Under a cut, please? :]

There's, um, absolutely no spoilers in the post itself, actually. I was very careful.

lol. My reaction is just... random spazzing flailing at 3 in the morning after 10 hours of being naturally high.

Hmm.... I will get back to you later. XD

That was certainly an interesting episode. If the series was cancelled, that certainly would have been a pretty awesome series finale. But, now I'm just wondering how this will affect future seasons. Will Joss remain consistent with the story here?

Naw, well at least, obviously, I don't think (and this is pure speculation, I've only read reviews of the episode, haven't seen it yet) he's going to start S2 to be after the events in the episode. If you're talking about will he make the series stear the same way as what happens in Epitaph One, you never really know with Joss. He may or may not do it, but he does like to torture his fans poor souls (laughs and then looks around, hoping Joss won't strike me down). Ex. : Killing Wash in Serenity.

But you know what my theory is? I think that Joss wrote and shot that episode before he knew that the show was coming back for a second season. Maybe he figured it was an all or nothing deal, and tried to create a finale that we the fans would like or not, that it answered some questions. He didn't really do that with Firefly , so maybe he was airing on the side of caution with Dollhouse, pulling out all the stops in case it did get cancelled.

^ Yeah, I suspect that as well. The episode did have a very final feel to it.

Although, I really like how Joss kept some doors open with the characters. We don't actually know the fate of any of them, which I thought was pretty clever.

That's cool. Yeah, Joss is brilliant like that. And he's such a tease with the characters, but in a good way.

YEAH, THAT'S ALL I GOT RIGHT NOW.

God it was so good to see them together again, even if only for a little while!!

I just finished the episode. Was coming here to post about it AND THEN I SAW THIS PICTURE AND SUDDENLY I CAN NO LONGER REMEMBER WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

OH, OTP OF WONDER, DON'T EVER LEAVE ME AGAIN.

OK, I remember one thing. This little exchange:

"I miss anything?"
"Just the vodka, thank God."

I am not even going to admit how many times I've watched that scene so far.

BEST. Oh heavens.

What was the impression you guys got concerning the odds of us seeing Dominic next year? This episode simultaneously thrilled and discouraged me because a) oh God, it was so good to see him again, first all snarky and suited up and then all scathing and crazy with rage (and still suited up!) and b) the impression I got here was that Dominic doesn't come back, then, until the technology gets loose and stuff starts gettin' apocalyptic.

Of course, then I promptly went into insane fangirl mode and like half an hour later had plotted out an epic multi-season-spanning romance that ultimately ends tragically when Adelle is forced via the Big Evil Rossum Powers That Be to re-Attic Mr. Dominic and in doing so he's wiped of all his post Spy-in-the-House-of-Love memories. Voila! Instant Epitaph One continuity.

So, ya know, there are no doubt countless ways to write him back into the show and make it gel with what we got in Epitaph One, but I have such a hard time figuring out whether the showrunners feel he is as essential to the story as I (most unbiasedly) do.

But gosh, I hope we get to see him back, because this served as such a reminder of the certain awesome something he contributes to the show as a whole. And also, um, OUR SHIP, OUR BEAUTIFUL SHIP, dear Jesus.

Hasn't there been interviews saying that Epitaph One may not be the actual way the story is going? It's just ONE possible place it could go? That's kind of what I went with while watching. So then that leaves a very good chance of seeing our Mr. Dominic next season. (It could also be me fanwanking because I cannot IMAGINE the show without him and his business suit-y snarktasticness.)

Also, when he was holding Adelle at gunpoint, he mentioned something about "What you did to my body!" What could that mean? He made it seem like more happened than it just sitting in the Attic. (I admit, my mind immediately went to "OMG, she used his body to her advantage, what!?" and then I told myself to shut up, hee.) It was an interesting little exchange, if nothing else, and while we may not see Mr. Dominic himself, we'll still see Reed Diamond playing someone pretending to be Mr. Dominic? Or something? (Although that is not nearly as fun and OTP appropriate. Unless we see Adelle acting all secretly anguished in the background.)

And, yes, OUR SHIP IS WONDROUS IN ALL ITS TRAGIC AWESOMENESS. THIS EPISODE JUST PROVED IT TO ME ALL THE MORE! Only this couple could get me all FANGIRL FLAILY with one part of the pairing holding the other at gunpoint.

Hasn't there been interviews saying that Epitaph One may not be the actual way the story is going? It's just ONE possible place it could go?

Ooh, that comes as a relief. I simultaneously hope so and do not, because on one hand, I liked the development the episode gave us, mostly in terms of how Adelle's character was handled. But on the other hand, God, it's so depressing, I do not want this for all these adorable albeit morally dubious people!!

Also, when he was holding Adelle at gunpoint, he mentioned something about "What you did to my body!" What could that mean? He made it seem like more happened than it just sitting in the Attic.

YES! That had sort of slipped my mind, but it totally made me go "Wait, what?" I mean, I guess he could just mean being left to slowly atrophy in the Attic (... if that's what they do to them; GOD, I want to see the Attic! They had better teach us more about it next season! And it had better be Dominic-centric all over the place when they do!), but it seemed like there was something extra going on there.

Only this couple could get me all FANGIRL FLAILY with one part of the pairing holding the other at gunpoint.

Hahaha, YES! It was one of those moments where I felt like I should probably be worried about my own taste in fictional romance. I don't think I've done any gunpoint shipping since Jack and Irina from Alias (who are in so many ways so reminiscent of these guys), and oh, it felt good to have it happen all over again! In a ... worrying way.

Gosh, I want Dominic back already! He is such a delightful foil for Topher and ADELLE NEEDS HIM.

Darnit, the fact that we have to wait 'til fall for new episodes is suddenly excruciating.

Hahaha, YES! It was one of those moments where I felt like I should probably be worried about my own taste in fictional romance. I don't think I've done any gunpoint shipping since Jack and Irina from Alias (who are in so many ways so reminiscent of these guys), and oh, it felt good to have it happen all over again! In a ... worrying way.

DON'T THINK ABOUT THE SERIES FINALE OF ALIAS. DON'T!

I see a lot of parallelisms in DeWitt and Dominic with Jack and Irina. Which is so very awesome. :DDDD

I hereby officially choose to believe that DeWitt/Dominic is the universe giving us Jack/Irina 2.0, only this time, it won't all be horrifically wrecked. It's like we're getting repaid for all our Aliasy suffering! I ... like this notion.

I hereby officially choose to believe that DeWitt/Dominic is the universe giving us Jack/Irina 2.0, only this time, it won't all be horrifically wrecked.

AMEN!

I just hope to God we don't get any fake deaths or clones (although that aspect of J/I was pretty fun!)

Clones?? What the hell, y'all. I watch Lost, and you're freaking me out.

Well, they're not really clones. They're more of doubles. They used the "double" storyline in seasons 2, 4 and 5 (most horrible season, IMO). It was fun, at first, then it got... annoying.

Jack/Irina in Alias was the funnest ship evarr. All the angst and sexual tension and the secret smiles. Heee.

Also, when he was holding Adelle at gunpoint, he mentioned something about "What you did to my body!" What could that mean? He made it seem like more happened than it just sitting in the Attic.

Yeah, that line totally made my ears perk up too. Because at first blush I figured that was just grouped in with the whole Attic thing, but thinking about it, doesn't he mention the Attic and then say that line?

Which means he's either so upset he's saying it twice to restate his point, or he's talking about two seperate things. Which is innnnteresting, to say the least.

Also: Hasn't there been interviews saying that Epitaph One may not be the actual way the story is going? It's just ONE possible place it could go?

I think I've been hearing this too, so I've got my fingers crossed. Don't get me wrong, great episode, great premise, but still OH GOD DON'T WANNA.

What was the impression you guys got concerning the odds of us seeing Dominic next year?

I'm actually pretty curious about this too. I'd love to see the character back again because his relationship with Adelle was awesome. They're so repressed and professional in the office, that it throws you for a loop when Dominic shows a moment of softness by asking "How are you feeling?"/"Are you okay?" He obviously has a soft spot for her, despite his mission.

With Epitaph One, I can't help but wonder if everything would still go to hell if Dominic's NSA identity was never discovered? Does the NSA have agents in other offices around the world?

If it makes anyone feel better, Joss could have very easily left Dominic out of the episode altogether. As you may have noticed, not all characters were present. This may be suggestion that he's an important enough character to him to bring back in season two. (If not for the character itself, for Adelle.)

Adding to what you've pointed out, I read that "Epitaph One" was filmed at the same time as "Omega" with a different shooting crew, explaining a lack of Eliza and Tahmoh since they had scenes through the majority of episode 12. This adds to the significance of Reed Diamond appearing as Dominic, since he was brought back to guest-star when they could've just placed him inside another Active like they did in "Briar Rose."

Also, hi! I'm new :D

Hi! Welcome! I hope you have fun with us!

I just got to say that I believe that Epitaph One can be considered as one of the many possible futures. After all, the show was in danger of being cancelled and I don't think Joss would want the fans hanging-- it's been reiterated by Mr. Dominic so many times that something will go wrong if the technology gets out of Rossum's hands... if the show was cancelled, there would be the feeling of, "um, so how horrible will be our future if the tech does get out of Rossum's hands?" But now that we've got a season 2... (I just really want Reed Diamond/Mr. Dominic to appear next season. Just because.)

I get this dynamic with D/D that since they know that their situation is so ridiculous, they'd be the type who can get over the things they did to each other and be able to accomplish amazing work together. hmm... I just got to say that Dominic had the option of choking Adelle against the wall or just hitting her with his gun, but he chose to do a choke hold against a soft couch. XD

And. I think Joss likes Reed Diamond (I think I read that somewhere in Whedonverse)... I mean, his character was just written for the pilot and then when they reshot it, Dominic suddenly goes on to appear on 10 out of 13 episodes. So... XD

I get this dynamic with D/D that since they know that their situation is so ridiculous, they'd be the type who can get over the things they did to each other and be able to accomplish amazing work together.

I agree! One thing I've always really liked ever since "Spy in the House of Love" was that Dominic knew what Adelle would do if she found him out from the get-go -- not that it makes it any less awful to, ya know, have your mind sucked out, but I think it sort of makes them weirdly even, like she's bizarrely justified in taking that measure. And they actually said something to that effect in their conversation here, which I dug. I wonder what Mr. Dominic was supposed to be up to after that scene; I am obstinately going to believe that the desperate times and all had them back fighting on the same side!

“You were a spy, you were caught. What did you think would happen?”
“Exactly what happened.”

I loved this part... especially since they were looking at each other with such intensity.

I wonder what Mr. Dominic was supposed to be up to after that scene; I am obstinately going to believe that the desperate times and all had them back fighting on the same side!
I guess Adelle wanted him to find Caroline? And then he did and got the "cure" then returned to the LA DH with it... then he and Adelle had babiez. Then they split up, he went to safe haven with the babiez and Adelle stayed with the DH peeps to take care of Topher. Then Caroline and Paul comes to collect them all of them. XD

Maybe he was there to help protect the Dollhouse? He was the head of security afterall. And, I'm assuming Boyd's gone and Paul's not much use.

My theory on this is that she sent him out to find Caroline (hence her telling him that Caroline had the "cure"/way to prevent getting wiped or whatever) which is why he's not in the later flashback, and Caroline and Ballard seem to know these people are still down there after god knows how long, waiting. He found Caroline ('course he did, he's awesome) and convinced her to go help the others (probably by stressing that all the former Actives were down there, helpless - actually, come to think of it, it's interesting that I'm not sure how Caroline would react to Dominic; he tried to kill her as Echo and she may remember that, but on the other hand he was technically also Not On The Dollhouse's Side, and may read as another "victim" to her on account of the Attic thing) and so Caroline and Ballard went and now he's waiting for the rest of them back at "safe haven" or wherethefuckever. (Where Alpha may or may not also be, judging by a line of Caroline's, which...my GOD.)

I just got to say that Dominic had the option of choking Adelle against the wall or just hitting her with his gun, but he chose to do a choke hold against a soft couch. XD

Also, I thought the posture was vaguely sexual in nature. (Him over her, her relaxed on her back...) I bet you that if it was Topher or any other male character at gunpoint, they would not be pressed down against a sofa. Up against a wall maybe, but not horizontal with him on top.

Also, I thought the posture was vaguely sexual in nature. (Him over her, her relaxed on her back...)

She was veeeery relaxed. And come to think of it, she seemed to be not threatened at all with the gun on her face...

Oh, I get the sense that they must have made it look romantic on purpose, right? There's no way that was an accident! The thing it actually reminded me of the most -- and I am loath to admit this because I am most definitely not a fan at all -- is that part in the Twilight film where Bella has her random little split-second fantasy or whatever of Edward being all properly vampirely and leaning over her while she lies there all damsel in distress and it's all sexy and actually sort of cool for like .2 seconds. (Which is something new and different for Twilight!) I present this random icon by damnprecious23 as evidence because it seems way easier to bust out than actually trying to search for screencaps on my blasted dial-up!



(Er, random disclaimer: DeWitt/Dominic >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> x100 Edward/Bella. At least in my very ardent opinion.)

So, yeah. That had to be deliberate UST crackling all over the flippin' place with our lovelies, right?? It was like the most exquisite thing I've seen in recent memory!

I so want to hear Joss talk about them someday, because it's just like, from whence comes all this pretty, can it really not be on purpose?? As is, I'm forced to read quotes like "I don’t think you can discount any relationships if the show gets to run longer. It’s easy for [Adelle] to say she’s done with Roger, but we all know that clearly this woman is hurting in a way that has not been solved. So whether it’s Roger she goes to or ultimately someone else, something’s gotta give." and randomly decide that the someone else MUST BE MR. DOMINIC and he is speaking to us in code. Very ... codelike code.

The thing it actually reminded me of the most -- and I am loath to admit this because I am most definitely not a fan at all -- is that part in the Twilight film where Bella has her random little split-second fantasy or whatever of Edward being all properly vampirely and leaning over her while she lies there all damsel in distress and it's all sexy and actually sort of cool for like .2 seconds. (Which is something new and different for Twilight!)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

As is, I'm forced to read quotes like "I don’t think you can discount any relationships if the show gets to run longer. It’s easy for [Adelle] to say she’s done with Roger, but we all know that clearly this woman is hurting in a way that has not been solved. So whether it’s Roger she goes to or ultimately someone else, something’s gotta give."
Recently, I had this dream wherein Reed Diamond was being interviewed for Epitaph One, and he was like, "oh, my UST with Olivia's character was planned from the start by Joss. It was fun.", or something to that effect. lololol

Oh, and I just watched the DeWitt/Dominic scenes in the original pilot. STILL HAS TENSION (although, they're more relaxed with each other... hmmm) And. How is it that Dominic's role was only supposed to be for that episode?

I hope your dreams are prophetic!! Hehe, I'm so excited -- perhaps, um, insanely so -- for the commentary, on the off chance that during their scenes Joss will finally shed some light on this mystery!

And, haha, I am saving the original pilot to actually watch when the DVD comes out (check me out with my self control!), and really, the only thing that ardently intrigues me about it is the notion of NEW DEWITT/DOMINIC INTERACTION, no matter how sparse! It's really kind of worrying how much my excitement about this show hinges upon their relationship. I feel sort of bad for all the other characters in comparison. I mean, I dig the show very much as a whole, but my DeWitt/Dominic love, it is in a whole different ballpark. A ballpark of glorious insanity.

It's really kind of worrying how much my excitement about this show hinges upon their relationship. I feel sort of bad for all the other characters in comparison. I mean, I dig the show very much as a whole, but my DeWitt/Dominic love, it is in a whole different ballpark. A ballpark of glorious insanity.

I am in that very same ballpark. I really like this ballpark of insanity. It has some great company!

It’s not that I don’t like the other characters or the other storylines that may be happening, but DeWitt/Dominic, there’s just something special about them. Literally, I wait in anticipation for anything subtext-y that could possibly, maybe relate in some one-off way to their COMPLETE AND TOTALLY APPARENT ADORATION OF EACH OTHER. Which is why I loved their Epitaph One office scene as much as I did. THE SUBTEXT, MY GOD. I WANT TO DRAW HEARTS AND FLOWERS ALL AROUND IT. AND THEM TOO. DeWitt/Dominic has turned me into a crazy person.

I mean, I dig the show very much as a whole, but my DeWitt/Dominic love, it is in a whole different ballpark. A ballpark of glorious insanity.

Lol. We're in the same ballpark. Dollhouse is one of the shows where the lead is alright, but everyone's so much fixated with the supporting characters. (Or maybe that's just me). I like everyone, even Paul (just make him walk around in just his pants...), but the things I get excited for are scenes with Adelle and Dominic. They say so much with so little dialogue. THEY JUST RADIATE AND GRAVITATE TOWARDS EACH OTHER.

I just got to say, DeWitt/Dominic has elevated me to a different level of crazy. And it scares me sometimes. lulz

"I don’t think you can discount any relationships if the show gets to run longer. It’s easy for [Adelle] to say she’s done with Roger, but we all know that clearly this woman is hurting in a way that has not been solved. So whether it’s Roger she goes to or ultimately someone else, something’s gotta give." and randomly decide that the someone else MUST BE MR. DOMINIC and he is speaking to us in code. Very ... codelike code.

Fuck, that ain't code, in this day and age that's the equivalent of screaming at the internet. C'mon, this is JOSS, right - he knows how we work! ;)

IDK, it's hard to just jump on something and say, oh, relationship, right there! But looking back on all of Joss' shows, every potential pairing we got hinted at, there was always at least some sort of pay-off, right? I mean, even with pairings that never quite made it over like hump, like Buffy/Xander or Xander/Willow, there was still enough playing with it to feel like a resolve. And then you get the ones where there's all sorts of epic, like Fred/Wesley or Wesley/Cordelia or dear god, Angel/Buffy. Even if and when characters eventually move on, they always seem to get these moments before it happens, where they're together for a bit or at the very least they acknowledge or revisit it. Joss is pretty dern good with his romantic threads. I find it hard to believe there could be so much subtext to trip the meter on these two without him being up to something.

And then you get the ones where there's all sorts of epic, like Fred/Wesley or Wesley/Cordelia or dear god, Angel/Buffy. Even if and when characters eventually move on, they always seem to get these moments before it happens, where they're together for a bit or at the very least they acknowledge or revisit it.

I cried during the series finale of Angel because of the Fred/Illyria/Wesley scene. That scene just slayed me. DDD:

Well, maybe if it was Topher.

*looks around innocently, as if to say, "Where did that come from?"*

Also, I thought the posture was vaguely sexual in nature.

oh yes. As I said in the picspam, I love the cut to the scene and adelle just gets thrown down on the couch, with her hand over her head... for a split second I thought OOOOH!! SEXY TIMES!! DOMINIC AND ADELLE! then I saw the gun pointed at her face. still, hot and sexy though.

Hi! New here. hehe.