time being anyway. Victor not waiting for Sierra there at the end....

[Jill_Ion]

Yeah, I noticed Victor just went to pod at the end, and didn't wait for Sierra. Still, he likes her, and I don't think that can be suppressed too long.

[Marianne_24]

Yeah, I noticed Victor just went to pod at the end, and didn't wait for Sierra. Still, he likes her, and I don't think that can be suppressed too long.

I doubt that, too.
And didn't they say that Echo, Victor and Sierra knew each other before? Or did that just refer to one of their doll projects?

[Jill_Ion]

I think that referred to a previous assignment. I don't think they knew each other when they were whole.

[Easter Lily]

Really? Where I missed that.


Yeah, I didn't catch that either.

While they were having the meeting in De Witt's office.

[Marianne_24]

While they were having the meeting in De Witt's office.

Have to take a look at those scenes again then :)

[ShadowMaat]

Was in Vancouver and didn't get a chance to watch the ep until last night. Good stuff! I like the Doc's "closure" theory and it was interesting to see how the various dolls reacted.

What's the deal with Mike, though? Was he just there because he was part of the set or did he genuinely have some issues? Loved the whole "aliens" thing. LOL! I also loved Victor's take charge attitude. His character is really growing on me. I'd say he's second only to Agent Ballard but after that whole dream sequence thing Paul has gone down a bit in my estimation.

This ep also gave us confirmation that not everyone volunteered for this, as Sierra was clearly kidnapped in order to be the plaything of that rich, arrogant bat turd. Kinda wish Victor had killed him.

I'm also kinda curious to know what happened to November's daughter. She, at least, seems like one who would want to forget whatever happened.

Topher is an ass. Some of you have said that before, but I found him mildly amusing until now. Blah. Just shoot the sniveling deviant and be done with it.

As for Echo being spared, weren't there bodies in the background of that one scene where the Dollhouse crew found her alive & unharmed after Alpha's rampage? I thought there were, but maybe my imagination is embellishing the memory. Wouldn't be the first time. She was definitely blood-spattered, though.

Oh, and the ending where Victor immediately crawled into is coffin-bed without checking on Sierra first? Very sad. :(

[LoneStar1836]

What's the deal with Mike, though? Was he just there because he was part of the set or did he genuinely have some issues? Loved the whole "aliens" thing. LOL! I also loved Victor's take charge attitude. His character is really growing on me. I'd say he's second only to Agent Ballard but after that whole dream sequence thing Paul has gone down a bit in my estimation.I think he was just there as part of the DH's game maybe. So the others could see what would happen to them if they didn't try to escape. He served as extra motivation to get the ball rolling.

But then again I saw some other people on another board laugh and say maybe Mike's closure was getting abducted by aliens/gov agents and when they hauled him away that full filled his problem. lol.


Victor is one of the very few characters that I'm interested in and whose story I could get invested in, especially as far as the dolls go.



I'm also kinda curious to know what happened to November's daughter. She, at least, seems like one who would want to forget whatever happened.Probably some tragic accident that she blamed herself for like drowning, a fire, forgetting and leaving them in a hot vehicle (which honestly I don't see how people could ever do in the first place but apparently they do :S), etc.

[Marianne_24]

What's the deal with Mike, though? Was he just there because he was part of the set or did he genuinely have some issues? Loved the whole "aliens" thing. LOL! I also loved Victor's take charge attitude. His character is really growing on me. I'd say he's second only to Agent Ballard but after that whole dream sequence thing Paul has gone down a bit in my estimation.


I thought he was just in for it at the beginning because his sleeping pod happened to be in the room with the other "more important" dolls...

[LoneStar1836]

I thought he was just in for it at the beginning because his sleeping pod happened to be in the room with the other "more important" dolls...But they were being manipulated.

Topher had given each of them back just enough of their past/original personality so they could reconcile their problems that were causing the glitches.

So Mike had to be a part of the manipulation since Topher had given him back some memory/personality. Otherwise they could have just left him a wiped doll and he would have emerged as just another doll the next morning like the rest of the house was.

I think they had some reason other than he just happened to be the fifth wheel in the room, but then again.... There was no clear answer for him so it's just how you want to interpret it I guess.

[Marianne_24]

But they were being manipulated.

Topher had given each of them back just enough of their past/original personality so they could reconcile their problems that were causing the glitches.

So Mike had to be a part of the manipulation since Topher had given him back some memory/personality. Otherwise they could have just left him a wiped doll and he would have emerged as just another doll the next morning like the rest of the house was.

I think they had some reason other than he just happened to be the fifth wheel in the room, but then again.... There was no clear answer for him so it's just how you want to interpret it I guess.

In order to play along for some time and then take him away from the others...but as you said it's open for interpretation. :)

[aboleyn24]

Was in Vancouver and didn't get a chance to watch the ep until last night. Good stuff! I like the Doc's "closure" theory and it was interesting to see how the various dolls reacted.

What's the deal with Mike, though? Was he just there because he was part of the set or did he genuinely have some issues? Loved the whole "aliens" thing. LOL! I also loved Victor's take charge attitude. His character is really growing on me. I'd say he's second only to Agent Ballard but after that whole dream sequence thing Paul has gone down a bit in my estimation.

This ep also gave us confirmation that not everyone volunteered for this, as Sierra was clearly kidnapped in order to be the plaything of that rich, arrogant bat turd. Kinda wish Victor had killed him.

I'm also kinda curious to know what happened to November's daughter. She, at least, seems like one who would want to forget whatever happened.

Topher is an ass. Some of you have said that before, but I found him mildly amusing until now. Blah. Just shoot the sniveling deviant and be done with it.

As for Echo being spared, weren't there bodies in the background of that one scene where the Dollhouse crew found her alive & unharmed after Alpha's rampage? I thought there were, but maybe my imagination is embellishing the memory. Wouldn't be the first time. She was definitely blood-spattered, though.

Oh, and the ending where Victor immediately crawled into is coffin-bed without checking on Sierra first? Very sad. :(


I was also in Vancouver so didn't get a chance to see it until yesterday. Great episode.

I for one thought Topher was an ass from episode one and haven't really changed my mind. I did find him mildly amusing in his underwear though.;)

Mike, well as far as I am concerned that was a plot device below Joss Whedon's usual standards to up the risk for the characters we actually know. It was obvious to me from the wake up scene that he was the one that would either get killed or caught. I would have prefered he had a more creative storyline, but its not a major complaint.


Very disturbed by how Sierra was "aquired". Don't get me wrong, what they do to all the dolls is disturbing, but to know that if you have enough money you can get them to agree to make anyone a doll is horrific.


If your imagination is embellishing, mine is doing the exact same thing. I also remember bodies being around Echo.

[Ian-S]

Mike, well as far as I am concerned that was a plot device below Joss Whedon's usual standards to up the risk for the characters we actually know. It was obvious to me from the wake up scene that he was the one that would either get killed or caught. I would have prefered he had a more creative storyline, but its not a major complaint.

I have a feeling:

He could be Alpha.

[rosey_angel]

another GREAT episode! i love seeing these little bits of the dolls, and way to go echo calling paul! bet they didn't see that coming :D

i like that even tho we didn't see a lot of victors past, they way he was acting indicated to me that he was a soldier of some sort. maybe he saw something he shouldn't have and they decided this would be more useful then sending him on a suicide mission or just paying him off.

poor siara. she just can't take a break, can she? i wanna see her get the chance to play a strong active rather then the passive ones she has been.

poor november :( she's so adorable, as soon as she said she had a kid i figured it was dead. i thought maybe it died through some sort of medical malfunction, and that's how the dollhouse was able to get to her.

[silentsongbird]

I'm two years too late to the party, a friend is borrowing the DVD's so we're slowly working our way through the seasons this was the last one we watched tonight.

I really loved how it explored the essenses of personality, without memories, a person can be who they are, without their exact memories. We get to see Caroline, who she is a peek into her sense of ethics (which we've gotten glimpses of) that they let her keep.

I think that they hinted at the "need for closed loops" in a previous episode, with the picture Echo drew of an unfinished engagement. As the Dr. Put it.

And yes there is creepy then there is CREEPY. I mean lets be honest most of the dolls are not TRUELY there consensually. I mean the choice to die/stay in prison for your whole life or... give five years up to the doll house. Can we really call that a choice? I don't personally. But that it was seemingly forced on Priya/Sierra.

Would I be who I am without most of my memories? I don't know but its a curious concept to explore, enjoying this even if I didn't get to watch enough of it when it was in its first run.