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So Dollhouse episode 6 was the game changer. Secrets were revealed and the action stakes were ramped up with some quality back alley fist fighting action. How would episode 7 raise the stakes further? By revealing the back story of our brainwashed heroine.

Out of all the episodes so far 'Echoes' is really Echo's episode (obviously). Most of the intrigue and revelations thus far have focused on the mysterious background of the Dollhouse and whispers of the renegade Alpha. But here we get to find out how Carolyn came to become Echo by signing her body, mind and soul over to the Rossum Corporation for five long years.

When a secret mind control drug escapes into the atmosphere of a university campus - where the Rossum Corporation houses its secretive laboratories - students become intoxicated by mind altering effects. Victor and Sierra are sent in as government agents as part of a federal quarantine. Meanwhile, whilst on a basic pleasure mission Echo sees the outbreak on a TV news report. The images trigger vacant memories of being at the university campus and she suddenly gives in to the impulse to return there straight away.

Flashbacks throughout the episode enlighten us to the fact that Carolyn was a green activist who along with her boyfriend and partner in crime broke into the university campus in an attempt to gather evidence that would show Rossum to be conducting illegal experiments on animals. Suffice to say the raid didn't go well and just hours later Carolyn found herself in a locked room with Adelle DeWitt and a tough decision to make.

One of the highlights of this episode was the performances of Olivia Williams and Fran Kranz as both the stuffy Adelle and sketchy at the best of times Topher become infected by the mind-bending drug. They pulled off the spaced-out-stoner profile with amusing affect. Another highlight was Victor as the by the book special agent. It was a great moment when he pulled rank on Mr. Dominic.

Episode 7 might not have been as rip-roaring as 'Man on the Street' but it managed to raise the interest level further whilst keeping us guessing over the sinister secrets that cloak the Dollhouse and it's league of conspirators. My only niggle would be that I didn't like seeing my main man Boyd Langton so ineffective when he first tried to reign in Echo on the campus. Come on Langton... man up!

Surely Alpha is set to make an extended experience sometime soon?

Can't wait to see Dollhouse episode 8? Then head over to our video page to see a sneak preview.

The SCI FI Channel has just announced that Dollhouse season 2 will premiere on SCI FI in the UK. Read the full story here.

Written by Peter HolleyEditor

Pete is the community manager for scifi.co.uk. Favourite films include Blade Runner, Akira, The Thing, Videodrome and The Shining. Favourite guilty pleasure - Highlander 2.

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