The Best and Worst Episodes of Dollhouse

[CONTAINS SPOILERS]

This was the hardest Best/Worst list to date. There are not many single-shot type episodes to create a list with. Overall, Dollhouse is a fine show. Individually, however, the show suffers to keep casual viewers intrigued with the complex story line. Everything in this show builds on itself, making terms like “wipe”, “print”, “wedge”, or even “doll” difficult for some to comprehend. There are certain plot lines that I found painfully boring, and others I wished they could have elaborated on. Below you will find my list of the top 5 best and 3 worst episodes of Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse.

The Worst

3. Haunted (1×10)

No no, this has nothing to do with ghost, just a rich lady who wants to find her killer. I will admit, imprinting yourself after you die is a great (albeit extremely creepy) idea. The plot for the episode was good, but the execution didn’t live up to its potential. My favorite thing about this episode was Topher imprinting Sierra as a friend to celebrate his birthday.

2. The Target (1×2)

Unfortunately, this episode made me lose all faith in the show. Even worse, this is only the 2nd episode of the series. Everything was fine until the client decided murder time was fun time. Maybe this was lost footage from a prostitution gone wrong show on truTV? Actually, that would make a lot of sense…

1. Instinct (2×2)

If there was an episode of television that was too melodramatic for Passions, this would be it. Echo is imprinted as the mother of a client’s newborn baby. Topher screwed up the print somehow, which managed to make Echo turn into equivalent of Liam Neeson from Taken. This was either the worst episode of Dollhouse, or the best attempt for the most ridiculous.

The Best

5. The Hollow Men (2×12)

Boyd is the head of Rossum? Whiskey kills Bennet? Millie kills herself? Perrin is a doll? Wait…wrong episode. Mr. Whedon always seems to busts out all the stops in his season finales, and this one is no slouch. We finally figure out why Caroline/Echo is so important to Rossum, and why Boyd showed up as a handler when he did. Any loose ends from the TV series are followed up in the comics. A great way to go out with a bang.

4. Belle Chose (2×3)

Everything you could ever want in an episode of television is displayed here. Comedy, mystery, horror, and suspense all make appearances throughout the story (a more in-depth analysis of the episode can be found here). The episode starts off with Echo imprinted as a valley girl college student taking a medieval lit class, letting the writers poke some fun at The Canterbury Tales. As the episode progresses, Victor is imprinted as a serial killer, throwing in the horror/suspense elements. Eventually, Victor and Echo switch imprints. This, again, allows for some fun. As mentioned, all of my favorite aspects of a Whedon-coined show are present here. If more episode of Dollhouse were like this, maybe Tim Minear’s Twitter username wouldn’t be @CancelledAgain.

3. The Attic (2×10)

In this episode we finally get to explore Rossum Corporation’s time out corner. Long awaited questions are answered and some of Echo’s previous imprints make a cameo. How can you go wrong with a plot that involves brain powered computers?

2. Needs (1×8)

If I hadn’t known there were two seasons of Dollhouse, I would have thought this was the end. “Ballard will never find the Dollhouse and Caroline/Echo will never escape!” Each element of this story was impeccably placed, making the plot twist at the end even sweeter. In order to keep full control over the Actives, Dr. Saunder believes the dolls need to find closure in their pre-house lives. Once all needs were met, a carefully placed drug would render all dolls incapacitated, allowing handlers to bring everyone back. Just when you think all of the dolls have escaped, they drop like flies. Well played, Ms. DeWitt. Well played.

1. Belonging (2×4)

Maybe my love for Pryia/Sierra’s character influenced my judgement, but nonetheless this was a fantastic episode. A big shot doctor in cahoots with the Dollhouse takes interest in Pryia, but the feelings are not mutual. Long story short, this episode explains how Pryia (now Sierra) became a doll. It also sheds new light on the ongoing battle of Topher’s conscious and the toll it’s taking on his morality to work in the Dollhouse.

Honorable Mention

Gray Hour (1×4)

Echo is imprinted to help a group of thieves steal a priceless painting from a vault…until she is remote wiped by Alpha. Sierra is then imprinted as a vault cracker to tell the doll-stunned Echo what to do. A truly memorable episode.

Cabin in the Woods – A Review

This post in under 160 characters
A novice review of a genre breaking horror-comedy film by two Mutant Enemy alumni. The coolest thing since sliced bread…and Buffy. 5/5 stars.

Let’s start from the top.

I went into this movie thinking, “HOLY CRAP! JOSS WHEDON AND DREW GOODDARD MADE A MOVIE!!!!!” My expectations were set high, given my familiarity with their collaborations (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel series). The hype for this movie, at least in my nerdy world, was over the top, especially the web campaigns. Yet, the former vampire slaying duo didn’t disappoint.

When people laugh during a horror flick, it’s probably not a good sign. The Cabin in the Woods is a different story. Cleverly placed comedic cues mixed with your favorite horror movie archetypes pulls this film together with a neat little bow. The subtle Buffy and Serenity references didn’t hurt either. And how can I forget to mention the cult-followed cast members Amy Acker, Fran Kranz, and Tom Lenk? Tubular!

The Cabin in the Woods is a hard film to explain without giving away too much information. I cannot stress this enough: if you haven’t seen this film, stay away from commercials and other advertisements! You will have the best experience if you go into this with as little information as possible. Just know one thing: it’s awesome.

15 Years Ago Today – Top 10 Best and Worst Buffy Episodes

[THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS]

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of  Buffy the Vampire Slayer first airing on The WB. In lieu of the occasion, I have prepared my list of the top ten best and worst episodes (as of March 2012). Please note: if the episode came in parts (like Graduation Day), its companion episode is also included. So, after many painstaking hours of debate, here it is: the aforementioned list.

The worst

10. Chosen

This series finale just didn’t leave me fulfilled, simple as that. It was like they decided, “oh hey, we drew out this season as much as possible and we forgot to tie up loose ends. Let’s turn ‘Sunny D from an outie to an inie’ and leave it at that!” Not to mention it wasn’t Buffy that saved Sunnydale, but Spike! REALLY, SPIKE? YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED IN SEASON 2!!! Spuffy shippers… just gtfo.

9. Killed by Death

The reason this episode is under “the worst” list is simply because it is a little too creepy. Honestly, this is episode scared me 10 times more than Hush. Look at that picture! I mean, c’mon! A demon that kills sick children in hospitals? What were the writers thinking!

8. Gone

No particular reason why this episode is one here, it just seemed like it was a filler episode so SMG could cut her hair.

7. Him

Again, more of a filler episode in season 7. Maybe they were trying to show Dawn growing up a little? Ehh, who cares. On the up side: that R.J. kid is pretty hot…

6. Older and Farther Away

This is the worst of the Buffy birthday episodes. Dawn wants attention and Halfrek enchants the Summer’s house so no one can leave. There are only two good things about this episode: 1) Dawn’s klepto rage is extinguished, and 2) Halfrek and Spike meet again (Halfrex is Cecil, a.k.a. the chick that Spike wrote poems for when he was human).

5. The Killer in Me

I understand that Willow still needs to vent after Tara’s death, but the Kennedy romance was just uncalled for. If you’re going to kill off someone’s girlfriend/boyfriend, give them longer than a few months to grieve. No one likes Kennedy anyways.

4. I Robot, You Jane

Alright, I don’t blame them for making this episode. I get it, computers and the like were on the rise or whatever. The idea for the episode was pretty good…until the demon built a robot. This episode reminds me of something from a high school writing class.

3. Normal Again

“‘Cause what’s more real? A sick girl in an institution, or some kind of supergirl, chosen to fight demons and save the world? That’s ridiculous. A girl who sleeps with the vampire she hates?!? Yeah, that makes sense.”

This episode completely ruined the entire Buffyverse for me. You can’t make 7 years of pure freaking awesome and then say “Oh yeah, this is all made up. The Buffster is just a mental patient.” The way the episode is set up, it could go either way. Are they hallucinations, or is she finally in reality? Plot holes are fleshed out and completely turn the sci-fi elements of the show into symptoms of schizophrenia. Way to go, jerks.

2. Beer Bad

“Buffy want beer!”

We get it, beer does bad things to people. Hugs not drugs. The humor in this episode was either a hit or miss, and the target was very small. In this round, astronauts (with weapons) would totally win.

1. Where the Wild Things Are

“Now I remember why I used to have such a crush on him.”

Buffy and Riley are trapped in an enchanted frat house, forced to have sex the majority of the episode. Do I have to say anything else? The writers were better off turning the entire episode into a supernatural beer pong tournament. Actually, that’s not a bad idea… The only good thing about this episode is that it marks the first time Tony Head (That’s Giles, bro) sings.

The best

10. Storyteller

“Hello, gentle viewers,” this is one of the only episodes where the POV isn’t from a main character. Tom Lenk, as always, did a phenomenal job in this episode. He made me laugh, tear up, and angry all at the same time. From his homemade videos explaining various elements from season 7, commentary in the videos, and a brief glimpse of The Cheese Man (“I wear the cheese, it does not wear me!”), this is a unique episode that should be on everyone’s top 10.

9. Becoming (part one & two)

If you don’t remember, this is THE Buffy and Angel battle. Y’know, the one where Buffy stabs Angelus, he turns into Angel (thanks, Willow), and then Angel is sucked into hell. If the awesome sword battle doesn’t pull you in, the emotion will.

8. What’s My Line, Again? (part one & two)

It’s career week at Sunnydale High, and the Buffster is all “I’ll never be a real girl!” The Judge is summoned, a church burns down, Kendra is in it, and Spike almost dies. My favorite exchange in the entire two parter: “Buffy: Do I like shrubs? Xander: That’s between you and your god.”

7. Conversations with Dead People

My favorite thing about this episode is that the main characters never interact with each other, but the episode is still quintessential Buffy. Four story lines, each dealing with a different aspect of the show. Buffy is paired with a former high school classmate turned vamp (humor/witty dialogue), Dawn tries to communicate with Joyce (scary/supernatural elements), Willow talks to Tara through Cassie *cough* The First *cough* (emotion), and an Andrew/Jonathan backstory (suspense). If that wasn’t enough, Marti Noxon, Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, and Drew Goddard were in charge of writing for an individual character. Joss The Boss wrote the Buffy/Holden stuff, Noxon the Willow/Cassie scenes, Espenson the Dawn parts, and Goddard the Andrew/Jonathan bit. Mutant Enemy alumni unite!

6. Graduation Day (part one & two)

Need I say anything? A classic Buffy moment filled with over an over the top Big Bad, explosion, Faith’s coma, Angel drama, Harmony becoming a vampire, and Cordelia staking her first (of many) vamps. Too legit to quit.

5. Hush

A nifty little thing was done here, the entire (well, almost) episode is done without dialogue. Fun stuff. It was even nominated for an Emmy. My favorite scene: Giles showing his disturbing drawings on the projector.

4. Selfless

This episode blends the greatest elements I have come to love from Buffy. Awesome character progression (Anya, ftw!), a musical number, gut wrenching emotional scenes, and a plot twist. An intense plot twist, if I might add.

3. The Body

“We’re not supposed to move the body!”

Cancer. It happens, but not in the Buffyverse. It posed as more of a shock to me that Joyce died of a natural cause, rather a supernatural one (like Glory). Anya’s speech, the cold opening (which only took Sarah ONE TAKE!), and all without music? This is what television show be like. Every. Single. Day. Buffy has always had allies die in battle, but it really hits home when that person is her mom. If you don’t cry during this episode, you are completely heartless.

2. Villians/Two to Go/Grave

“I still can’t believe that was Willow. I mean, I’ve known her almost as long as you guys. Willow was, you know – she packed her own lunches, and wore floods, and was always … just Willow. Geez it!”

Alright, so I broke my only rule: one episode (not including muli-part episodes) per ranking. This is my ABSOLUTE favorite season finale, and I couldn’t split these three up any other way. Little Willow turns into the season’s Big Bad and nearly destroys the world after Warren accidentally kills Tara and downs Buffy. Giles and Buffy battle Willow, and Willow still kicks their butts. Xander’s world saving, perfectly executed, yellow crayon speech was no slouch either. I’m not going to lie, I got a little choked up.

1. Once More, with Feeling

“Understand we’ll go hand in hand, but we’ll walk alone in fear.”

A fan favorite, this is also my number 1 episode. I’m a sucker for musicals, and having one created by my favorite television series is icing on the cake. Without any formal training (except for Amber Benson, Hinton Battle, and Tony Head), the amount of talent in this episode is simply amazing. I can’t imagine how much effort went into making this episode. Learning the dances and songs, rehearsals, recording sessions, AND still having to film it? Unbelievable. Props to everyone involved.