[Review] Dollhouse 1.10: Haunted

[tmbreck]

Writer: Andrew Chambliss
Director: David Solomon
Actors:Eliza Dushku, Tahmoh Penikett, Olivia Williams, Fran Kranz, Harry J. Lennix, Enver Gjokaj, Dichen Lachman, Miracle Laurie
Guest: Aisha Hinds, Rhea Seehorn, Brenda Bakke, Jordan Bridges, Gregg Henry, Ian Anthony Dale

When Adelle's wealthy friend is murdered, Adelle imprints Echo with the woman's memories and personality to solve the case. Ballard looks into Mellie's past, and Topher secretly programs Sierra for an engagement.

My Thoughts:

It's been a while, a little over four months, since my last review. I'm sorry. I did go through and re-read my previous reviews, just to catch up. It was a pointless exercise, but I did it anyway!

Now that we have that out of the way, let's get on to the episode! First off, still not enjoying that we have to have previouslies with every episode. Hopefully that stops in season 2. Second, I actually like how this episode opened. I'm glad they didn't show the actual murder, as that would have really taken away from the story. However, the idea that your personality can be implanted in someone after you've died really strikes me as ooky. Yes, I choose to believe that is weird.

"Eternal life."

"Nice adjetive, excellent noun. Is that all?"

Given that conversation, I think Boyd agrees with me. I also love that Adele seems very eager to have Boyd helping, and that he's already got an idea of who to send in.

Oddly, I'm really coming to love Boyd and Topher's interactions. It's one of the few instances in which I actually like Topher. Topher is very socially awkward, though. I'm never really sure if he's trying to insult Boyd's intelligence, or he's just trying and failing miserably at being good buddies with him.

Boyd, hey! How's the promotion treating you? You must be thrilled. I mean, you were no fun as Echo's handler, and now you get to be twice as no fun as head of security!

I actually liked Adele's reaction to being in a new body. Also, the conversation managed to remind us that Adele is alone, emotionally speaking. I think the abrupt shift from friendly conversation to 'let's solve my murder' was well done. However, the fact that they had the follow up conversation within earshot of other people seemed a bit off, especially when 'Margaret' talks about being late to her own funeral. But that's really just a nit-pick that I can hand-wave.

What I did love is how well thought out Margaret's plan was. Bringing up Julia before she even got the imprint done, writing her into the will, telling her family to expect her. She had a good head on her shoulders, I like her! I really like how the scene at the funeral was played, and I'm ignoring the fact that other people could have over-heard their conversation.

Margaret really doesn't impersonate a younger person very well. 'Like the kids do'? Really. Though, I do think her awkward reactions to the family talking were done very believably. The kissing scene? I laughed.

"Well, I mean it seemed like you wanted to..."
"No."
"Subconciously?"
"No!"
"You said you wanted to comfort me."
"Not with my tongue!"

In fact, I have to say that the Margaret storline was only really enjoyable for me when she was interacting with the family.

"You lost your mother. It's only natural that you'd be so elmo."
"Emo."
"That's not a word, sweety."

Margaret really can't seem to get the hang of being young. However, the scene after her son figures out it's her, is so touching. You know, until he tried to kill her.

Okay, who didn't think Topher and Sierra were so adorable together? See, these are the times I could really start to like Topher! It was just totally cool, and managed not to come off creepy. And the laser tag! There should be random scenes of geekiness all the time. Well, no, it would get old, but there should be more of them. However, it is sad that it's the only way he really has a friend to celebrate [what I'm assuming is] is birthday. Maybe he and Boyd can be friends!

Let us speak of my doom!ship.

"You're a better cook than you think."
"Hmm. I don't think pasta is supposed to be that, um, snappy."
"It's al dente. That's Itallian for 'Ow, my teeth.'"

Good lord, but Ballard isn't handling this situation with Mellie very well. Then again, who would. He's fumbling and bumling in awkward ways. You have to wonder what Mellie is thinking about all this. The fact that he's shying away from displays of affection... man it has to look like he's ready to drop her!

I love Loomis helping out Ballard. And I really love that she witnessed the file disappearing.

"I just started to believe you."

The scene between Ballard and Mellie afterward? Sick and wrong, yet oh so hot. Poor Ballard. *sniff*

All in all, a pretty good episode, I think.