[Review] Dollhouse 1.04: Gray Hour

[tmbreck]

Writer:	Sarah Fain, Elizabeth Craft
Director:	Dod Hardy
Actors:	Eliza Dushku, Tahmoh Penikett, Olivia Williams, Fran Kranz, Harry J. Lennix, Enver Gjokaj, Dichen Lachman, Amy Acker
Guest:	Liza Lapira, Reed Diamond, Anson Mount, Toby Leonard Moore, Kevin Will, Sarah McElligott, Andrew Bowen, Mark Ivanir, Tony Amendola

Echo's stint as a midwife doesn't prove as laborious as when she becomes an expert safe-cracker in order to perform a dangerous art heist. Yet a more than an invaluable piece of art is stolen from her on the engagement, forcing Sierra to take on a familiar persona.

Agent Ballard gives Lubov an ultimatum, and Adelle confides shocking information to Topher.

Can we get rid of the previouslies that involve explaining what the dolls are? Honestly, most of the previouslies are extremely unnecessary and take up far too much time.

I really loved the bit with Echo as a midwife. It showed that not every assignment is about sex and danger. While part of me [the part that will be a mother for the second time very soon] wanted to see that whole scene play out, I realize it wouldn't have made for a good episode since it appears everything went fine with baby and mother. I just wonder if anyone watches the encounters before they are erased?

Okay, the freaking conversation between Echo, Alpha, and Victor was creepy just for their expressions and almost out of place it seemed. Anyway, onto the mission. I actually liked the whole set up of how they got into the vault. Also, I kinda liked the bit about 'Taffy-Standard Time', but that's just me. What I am confused about is her comfortable shoes. Yes, I'd find them comfortable if all I had to do was sit or walk in them [I'm comfortable in high-heels, always have been]. However, if you have to run... I guess it's possible, you see the Italian ladies do it all the time. I guess it's just a matter of what you're used to.

This has a few subtly funny lines, like in reference to the Parthenon; “Inn't that kinda big?” It's the little things that amuse me. Also the bit about Georgia vs Alabama tickled my funny bone. I'm not looking for quirky humor, just realistic humor for the situation, and this show delivers. Also, Ivy so needs to stick around. She manages to reign Topher in and make him slightly more likable.

And it seems more and more people are realizing that Alpha isn't as dead as they had been led to believe. Though, the way everyone reacts to the news... I can't help but think that we'll only be disappointed by him when he does show up. After all, he's supposed to be this super-warrior and super-genius. He might just be a Gary Stu... wait, he's a doll, of course he's a Gary Stu. The only way that the person to bring him down doesn't come across as ridiculous is if it turns out to be a couple of the dolls going through a composite event and maybe a handler or two [one of them needs to be Langton]. Heck, throw in Topher and Ivy. It would make sense if that's how Alpha was brought down.

And, back to the show.

I like the fact that they address the possibility of a remote wipe and don't hand-wave it with 'that could never happen'. I may not like Topher, but I love his reactions to when stuff 'can't happen'. It also makes sense that he would recognize the sound that would accompany a remote wipe. I'm actually impressed they covered the little things.

So, my question is, is it the 'nice guy's' art lesson that helped keep Echo together? Either way, this seems like it was two different episodes mushed together. One is a thrilling race against the clock, the other is a strange indy film full of feelings and such. That's the only real draw back I can see to this episode, but it's a pretty big one.

What I do like is that we have a reversal. Instead of Echo saving Sierra, we have Sierra trying to save Echo. Again, it makes Echo less of a Mary Sue... though that's kinda what she's made to be most of the time. It's through no fault of Sierra's that it failed, which keeps this from turning into a 'see, Echo does it better' scene. However, I like that it gave Echo a chance to choose to not only not shoot at the guards, but not leave 'nice guy' behind. And her and Langton meeting up as he's trying to rescue her, so perfect. Man, I so hope Langton doesn't die in this show.

I don't think that the 'closure' for Ballard went quite how DeWitt was expecting. She seems to be good at underestimating Ballard. That's to be expected. What was also expected was Echo taking a phrase or gesture away from the encounter to mimic while in her blank state. However, I think this one was far more subtle and much better played, IMO. Honestly, I was expecting to hear her say 'blue skies' since they repeated it so much. I was pleasantly surprised, a nd, in case you missed it, the reference was the mirror bit at the very end.

So, this was a good episode. It missed being great because it felt like two episode smushed together, but I was far from disappointed.