Once again, I'm ambivalent about the episode. I don't have a lot of time to type, so if it's a little rambling I apologize.
I thought this was the strongest episode so far, despite IMO some pretty major flaws.
The first act, as seems usual for this show, was painfully dull. Like others, I almost stopped watching, however once they got to the actual engagement the pace picked up.
I liked that they actually used names pointedly. I think if they actually had characters say Echo's persona's name more often, I might find it more believable she is a new person. See: Sierra/Audrey.
The biggest thing that bothers me about this episode (and this show) is Ballard. Despite Helo Ballard kicking some ass, the show paints a very non-conciliatory picture of him. He's apparently this giant screw-up who can't get anything right, and gets assigned to a nothing case. Yet, Dollhouse is not only worried about him, but they send Viktor to throw him off the track? That makes no sense, and it makes the whole storyline nonsensical.
I actually enjoyed the take on the diva and Echo's solution to it. My only complaint is that it should have been a little more subtle and nuanced. The writing in this episode was extremely ham-fisted; perhaps that was what they were going for, I don't know.
Lachman is much better than Dushku at adopting personas. I have a feeling this might be the case for Gjokajas well, but we have yet to see.
I don´t think so, it´s not even close.
