The Target (20 Feb. 2009)

A man requests Echo as his companion on a camping trip, but his true intentions are far more deadly. More back story on the Dollhouse, Alpha, and Boyd's first encounter with Echo.

Director:

Steven S. DeKnight

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator), Steven S. DeKnight,

Stars:

Eliza Dushku, Harry Lennix, Fran Kranz

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Eliza Dushku	...	Echo / Jenny
Harry Lennix	...	Boyd Langton
Fran Kranz	...	Topher Brink
Tahmoh Penikett	...	Paul Ballard
Enver Gjokaj	...	Anton Lubov
Dichen Lachman	...	Sierra (credit only)
Olivia Williams	...	Adelle DeWitt
Amy Acker	...	Dr. Claire Saunders
Reed Diamond	...	Laurence Dominic
Matt Keeslar	...	Richard Connell
Miracle Laurie	...	Mellie
Rich McDonald	...	Ranger
Mark Sheppard	...	Tanaka (as Mark A. Sheppard)
Tim Conlon	...	Shaw
Omar Adam	...	Male Active

Storyline

Echo becomes the ultimate outdoorswoman when a handsome young client, Richard Connell, hires her as a date for a wilderness adventure. But unknown to the Dollhouse, Richard's true sport is hunting humans - with Echo intended as his next victim. Meanwhile, Agent Ballard continues investigating the origins of the Dollhouse, hindered by both his skeptical superior Tanaka, and his colleagues who continues to dismiss it as a legend. Eventually, Ballard receives a clue about Echo/Caroline's past from an anonymous source. Also, periodic flashbacks show how Boyd came to work for Adelle and be assigned as Echo's handler, his first meeting with tech Topher, and how Dr. Claire Saunders received her facial scars from the shadowy Alpha; a rogue active who may or may not still be on the loose.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Sci-Fi Channel [uk]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Santa Ynez River, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

49 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the character played by Matt Keesler is "Richard Connell." The actual Richard Connell is the author of the famous 1924 short story, "The Most Dangerous Game," in which a shipwreck survivor is forced to run for his life from a murderous game hunter who has become bored with mere animal prey - the plot of this episode.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the episode, when the security team is running down the stairs at the Dollhouse, the second guy from the front trips on a step just as Laurence starts to say "Secure the exits.".

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Quotes

Topher Brink: [Boyd and Echo are about to bond] Hey, this isn't about friendship, man. It's about trust. From this point on, Echo will always trust you without question or hesitation. No matter what the circumstances. You're about to become the most important person in her life.
Boyd Langdon: Let's just get this over with.

User Reviews

So much better than the pilot!

I loved Buffy, I sorta like Angel, I love Dr. Horrible, and I just recently watched Firefly after failing to get into Serentiy twice. So I've been waiting for Dollhouse to premiere for what seems like forever.

Unlike the pilot, which was somewhat convoluted (with all the necessary exposition and everything), this episode flew by! After "Ghost" I was a little worried about this new show, but that worry's gone now.

The main story was interesting; Echo's responses in particular were interesting. The writing was good... I was hooked. Humor was the only thing missing, but I heard that it'll enter into the series a little later.

I'm definitely giving Joss the full 7 episodes. Not only has he earned it, but this episode made me want to see more.