Finally caught up - mini-meara commentary.

I was really glad they didn't kill Mellie. I was positive up until the point that Adelle's voice came over the phone that that's where they were going (especially after the shot of the rose-petal-covered bed during the Patton Oswald section - my reaction to Echo's "See! Porn!" was "That, or Angelus just killed somebody's girlfriend"). The tragic music, the shots of Paul running and trying to call her - perfect misdirect. I cackled with laughter when her programming kicked in.

Does anyone else think Paul has a history with Caroline, possibly familial? During his conversation with Patton Oswald, with that wonderful (thank you, Teppy) "Bitch, PLEASE!" expression on his face, I kept waiting for him to say something along the lines of "Buddy, you are SO off base."

It is kind of funny that they were concerned about lingering effects for Sierra when it's business as usual for them to wipe Echo's mind clean of traumatic experiences like being the Most Dangerous Game or having sex with Patton Oswalt.

I think it may have to do with the fact that the abuse came when Sierra was in her Doll state. They now have to recreate her default mode, instead of just bringing her back to it.

Agreed with Hec on knowing Adelle's backstory. It would be funny if it somehow turned out that she was the inside person.

I think it may have to do with the fact that the abuse came when Sierra was in her Doll state. They now have to recreate her default mode, instead of just bringing her back to it.

Yeah, also, because the previous wiping seems to not have been complete, given the freakout on Viktor.

Aw, Viktor. He's the only one that brings a sense of life to his Doll state.

Oh, I know! Pure innocence and played quite well by the actor.

Does anyone else think Paul has a history with Caroline, possibly familial?

I don't think so, he didn't know who she was until he had the picture with "Caroline" written on the back. And he had the striking FBI lady trying to find out who she was.

Yeah, also, because the previous wiping seems to not have been complete, given the freakout on Viktor.

They weren't wiping the doll state, so she had memories of what happened. Hearn asked her if she remembered the game, and Sierra remembered that she had to be quiet.

While the Dollhouse gets points for stopping Sierra's abuse, don't forget that they're the ones who set her up as the perfect victim in the first place. She's had her personality and memories wiped and her handler - who she's programmed to trust absolutely and who has the power in the relationship - was the one they picked to be in that position. There probably had been hints in his past that he'd be likely to take advantage of anyone in his power.

And I'm getting more and more tired of the extent to which the women on the show are subjected to violence. Even if they can fight back, they're being subjected to a lot of being hit. And until Mellie's programming kicked in, she was being beaten, strangled, dragged around that apartment.

And I'm getting more and more tired of the extent to which the women on the show are subjected to violence. Even if they can fight back, they're being subjected to a lot of being hit. And until Mellie's programming kicked in, she was being beaten, strangled, dragged around that apartment.

Yes, I find that viscerally squicky as well.

yes, the women are being subjected to violence, but they're not the only ones. Paul gets beaten up just about every show. And, although the women are subjected to violence, they ultimately come out on top.

I know... logically, I know. But it still makes me clench.

If I may ask, did it bother you on Buffy? I remember reading about how Buffy was the first show where women really fought and got hit, and it really disturbed a lot of people.

I wonder if some of it is the attitude Eliza projects during fight scenes. I remember the fights between Buffy and Faith (or Angel and Faith) were by far the most disturbing fight scenes on either show, and I think it was the vibe coming from Eliza.

The scene with Mellie bothered me, but it was supposed to. The audience was definitely being set up to think she was toast. In fact, for me, it was giving Maddie's murder on Twin Peaks a run for the money. However, I was so relieived when the twist came that I didn't care how disturbing the set up was.