In Dollhouse's premiere episode "Ghost", we are introduced to Echo in a flashback where we witness a distressed Caroline sign a deal with Adelle DeWitt (Olivia Williams). It is not until the seventh episode of the series seventh episode, "Echoes", that this backstory is elaborated on, and the audience discovers that Caroline Farrell was a college anti-war and animal rights activist, who got in over her head when she attempted to expose some of the unethical practices of the Rossum Corporation. Her boyfriend Leo was fatally shot in an attempt to escape the facility, and Caroline was hospitalised. Caroline is brought to Adelle DeWitt's attention, and we see they negotiate together until Caroline finally concedes to become an "Active" for five years, in exchange for a clean legal record. After her five year term, Caroline will remember nothing of her actions as Echo and be paid handsomely.