Dollhouse - Season 1 + 2 Discussion(spoilers)

[phatchopolis]

This topic is for discussion of the new Eliza Dushku series Dollhouse. Please don't post any spoilers but feel free to talk about anything that's happened thus far through the sixth aired episode titled Man on the Street.

[phatchopolis]

Personally I think it's a decent show just starting out. It's an interesting premise, not groundbreaking but still good. Obviously the man draw has to be Eliza but I'm fairly happy with the rest of the ensemble as well. Any thoughts of your own?

[sam991]

As of episode 6, it finally feels like a Joss Whedon show and not just an extended FOX pilot. There was suddenly an edge to it that was distinctly lacking before. Also i like that the writing focused on the Dollhouse universe for a change, fleshed it out a little and made it feel more real. Obviously it's never going to be Citizen Kane... frankly it's never going to be Alias, but it's enjoyable fun.

Eliza is very good and i think they've done a good job of balancing the focus between our plucky heroine and the ensemble cast. My only complaints would be Topher, who is not as funny as he thinks he is and is very much a throwback to Xander of Buffy and Serious Security Chief who is just flat.

How far the show goes and how well it does depends entirely on how much FOX meddles. I imagine that Joss has the plot worked out for a few seasons at least, even if it's not a B5/DS9 style epic and metered story arc, so if FOX leaves well alone, it has great promise.

[lock67ca]

I've heard this is the first episode that was free of Network tampering. It's also the first episode that I've really fully enjoyed. I don't think that's a coincidence. Just leave Joss alone to do what he does best, and this is what you get.

[Millaishot]

More or less it is, but Joss Whedon himself has been on record for saying that it works better in the long run to do it this way, as he scrapped the original pilot and made a new one on his own doing. I feel like pieces of the puzzle are coming together in the first five through six episodes, which could serve better in the long run then a rushed out pilot that did what was done in five episodes, in one. It also serves better to show hints at certain things early one then to just start out with it so to speak. I suppose, if you wanted, to, view episode six as the "true" pilot, with the first five being a prequel of the sorts, or a pre season. Regardless, I was hooked on episode one, and plan to continue watching.

[lock67ca]

The last few episodes have been very good. Especially tonight's and last week. But is it too little too late to save the show?

[sam991]

Eps 8 & 9 have been pretty stellar. Fox would be morons to can it now when it's still gathering steam.

[ffstoryman]

Eps 8 & 9 have been pretty stellar. Fox would be morons to can it now when it's still gathering steam.

Unfortunately it's a well known fact that the execs at Fox are morons... So I wouldn't put it passed them to screw things up.

[Millaishot]

I am not always as Anti-Fox as some could be, sure they are well known to meddle within the series they air, therefor a ton of things end up being canceled (with that and ratings), but they've aired shows over the years I have highly enjoyed. That's not to say that they have gotten out of hands with some things though (come on, I rarely hear a good word about Prison Break, but that shows coming back as of next week), still I wouldn't give up hope just yet, things (such as ratings) may yet improve.

[lock67ca]

I would honestly be shocked if this gets picked up for another season. I think the Fox "Friday Night Time Slot Of Death" was enough to kill it.

I really enjoyed the last 7 episodes. I think the decision to retool the first 5 episodes was ultimately a mistake. They were slow, and not very compelling. If the first five were as good as the last seven, it might have helped save the show.

[sam991]

I'm following Eliza, Miracle and Dichen on Twitter. Judging by their tweets the show is truly hanging in the balance. I'm holding out hope. If SCC was renewed for a 2nd season, Dollhouse hopefully should be. Or at least continued for a full 22 episode run and then there's the possibility of a couple of 3 hour miniseries... maybe.

[phatchopolis]

If Fox gives Dollhouse another run, first let's hope it's not like Tru Calling where it gets smashed after six epidoes the following season. Otherwise they would display that on occasion they'll stick with a series if they like it. They kind of have with SCC. They brought back for an eventual full second season even with the soft ratings. I know they love the show but ratings is what may kill it. Of course if the Terminator flick does gangbusters at the box office it could help SCC's fate. I see on Eliza's twitter today she said Dollhouse talks were going on.

[Millaishot]

The last two episodes were great, I was glued to the screen (mostly), and there were some stuff in the episodes that both surprised me and didn't. The problem with ratings, is that Fox, like many other networks set a certain expectation level on any night they put on a show, this expectation level goes higher if they meddle with it (such as Dollhouse). From what I have read, Dollhouse has not met those expectations (with SCC doing better in ratings, and that's most likely canceled, what does this say to you?). I really want another season, but I try to not get to hopeful (with Fox in particular), and we have to face that this show just didn't sell like Fox hoped it would (I have to really wonder why, it's a great show).

Either way, I hope we get some more Dollhouse (and SCC), we'll find out on the 18th when the new fall schedule is announced.

[lock67ca]

Looks like there's hope. Don't tell me there's program exec at the Fox Network with a working brain cell in his head???


James Hibberd over at the Hollywood Reporter is reporting that “Dollhouse” is now more likely to be renewed than not.

Fox announces its 2009-2010 schedules on Monday.

Great news for those who remember than “Dollhouse” creator Joss Whedon’s “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” got a LOT better right after its 12-episode first season (with the introduction of Spike, Drusilla, Oz, Jenny Calendar and whatnot).

Maybe Summer Glau can join the cast as Foxtrot?

“Dollhouse’s” first season fared poorly in Fox’s Friday Night Death Slot, but consistently better than anything else Fox was airing that night.

Also, one suspects the execs at Fox looked at their pilots and muttered something like, “None of these is anywhere NEAR as promising as that show with the ‘Bring It On’ girl.”

Fox is reportedly looking for budget cuts on the series, but that may not be a big issue for Joss Whedon, who made the DVD smash “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog” for the cost of shoelaces and beer and reportedly directed an (as-yet-unaired) bonus episode of “Dollhouse” titled “Epitaph One” for about half the cost of a regular episode.

[phatchopolis]

That is good news. Honestly looking at it from a financial standpoint Dollhouse isn't laden with a lot of special effects so it's cost shouldn't be as high as say The Sarah Connor Chronicles.