"Belonging": How (Not) to Get the Girl

Just look at that guy's face. One glance at that slimy, self-confident, dead-eyed smile would be enough to send any girl running in the opposite, which is what Sierra will try to do throughout this episode of Dollhouse, "Belonging". As one of the last episodes of the final season, this episode serves as the show's way of tying up loose plot ends; specifically, Sierra's reasons for entering the Dollhouse.

Up until this point, one of the main moral objections to the activities of the Dollhouse has been how they force Actives to perform sexual acts, degrade themselves, and sometimes kill others, all without the Actives' knowledge or explicit consent. The Dollhouse, in the form of Adele DeWitt counters this point by showing how normal people with personal issues volunteer to be Dolls, and are financially or otherwise assisted for their service.

Anthony, a former U.S. Marine and veteran of the Iraq War, volunteered to become "Victor" for the Dollhouse in Los Angeles in exchange for the Dollhouse relieving him of his crippling PTSD. Madeline joins the Dollhouse as sleeper Active "November" in order to have the memory of losing her only child wiped away. Even Caroline somewhat "volunteered" to become Echo, trading her personality for the chance to not go to prison on terrorism charges (it's a long story). However, it has been up in the air as to why Sierra decided to join the Dollhouse, if it was ever her decision at all.

Which it wasn't. Not at all. Sierra had no say in the matter. Not even a little bit.

Next week, I'll detail exactly how Priya - a carefree bohemian artist from Australia - was trapped in the Dollhouse by the man above, Dr. Nolan Kinnard.