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Why we love Dollhouse—and why we hate it!
Dollhouse finishes up its first season tonight with "Omega," an episode that might turn out to be the series finale as well.
Audiences have had a love/hate relationship with Joss Whedon's controversial series from the start, so as Dollhouse prepares to say farewell—perhaps forever—some will be riveted to their televisions, while others who've given up on the show will happily find something else to do Friday night.
SCI FI Wire has found two viewers—one who can't wait to see what tonight's Dollhouse finale will bring, and another who started watching the series in hope but has since turned away in disgust—and asked them to tell us why.
Alyx Dellamonica can't wait to see what Joss Whedon has up his sleeve in the Dollhouse finale:
I'll be the first to admit that the pilot episode of Joss Whedon's new series, Dollhouse, was far from strong. Though the opener did an adequate job of setting up the characters and the "programmable people" premise of the show, it lacked snap ... and in that first week I had to doubt whether I'd still be around three or four weeks later. Subsequent episodes were uneven, and more than once the show teetered on the edge of my "life's too short" list.
Now we're roaring towards the finale, "Omega," and I'm not just hanging in—I'm genuinely excited.
What kept me coming back every week, until I finally admitted I was hooked? First, there's the concept itself. Dollhouse is yet another attempt to recapture the quirky magic of Quantum Leap. This variation on the theme is much darker, but Echo's handlers are essentially custom-building amnesiacs who can solve their clients' problems and realize their dreams, however dangerous or deluded, and then disappear.
At its best, the show raises questions about power, slavery and prostitution. It considers whether giving people exactly what they need—if only for a few days—might be more damaging than leaving them to struggle. Dollhouse has yet to really dig into this material, yet, but there's more than a glimmer of potential here, and I hope it gets the chance.
That said, the real draw of this show has always been its cast. Joss Whedon is such a good writer that it's easy to forget that he also has an extraordinary eye for acting talent. This series is no exception. Eliza Dushku, always incandescent, has been successful both in making her childlike Echo persona into something more than a cipher—no small feat—and in playing a convincingly different character from week to week in Echo's various "engagements." Harry Lennix as handler Boyd Langton has grown from an apparently faceless suit into an intriguing puzzle: Why is such an obviously good man involved with this morally specious operation? The Dollhouse staff—Amy Acker, Fran Kranz, Olivia Williams and the incomparably smarmy Reed Diamond are consistently creepy. And Tahmoh Penikett, always one of the best things about Battlestar Galactica, has been riveting as the show's heart: Agent Paul Ballard, the obsessive FBI agent whose own desperate need is truth about the Dollhouse. His doomed relationship with Miracle Laurie's November—and why does poor Tahmoh always end up with the artificial girl?—has been an antidote for one glaring series drawback. When most of the main characters have no continuous memory, how deeply can you care?
And now Alan Tudyk has turned up, with a bravura performance in "Briar Rose." I'd been spoiled for his guest appearance, but knowing what was to come didn't matter once Tudyk was actually onscreen. As he babbled his way through that first panicked, hyperkinetic, delicious monologue, viewers could finally hear the engine of the Dollhouse season-one story arc revving into overdrive.
Because that's the thing about Whedon shows—they have immense narrative energy. In mid-season, viewers may not have known where any given storyline of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel was going, but there was never any question that it was going somewhere cool ... and usually fast. That's been true of Dollhouse. Whedon's finales pay off: They make sense, and they answer whatever questions the previous episodes have raised. I'm not the only fan who found season seven of Buffy to be a bit of a grind, I know, but few would argue that "Chosen," the series finale, was anything less than unforgettable. This isn't The X-Files, or Lost: When it's over, viewers should have more to take away with them than a big "Huh?" or a sense of having been scammed.
That's what I'm hoping to see as this first season of Dollhouse winds up: something that will blow back my hair, something that will stick with me over the summer. Despite a slow start, I'm in Agent Ballard's corner: I cannot wait to see the truth unfold.
Janna Silverstein has better things to do than watch the Dollhouse finale:
Let me be perfectly clear. I've been a member in good standing of the Church of Joss Whedon for quite a while now. I always came to it late. I didn't discover Buffy the Vampire Slayer until the series was well under way, and then I became a dedicated fan ... until that last, dreadful season. I didn't come to Firefly until it was off the air and the Browncoats were on the march. I admit it: I became and still am a fan. During the run-up to the premiere of Dollhouse—the rumors of network tinkering, the delays, the speculation about whether the show was actually going to appear—I intended to start from the beginning and be in on the ground floor of Joss Whedon's newest brainchild. I wanted to believe.
When it finally did air, Dollhouse presented us with a repertoire of Whedon tropes we've seen time and again: the powerful woman-child with no control over her fate, the clever, lovable genius, the Sekrit Cabal with Sekrit Powers, and a message about society's habitual exploitation of women: It's bad-bad-bad. Yep, I've been there before.
Then there was Eliza Dushku. She's awfully pretty with her big, dark eyes and a pout that suggests some private sadness. She's also awfully skinny and childlike. I want her to eat a sandwich and stop looking like an undernourished teenager. In fact, I've felt that way about every woman cast in a Whedon vehicle except for Jewel Staite and Morena Baccarin. I also want someone to give Dushku a skirt long enough to sufficiently cover her cutie patootie. I'm not a prude; Dushku's got great legs, and she's paid to show them off (I sense a meta-theme here). But she's also paid to act, and, as much as I want a fellow brunette to succeed (because the blondes get all the press), I just don't find her convincing. I was never able to get emotionally invested in her blank-slate, slide-show-changeable character. It's not just about Dushku's performance; I never found a way to care about the protagonist. That's a problem. I also see a lot of Faith coming through in her performance, and I can't shake the feeling—once again—that I've seen this before.
It was Star Trek: The Next Generation that birthed a new science fiction television tradition: A series needs a season or so to really blossom. Twenty-two years after that show's debut, it seems as though most genre shows need a rev-up period to set their stories in motion. Genre TV fans almost expect it. With Dollhouse, we were asked to wait until magical episode 6 to finally understand where the series was going. What I decided at about episode 4 was that I was tired of waiting. I didn't have to wait for Chuck to get its ass in gear, and in two seasons it neither disappointed nor slowed down to be sure that I Got the Point. This was also true of Battlestar Galactica, at least in the beginning. My time is valuable. Good storytelling may take time, but I'm not interested in listening to an orchestra tune up. I want the symphony when the curtain rises. It can be done, and it has been done many times before.
So here we are at the end of the season. I have friends lining up to view the finale, lips smacking with anticipation. Me? I'm done. There's other great SF on television. Maybe I'll come back to the show when it's on DVD and I can watch it in one marathon viewing.
On second thought: Nah. My time's worth too much.
What do you think? When the Dollhouse finale airs, will you be there?
By DeanBear at 11:40 AM ON 05/08/09
Hell, I will be there...I wasn't much of a fan of Buffy (except the movie was a really cheesy piece of genius) and I liked Firefly and Serenity...but this little gem in the Whedonverse deserves another season...now all we have to do is get Fox to stop screwing around with Joss. And casting Alan Tudyk as Alpha was brilliant.
By Al at 11:53 AM ON 05/08/09
I, for one, will watch the finale. I've followed the show off and on the whole season and although I never expect Fox to do the right thing, I'm at least hopeful for the possibility of a second season.
Alyx is a big fan and I agree with many points of his praise, though not to his extent.
Janna, who claimed to be a member of the "Church of Joss Whedon" seems to exude the exact opposite in every sentence criticizing everything from story to actors to concepts. (Exploitation of women? What are Alan and Enver?)
I've enjoyed the season and recommend it to my friends. Joss has done well and the show deserves a continuation.
Will it happen? We'll soon find out.
By James at 11:56 AM ON 05/08/09
What's with all the buffy season 7 hate? I liked seasons 5, 6 and 7 the best of all of them. Perhpas it's because I didn't actually watch any Buffy until the DVDs, so I could watch them straight through.
By Captain Zacary R Wildstar Captain SSD Dexterous at 12:06 PM ON 05/08/09
i dont watch this show and really know nothing about it. I just want to thank scifi wire for putting on something else than "How Great and wonderful the new star trek movie is and is doing today! as i said i dont know this show but if it is around in 43 years i hope who ever reboots it wont mess it up for it's fans
By Red at 12:25 PM ON 05/08/09
I will watch for sure...it is just getting good. Starting to get traction. Shows really need at least two seasons to get dialed in and I think this one is on its way to start exploring deeper story lines now that we are introduced to the concept and characters enough. Like Firefly (which is of course in a much higher league then Dollhouse) the show will be canceled too soon if they kill it now.
By MattLive at 12:29 PM ON 05/08/09
Change night for Dollhouse and give it a chance with a Season 2.
Sci-Fi friday should be passed to the 90s. This is a high concept-show that should be paired with strong procedural drama. I think people may still be intrigued to see where Whedon takes Dollhouse.
Because of the slower reveal of the season story arc, the show may have lost some less patient viewers. When episodes are just so-so (because they work as story build ups) I think viewers may not tune in to watch if nothing else is attracting their attention on the same channel during that night.
No one tunes in on a friday night only to watch Dollhouse if they only are mildly interested. They may however watch it online/DVR at a later date or forget it entirely, which could explain the lower ratings. That's the predicament with high concept shows with slow season story arc progression set on a Friday night with an outdated programming strategy like "Sci-fi Friday".
People watch other high-concept shows like "Lost". Lost is a sci-fi/fantasy show in disguise but seldom is it called a Sci-fi show. That's why you can't market smart shows as Sci-fi if you want a broader audience - some people don't identify everything by that label or wants to be identified as part of that demographic that like "Sci-Fi".
Also, look at all the sci-fi/fantasy during blockbuster season who attracts a very broad audience - which is a nice contraction. Plenty of sci-fi is being watched but people don't use that word for their movies when they market them because of it's conflicting connotation.
By GoblinRevolution at 12:37 PM ON 05/08/09
"There's other great SF on television."
Really? Can you tell me where it is? The only "great" SF on television is Doctor Who and that is a BBC production.
Dollhouse is the only thing that the US has for SF that is any good, or at least well written.
By WhedonForever at 12:38 PM ON 05/08/09
It's interesting how some folks say they're big Joss fans and watched Buffy, etc. But then they say things like, "I didn't watch Buffy until season 3" or "I caught Firefly on DVD" (which I'll admit to). Then they go and try to compare Dollhouse with mid-series Buffy. If you were watching mid-series Buffy you were a fan that had invested emotionally in the characters. Buffy Season 1 will never be nominated for anything. To me, Whedon shows are about the casts. Some click right away, like Firefly, and others take time to develop like Angel. With the plot device of mind erasing and the amoral/immoral actions of some of the 'protagonists' this has been a tougher show to invest in. Some shows have the characters motivations laid out at the get go and the only big change is who they sleep with. The character motivations are revealed over time and their actions have long term consequences. Finally Whedon shows tend to have long arcs that play out slower and in some ways are better on DVD. Good for fans, bad for advertisers. I started Dollhouse from the beginning and I was not rewarded at first, but I'll be watching tonight with excitement. I only hope I'm watching the Season 1 finale and not the series finale.
By Nyam Dilil at 12:55 PM ON 05/08/09
best Show ever!
By Ragnarok at 12:58 PM ON 05/08/09
I for one gave up on Dollhouse a few weeks ago. I tried, I really TRIED to give it time to become something of interest. Unlike some I really like Dushku, and the writing is good and all that....but the dollhouse itself is such a vile abomination that I keep hoping that Faith will show up and gut everyone responsible. I watched everything Whedon has put out, from the start, but this one is the one series i really wish Fox had pulled the plug on. It's kinda like the X Files, towards the end Chris Carter forgot what was enjoyable storytelling too. Luv ya Joss but omg, this one is long overdue being cancelled.
By ProDollhouse at 1:18 PM ON 05/08/09
You pansy. I had to slog through the entire first season of Buffy before it to got good. At least Dollhouse's first season managed to pick itself quicker than Buffy, which only had a few moments in the finale that indicated that it might get good. You couldn't even make it half way? Shaaaame. And you call yourself a Whedon fan.
By Avatar13 at 2:15 PM ON 05/08/09
Gave up on this as soon as I saw how skinny Eliza was. Why do all these actresses have to lose so much weight? She was so good looking on Buffy and Tru Calling. Not very godo looking now and that would have been my hook to get into the show.
By baron_elric at 2:53 PM ON 05/08/09
I've been a Whedon fan for a long time. I'll disagree with Janna (whom I've actually known for longer--Hi, Janna!) in that I felt Dollhouse improved to a point where I was being surprised again. Yes, there was a lot of the predictable in the early stories, but it has improved. It is now a story that I'd like to keep seeing, and I was dubious at first.
Some other people have commented on casting issues. I may be a rarity, but I don't really like Dushku very much as an actress. She's done a lot better than I expected in the role of Echo, and has improved during the course of this series. I find other actresses on the show more compelling and more attractive. Still, she's risen to the challenge in the scripts.
I will be watching tonight, hoping that something remarkable will happen, and that Fox will renew Dollhouse.
By Sylvia K at 3:05 PM ON 05/08/09
I never watched, because I find the whole concept a wierd pervy rape fantasy and so just couln't bring myself to tune in.
I never liked the Faith character on Buffy, which I adored, and didn't like Dushku on Tru Calling either, so there was absolutely no attraction to draw me to the show at all.
By AceMerrill at 4:01 PM ON 05/08/09
Holy crap! Some of you people didn't give the show a chance because Eliza is too SKINNY? Oh good grief! As for the rest of you who gave up early....your loss! Now, after Whedon and the cast have hit their stride, the show has become an out of control locomotive, streaking towards the finale. Casting Alan Tudyk was sheer genius, and that he's Alpha just floored me.While the show started slowly, I'm convinced that was due to Fox being Fox and meddling with the storylines. If they have any brains at all, they will give this show a second season and really see what Joss can do and they'll see the audience grow accordingly!
By Rob at 5:12 PM ON 05/08/09
Yes I'll watch the finale. I'm sure the show will be canceled because it's Fox and I slightly care about the show but whatever. I'll just keep DLing BBC sci-fi for my fix. But frankly Whedon fudged this up and FOX probably helped. The show started with the viewer thinking the Dollhouse was a brothel and it took too long to disabuse us of the notion. You just can't start slow with Sci-Fi and FOX. And frankly Eliza Dushku can't carry this show. She just isn't that good and doesn't have the range she needs. Think about how good the other actors actually ARE. The actors playing Victor and Sierra are incredible. Dushku is just irritating and Penikett just angry all the time. If the two biggest actors on the show are the worst, you've got trouble. At least actors from Whedon's shows seem to do well elsewhere because I'd love to see them do more.
By Daven at 5:22 PM ON 05/08/09
The show has turned things around no doubt. My only problem is the first 6 episodes teetered on HORRIBLE. Don't get me started on the "Pop Star" episode. This show would be in a much better place had they kept the pilot, scratched the next 5 and went on from there. Alan T. was frankly Brilliant. Which is a gift and a curse. That type of performance is what has been missing from the show IMO. He also highlights some of the weaknesses in the cast. Even though I am excited about the finale, I will be the first to admit that without Alan T. I might not be so interested. Whedon needs to shake up the cast and add an actor with Alan T. impact to the regular cast IMO.
By Anthony at 6:22 PM ON 05/08/09
All I know is , I want to bang Sierra longtime. That girl is so damn hot its not even funny. The show did improve a lot as the season went on.
By Anthony at 6:26 PM ON 05/08/09
All I know is , Sierra is hot as all hell..I love that girl. My last post didn't make it through due to my overwhelming love for her and my over the top description of said love lmao. I love Eliza too..the show has ended well though i fear its too late for there to be a reprieve.
By Kellyoyo at 6:31 PM ON 05/08/09
I have to disagree with Janna. I definitely think that there are many things to complain about in Dollhouse, but thin actresses and repeating themes aren't on my list (especially since Miracle Laurie is comparatively voluptuous). And how is Topher lovable? He's crreeeeeeeeeeeepy.
Alyx is right that there is potential in this show, and the cast is superb. I'm still watching, and hoping for some more solid stories.
By Eyre de Lanux at 7:12 PM ON 05/08/09
Hmmm, which of these internet commentators should I believe: Janna--who has only seen one-third of the series thus far--or Alyx, the viewer who has, you know, actually *watched* the series. That's a hard one!
So, you say your time's valuable, Janna? Well so is mine--stop wasting it with sloppy critiques of a show you've barely seen.
By jules at 8:49 PM ON 05/08/09
I am a Whedon fan... an Eliza Dushku fan... an Amy Acker fan... and yet I can't get into Dollhouse. I've shown up every week, watched every episode waiting until I cared about someone. Tahmoh is beautiful, but his character has been hard to connect with because all he does is shout. And then when I was discussing the show with a friend, I realized that the only character I care about is Melie (Miracle Laurie, I gather). She is the only one who I understand as far as why they would sign up for this. I don't have kids, but I can only imagine that losing one would make you wish to not exist.
I was also intrigued by the comments about Eliza's body and the butt shot from the first episode and I will admit that said butt shot disgusted me right off. Whedon has a legacy of empowering female characters. Buffy, Faith, Cordelia, Zoe... and the list goes on and he's now created the ultimate in subjugation of women... or men. I believe or I trust that the show will ultimately turn those tables, but it's pretty tough to take along the way. And part of the reason for that is that we get it on almost every channel, every ad, every magazine. I'm sure he's making a statement about that, but the fact that you have to become it to malign it is kind of ugly.
I agree with the previous comments though... actresses are too thin. Miracle Laurie has a beautiful body, a woman's body. And she's probably a size four... Here's hoping that someday the television landscape looks a little more like the real world.
By VichusSmith at 10:47 PM ON 05/08/09
I can't blame people for jumping ship on the show, but I'm all for it! The last episode with Alpha was great, and I hope that the finale will be great as well.
By Will The Real Mal Reynolds Please Stand Up at 12:32 AM ON 05/09/09
I too WAS a member of the Church of Joss Whedon. My favorite part was always the dialogue and the characters...of which "Dollhouse" was severely lacking. I hate cop shows but now find myself glued to "Castle". Wonder why.
By Surge21xx at 7:22 AM ON 05/09/09
I love this series and hope it gets another season. Until this show, I haven't been able to get into a Whedon series right from the start. I don't care for Buffy at all, it took me a few seasons in to get hooked to Angel, and Firefly was best in its Movie form "Serenity" and didnt get into the show until I saw that movie. I watched Episode one of Dollhouse and I was hooked.
I fail to see how "Firefly" Clicked as a show. I felt it was slow and the concepts never made any sense and seemed thrown together. And after 11 episodes, they still only had one plot thread to focus on. However, only after 1 episode of "Dollhouse" we had 3 separate plot threads and several more questions that made the show very intriguing to watch. Two of the plot threads were Alpha and Paul Ballards Story. not to mention Doctor Saunders scars, Echo and her past, and the Dollhouse itself and how it was funded and how it functioned.
I encourage everyone who has given up to watch this show again.
By Captain Jack Harkness at 6:02 PM ON 05/09/09
I watched Dollhouse all the way thru from start to finale and I have to say I hope it's over. It did nothing for me, the only thing I ever felt was disgust, and I think Joss finally wrote a complete, unredeemable failure of a series. At least I've got my DVDs of Buffy, Angel, Firefly and Serenity to bask in his greatness. I won't be buying the DVDs of Dollhouse, that's for certain.
By Figaro95 at 8:44 PM ON 05/09/09
Jumped ship after 1 1/2 shows. Missed the trademark Whedon humor.
By Prevmia at 12:25 PM ON 05/10/09
I have to agree with GoblinRevolution!
Where is all the great SF on telly? Fact: their isn't any!
After Buffy and Firefly, which were both fantastic roller coaster rides of quick wit and dark sarcy humour...basically damn good original story telling, with something to get your teeth into!
YES, I AM A WHEDON FAN!
But I am sorry Joss, Dollhouse is dull, dull, dull, it's Faith in a 'Point of No Return' scenario, brainwashed and vacant...I have seen it before!
But we hard core SF fans have to stick by and we will give it a chance...
..Fingers crossed !
By divephotog at 1:35 PM ON 05/10/09
Well, as history shows, really good Sci-Fi series do not fully develop until their 2nd season. Look at the Stargates, Andromeda, or basically any series with 3 or 4 years, and one finds that all the realfan favorite episodes are in the following seasons. Even Eureka, and the other Sci-Fi channel creations have to mature before they get really attractive. Sure, the BBC turns out great stuff, but they have been at it for almost 50 years with the Doctor Who,and series like Primeval and Torchwood are also a bit lacking in their first year in comparison to their later seasons. So, is it the writers,or better yet that the characters themselves just need a season to get maturein our minds, and something we can relate to. BSG is an anomally, but remember that they had some preset guidelines for the show to build from,and it was a remake.... Truthfully,I hought that Dollhouse has a good premise and characters built up now, but just needs to develop the wholestory line into a good thread, and then start weaving the tapestries we like to see in great series. Also, as seen in past successes, a sopa-opera like continuation week to week gets better viewer interest than stand-alone episodes, and Dollhouse seemed to have too many episodes this seson that were more stand-alone. I beleive Fox will regret cancelling this, if they do, much like the regrets over Firefly, which was better viewed on Sci-fi than Fox.
By Being at 1:56 PM ON 05/10/09
It would be nice if Joss actually wrote more than one or two episodes.
By jlb at 3:31 PM ON 05/10/09
A really great review of the show, Alyx! Thanks so much.
You said it so well: Joss's work always has "Immense narrative energy" and that "eye for acting talent" of his is truly extraordinary. Right on, imho. He also instills confidence into those actors and develops them by believing in them and challenging them.... Look at the development in Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, and Dushku herself, to name a few. Look at what he's willing to ask for from those last two. It must be terrifying for them....
I was so compelled by this show that I had to write my own explanation of why I think "Dollhouse" is great art -- and intensely MORAL art, too. That's posted over on a blog called "the land of unlikeness if anyone is interested. You'll find it easily enoughunder "Swansong for Joss Whedon's Dollhouse," but I haven't really given up entirely on a second season.
By dhfan at 5:56 PM ON 05/10/09
I've watched all the episodes and have been impressed with most. I'll be disappointed if it does not get renewed. It's tough keeping a show on the 4 major networks. This show might be better suited to scifi channel or USA.
By Soren B at 6:10 AM ON 05/11/09
Dollhouse has been a major dissapointment for me. A longtime fan of Whedon and hoping for the best I feel let down by this show. Yes, I have seen all episodes and all of them have had SOMETHING worthwhile (just not enough), but overall I think it's a terrible show. I don't feel anything for the persons or the plots and I don't care if it's cancelled...actually, I think I'd prefer if it WAS cancelled because then I wouldn't be tempted to watch it anyway.
"Will The Real Mal Reynolds Please Stand Up" wrote about 10 posts up that he/she is watching 'Castle' and is enjoying it. I'm also watching Castle and it's FAR FAR better than Dollhouse...in my humble opinion. It works - Dollhouse doesn't.
By E. Pyatt at 12:41 PM ON 05/12/09
Count me in as a fanatic. The first episode was weak, but I was personally hooked by episode 2 when Echo had to switch from love bunny to gun slinger in a hurry.
The show raises a lot of issues about identity (memories vs the "soul"), and it's not afraid to explore every twisted avenue.
One thing I appreciate is that Whedon doesn't just relegate the Dollhouse staff to hearless villains. Even Olivia Williams cares about her dolls, even as she ensures that they remain in "working order".
And although Caroline is as admirable character, she seems weak in comparison to the innocent strength displayed by Echo. They are becoming two separate people. It's all trippy stuff.
And Sierra - wow what a major secret weapon. Is there an accent she can't do?
I don't think there's enough material here for 10 seasons (do we really want to ride out Echo's contract?), but I would love to see the show get some kind of definite resolution.
By Chantal at 9:11 PM ON 05/12/09
I love the show, I agree however that the first episode wasn't that great..still continued to watch and am now very much a fan.
By Brooke at 1:33 AM ON 01/09/10
I find Paul to be such a hypocritical douche bag. He only wanted to save Echo/Caroline because she was attractive.
I hated when he didn't want to save Mellie.
He deserves to be alone. I don't think he's good with Echo anyway.
He refers to her as a person, but wont call the rest of the dolls people. I don't like him.
I think his character is worthless and boring.
And he's the WORST COP EVER. Glad he got suspended.
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Brooke:
I find Paul to be such a hypocritical douche bag. He only wanted to save Echo/Caroline because she was attractive. ...More »