DVD LOUNGE – DOLLHOUSE: THE COMPLETE SEASON 2 (dvd review)

20th Century Fox // Released October 12, 2010 // Unrated

The Pitch
From creative mastermind Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) comes the stunning final season of this sexy thriller that that will reveal all the secrets and complete your collection! As Dollhouse continues to provide its elite clientele with “actives” – human beings imprinted with the personas of whomever the client wants them to be – its mind-altering technology spins dangerously out of control. Now, an unlikely alliance must attempt to destroy the sinister corporation behind the facade. And, as the lovely, lethal active Echo (Eliza Dushku) struggles with the memories of her past, she must unlock the deadly secret that will ultimately determine the fate of all mankind.

The Review
Whedon’s mind-wiped heroine, Echo, returns in this sweeping, although brief second season, which features her search for identity, but also a Michael Crichton-esque reminder of the dangers of technology. This season included appearances by several Whedon and genrealum including Alexis Denisof, Summer Glau, Jamie Bamber, Michael Hogan, Vincent Ventresca, Keith Carradine, Amy Acker, Felicia Day, Ray Wise, Patton Oswalt, and Alan Tudyk.

As fans of the series (and the first season) know, Dollhouse is not for casual viewers, but the second season does feel disjointed, not sure to focus on Echo’s search for her true identity, Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) plotting to bring the Dollhouse down from within, the politics and conspiracies within the company or establishing the future to come as seen in Epitath One from the Season 1 DVD collection.

All in all, the series does work as a finite piece of entertainment and the series’ final few episodes feature some shocking twists and turns, but do work in context of the overall story. Extras include commentaries, outtakes, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes and retrospective featurette. The package also includes a limited edition comic.

Dollhouse: The Complete Season 2 is not for a viewer who hasn’t seen the first season, but for a fan, the complete series is an adventure worth revisiting. Recommended.