Ep 2. Instinct

Dollhouse season 2 episode 2, titled "Instinct", follows the story of Echo, a "doll" who is hired out to clients for various purposes. In this episode, Echo is programmed to assume the persona of a mother to help a troubled family overcome its conflicts.

The family in question consists of a father, two teenage daughters, and a younger son. The elder daughter, Maddy, is a talented musician who has just been kicked out of school for drug possession. The younger daughter, Zoe, is a rebellious rebel who is angry at her sister and her father for various reasons. The father, Mr. Karan, is a workaholic who has been neglecting his family, leading to their current state of turmoil.

Echo is programmed to assume the role of a mother named Janice after the original Janice mysteriously disappears. Janice is described as a stern, no-nonsense mother who can whip the family into shape. Echo is soon absorbed by her new role, going to great lengths to help the family.

She convinces Mr. Karan to take a trip with his son and leave the house for a while so that she can bond with the daughters. She helps Maddy work on her music and gives Zoe the attention she craves. Things start to look up as the family bonds over their shared experiences.

However, Echo's programming begins to malfunction when she starts having flashbacks of her own mother. She becomes more maternal towards the family, making Mr. Karan suspicious of her true identity. Meanwhile, Maddy's drug dealer shows up at the house, putting their newfound stability in jeopardy.

As Echo struggles to balance her programming with her newfound maternal instincts, the episode becomes a thought-provoking exploration of what it truly means to be a mother. Can Echo continue to play the role of Janice, or will she have to break her programming to help the family in the way that they truly need?

Overall, "Instinct" is a tense and emotional episode that adds depth to Echo's character while also exploring important themes of family, identity, and motherhood. Fans of the show are sure to find it a compelling addition to the series.