Season 2, Episode 9
Written by Andrew Chambliss
Directed by Felix Enrique Alcala
Original Airdate: 18 December 2009
“Welcome to the future, where cars can fly, robots serve our every whim, and genetically engineered dinosaurs rule the Earth.”
Topher
REGULAR CAST
- Eliza Dushku as Echo
- Harry Lennix as Boyd Langton
- Fran Kranz as Topher Brink
- Tahmon Penikett as Paul Ballard
- Enver Gjokaj as Victor
- Dichen Lachman as Sierra
- Olivia Williams as Adele DeWitt
GUEST CAST
- Liza Lapira as Ivy
CO-STARRING
- Katrina Nelson as Bartender
- Kate Comer as Attendant
- Michael King as Hagan
SYNOPSIS
Adelle, drowning in whiskey and regret, retreats into her secret persona, seeking solace in Victor’s embrace as “Roger.” But her fantasy shatters when he rejects her, professing love for another – Sierra. Embarrassed, she inadvertently reveals her secret to Topher, who mockingly deduces her emotional attachment. Meanwhile, Victor’s five-year contract with the Dollhouse ends, and he is restored to his original self – Anthony Ceccoli, a former soldier struggling with PTSD. Echo, aware of Victor’s departure, warns him that he may never return, but he clings to the hope of reuniting with Sierra.
Anthony, disoriented, is released into the world. Alone, he struggles to reintegrate, unable to sleep, unable to adjust. His actions mirror Sierra’s as she waits, restless, unable to find peace without him. But Anthony’s freedom is short-lived – he is ambushed, dragged away by masked men. Boyd, sensing something is wrong, investigates with Echo, uncovering a deeper conspiracy. Rossum is building something far more dangerous than thought before – a collective army of soldiers programmed to think as one, erasing individual autonomy entirely.
Determined to save Anthony, Echo imprints Sierra with her original identity – Priya Tsetsang – so she can remember Victor and fight for him. Priya, furious at Topher for breaking his promise to erase her darkest memory, is forced to confront both the past and her love for Anthony. Meanwhile, Topher and Ivy collaborate on a way to restore Paul Ballard’s damaged mind.
As Echo and Priya infiltrate Rossum’s compound, Echo uses her abilities to disable their captors. She implants herself with the soldiers’ neural link, overwhelming their system and forcing them to disband. Priya helps Anthony recall himself, their connection cutting through his conditioning. With their mission complete, Echo forces Priya and Anthony to leave – free from the Dollhouse at last.
Their victory is brief. A strike team intercepts them, using the same disruptive technology Topher once developed. They are captured and returned, their freedom stolen. Boyd is restrained as Adelle, now sober and ruthless, oversees Echo’s fate – condemning her to the Attic, the place where minds are lost forever. Then, in a final, devastating move, she orders Victor and Sierra to be sent there as well.
Control has shifted. Adelle stands unchallenged. And Echo, for now, has lost.
TRIVIA
Langton reserves Anthony a suite at the Hyperion Hotel, the former base of Angel Investigations in Angel.
CONTINUITY
The episode starts with a final “Ms. Lonely Hearts” engagement. This repeat engagement had been mentioned in True Believer and Belonging, hinted at in Echoes, and shown in A Spy in the House of Love.
Paul remains brain dead after Alpha’s attack in A Love Supreme.
Victor’s original personality, Anthony, is revealed to be an Afghanistan war veteran who volunteered to the Dollhouse to cure his severe PTSD. He was shown to have war flashbacks in Echoes and Belonging.
Adelle is shown to be aware of the keycard Boyd gave Echo in Belonging.
During the sweep of Anthony’s hotel room, Echo mentions using Roma Klar (Vows) and Eleanor Penn’s (Ghost) skills.
Adelle chooses to not oppose Rossum due to nearly losing the Dollhouse in Meet Jane Doe, which she blames on her interfering with their affairs in The Left Hand.
Sierra is reimprinted as her original self, Priya. She immediately lashes out at Topher for not erasing the events of Belonging from her memory as she asked. Topher also immediately has Ivy fetch her a beer, which she was shown to be fond of.
Echo credits her ability to fight with a bag on her head to the experience of being blind, as seen in True Believer.
The sound effect of the signal that knocks Echo, Priya, and Anthony out is similar to the one produced by Topher’s disruptor from The Public Eye.
Despite needing them for her fight against Rossum, Echo ends up offering Priya and Anthony an out. She will try it again in Getting Closer.
The closing scene of the episode leads directly into The Attic. Adelle’s threatening speech will also be shown in full at the end of that episode.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
EPISODE
A Love Supreme / The Attic
STORY ORDER
A Love Supreme / The Attic
The Watcher's Guide 