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This review may contain spoilers.

Just as the previous week’s two-parter had the tension and game-changing momentum of a season finale, “Meet Jane Doe” takes “Dollhouse” into yet another direction.

The series’ timeline conveniently jumps over the three-month period wherein Echo (Eliza Dushku) has been wandering free from the Dollhouse. She and Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) have been hatching plans to infiltrate the Dollhouse, but the most surprising element is that Boyd (Harry Lennix) also is a part of their upstart rebellion. The early part of the season seemed to hint at an inevitable faceoff between Echo’s two handlers, but given the regime changes at the Dollhouse during Echo’s absence, it actually makes more sense that Boyd would side with Ballard.

And that brings us back to the Dollhouse itself.

Having lost track of her No. 1 Active, Adelle (Olivia Williams) has been stripped of our responsibility at the Dollhouse, making her far more sinister than ever before. In her eyes, it is a matter of self-preservation, and while this Darwinian attitude certainly befits what we already know about the character, one can’t help but wonder if even Adelle’s conscience can only bear so much.

In the grand scheme of things, the most important plot point of the episode is the fact that Topher (Fran Kranz) has been rapidly developing more and more sophisticated tech for the Dollhouse. In fact, he has already developed the remote imprinting technology that ultimately leads to the post-apocalyptic future glimpsed in last season’s “Epitaph One.”

What Worked

With the jump in time, “Dollhouse” has sped up its character development by leaps and bounds. Each member of the main cast has become radically different than they were in the first season, but amazingly, it all rings true to who these people are.

If there’s one thing Joss Whedon fans have come to expect, it’s his masterfully crafted character arcs.

Take “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” for example. Throughout the course of that series, Spike (James Marsters) transformed from one of Buffy’s most formidable enemies to ultimately claiming a part of her heart and sacrificing himself to save the world. He essentially developed from villain to hero.

And “Dollhouse” is similarly toying with the morality of its characters, especially in the case of Topher. Though he may be the most unassuming member of the main cast, Topher has, without a doubt, become its most fascinating. It’s been interesting to watch his arrogance in his tech skills develop into sheer terror at the capability of what he’s created and his realization that he’s delivered it into the wrong hands. In many ways, he has become Whedon’s own Dr. Frankenstein, and Kranz consistently improves his performance of the character.

“Meet Jane Doe” also addressed other long-simmering plot points, finally taking baby steps forward in the romance between Ballard and Echo. Since the show’s first episode, he has been obsessed with her, strongly hinting that the story was going in this direction. Although I’m sure Joss Whedon didn’t intend to advance the story so far so fast, it’s comforting to know that he and his creative team are speeding things along now that time is limited.

The jump in time was a brilliant way to go. In a lot of ways, “Meet Jane Doe” resembles what one would imagine a third season premiere of “Dollhouse” would have been like.

What Didn't Work

While the subplot involving Echo’s efforts to free a wrongfully imprisoned woman really doesn’t directly affect the main plot, it does serve to build suspense for her inevitable return to the Dollhouse.

Victor (Enver Gjokaj) and Sierra (Dichen Lachman) are, again, given short shrift, despite the looming series finale. The brief mention of Sierra’s possible transfer to a new Dollhouse in Dubai seemed underdeveloped, though I’m sure one of the few remaining episodes will more directly address their story and likely involve their liberation from the Dollhouse.

With a half-dozen episodes left to tie up the show’s lingering plotlines, the “Dollhouse” team has its work cut out for itself if they’re going to provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

“Dollhouse” stars Eliza Dushku, Harry Lennix, Fran Kranz, Tahmoh Penikett, Enver Gjokaj, Dichen Lachman and Olivia Williams. “Meet Jane Doe” was written by Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon and Andrew Chambliss and was directed by Dwight Little. “Dollhouse” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET on Fox.