6. Dollhouse - "Man in the Street": Three Flowers In A Vase
Dollhouse wasn't everyone's cup of tea as a series and its somewhat understandable the overall aim of the show was less clear than Angel and Buffy's heroism or Firefly's message of family and home, and it took a while for people to get engaged. However, most people realised how good the show could be when Whedon wrote and directed middle-of-the-season-episode 'Man on the Street' and gave us a fantastic twist. Sweet, adorable Mellie is a friend/romantic interest of FBI agent Ballard and is targeted by the Dollhouse to make Ballard cease and desist. She's attacked in her apartment, nearly killed and then Adelle turns the tables, using the phrase 'there are three flowers in a vase, the third flower is green,' revealing Mellie to be an Active. Mellie kicks the assassin's ass, breaks his neck and then reverts to her 'Mellie' persona, tearful and scared. It was a brilliant moment that made the sweet Mellie a hero for a moment and also showed that you can trust no one in the Dollhouse universe.