According to Joss, the events in Season 2 will be very much informed by the happenings in Epitaph so I certainly don't see it as being non-canon at all. In fact, Joss mentions the unaired episode has helped them gain direction for the series and help the actors in digging into thier characters...
I'm not sure if it met any quality level folks were expecting but if this episode is a sign of where the show is going from here on out - consider me totally onboard and excited. That was honestly the first episode that truly "clicked" for me. The trademarks quips and snappy dialogue (I loved...
Yes, the client could go out and contract a high caliber third party negotiator who's supposedly an expert based on the credentials he/she has on paper. Or, being that he's wealthy and has likely been made aware of this Dollhouse agency through positive word of mouth from other uber-wealthy...