So what does everyone think of Dollhouse so far?
I think it’s pretty good. It has potential to get a lot better. I don’t think Eliza Dushku is all that great at the role, but she’s not sinking the ship, like that woman in Fringe. (And yeah, Walter is keeping that boat afloat.)
Spoilers all over the place, so if you haven’t watched it yet, read this at your own risk.
After the first episode, I thought it had a lot in common with Alias—a woman who assumes different identities, most of them kick-ass, while working for an evil group. But I thought the pilot was rather ambiguous about whether we’re supposed to think the Dollhouse is cool or evil. Or both.
Second episode I thought had some predictable moments (it was obvious her date was going to start hunting her) and some surprises. The backstory about all the actives except Echo getting killed was great. The storyline about the guy who’s trying to uncover the Dollhouse gets a little annoying.
Anyone else watching?
I’ve only seen the first episode so far, but I already hate the dislike the uncovering the Dollhouse storyline.
Comment by jjohnsen — February 24, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
I’m watching and enjoying it enough to make sure and watch each episode. The dialogue is good and the acting is pretty good too. I hope it starts to go somewhere soon.
Comment by Kent (MC) — February 24, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
I’ve watched two episodes on Hulu. It’s definitely watchable – I’ve always liked Joss Whedon’s sense of humor and the dialog in his shows. I think Eliza Dushku is kind of a poor choice for a lead, though. I don’t know if I’ll be able to deal with that sad puppy dog face she does 12 times per show. And I feel a little icky watching her do the sex object thing because she looks like she’s 15.
And not to be a sexist pig, but Whedon’s ham-fisted girl power agenda is soooo predictable at this point. It’s funny how consistent he is with the scientific aspects of his shows, yet somehow the 105 lb waif always knows enough secret kung-fu to take out a room full of henchmen. I still found myself coming away entertained though, so no harm done. I’m a sucker for big budget scifi stuff.
Comment by kwk — February 24, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
I’m watching. I like it so far. I’m interested in Echo’s story. I’m mostly bugged by that FBI guy or whoever he is—that part of the storyline kind of feels like it gets in the way. I don’t totally love Eliza Dushku, but she gets points with me for being a Buffy alum.
Comment by bythelbs — February 24, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
Yeah, the woman in Fringe is the worst thing about the show. All the other characters are pretty compelling and what make the show great.
Comment by Clark — February 24, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
BTW – I think Joss Whedon is amazingly overrated. Although I know folks will vehemently disagree with me. Just don’t post any bad pictures of me in retaliation.
Comment by Clark — February 24, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Good: The “Dolls” story line is interesting and especially the interaction with their protectors. A lot of cool stuff the can do (and can/will go wrong!) The backstory seems really cool too.
Bad: FBI, the whole thing is so unnecessary. Eliza, sorry girl, I’m not buying it (ditto the “Girl Power” from above).
Ugly: None – there are no ugly people in the Dollhouse world.
Conclusion: Basic Whedon, cool concept, totally overdone. I’ll leave it on the DVR until it’s canceled after this first season.
Comment by Darin H — February 24, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
I like it so far, but there are some plot problems. Seems to me there are a lot of holes in the backstory that have yet to be filled, and some contradictions that need to be explained. I’m willing to give it a chance though.
I’m kinda surprised at the negative statements about Dushku. Nothin’ but love for her here.
Clark, I agree that Whedon has had a free pass too often, but you have to give him some credit for the innovative thinking that got him there. I’ll tolerate a lot of questionable moves and give him a lot of second chances because of Dr. Horrible alone. And ok, Serenity was pretty good too.
Comment by MCQ — February 24, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
I haven’t seen Dollhouse yet, but I will forever come to the defense of Anna Torv. I think she’s great.
Comment by BTD Greg — February 24, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
I like it. I agree that the FBI angle is lame. I disagree about Eliza; she seems fine in the role to me. And I love women who kick ass, so that aspect of the Whedon worldview is something I actually appreciate.
Comment by Kevin Barney — February 24, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
re: Joss Whedon
I think he is pretty uneven.
I loved the first handful of seasons of Buffy, and it remained watchable to the end. Some of Angel was OK. Firefly was really good, but Serenity was awful. (It completely lost the wonderful home cooking feel of the series going for a big scifi galaxy saving theme.)
He has his thing. I haven’t watched Dollhouse yet, but think this is the production that will make or break him. Firefly showed expansion as an artist.* But where his themes are so recurrent, and his schtick sometimes so predictable, there is a good chance that he will become the epitome of himself.
*(There is a scene is Firefly where the Cpt sleeps with a friend of the on board ‘hostess’ who is in love with him. When she finds out she gives him the oh so enlightened isn’t sex beautiful speech, but then goes in private and weeps terribly. When I saw that I thought, yep, he may yet escape an adolescent view of men and women and faddish blather over sexual identity. But it really is yet to be seen.) ~
Comment by Thomas Parkin — February 25, 2009 @ 5:24 am
I have been watching it on HULU and so far it is good enough to get me to watch the next episode, but I wouldn’t be sad if it was cancelled.
And Walter does make Fringe worth it.
Comment by TStevens — February 25, 2009 @ 7:11 am
Dushku overacts with her face and it bugs the hell out of me.
Comment by The Brit — February 25, 2009 @ 7:57 am
Meh. I like Wheedon, but this lacks the trademark fun and snappy dialogue, IMO. And I’m not a fan of Dushku.
Comment by Ben — February 25, 2009 @ 9:30 am
I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it yet. It has potential though. And I’m willing to watch a bit longer because I’m a Whedon fan.
Comment by Rebecca — February 25, 2009 @ 10:38 am
We’re liking it so far.
Comment by gabby — February 25, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
7/10
Comment by Supergenius — February 25, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
…and that’s being generous.
Comment by Supergenius — February 25, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Dollhouse is mediocre so far. And Dushku isn’t helping; I’m not sure it’s her acting or just her characters. I liked her as Faith but I don’t think it was a good idea to make her the main character in Dollhouse. Anyway, even if you like the show, you’ll have to admit this is Whedon’s worst so far.
Fringe on the other hand is a decent show, and became really great in the last episode. If they stop following the X-Files “case of the week” formula and expand on the revelations in the last episode, it really has a lot of potential. Even if it becomes closer to Heroes at some point I won’t mind; that show is dead anyway. Also, the characters are quite likeable and even if I find Anna Torv a bit cold I don’t dislike her as others seem to.
Comment by cib3k — March 2, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
Wow. That last one was a STINK BOMB.
Comment by The Brit — March 3, 2009 @ 8:21 am
I want to love but I don’t. Meh. I can forgive Whedon a lot, but I’m having a hard time seeing how this world and these characters can develop into something as rich in texture and symbolism as the Buffyverse or even Firefly. But then I kinda felt that way about the first season of Buffy, fluffy fun, but meh. But I stuck in there and it was so worth it. So I guess I stick.
I’m pretty sure ECS said that Dushku’s mom is in her ward.
Comment by fMhlisa — March 5, 2009 @ 12:24 am