First, this episode was Jossier than the others, probably by virtue of the fact that Joss actually wrote it. I find that to be both a good thing and a bad thing. However, taken objectively, I don't think we can assume that anything Echo told Ballard is anything more than the Dollhouse wanted him to hear - they did directly tell him that his loved ones were in danger, and they were, at least, as far as he can tell. Why would they send someone to attack Mellie unless they intend for Ballard to know he's in a load of shit and that he has at least one body to account for? In addition to the cop they framed him for, of course.
Maybe the assistant tampered with her programming. It looked to me like they wanted us to believe that Topher himself tampered with her programming. (He just couldn't get it right until she went to get him some lunch, then immediately finished the job?) But what if the Dollhouse is absolutely responsible for all of it? It's possible.
Having said that, I don't think Ballard is a doll. They're expending too many resources trying to deceive him.
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Date: 2009-03-26 02:10 am (UTC)Maybe the assistant tampered with her programming. It looked to me like they wanted us to believe that Topher himself tampered with her programming. (He just couldn't get it right until she went to get him some lunch, then immediately finished the job?) But what if the Dollhouse is absolutely responsible for all of it? It's possible.
Having said that, I don't think Ballard is a doll. They're expending too many resources trying to deceive him.
Finally, I agree; Patton Oswalt was great.