Season 2, Episode 12
Written by Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters and Tracy Bellomo
Directed by Terrence O’Hara
Original Airdate: 15 January 2010

“We have to help our friends. And this chair here, might be our only shot. And you know, no matter who I am, no matter what they put in my skull, I always remember you.”
Anthony Ceccoli

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

• Amy Acker as Whiskey / ‘Dr. Claire Saunders’ / Clyde Randolph
• Miracle Laurie as ‘Mellie’ / November

CO-STARRING

• Josh Latzer as Security Guard #1
• Tank Jones as Security Guard #2

SYNOPSIS

As Ballard, DeWitt, and Mellie wait outside the Dollhouse, Boyd arrives in a van with Echo, who is thrashing wildly. Topher speculates that Echo and Caroline are locked in a battle for dominance within Echo’s mind. Boyd sedates her, and they continue their mission to destroy Rossum’s headquarters in Tucson.

Meanwhile, Priya and Anthony return to the wrecked Dollhouse, discovering a cryptic message – “hit enter” beneath a smiley face – left by Topher as a failsafe. Anthony follows the instruction, using the imprinting chair and emerging as Topher himself, allowing him to remotely guide their next steps.

At Rossum, DeWitt assumes its leader wants Caroline, unaware that Boyd is the true mastermind. Whiskey, imprinted as Clyde 2.0, leads them to a holding room before disappearing with Echo. Boyd orchestrates an escape, discreetly separating the group while taking Topher with him.

Back in the Dollhouse, Priya and Tony/Topher uncover security footage of Boyd injecting Echo with an unknown substance. Recognizing his betrayal, Topher surrenders himself so Anthony can return, imprinted with combat skills.

Boyd manipulates Topher into finalizing the mass-imprinting prototype, praising his ability to accomplish in minutes what Rossum’s top scientists failed to do for months. Meanwhile, Echo regains consciousness and tracks Boyd down. Their confrontation escalates, but Clyde 2.0 intervenes, dragging DeWitt into the room and holding them both at gunpoint.

Echo reveals Boyd’s true identity, stunning DeWitt and Topher. Boyd insists that his actions have always been driven by love – he considers them all family and believes he has guided them to become their strongest selves. He rationalizes his plan: technology cannot be erased, only controlled. Rather than allow Rossum’s advancements to spiral into chaos, he believes shaping the future is necessary, even if it means destruction along the way.

Boyd explains that Caroline’s genetic uniqueness – her spinal fluid – holds the key to immunity from mind-wipes. With it, a cure could be created. He activates the Disruptor, rendering Echo unconscious, and takes her to a medical lab, leaving DeWitt and Topher imprisoned.

Boyd’s true intentions unravel as he sedates Echo and prepares to extract her spinal fluid, believing it holds the key to immunity from mind-wipes. Meanwhile, Ballard and Mellie navigate Rossum’s compound, planning to sabotage its cooling system rather than engage in direct combat. Paul reassures Mellie that their feelings are real, despite her struggle with identity.

Boyd discovers their interference and forces Adelle to trigger Mellie’s sleeper imprint via a recorded command. Paul momentarily reaches her, helping her fight the programming, but in a tragic moment of agency, she takes her own life, telling Paul that he made her feel real.

With Priya and Tony’s help, Echo is freed and leads an operation to release Topher and Adelle. As Echo rushes to confront Boyd, she encounters Clyde 2.0, engaging him in a brutal fight that draws on multiple imprints’ combat expertise. She ultimately overpowers Clyde but chooses to spare Whiskey’s life.

Boyd, seizing an opportunity, manipulates a distraught Ballard, leading him to Echo. He attempts to re-establish their old handler-Active bond, but while Echo loves Paul, Caroline – now a presence within her – does not recognize him. Caught between conflicting instincts, she shoots Paul in the leg and fights back.

Boyd remains convinced he does not need Echo alive – just her spinal fluid. Before he can act, Topher arrives and activates the wiping technology, reducing Boyd to a blank Doll state. Echo capitalizes on his erased mind, strapping explosives to him and using his conditioned obedience to send him into Rossum’s core. As he pulls the grenade’s pin, he quietly affirms his desire to be “his best.”

Echo flees as Rossum’s headquarters collapses, grief etched across her face. Paul asks if they’ve truly saved the world. Echo, uncertain, simply hopes they have.

Then the timeline shifts forward a decade – Los Angeles is in ruins. Battle-worn and bloodied, Echo and Paul fight their way through the wreckage, revealing that despite their efforts, Rossum’s technology was activated.

The world has fallen.

TRIVIA

CONTINUITY