User Reviews

"Stage Fright" has its moments, but it also has the same problem as the previous episode, "Target": the real juice is on the side stuff, not on the center stuff. The revelation of Lubov as a Dollhouse Active (so that's what Adelle meant in "Target" when she said that the appropriate measures concerning Paul Ballard have been taken!), or the fact that Echo and Sierra seem to be developing some sort of friendship that goes beyond their programming, are more interesting to watch than an unoriginal "bodyguard to a pop star" story and the clichéd "psycho-stalker-No. 1 fan" figure (at least we get to hear Eliza Dushku sing - and she doesn't sound bad at all). Jaime Lee Kirchner gives a pretty good performance as the pop star, but her story is really nothing more than a vehicle to prove a point about Echo's unusually creative mind that extends beyond her given orders. *** out of 4.

I was holding out hope for this series to gel sooner or later. Since my 'name' shows allegiance to Mutant Enemy productions, I consider comments I make to be largely FAN-ning flames here. Yet, seeing where Echo 'winks' at Sierra in the end of this episode, I assume a thousand new fans have been created. That may not be enough for FOX to green-light another 13 episodes, but I believe profitable DVD sales are a lock. No matter how restrictive a network can be, Whedon will rise above their challenges. I could see, in the 1st episodes, how FOX dumbed down the finished product. At least a deal was struck in the back room that allowed Joss' lotuses to blossom. And HERE is the charming, 3rd ep.. So surprise, Echo can 'sing' with the best of 'em. Eliza is convincing, her magic parallels the man who blessed her with the TV role of a lifetime. Her greatest investment is in Dollhouse, as an artist AND a producer. It will reap untold reward. -PLUS, use of the word 'reap' in this ep. was most satisfying. Hooray!

After an attempt on the life of pop diva Rayna Russell her manager contracts Dollhouse to provide her with protection. Echo is given the task; she isn't programmed to be a bodyguard though; she is to be a backing singer with a very strong urge to protect Rayna. She isn't the only active on the mission; newcomer Sierra is to be her 'number one fan' who has won a competition to spend time with her heroine. Echo is soon convinced that the threat is very real; she also comes to worry that Rayna may be hoping to be killed! Meanwhile FBI Agent Ballard's investigation takes a dangerous turn when it emerges that his Russian contact is actually a Dollhouse active who is setting him up to be killed.

This was another fine episode with some unexpected twists. I was pleased to see that while there is an 'mission of the week' story there are also references to past events as we see Boyd is still recovering from the injury he received in the previous story. There are also some interesting hints about more sinister aspects of Dollhouse and how actives who show signs of being troublesome are sent to 'The Attic'. The resolution of the story was a lot of fun; it was entirely plausible that some thought Echo had gone off mission in a dangerous way while others claim she was expanding them in a way that would ultimately help Rayna. The setting provides an excuse for plenty of fan service with scantily clad characters appearing as part of Rayna's routine and Echo changing her top in public. The progress of Ballard's investigation also proved interesting and contained a real surprise. The cast does a solid job; Eliza Dushku continues to impress as Echo and Jaime Lee Kirchner really impressed as Rayna.

The good; Not much. Ballard is one tough nut to take on the Russian mobsters. If you never watched the ep 'Echo' then Victor's true identity is a heck of shock

The bad; Such a weak story, you wonder if Joss had to take a week off sick? Must also have been hugely expensive?

Best line; Rayna (of Echo); "Did they grow you in a lab?" and Echo; "Bitch, you can fire me but don't ever think you can take me!"

Packing heat; Echo takes the villain's Walther PPK

Kinky dinky; Rock chick ED and scantily clad Rayna is stunning. Rayna's manager apparently uses twins (like Jonathon's in the Buffy story 'Superstar' and a recurring fantasy/fetish in Joss' work) from the Dollhouse to relieve tension (better than Valium?). Topher likes the idea of Rayna and Echo getting romantic

Notches on the Dollhouse bedpost; Echo; 2

How'd they get away with that? The diva is so blatantly Beyonce it's a wonder she didn't sue?

This weeks fantasy; Bodyguard and backing singer for Echo, No1 fan for Sierra.

Total number personalities; 1 each for Echo and Sierra Echo; 9 Sierra; 3 Victor; 1

Total dolls;3 Echo, Sierra and Victor

Addy is a bit British; Faced with another British actor her accent goes into overdrive

Topher is a bit geeky; Keen to know the inside scoop on the gorgeous music superstar

Subverting the Hollywood cliché The successful Hollywood diva is actually suicidal

Bondage; Sierra tied up; 1

Kills; Sierra; 2 kills Echo; 1

Dolls injured; Sierra roughed up

Know the face? Jim Piddock who plays Rayna's manager was memorable as the Valet in The Trial episode of Angel (also a screenwriter now). 5th Whedon alumni-Mark Shepherd, Amy Acker, walking action figure, Eliza Dushku, Jim Piddock

Guantanamo; Rayna's manager slaps her but possibly she deserves it? Echo then knocks her senseless with a chair and uses her as bait to trap the assassin.

Fanfic; Plenty where Rayna and Echo do get romantic.

Reminds me off; The assassin's crutches scene reminiscent of Day of the Jackal. No1 fan is how Mark Chapman described himself to Stephen King at a book-signing before later shooting John Lennon, a story which inspired Misery

Questions and observations; Does ED do her own singing? If she does it's a pity she missed Once More with Feeling on Buffy. In lots of little ways Echo seems to be breaking her programming and her kinship with Sierra becomes apparent. Why does the Dollhouse seem to use Victor to set Ballard up yet has Mellie trying to get the inside scoop on him?

Marks out of 10; 5/10, actually enjoyed this more when re-watching than I thought I would