We are free as the wind through the trees, or so we are told.

[intrikate88]

"And then you found out your neighbor's a-
"Doll, yeah."
"...I was going to say 'victim'."

I just figured out Dollhouse and Paul Ballard with that one exchange. I'm halfway through "Briar Rose" and I'm leaving for a party with weathered2dust , but I'll be back for the rest in a bit. (ALSO: ALAN TUDYK. LOVE.)

But yes, Paul. This bit of dialogue shows that the actives as victims is no longer the first thing on his mind. Melly, as a victim, as HIS victim, is no longer the first thing on his mind. It's a show, for his story, about OBSESSION. Not about a hero.

Where else have we seen this sort of theme? I think it's been most prominent in some of Hitchcock's films- especially Vertigo, a film which I kind of hated, by the way. Dollhouse is actually like Vertigo, in many ways. You have a protagonist who's got some problems in his head. You have the loyal girl sidekick who's in love with him, but she also has some problems with her self-image and her relationship to Scottie, and a beautiful object of obsession who's victimized by both the man she's working for and the man devoted to "saving" her, but also complicit in a plot.

More analysis to follow, must run now. feel free to discuss in the comments for the next entry.

Comments

[threerings.livejournal.com]

I think you're right about Paul's story. It is becoming a Vertigo-ish obsession for him. It's obviously not just about saving people, because he doesn't even seem to care about the fate of any of the dolls besides Caroline.

Hmm, still need Dollhouse icon.

[intrikate88.livejournal.com]

Need Dollhouse icon too. Preferably something that isn't depressingly serious. This show is becoming really heavy lately and... I don't know. It's all about the dark side of fantasy and pretending, too, and pretending things like there's a part of me that's still a little girl is where I go to get away from the bad stuff of the world.

[ninamazing.livejournal.com]

ALAN TUDYK SO MUCH LOOOOOOOOVE. :D

UGH. I liked that line too, because it shows that Paul Ballard has fucking lost it. I am so over him. And see how little trouble he had grabbing a Doll and being all, "Come here! Take your clothes off! Stand there! Hide!"

He's basically stopped thinking of them as people. FAIL, PAUL. FAIIIIIIL.

Love the Vertigo comparison.

[intrikate88.livejournal.com]

FAIL, INDEED. I'm over Paul, too. This episode had such weird things to say about the rescuing hero role and.. I don't know if it was clumsy or paradoxical or really too subtle for me to figure out on a broken brain like mine. But he has fucking lost it, and when you throw out all connections in your life to chase this person you've created in your head? THAT'S WHEN GIRLS FALL OFF TOWERS OKAY? It's just this.. fuck, so many things. It's the whole damn Othering pedestalizing putting someone in a pretty box and pretending its for everyone's benefit that you're breaking their bones to fit that box. This is how people are hurt and empires are built and minorities are suppressed. (Katie: needs more literary theory in her life.)

This ep did broadcast Alan Tudyk's talents as an actor, though, transitioning so well. It was rather brilliant. For all of Alpha's masquerading, you have to admit that he's the one person in the entire show who sees straight through the bullshit and decides who he is. (The editing of the shots with him cutting Victor's face, though, that was kind of awkward, don't you think?) I know it's simplistic to like a bad guy just because he's obviously a bad guy, but there are so much funner adventures to be had with outright bad guys than guys who think they are good rescuing heroes but are really just obsessed unhealthy solipsistic victimizing strange men.

[thunderemerald.livejournal.com]

Paul has lost it. And I love that they weren't afraid to taint him like that. First with the rape of Mellie, then with that line. Damn. I love and hate this show at the same time.