Needs (3 Apr. 2009)

The Dollhouse's worst fears are realized as several actives awaken and remember some of their past lives and try to escape from the Dollhouse.

Director:

Félix Enríquez Alcalá

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator), Tracy Bellomo,

Stars:

Eliza Dushku, Harry Lennix, Fran Kranz

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Eliza Dushku	...	Echo / Caroline Farrell
Harry Lennix	...	Boyd Langton
Fran Kranz	...	Topher Brink
Tahmoh Penikett	...	Paul Ballard
Enver Gjokaj	...	Victor / Anthony Ceccoli
Dichen Lachman	...	Sierra / Priya Tsetsang
Olivia Williams	...	Adelle DeWitt
Amy Acker	...	Dr. Claire Saunders
Emma Bell	...	Tango
Reed Diamond	...	Laurence Dominic
Miracle Laurie	...	November / Madeline Costley
Teddy Sears	...	Mike
Vincent Ventresca	...	Nolan Kinnard
Skyler Stone	...	Jimmy
Angel Desai	...	Sophie Alvarez

Storyline

Echo, Victor, Sierra, Mellie/November, and another Active mysteriously awaken with them aware of their identities, but not their memories. The five of them start to search for answers about the Dollhouse facility they as well as how they got there and how to escape. In trying to find her own answers, Echo discovers more about herself, while Victor and Sierra escape to look for the man who recruited Sierra, and November searches for her missing daughter. But Adelle soon learns about the Active's glitch and sets her own agenda with the help of Boyd, Dr. Saunders, Dominic, and Topher to help her out. Meanwhile, Ballard discovers the hidden surveillance camera in his apartment and it sets him back on the path to finding the Dollhouse.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

St. Vincent Catholic Church - 621 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, 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?

Goofs

When Echo first jumps out of the SUV in the car-park, and argues with the other dolls about staying, the elevator door in the basement is closed, and she is on the "right" of the car and the lift (as we see it). When the shot changes, the lift door is open, and Echo approaches from the left of the lift with the car on her right.

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Quotes

Echo: [Ballard checks his voicemail] Paul Ballard, this is - you don't know me. But I have a file and your name is in it, and I think we've met. I know it sounds crazy...
Paul Ballard: Caroline.
Echo: But we're here, somewhere underground. I'm trying to get everyone out, but if I can't - please, please find us!

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Soundtracks

"Lonely Ghosts"
(uncredited)
by O+S

User Reviews

"This is getting weirder and weirder"

Hey, what is happening here? Echo, Victor, Sierra, November and Mike (a new male Doll) wake up but they're not in their usual blissful, peaceful state - they're back to their old personalities, except that most of their memories have been removed. They all decide to try and escape from the Dollhouse, but when Adelle gets informed of their attempt, she remains strangely calm: it seems that this entire situation is part of a larger plan. This is a clever episode that keeps you wondering how much of what you're watching is part of a "test" on the Dolls, and how much is beyond Adelle's control. It also gets you thinking: what if people use their free will to abandon their free will? Because it seems that some of the Dolls (November) may have chosen to enter this establishment to escape from some painful memories that they couldn't handle, so they wanted to get them "wiped". In the end, however, not much is really accomplished by "Needs": theoretically the Dolls find the closure they need to stop glitching - but where would the rest of the show go if they really stopped glitching? *** out of 4.