Dollhouse

Why do intelligent TV shows get cancelled all the time?

When this show moved away from single episode arcs, revolving about the assignments, and turned to handling complex themes like - how does one deal with the ethical questions around this kind of human trafficking (-> self-deception, mostly) - what makes a personality - how does an Active cope when confronted with the fact that apparently s/he gave up his/her personality willingly - what makes one give up his personality and allow oneself to be dealt with like a "thing"

Dollhouse became a truly fascinating show. Yet entertaining, captivating. Which of course led to it being cancelled. Oh, sigh.

Okay, I'll admit, when I watched the first episode of this show I was a little let down. As a long time Whedon-fan I'd had high hopes for his TV return. The pilot didn't exactly have me clapping my hands and doing cartwheels. The next few episodes held my interest, but it was mid-way through the season (when Fox stopped interfering) that the trademark Whedon-brilliance really appeared.

The show was no longer just about Echo, but started to give more screen time to the other characters, who are all as perfectly flawed and human as they can be. We started to get a stronger sense of the underlying arc, the moral ambiguities that the Dollhouse presents became more apparent and I found myself counting the hours till I could watch the next episode.

This is a show that will make you think and question. If you want mindless fluff, go elsewhere (90210, anyone?). If you want real, intelligent television (with a whole lot of fun mixed in), then Dollhouse is it.

...that FOX is letting this one go. The time-slot didn't help (Friday night is usually the go-out-and-party-night) so most folks (like me) would TiVo this or DVR it for later viewing (which doesn't count to the networks, I guess). More's the pity. This show is really picking up steam and the story lines are getting better and better, especially now that the Echo, Sierra and Victor characters are being fleshed out more and given extremely interesting back stories. Eliza Dushku is a find as the tough, enigmatic protagonist of this series and since FOX isn't going to allow this cool show to go past two seasons, I sincerely hope they have the common sense to keep her on the payroll for other projects. Her chemistry with both good-guy Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Pennikett) and with brilliantly insane psycho nut-job Alpha (Alan Tudyk) is palpable and riveting. The casting of Olivia Williams as the ice queen in charge of the Dollhouse is spot on while Harry Lennix and Fran Kranz (as cool head security dude Langton and as genius programmer nerd Brink, respectively) add another dimension to the whole show. I'll continue watching this unique and entertaining series until it finally bows out a short time from now and hope that some other network may step in at the last minute and save it though that seems unlikely (again, pity). This is just a cool, pseudo sci-fi type show that probably had the misfortune of a cruddy time slot because everything else (the acting, writing, casting) was brilliant. Too bad more people didn't watch it or give it a chance.

Any Joss Whedon fan knows that he creates a full world. Beginning to end and at first he gives you the smallest glimpse. So the first season you don't really grasp his concept, but as it goes along you get pulled into that world.

The psychological background and action sequences keep getting better. I've fallen in love with the characters. The story line makes me gasp with amazement. The concept grows and just boggles my mind.

The first season was the slow start, thus far the second season is amazing. Now that I've watch season one and most of season two I find myself totally immersed in the show. I look forward to it being on for an hour every week... and when the episode is over I'm in TV shock.

And then I want more!!!

This series is centred on Echo, a young woman who is in the 'fantasy fulfilment' business. Having committed certain offences, which are revealed later, she has been persuaded to give five years of her life to the Dollhouse. During this time her mind is wiped and she will live as a doll. When hired the required personality will be downloaded into her mind and she will fulfil that person's desires. Echo isn't the only doll, over the course of the series we get to know other dolls, who are both male and female, their handlers and key workers in the Dollhouse; notable Echo's handler Boyd Langton; Adelle DeWitt, head of the LA Dollhouse Adelle DeWitt; Laurence Dominic, her head of security; scientist Topher Brink and Doctor Claire Saunders. Outside the Dollhouse and its wealthy clients it is considered an urban legend but FBI Agent Paul Ballard believes in it and is determined to expose it; something that will put him in considerable danger. Early on we get many 'client of the week' stories but gradually the overarching plot takes over. Then we learn more about the Dollhouses and the shadowy corporation behind them.

As one might expect from a series created by Joss Whedon there are plenty of interesting ideas and great characters... also like some of his other series it was ended too soon. The early episodes do an impressive job of introducing key characters without telling us too much about them... there are some surprising revelations throughout the series. The nature of some of the Dolls' engagements mean it could easily have become a little sleazy but this is avoided this by giving a good mix of stories. The cast, which includes many Whedon regulars, does an impressive job. Most notable of these is Eliza Dushku who does a really fine job as Echo; Harry Lennix, as Boyd Langton; Tahmoh Penikett as Ballard; Fran Kranz, as Topher; Olivia Williams as Adelle DeWitt; Amy Acker as Dr Saunders; and Enver Gjokaj and Dichen Lachman, as dolls Victor and Sierra respectively. Most episodes include a good amount of varied action and plenty of tension. The plot obviously includes many science fiction elements but it is more about characters than technology so even if you aren't a sci-fi fan you can enjoy this. Overall I'd definitely recommend this; don't be put off by its premature ending; it does have a proper conclusion.