What I’m Watching: Dollhouse (Series Finale)

Dollhouse: Season 2, Episode 13 “Epitaph Two: The Return” (B+)

This show has now come to its end, and while it was certainly a good episode, it wasn’t nearly as awesome as the two installments that came before it. Given the circumstances of this show’s untimely early cancellation, I think it’s an especially impressive conclusion to a show that should have gone on much longer. Some things worked very well without any sort of buildup, like Tony and Priya rediscovering their affection for each other and bonding over their son. However, other things were more disappointing because we didn’t have the chance to see how they happened. I’m speaking specifically about Alpha and how spectacular it was to see him getting along so well with Echo and all the other people who, when last seen, considered him a psychotic and dangerous enemy. That’s the cool thing about the end of the world – under dire circumstances, even the greatest of enemies can become friends. It would have been so great to see how they went from one polar opposite to the other, but I suppose this is the best we can do. Seeing everyone for the last time was fantastic, and it’s nice that things ultimately turned out pretty well. The death of Paul was a good shocking moment that happened really quickly, but Echo putting his impression in her head was a solid tribute to their mostly unseen relationship. Another chance to see Felicia Day on this show was lovely, even though this future was quite bleak. Victor and his merry band of imprint-switchers was an intriguing concept, as was the utopian farm that Sierra and Adelle were living on. Topher’s final act of sacrifice, and his haunting final moment where he saw the “to remember” wall and said “huh” right before being blown to pieces was a fitting departure for a character (and actor) who become truly terrific this season. This show could have had much more life in it, but at least this season was a bit stronger than the first, and has that one spectacular episode, “Getting Closer,” to immortalize it. Can’t wait for Joss Whedon’s next project; let’s just hope it’s not with FOX.

Season grade: B+
Series grade: B
Season MVP: Summer Glau
Series MVP: Amy Acker