The Middleman Goes on a Manhunt on ‘Dollhouse’

by Josh Roth @ 6:01 pm February 22nd, 2009

Like I said last week, never underestimate Joss Whedon. This week’s episode rocked harder and faster than the pilot, I dare say this would have made a better pilot. In a show like Dollhouse where the main character undergoes a personality change from episode to episode, you needed at least two episodes to really get a sense of how the show will feel. Now I think we know. Every week will be a new adventure, presenting a new acting challenge for Eliza Dushku, as the overall series plot moves forward. And I say, sign me up.

Unlike some of his other shows, Dollhouse seems to be almost entirely dark. Not that Buffy or Angel were sitcoms, but they were interjected with more humor than in Dollhouse. Looks like Joss has taken a bit of a risk here. At its core the show is about human trafficking, not exactly light subject matter. But of course that darkness is broken up by that trademark Joss Whedon whit you’ve heard so much about (looks like Topher is our Xander-esque comic relief this time ’round).

Seeing Matt Keeslar in a Joss Whedon show made my week. He quickly became one of my favorite new actors over the summer with his run as The Middleman in The Middleman. Here we get to see how far his acting range can stretch (although we saw a bit of that in the Mirror Middleman season finale). He plays Richard, the psychotic, active hunting client of the Dollhouse this week, and he is down right terrifying.

Like something ripped out of a terrific thriller/horror movie, he turns on Echo right after sex (I’m seeing a theme in Whedon’s work here…) and goes on a manhunt for Echo across the woods. An intense and fairly action packed scene ensues that carries us right through the episode.

Eliza Dushku also improved ten-fold this week, both of her characters (Echo and her active state) evolved over the course of the hour. Echo started to become self aware, which is the plot of the entire series, and Eliza showed us she can handle the multiple personalities that come along with being Echo.

Now, after two episodes I think we know what to expect from Dollhouse, and like I said that is greatness. Next week’s episode, which has Echo protecting a pop star, was written by Dr. Horrible vets Marissa T and Jed Whedon. Tune in, Friday at 9pm on Fox.