Whedonesque : Comments on 22531 : (SPOILER) Joss gives working title of Dollhouse finale.

Is this a somewhat tongue in cheek tweet, or the actual title?

The Return to what? Safe Haven? The Dollhouse? The Source? Bouncy The Rat?

It says 'working title' so I assume it's not finalized.

'The Return' could refer to many things inside the Dollhouse world so I don't think its tongue in cheek. But I've been wrong before... many times. Actually, most the time, so I'm going to stop writing now.

LaneMeyer | December 02, 20:53 CET

Revenge of the Dolls!

nasarius | December 02, 20:59 CET

The Return of The Living Dead.

Brasilian Chaos Man | December 02, 21:03 CET

Epitaph, Too: The Return of Sue Sylvester.

The One True b!X | December 02, 21:05 CET

I'd Hulu the shit out of that, b!X.

gossi | December 02, 21:07 CET

Hope that's a joke, cuz otherwise? Kinda lame.

Linnea1928 | December 02, 21:09 CET

Epitaph Two: The Epitaphening.

Polter-Cow | December 02, 21:10 CET

Boyd returns for Claire and finds there is no one but Whiskey?

Topher returns to answer the phone?

Claire returns with a new-found appreciation of sweater vests?

Seriously, I think simply "Epitaph Two" will do fine. Or maybe "Epitaph Zero" if that fits the timeline better. Or maybe "Echo Location" to drive us all batty. Or...

MissKittysMom | December 02, 21:15 CET

Epitaph: Part Deux.

The Dark Shape | December 02, 21:16 CET

I trust Maureen Ryan's interpretation of Joss's tone. I expect it's the real (working) title. It's possible she also meant the tweet tongue in cheek but I'm thinking no.

[ edited by Sunfire on 2009-12-02 21:18 ]

Sunfire | December 02, 21:16 CET

Gosh, 'The Return' is probably the most clichee subtitle in the history of mankind. It tells nothing about the episode and doesn't sound cool or something. However, I would love an "Epitaph Two".

LaputanMachine | December 02, 21:21 CET

Hey, FYI, your spoiler cut doesn't work on the RSS feed (which is how I read Whedonesque).

So I just read this spoiler without meaning to or wanting to, and as I try to avoid all spoilers I'm quite annoyed about it! I'd far prefer to be surprised by Felicia's appearance, and to have no idea of the form the finale will take...

mermaidnz | December 02, 21:22 CET

Sorry. I just assumed, for some reason, that the RSS feed respected the cut.

The One True b!X | December 02, 21:23 CET

>>Epitaph Two: The Epitaphening

That might be the best title ever!

miVi3k | December 02, 21:26 CET

mermaidnz I can help you forget about that...would you like a treatment?

jamesthegill | December 02, 21:26 CET

I like some funnies in my episode titles, so I hope this get finalized. It's very Joss. Not very Dollhouse, but VERY Joss.

Jaymii | December 02, 21:27 CET

Damn. My entry in the pool was "Revenge of the Active."

Pointy | December 02, 21:30 CET

"The Return" is clearly a reference to post-apocalyptic tax returns. "Going to the attic" is slang for being sent up there to dig through old tax records. What could be scarier?

RayHill | December 02, 21:32 CET

Oh snap! I'm all for Epitaph Dos: Dia de los Apocalypse, or Epitaph 1.5: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Hell, Epithet Two would suffice, since no one on IMDb seems to know the difference.

GoldDust12 | December 02, 21:33 CET

Well, it's better than Epitaph 1: II.

Good news no matter what the title. I approve of returning to the epitaph. Sounds timey-wimey.

jcs | December 02, 21:34 CET

Damn, you mean its not Epitaph Two: Electric Boogaloo?

Kayley | December 02, 21:35 CET

Maybe it's "Epitaph to the Return" despite that making no sense whatsoever. (You can sing it to "Highway to the Danger Zone", however.)

[ edited by The One True b!X on 2009-12-02 21:36 ]

The One True b!X | December 02, 21:35 CET

Maybe we can just go with King Crimson:

Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path.
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh,
But I fear tomorrow, we'll be crying...

MissKittysMom | December 02, 21:39 CET

>>>Good news no matter what the title. I approve of returning to the epitaph.

Totally agree. They can call it Epitaph Up 2 the Streetz for all I care, at least we get to see some more of 2019.

GoldDust12 | December 02, 21:40 CET

Hopefully "The Return" bit is a joke and the "Epitaph Two" bit isn't.

NotaViking | December 02, 21:41 CET

It's "return" as in "Return to the Future". Like "Back to the Future". You can't actually go "back" to someplace forwards, so it's kinda confusing, no?

Riker | December 02, 21:41 CET

Epitaph2Men.

The One True b!X | December 02, 21:42 CET

I think if anyone can pull of a clichéd title to work perfectly and with a lot of Wow, Bonanza and Didn't-See-That-Coming, it's Joss and this writing team. And, to be honest, Whedonverse episode titles were often quite clichéd and still the episodes didn't suffer for it.

wiesengrund | December 02, 21:58 CET

I don't think its cliched as such, more schlock. And in my personal opinion, reserving the right to withdraw after seeing the rest of the season, that just doesn't seem like Dollhouse's style.

That doesn't however mean that I don't like it.

Apocalypse | December 02, 22:02 CET

Epitaph Two: Epitaph Harder

aus-mitch | December 02, 22:03 CET

I'd be happier if it was Epitaph Five: Endgame.

Simon | December 02, 22:09 CET

Epitaph 2.0: Live Free or Attic

Jaymii | December 02, 22:12 CET

This thread is a title gold mine.

"Epitaph Deux"

ManEnoughToAdmitIt | December 02, 22:15 CET

Maybe he's calling it "Epitaph 2: The Return" to slyly encourage Fox to air "Epitaph 1" before it (I know, not gonna happen). That would've been a cooler way to schedule it, continue the Dollhouse double-header Fridays--Eps 11 and 12 of Season 2 the first week back in January, then "Epitaph 1" and "Epitaph 2" the following week.

But we're lucky enough as it is that Fox is continuing to give airspace to the series, can't expect them to throw in an extra hour (and whatever licensing costs come attatched with using "Epitaph 1"?).

Kris | December 02, 22:16 CET

I would bet "The Return" would reference a return to the Dollhouse by our leads, more than a return to the future by the viewers. But I dunno.

Jobo | December 02, 22:33 CET

I was picturing something more like "Ultimate Epitaph" or "Epitaph Ultimatum". But it's cool.

Numfar PTB | December 02, 22:37 CET

Epitaph 2: The Return of Joss to the Internet (where he shall conquer the world and force mean Fox Executives to watch all his heart wrenching death scenes until they end up in the fetal position sobbing for their Mommy)

Or, you know, possibly something slightly more relevant to the actual show.

corinna | December 02, 22:43 CET

Epitaph Two- Return to Serenity. (Hey, we can dream- I was thinking about the trek back to Safe Haven, and that last word set me off into the farthest reaches of the Jossverse. And Youtube.)

~MG

MirandaGhost | December 02, 22:55 CET

I'm just happy beyond words for a return to the Epitaph One future (assuming that is indeed what this episode will be.)

How about "Epitaph Two: Only on DVD"? ;-)

AnotherFireflyfan | December 02, 23:22 CET

How about Epitaph II:3D?

zz9 | December 02, 23:46 CET

So is Hollow Man going to be our actual finale like Omega was last year? I'm so excited though... this is going to be an epic finish.

nuccbko | December 02, 23:48 CET

zz9, don't jinx it! I want to see the episode this year! (Well, in 2010 technically, when it should air).

AnotherFireflyfan | December 03, 00:35 CET

Hey MirandaGhost, you don't need to sign your comments here. It's automagically done for you.

I do hope they come up with a better title in the end. It captures the gist of the thing but it's very meh.

Sunfire | December 03, 00:51 CET

Sunfire, tell Joss that. :P

- Jamie... oh shi-

Jaymii | December 03, 00:55 CET

The title is actually "Epitaph Two: Return". Or just "Return" if you prefer. Not sure where the 'the' comes from. This post? Not easy to parse.

gossi | December 03, 00:59 CET

The movie will be Epitaph Three, right? ;-)

AnotherFireflyfan | December 03, 01:11 CET

Epitaph One Begins
The Dark Epitaph
Epitaph One: The Curse of the Tech
Epitaph One: Butcher's Imrinting Chair
Epitaph One: At Safe Haven
Epitaph One: Revenge of Dumb Shows
Epitaph One with a Vengeance
Epitaph Zero: Evolution
The Assasination of Actuals by the Coward Topher Brink

Anuris | December 03, 01:16 CET

Epitaph Royale
Quantum of Epitaphs
Golden Epitaph
Actuals Nevers Die
Safe Haven is Not Enough

Ok, I need to stop...

Anuris | December 03, 01:19 CET

Topher Brink and the Everlasting tech.
Topher Brink and the House of Secrets.
Topher Brink and the Doll of Attic-ban.
Topher Brink and the Shelf of Minds.
Topher Brink and the Order from Adelle
Topher Brink and the Half-Real Doctor.
and finally
Topher Brink and the Epitaph.

I tell you something, I want to read these books. If Joss (or Jed/Mo) wrote them and came up with better names, that is.

Jaymii | December 03, 01:28 CET

Confusion will be your Epitaph...

Dana5140 | December 03, 02:03 CET

I actually really like "Epitaph Two: Return" as a title. It may be a bit cliche but I think it sets a dark/ominous tone and the finale needed epitaph in the title! Can't wait to see it! Just makes me a bit sad that they may have ended each season with a epitaph and we won't get to see them now.

silent knight | December 03, 02:11 CET

For some reason "Return," is much more resonant than "The Return." Perhaps because it reminds me of such classic fraught with meaning one word titles as Becoming, Passion, Chosen, Grave, Restless, Hush, Belonging, Sanctuary, Serenity, etc.

Of course there's also The Gift and The Body and a few other great "The" titles, but whatever.

bonzob | December 03, 02:23 CET

Ah, Epitaph Two: Return is a fine title and should make more sense when we see it.

Also, Felicia+Jed+Maurissa+Chambliss = aces.

gossi | December 03, 02:37 CET

Epitaph: Resurrection

Pointy | December 03, 03:37 CET

Epitaph: The Final Chapter
Epitaph: 2.0
Shadow of the Epitaph
Epitaph: Escape From the Dollhouse
Golddiggers of Epitaph
Epitaph: The Last Stand
Bride of Epitaph
Epitaph: The Revenge
Epitaph: Fully Loaded
Epitaph Rides Again

QuoterGal | December 03, 04:37 CET

The Final Epitah :)
Epitah 8: Global Meltdown
Return of the Epitah
Epitah Revolutions
Epitah One, Vol. 2

DeezyG | December 03, 04:46 CET

What's an epitah?

The One True b!X | December 03, 04:47 CET

"Epitaph Two:Return" makes me think of Joss typing out the title then hitting the Return key. So really it's just "Epitaph Two".

cabri | December 03, 05:00 CET

I think this is an "Epitah" but maybe it's this.

I know it's fierce and has teeth, anyway.

< RETURN >

QuoterGal | December 03, 05:02 CET

Which means we can expect a FOX press release soon with the title listed as "Epitaph Two: Carriage Return".

The One True b!X | December 03, 05:02 CET

No, no, no, FOX would list it as "Epitaph Two:Enter". There are no carriage returns on a computer!

cabri | December 03, 05:05 CET

Sure there are.

The One True b!X | December 03, 05:06 CET

You're giving FOX too much credit. If it's not written on the top of a key, it's not there.

cabri | December 03, 05:38 CET

Or "Epitaph Two: Line Feed" cos I think Fox are into the *nixs, 1970 feels more their speed.

Epitaph 2: Attack of the Clones
Epitaph 2: Beyond the Valley of the Dollhouse
Epitaph 2: Die Epitaph Die
Epitaph 2: Epitaph vs The Wolfman
Epitaph 2: The Return Down the Ladder (The Roof Was Kind of a Dead End, Boy do we Feel Silly)
Epitaph 1++

Sounds timey-wimey.

Not to mention wibbly wobbly.

Saje | December 03, 08:27 CET

I love it when things make a beautiful circle like that, no matter how pear-shaped and, well, wibbly wobbly it goes in the process.

QuoterGal | December 03, 10:10 CET

And the Australian title

The Future Project: Slightly More Futureish

Progressive_Stupidity | December 03, 10:56 CET

Epitaph Two: The future is worth fighting for

(As a homage to the tagline for Serenity)

Simon | December 03, 11:11 CET

Epitaph 2: They Already Misbehaved

The Future Project: Slightly More Futureish

Heh ;). The Future Project 2: The Futurer Project.

I love it when things make a beautiful circle like that, no matter how pear-shaped and, well, wibbly wobbly it goes in the process.

Yikes. Well, I understood the T-shirt at least ;) (though the other one was also pretty interesting).

Saje | December 03, 11:28 CET

Ok, some more title suggestions inspired by Joss' other work:

Epitaph Two: The Epitaph in the Woods
Topher the Actuals Slayer
Topher the Epitaphs Destroyer
Epitaph Two: Once More with Tech
Dr. Brink's Wipe-Along Blog
City of... Epitaphs
Fool for Tech
Lies My Programmer Told Me
Shiny Happy Dumb Shows

Or why not use titles of other whedonverse episodes that could (without change) fit to Dollhouse? For example:

Apocalypse, Nowish
Tabula Rasa
The Dark Age
War Zone (pun definitely intended)
A New World
The Price
Consequences
Doomed
End of Days
Why We Fight
Shells
Who Are You?
Out of My Mind
War Stories
The House Always Wins
Safe
The Message
I Will Remember You
Real Me
Intervention
I Was Made to Love You

Yeah, I know I'm hugely off-topic here and I will stop now.

Anuris | December 03, 12:45 CET

I Am Become Dollhouse, Destroyer of Worlds
The Treasure of Sierra in Nevada
See You In November
The Dollhouse Always Wins
Hell Bent for Whiskey
Last Tango in Paris
Brink of Disaster

MissKittysMom | December 03, 16:09 CET

"Brink of Disaster"?? Oh hells yes, MissKittysMom. I'd pay cash money to watch an episode with that title.

knitgrrl | December 03, 16:58 CET

Second that.

I Am Become Dollhouse, Destroyer of Worlds

"Now we Are All Sons of Imprints" ;).

Saje | December 03, 17:12 CET

I know that this is a common sense idea that Fox will never go for, but if they airing Epitaph Two, shouldn't Fox air Epitaph One as well on Jan. 22. So fans know what's going on. Or since by then, all will be watching will be diehards who have already seen E1, it wouldn't make sense to air it.

crazygolfa | December 03, 19:08 CET

MissKittysMom, "Brink of Disaster" is sheeer geeen-yus.

I don't think I can go on if I don't get to see that in some form or another. (I'm going to imagine it as an episode they thought of but just didn't get to do.)

And yeah, crazygolfa, it would be so commonsensical to air Epitaph One along with Epitaph Two: Electric Bugaloo that I imagine that's a reason to assume it won't happen.

Yikes. Well, I understood the T-shirt at least ;) (though the other one was also pretty interesting).

I thought it was pretty interesting, too - that is, the parts of it I could follow. What I really liked is that it was on a blog called "Can't Stop the Signal" - thus connecting my dots most beautifully.

Wibbly wobbly is my phrase du jour today...

QuoterGal | December 03, 20:46 CET

December 02 2009