If it is highly illegal, why do they have them sign something before it becomes final? To salve the boss's conscience I guess. (I say "boss", because we don't know if she is owner or manager.) And "our two actives peformed well." Who was the other?

I'm so confused. What was the business at the end, with the dead bodies and the videotape? Was that a memory? Who was the naked guy watching the videotape? Was that Ballard?

Also, did anyone else ping Topher (the science guy) as Warren? Cause that's totally the vibe I got from him.

Nice to see Reed Diamond and Amy Acker again, though. And ED did better than I expected.

And "our two actives peformed well." Who was the other?

The Asian chick who blasted in at the end was another Active, I think. She might even have been Sierra.

I think the guy at the end was Alpha, 'Suela--the subject of the file Reed handed to Boss Lady. He's trying to stir up trouble for the Dollhouse.

Who is Ballard?

I think that the naked guy at the end was "Alpha" - the "active" that was in the file that Olivia Williams handed to Reed Diamond at the end.

The other active that performed well was Sierra who came in with SWAT at the end of the kidnapping.

Yeah, Topher was very Warreny.

Gar, the second was the Asian woman Sierra who busted in the door and shot the kidnappers. Although since she was followed by a tactical team I don't understand why they needed an active at all...

I can't even begin to describe how happy I was to see the Grr Arrgh guy at the end of an episode of new television.

delirious with joy.

If it is highly illegal, why do they have them sign something before it becomes final?

same reason that people sign surrogacy contracts. it's not legal, but it makes you feel better. Although, I'm not sure why what they're doing is illegal. It's not even prostitution, since they client isn't specifically paying for sex.

I'm so confused. What was the business at the end, with the dead bodies and the videotape? Was that a memory? Who was the naked guy watching the videotape? Was that Ballard?

very confusing.

Was anyone else squicked by the Summer/Eliza promos? They were just creepy and seemed designed to tingle the boy geek sensibilities (i.e. Eliza with with her leather clad leg propped up on the chair)

I'm not sure why what they're doing is illegal.

Is it true that some contracts are inherently null and void because the legal system considers them to be too outrageous and exploitative? Which might invalidate any agreement made by the Actives and open up things like unlawful imprisonment.

Was anyone else squicked by the Summer/Eliza promos?

That's what I was referring to when I said soft porn.

Is it true that some contracts are inherently null and void because the legal system considers them to be too outrageous and exploitative?

Yes. This would be a good example of a contract that is unconscionable by nature, and therefore cannot be enforced. Also, contracts for personal services cannot be enforced. You can be penalized for breach, but you can't require them to be performed.

Is it true that some contracts are inherently null and void because the legal system considers them to be too outrageous and exploitative? Which might invalidate any agreement made by the Actives and open up things like unlawful imprisonment

yes, like surrogacy contracts.

As I think about it, it might be a consent issue. it's like if you agree to be tied up for consensual sex, but your partner does something you don't like, you can withdraw your consent. The mindwipe makes them unable to withdraw their consent.

same reason that people sign surrogacy contracts. it's not legal, but it makes you feel better. Although, I'm not sure why what they're doing is illegal. It's not even prostitution, since they client isn't specifically paying for sex.

Well, from the first contract, it looked like some of the contracts are for sex. But more to the point, we appear to be talking permanent brain damage. I'm no lawyer, but that does not sound like something you can give permission for, especially when the reasons are non-medical. We have internal conversations at the beginning where the geek-in-charge-of-brainwashing and Mr. security were discussing how they were really great humanitarians, but if they were caught they'd go to jail for a long long time. From the promo for the next ep, it sounds like runaway actives are brought back by force. Which even if you agree to it in advance is kidnapping. Not a right you can give an employer.