I made it through the first half hour then I had to change the channel. I will give it another try next week.

I've never liked Whedon. I did not like Buffy, Angel, or Fire Fly. I did try to like them at one point because the fan boy in me wanted to see what all the fuss was about but just never got into his shows. And as a comic writer, well as a comic fan I was just insulted by him writing for Marvel. But I do like Dushku, so I decided to give Dollhouse a look. Well surprise, surprise the show sucks. it won't make the full season run and the whole series will be available on DVD with never before shown episodes. I know all you fan of Whedon will argue with me, but come on with his track record and the fact the show is on Friday. It's just going to happen.

I did miss the characteristic Whedon wit in the first episode, but that doesn't mean there won't be any as things develop (how much can you do in the initial 45 minutes anyway?), and I was disappointed with the points where the show seemed to play up Ms. Dushku's attractiveness at the expense of narrative and character development (yes, she's lovely--but she also has the chance to do a lot more with her chops as a talented character actor in this show, so I'd rather see more of that and less of the T and A one gets from every talent-less bimbo in Hollywood. I'm more interested in her artistry than her arse).

That said, the premiere was still a breath of fresh air: in a general landscape of stultifying "reboots" and weary, formulaic cop and "reality" shows, Whedon is still one of the few left in the industry who seems to be willing and able to tell original, creative, well-written and well-acted stories. That's worth the price of admission in itself. I'm intrigued to see how he develops this.

I didn't really like Dollhouse. My problem is that I enjoy Joss Whedon's work because of the "quippy dialogue and fun". I don't care if the setting is a spaceship or the story is about vampires.

This episode of Dollhouse is lacking Joss' usual cleverness and heart. It just reminded me of typical FOX shows with lots of flash but no substance. I didn't see anything that felt like Joss Whedon. Instead I was reminded of Dark Angel and Alias.

That being said, I will keep watching because even bad Joss Wheon is better than dreary soulless crap like Fringe. I just hope FOX gets out of Joss' way and lets him make the show he is capable of.

Loved the bit where the guy told Echo he'd shut her up with something, and she said "I'm a little old for you".

Classic.

Yep, Whedon's take on Alias and I found myself missing the trademark Whedon-quips.
But, all that aside, we cannot expect everything Josh does to be some cookie-cutter quip-fest, and, at the end of the premiere episode, I guess it isn't a 'pilot' per se, I found myself wanting to see more.
It is a change-up for Josh, but the tension I felt between the darkness of the show's premise and the innocence of the dolls has me echoing Agent Ballard and Penny's sentiments, the dolls have been murdered and are nothing but ghosts now. It is way more sinister than it looks on the surface.
I'll be watching next week.

I liked it, but I will admit I thought it was off a bit. Will stick it out, but I am chalking this one up to Fox wanting Whedon to change his style of dialogue and such… Fox sucks.

Well I haven't gotten around to watching this on my TiVo yet, but as somebody who usually loves Whedon shows but finds about 9 out of every 10 "quips" as "annoyances trying too hard disguised as wit", the idea that the "clever" dialogue is allegedly lacking sounds great. If they aren't trying so hard, maybe they won't fail so loudly.

One failed series and one break-even movie does not make Joss' track record bad. Buffy ran for seven seasons and Angel for five, and Dr. Horrible got great response from both viewers and critics. I'm willing to bet that if Dollhouse is not all we would like it to be the main reason will be the meddling from the FOX executives. Since all thirteen episodes have already been completed it is too late to say this, but FOX should have kept their hands off and let Joss do what he does best. I'd love to see the original pilot, and I hope it ends up on the inevitable dvd set.

Its a ripoff of a childrens programme called Joe 90.A puppet show in the 1960's shown in the UK.

I look forward to watching the full season. I, too, wish Joss was given "full" freedom to do what he does best. I am a huge Firefly fan and am just discovering (and completely loving ... wow!) Angel through the late-night reruns on TNT. I find myself constantly saying, man ... this is really such a great series!! I wish they would run Buffy as well. I didn't get on board with that and now I wish I had! Anyway, I agree that it is difficult to "connect" with the characters in the same way, but that is no reason to write it off after 1 episode!! I am tired of well-done, original series being canceled because of "ratings" especially when people DVR shows or watch them on the internet. (And like others have said, when they put shows on nights that are set-up to have a low-show for their target. I mean, come on! A Friday night? SciFi shows like Battlestar suffer in "ratings" but not fans!!) Networks would be wise to realize that ratings aren't everything anymore. But I digress ...

I will hang in there and give Joss the benefit of the doubt. I hope the network will, too!!

It's different but I'll watch a few more episodes before I can give a fair opinion. Assuming it doesn't get canceled first. The ratings were pretty bad.

I don't care what people said, this was a good showing. Considering the dreck we get on a weekly basis from almost every show out there, including the SCI-FI line-up minus Sanctuary, this was an interesting and potentially thrilling start. It seemed a little flat only because it started off like they had established the story line already. Had it been given 2 hours to produce the pilot instead of 1, I have no doubt everyone here would be pleased with the results.

No this was not Whedonverse we've come to know and love. What it proves is that Joss Whedon doesn't have to be a one trick pony. Sure I love the fun dialogue and snappy banter of his past shows, but who's to say Dollhouse couldn't grow it's own following. The truth is Joss fell for the Fox line that they would give his show a chance and what do they do, they put it on Friday's at 9pm where they know nothing ever works. He was too trusting of a network that fracked him in the past. It also looks as though the ratings for the premiere were abysmal and there is no way Fox will keep it on for any more than 13 episodes. I believe that is a really optimistic number too. Too bad. The show has potential.

I wonder if we haven't gotten a little too impatient with .... everything. We want people to do interesting, novel things, so they do them and we love it, and then they want to try something new, and we wonder why it wasn't like the last cool thing they did. I thought it was an interesting premise, had good acting, some dark notes and some light comic promise. This episode had to lay down a lot of tracks in just an hour because it's a fairly complicated idea. One reviewer I read said the series really picks it up after the first few episodes, and I'm definitely willing to give it that chance. Weren't we all pissed off because Fox wouldn't give "Firefly" a chance? What are they going to think if WE won't give "Dollhouse" a chance? I suppose there's always the one millionth episode of "Law and Order" to watch, because THAT's always a surprise....

I thought it was great! I don't care what anyone says, Joss is brilliant, period. I don't see what the big deal about it being in a Friday time slot is. Four million viewers sounds like a lot to me. I can't wait to see where the Echo character he made goes.

I watched and thought it was okay. I don't worship all things Whedon but it was a decent TV show. I'm not sure what else people want from it... hopefully it will get some time to air and develop an audience.

Agent Paul Ballards is great, though irritating with pushing his way around. I enjoyed his character Halo on Galactica. Glad to see his acting continues. Got to see Conner Trinner show up on Terminator. He played such a fantastic character on Star Trek Enterprise. And as for Eliza Dushku… she is simply amazing. The part of her I'll feel the most for is the submissive / mind wiped Echo. Not because of her hot looks, but because she seems so innocent and adorable. It’s like I feel sorry for her, sorry in that she can’t understand what’s going on around her. And in the first episode when she walked in on that girl being wiped, she didn’t understand or know what to think. I loved Eliza’s acting, loved the show… heck—I loved seeing Eliza. I look forward to the next episode.

Two words for what ruined this show: Eliza Dushku. Her acting and presence gets nauseating. Couldn't watch the whole episode.

You know, we all complain about Fox and how it makes snap judgements about scifi shows and cancels them after one or two episodes before they can get going and build an audience, but I've been reading all the threads on the various stories about Dollhouse and we, as fans, seem to be just as bad. It's been ONE episode, guys! And Fox (the real bad guys, remember) insisted that Josh go back and re-work our intro to this world and this series, so what we've seen is not how Josh originally wanted to introduce this to us. Let's give the guy a chance to get up to speed, shall we? I have no faith in Fox either, but I do have faith in Whedon. And who knows? Maybe Fox will actually figure that owe him a little time after the crap they pulled with Firefly.

I was skeptical, I expected to not like it. I was wrong. I liked this show. I do not like the puppet masters who turn strong capable men and women into stepford people. I am looking forward to the character development and Echo's synapses and dendrites kicking in and making her become curious; and finding out the truth of her existance. Then wage war on her "keepers" esp the dude who wipes her memory and the chick who runs the organization. I hope fox gives this show a chance...I was happy to see the end credit for muntant enemy....grr arrgghh!!!

My wife and I both enjoyed the first episode and are looking forward to next week. I'm not wild about Dushku, but she was stronger in this than in previous shows.

More Dollhouse, please.

I liked the show. While I loved Buffy and Firefly, I never really got into Angel, so I don't think I'm a complete Whedonite, but it's got a permanent slot on my DVR recording schedule, for as long as the powers-that-want-crap-tv allow it to stay on the air.

I've never been a fan of Dushku, but loved Whedon's Buffy, Angel and Firefly, so had to give Dollhouse a try. It's missing the banter I enjoyed in the other two shows, and frankly, I don't see where Dollhouse can possibly go other than Echo malfunctioning (a la My Own Worst Enemy), and rebelling against the Dollhouse (a la My Own Worst Enemy). It's really not much more than a variation on Alias, IMHO.

So far the show is not the best I've ever seen (that would be Firefly) but it's far from the worst (Knight Rider......[shudder]). It's certainly watchable so I'll continue to let my DVR record this season and hope the show gets its legs soon.

"What could Joss give us at this point that wouldn't be just a little disappointing?"

More Firefly, that's what.

Like at least one person commented already, I immediately thought about the 'Alias' premise.

I liked the show. So far, It's not like Buffy, nor Firefly, but I wouldn't want it to be. Whedon's gone for a switch in his usual style of dialog writing here, as a lot of commenters have pointed out before me.

Too bad that the show got abysmal ratings first time out. Whedon's in for a rough one- again. I hope that it and The Sarah Connor Chronicles stick around at least a bit longer.

Methos, if you're following the comments, I wouldn't argue with you. You gave Whedon's stuff a try. At least you have an informed opinion. If you're a writer, you could have left a link to your work :)

I personally loved the episode, it was much better than Fringe and I feel it is only going to get better. So let's just give it a chance, Whedon has never let us down

Josh has not disappointed me yet. Although this episode could have been better, there are few better writers out there now a days so I'm going to give this show every chance. I'm still worried about the "Time Slot of Death!" but we can hope.

I thought the show was really good and well done. I'm not getting on the "Let's-hate-this-show" bandwagon. I'm putting down the koolaid and giving this show a chance. I found the pilot exciting and am looking forward to seeing all 2 episodes before FOX cancels it.

The show will grow. The set up is good. Give it and SCC. time. Both are good shows that can be great. Greatlooking men and women kicking butt if what Friday night TV is all about. FUN

I'll give it some time, but I was disappointed in the lack of good characters and snappy dialog (like the above review mentioned) that made me like his other shows. The "mythology" was never anything special. His shows were about the relationships and the humor, more than anything else. And I'm not quite sure how they can introduce those elements into a show like this. The concept has potential though, so maybe I'll grow to like it.

I for one thought it was a good start. If this show was done by anybody else no one would be complaining as much as they are. We all know the quips will come, Joss can't help it. The show will grow and expand given a chance. I don't know when people started giving up on a show after one episode but it's ridiculous, the point of a show is to tell a story over a longer period of time than they can with a movie or even a mini-series. I can tell this show will start to bloom. I just hope Fox gives it a chance and let its fan base build, they'll make their money on DVD sales alone if they give it enough time. Let's hope that they don't treat it like other Joss and Joss alum shows like Firefly, Drive, and Tru Calling, all of which where good shows, that I for one wanted to see a lot more of.

I enjoyed it very much. Did it have flaws? Yes, but it was only the first episode and any show on any network takes a few episodes for you to get to know the characters and some back stories on them.

I say it is worth looking at more and Fox should keep it. I also love Terminator!

was okay not a great start but will give it a try again.

Great show! I'll be watching any and every episode!

Suck it up? I'm not here to help the man make money - I'll tune in if there is entertaining and humorous wit. The first episode had lousy dialog, uninspired acting and lead which you probably have to be in lust with to find good. However since the dialog was so bad as it was I'm assuming it was Fox idiots who had rewritten it. So I will give it a few shots more, but mr Whedon, life is bleak - I don't need you to remind me of that I can just look out the window.

Bring the funny.

Boring!
Loved Buffy, loved Firefly. I'll give DH three more episodes and if still boring, I'm outa there!

I agree with several others here. I made it for about 15-20 minutes and then changed the channel. How can a idea like this be so boring. Maybe it should have just been a movie and then over. We won't be watching anymore at our house.

gotta say dollhouse was BAD. id sooner want a BTVS spin-off with Fiaith than i would this crap. still love Joss, just hate his new show.