Dollhouse - Episode 1x13: Epitaph One

[CowboyGuy]

Epitaph One

Story by: Joss Whedon

Teleplay by: Maurissa Tancharoen & Jed Whedon

Directed by: David Soloman

Air Date:
USA - Season 1 DVD
Australia - Season 1 DVD
UK - August 11, 2009

Plot:

SPOILER: Click to show

Takes a glimpse into the future to shed light on the true purpose of the Dollhouse.

Promotional Pictures:

SPOILER: Click to show

Preview Clips: Click here and here.

[tms]

Oooh, could this be the Season Finale?

(btw, hate to go off topic, but Phil, can you please reply to my PM?)

[CowboyGuy]

Mar 14, 2009 20:50:17 GMT -5 @tms said:

Oooh, could this be the Season Finale?

(btw, hate to go off topic, but Phil, can you please reply to my PM?)

Sure.

[tms]

Thank you

Now onto topic, any ideas on what the episode could be about?

[Rebecca]

It's called Epitaph One, so perhaps someone dies

I thought this was the last episode of the season, episode 13 of a half season, so maybe it ends on a cliff hanger with someone dying and the threat of someone else dying.

[dane5by5]

It's interesting that both "Omega" - Episode 12 and "Epitaph One" Episode 13 have connotations with ending and death.

I think "Epitaph One" will work on many different levels, likely the death ("epitaph") of Alpha ("one"), while also being the coda ("epitaph") of Season One. It could also indicate the end/"death" of Echo's lack of self awareness and lack of memory.

I think Joss Whedon would have the foresight to have this episode work either as a season finale or series finale, it would be the prudent way to execute the episode at this uncertain point.

As this is a Joss Whedon show, I think the only thing we can count on is death. Lots of death.

[AndrewCrossett]

"Alpha" and "Omega" are commonly used to connote "beginning and end." I wonder if it could be a hint as to what happens with Echo by the end of the season/half-season.

Alpha experienced a bleed-through of his various imprint personalities... he couldn't handle it, and it drove him insane. Echo is starting to experience the same thing, but if she manages to process it and keep her sanity, she could become a very powerful individual... someone with the specialized skills of dozens of different people.

Echo could be the successful conclusion to what Alpha started...the Omega.

[narflet]

We know this is the episode with Felicia in, and here are some interesting sounding spoiler-ish tidbits:

SPOILER: Click to show

1. It's a totally non-finale-ish stand-alone episode, and—here's the crazy part—it's apparently set in the future, after the apocalypse, amidst total anarchy.

2. As we reported last week, Dollhouse episode 14, aka "Epitaph One," takes place in the future, but we've since learned that the ep is set 30 years in the future, and that the episode includes no main characters.

(both from eonline)

[AndrewCrossett]

Judging by the spoilers that just came out on E! Online...

SPOILER: Click to show

...that the episode takes place 30 years in the future and includes no regular series characters...

...it looks to me more and more like Joss & Co. did this as an epilogue to a series they assumed would not be renewed for a second season. It would be kind of a strange way to end a first season if a second season is planned. I think if Fox does NOT renew the show for a second season, they'll wind up showing this ep in late May or early June as a sort of consolation prize for the fans. If they DO pick it up for a second season, we'll have to see this ep on DVD.

[Marcos]

Apr 14, 2009 9:50:25 GMT -5 AndrewCrossett said:

Judging by the spoilers that just came out on E! Online...

SPOILER: Click to show

...that the episode takes place 30 years in the future and includes no regular series characters...

...it looks to me more and more like Joss & Co. did this as an epilogue to a series they assumed would not be renewed for a second season. It would be kind of a strange way to end a first season if a second season is planned. I think if Fox does NOT renew the show for a second season, they'll wind up showing this ep in late May or early June as a sort of consolation prize for the fans. If they DO pick it up for a second season, we'll have to see this ep on DVD.

SPOILER: Click to show

Yeah, and if we got a season 2, we take Epitafh One to be a tale. But, would it be still canon? 'Cause it's 30 years in the future. It will obviusly show the Dollhouse situation in the future. So, if the show continues, this episode will be a major spoiler, won't it? At least one thing we'll know: will the Dollhouse keep working after Echo, Ballard, Adelle, are gone? Once we know it, imo it'll be a major spoiler...

But in Joss I trust. If he made it, it'll rock, hands down...

[Rebecca]

re spoilers above:

SPOILER: Click to show

I doubt the episode, if indeed it takes place 30 years into the future, would be a spoiler. Just think of Fray which was released before S7 concluded.

[jellymoff]

At PaleyFest tonight Joss said that Fox may consider airing the episode, and he was very exicted about how it turned out. It will definitly be on the DVD.

[Rebecca]

From SciFiWire.com:

SPOILER: Click to show

Whedon also elaborated on the show's storied 13th episode, "Epitaph One," a post-apocalyptic story featuring his Dr. Horrible star Felicia Day, which is not part of the series that will air on Fox.

"The decision had to do with the studio saying, 'We need another episode for our package, and we can't afford one,'" Whedon said. "'Can you do a clip show? Can we show the unaired pilot?' I'm like, 'No, you can't. It wouldn't make any sense. Besides, we cannibalized it for parts. Most of it's in other episodes.' And they were like, 'Well, we really have to have 13 for foreign.' And I said, 'I'll tell you what. I'll shoot a post-apocalyptic thriller that's all on our sets in six days with a cast of four other people, then we'll pepper it with different bits from our regular cast, and we can do it all during the schedule. It'll cost you half. I can do this.' And I was so in love with the idea that I just came up with off the top of my head, and that's what it turned into. It's one of the best episodes we've ever made."

In a separate interview, Day—who revealed the existence of the episode in her Twitter feed—detailed the 13th episode. "I think Joss has said already that it's a post-apocalyptic fighter girl," Day said in an exclusive interview on the red carpet. "That set is amazing. It's a beautiful, beautiful set. I slipped on the floor a lot. That beautiful wooden floor is a little slippery."

When she realized that her comment implies that the Dollhouse set is still intact in the future, Day backtracked. "I can't say that," she said. "I did tour the set. I did visit. I don't want to spoil it. It's pretty exciting. It's the best script I've ever read. When I read it, I was like, 'Are you sure you want me to do this?' Because I was kind of blown away by the role. I think when you see this episode, you're going to really want to see more of this episode."

Felicia Day?? Post-Apocalyptic Fighter Girl?

Anyone else thinking Fray?

Put it in spoiler tags... I'm so bad at that!!

[Marcos]

Apr 16, 2009 18:37:21 GMT -5 Rebecca said:

From SciFiWire.com:

Whedon also elaborated on the show's storied 13th episode, "Epitaph One," a post-apocalyptic story featuring his Dr. Horrible star Felicia Day, which is not part of the series that will air on Fox.

"The decision had to do with the studio saying, 'We need another episode for our package, and we can't afford one,'" Whedon said. "'Can you do a clip show? Can we show the unaired pilot?' I'm like, 'No, you can't. It wouldn't make any sense. Besides, we cannibalized it for parts. Most of it's in other episodes.' And they were like, 'Well, we really have to have 13 for foreign.' And I said, 'I'll tell you what. I'll shoot a post-apocalyptic thriller that's all on our sets in six days with a cast of four other people, then we'll pepper it with different bits from our regular cast, and we can do it all during the schedule. It'll cost you half. I can do this.' And I was so in love with the idea that I just came up with off the top of my head, and that's what it turned into. It's one of the best episodes we've ever made."

In a separate interview, Day—who revealed the existence of the episode in her Twitter feed—detailed the 13th episode. "I think Joss has said already that it's a post-apocalyptic fighter girl," Day said in an exclusive interview on the red carpet. "That set is amazing. It's a beautiful, beautiful set. I slipped on the floor a lot. That beautiful wooden floor is a little slippery."

When she realized that her comment implies that the Dollhouse set is still intact in the future, Day backtracked. "I can't say that," she said. "I did tour the set. I did visit. I don't want to spoil it. It's pretty exciting. It's the best script I've ever read. When I read it, I was like, 'Are you sure you want me to do this?' Because I was kind of blown away by the role. I think when you see this episode, you're going to really want to see more of this episode."

Felicia Day?? Post-Apocalyptic Fighter Girl?

Anyone else thinking Fray?

Wow, it would be kinda AWESOME, but I guess it's dreaming too much. Joss wouldn't spent the last amount of budget he got for DOLLHOUSE and spend it in a Buffyverse related thing that already has plenty of space in the comics...

But yeah, it makes me smile to imagine Felicia's Fray.

I'm imagine something more in the line of Dark Angel...

[Rebecca]

Oh no, I probably should have been more clear.

SPOILER: Click to show

I don't think Joss would try to tie the universes.... nonono. I just think maybe he "borrowed" his own idea and incorporated it into Dollhouse.

Also, he said he did the 13th ep for HALF the budget of a normal show, including 4 extra actors (including Felicia Day, apparently).

Watching the episode, either on DVD or on TV, I will be giving Joss even more credit knowing that he did it on a limited budget.

[Midnight Butterfly]

The only thing I seen Felicia Day in was Dr.Horrible and Buffy. I cant picture her being a future fighter girl. Other than Buffy has she ever taken on any fighter roles before??

[Marcos]

Oh, I get it now, Rebecca, and u're totally right. We already know that budget is not an issue to Joss' talent, and that really makes it more special. Dr Horrible wouldn't be that much impressive if it was a studio thing. And I bet Epitaph One will be really special, in every sense.

One thing just intrigued me SO FRAKING MUCH:

SPOILER: Click to show

MR: So how many more episodes will air? Is that known yet?

JW: We don't know. I'm still negotiating with the network and the studio to try to get them to air the thirteenth episode.

MR: So that idea is not dead in the water?

JW: Well, I think it probably is and they're just being nice to me. It's going to be very weird to come back to a Season 2 not having aired that episode. I'll also say that it will be weird to come back to a Season 2 having aired that episode. We can't pretend it's not canon, it's going to be on the DVD and it's going to air [in foreign markets]. It won't be ignored. Therefore it's a weird little bind that we've got into. I'm hoping the thirteenth will air, I'm pretty proud of it.

MR: So airing it hinges on "Dollhouse" getting renewed -- is that what I'm hearing?

JW: I think they're connected. I wouldn't say it necessarily hinges on it.

So, I understood Epitaph One IS a bridge between seasons 1 and 2. But how come, if it's in the future? Joss said it's also weird to air it before season 2, so, this interview just made me wish I could travel forward in time to see the damn episode in fox or the dvds!!

source: featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/04/dollhouse-joss-whedon-fox-eliza-dushku.html

[Rebecca]

SPOILER: Click to show

Perhaps Joss means that Epitaph One would function as a bridge in some respect, but it would be difficult to air months before S2 as it does take place years into the future. That it might be confusing. It might also be confusing if it aired as a season premier, because it's in the future. I see the bind they're in.

[Marcos]

Either way, it'll rock S.O. H.A.R.D.!

[snizapman6294]

okay so i think i get why they decided to not show it:

So Fox agreed to produce 13 episodes. This includes the original pilot. So when Joss asked them for an extra finale episode, FOX said that there was simply no room in the budget for a 14th episode because they had already shot the unaired pilot, leaving "Epitaph One" in limbo.

so, from what i gather, it has nothing to do wtih FOX wanting the dvd sales to do well, it has to do with the money for airing time and whatnot. and it just coincidently will make them more money for there being (technically) two extra episodes on the DVD/Blu-Ray.

hope i helped clear everything up!