Joss Whedon & Eliza Dushku present Dollhouse

[ozu]

Ah, so this is a Joss Whedon show after all, I was starting to wonder! The first five eps were a little on the brutal side with their banal "A" plots -- it was like watching a string of really bad Angel episodes.



But the pieces are finally coming together, some of the characters are clearly moving into intriguing arcs, and I've glimpsed the latent potential in the premise to evolve from a goofy, socially-conscious plot-of-the-week-device into some really meaty Philip K. Dick-style paranoid identity/reality crisis mindfuckery.



Now I just want more than two minutes of Amy Acker per episode. And also that she stays alive. Her character, I mean. (Amy should probably stay alive, too.)

[peachgirldb]

For us Amy Acker fans, I hear she'll figure pretty prominently in later episodes. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/wub.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' /> Also there'll be another Whedon alum appearing, and also a guy who looks like Nicholas Brendan (but isn't him) playing a character named Nicholas. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />



Also, I still love Ivy (whose actress is Filipina ahahaha represent) and I am starting to kind of love Adele.

[Sabaku Ika]

Just watched 6 on Hulu. I feel a little let down by my own expectations. It was the best episode so far, but I knew it would be already. Also, good call on the neighbor, Peach. My theory has also become even less likely.



Another thing. Why would they send Echo to kill Ballard? They know that he knows what she looks like. I guess they also know that no one will believe him if he survives, but then why kill him to begin with?

[peachgirldb]

I'm thinking the "inside man" who messed with Echo's programming isn't actually real, and they just sent her off to meet Ballard to keep leading him on a wild goose chase. Alternatively, Adele could be the inside man. Especially after he asked if she had an exit strategy...

[Sabaku Ika]

[quote name=':Peach' post='62627' date='Mar 21 2009, 11:32 PM']Alternatively, Adele could be the inside man. Especially after he asked if she had an exit strategy...[/quote]



Which one is she again?

[peachgirldb]

The boss lady.

[Sabaku Ika]

The most I can tell on "the inside man" is that they want us to think it's Topher's assistant, which probably rules her out. It would be pretty funny if half the people working there were individually trying to bring it down, but I don't think that would happen.

[Liana]

Ohhh my god that episode was awesome! The whole neighboor is an active/inside man or not/general plot with Ballard is just what I've been so patiently waiting for *.* I also enjoyed the little inserts with people talking about the Dollhouse, it was a nice touch! Well, I was kind of waiting for it to become really poignant and striking, Joss has done this with funny things in the past (cavemen <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':eekrun:' />) but it was still a pretty cool contrast to what was going on without being TOO heavy. It came close with the girl who was all sad and LIKED the idea of becoming an active but it wasn't timed so that it struck the heart hard, I don't think it was supposed to. And. I actually laughed out LOUD this episode! Twice! Aaah I knew I was watching for a reason!

[ShinUkyo]

Awesome episode! I thought the little interview cut-ins with people on the street were kinda cute. They broke from the serious nature of things, if nothing else. Although the final one, from the professor, was the only clip that really struck me as authentic and thought-provoking. The rest seemed too blatantly scripted, almost as if on purpose. Whether that was good or bad, your decision I guess. Yay for Amy Acker! Can't tell you how much I love her, and how glad I am to see her back on television. And yay for this Ivy girl, too. It's already a known fact that Filipinas are the hottest girls around. And we don't see many Filipino actors in Hollywood at all, sadly. The last prominent one I can recall, on a FOX show particularly, was the gal who played Piama on "Malcolm In the Middle." And she had to play an Eskimo character, of all things, unf.



Good call on the neighbor being an active! I thought they were leading us the other way, and then them putting out the "hit" on her almost confirmed that. But damned if they didn't surprise me again! Now I'm just wondering about other things, like whether Boss Lady is actually the "inside man." They didn't make it quite clear as to whether anybody else on Dollhouse staff knows about the neighbor or not. And if they do, maybe the other staff still thinks she's just a normal person. In that case, they'd think the cameras are planted in her apartment simply to spy on her and Ballard. It could be that Boss Lady brainwashed and planted that girl herself, and is the only one who knows she is actually an active. By the way, DAMN, you have me intrigued as to who's playing Alpha. I wanna wait and find out in the show, though. As long as it's not James Marsters... hahahaha. I only say this because we know Alpha is white, so that eliminates at least some of the former Whedon people. And it's obviously not David Boreanaz. Unless my worries were justified, and they've decided to cancel Bones.

[peachgirldb]

Yeah, it's not either of the two you mentioned. I think it'll be an interesting surprise for Whedon fans. xD

[Liana]

Is in Jonathan Woodward? I'm waiting for him! You have to say, even under a spoiler tag. I'll see his name in the opening credits (I'm the nerd that reads them) so the effect will be the same.

[peachgirldb]

Spoiler for Alpha's casting:



It's Alan Tudyk.

[Liana]

lol quote tag is NOT the spoiler tag. Trying this again! Anyway, blocked out my text in case anyone wants to be surprised! I never would have expected him because he's old and not that attractive! At least, by traditional standards. Isn't he a Doll gone wrong? I mean, with the neighboor being a doll and all we see that not all dolls are crazy thin perfect Hollywood types- I'm not trying to say she's fat or anything, but she's bigger than I am and I'm not Hollywood worthy by far. So I guess they do have dolls for all your needs but . . . you know. When I was running through Joss actors, he wasn't the first guy I went to XD

[peachgirldb]

Now THAT was an episode. Hilarious and creepy and plotty at the same time. Adele jumping up and down and Mellie acting like she was going to go nuts on them, oh man, so awesome xD



And is Amy Acker going to end up being the inside man? Oooh. I can't wait for next week's ahaha oh man.

[aidateddy]

OK! OK! *try to look away* im a fan of joss whedon's work. and my all time fav was Angel. and trust me, ive been waiting fer Dollhouse for the past months. but unfortunately, my computer broke down and i just started downloading the series last week. and manage to watch till 2nd episodes so far. so im guessing this thread is full with spoilers. so im skipping everybody's post! heheh! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ph34r:' />



and i hv to tell ya, after the 2nd episode, i just can't wait to watch the 3rd one. that hunting episode sure makes me wanna watch more! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /dance.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':whatthe:' />

[Sabaku Ika]

Has Rossum (not a spoiler if you don't know what it means) been mentioned in any way before episode seven? I don't remember.

[peachgirldb]

OK! OK! *try to look away* im a fan of joss whedon's work. and my all time fav was Angel. and trust me, ive been waiting fer Dollhouse for the past months. but unfortunately, my computer broke down and i just started downloading the series last week. and manage to watch till 2nd episodes so far. so im guessing this thread is full with spoilers. so im skipping everybody's post! heheh! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ph34r:' />



and i hv to tell ya, after the 2nd episode, i just can't wait to watch the 3rd one. that hunting episode sure makes me wanna watch more! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /dance.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':whatthe:' />

Don't get your hopes up too much. IMO the 2nd episode has by far been the best one, though I enjoyed the 7th almost as much.

Has Rossum (not a spoiler if you don't know what it means) been mentioned in any way before episode seven? I don't remember.

I don't think so.

[aidateddy]

^ just watched the 3rd episode and i think its was just okay~



im not hoping too much but if we're look at Joss's previous work, the first season of Buffy and Angel are a little bit slow.

in fact, i used to think tat Buffy series was at first tremendously ridiculous! but still...i got addicted later on~ ^3^

[Liana]

The newest episode furthered the whole mindfuckery concept and it was great! More hints at plots and backstories and it was really, really wonderful to see the dolls act as "themselves."



I'm not sure how I feel about the budding relationship between Victor and Sierra, however. It's coming off really forced. Like "LOVE THIS COUPLE! DO IIIIT." But you know what, bet you anything I'm going to end up loving that couple . . .

[al kusanagi]

Tamoh has to be the luckiest son-of-a-bitch alive. The dude gets paid money to make out with Grace Park and Eliza Dushku. Bastard.

[Pflaume]

Yay new episode! My mother remarked how weird it is for me to actually be into and following a show when I was watching it with her. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



I kind of think there was way too much going on in this episode, though. One big revelation is nifty. (WHOA LOL ADELE) Two is pushing it... (Really? Dominic? That's kind of obvious. At least I never liked him much.) But that plus all the Sierra action, the fight scenes, Echo's becoming quasi self-aware in her wiped state, etc., it was a bit much. Still enjoyable, but a bit much.



It's been making me think about how Adele could be defending the Dollhouse as a solution for lonely people not so much because that's all it is, but because that's what it is for her. I always thought she was just bullshitting, but she might actually be that deluded. And that's sad in more than one way. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /pouty.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':sigh:' />

[Sabaku Ika]

Dollhouse has doubled its awesomeness in the time since this thread died.

[Hana]

Yeah, that episode left me going "WTF", even though I read Peach's spoiler about Alpha's casting but couldn't remember who Alan Tudyk was. Also, during the Boyd/Ballard fight, I was so torn on who to root for. XD

[Sabaku Ika]

I had also read those casting rumors, but assumed they wouldn't allow something so important to leak so early. It must have been intentional misdirection. Even though I was half expecting it, I thought they still made the reveal pretty surprising.

[al kusanagi]

Too bad it looks like the show's not getting a second season. Since Terminator TSCC is also getting dumped, they could have added Summer to the cast. Pick up Nathan Fillion and then the show could be the best thing on TV.

[Hana]

Helloooooooo, renewal!

[Sabaku Ika]

[quote name='Hana' post='64632' date='May 16 2009, 06:59 PM']Helloooooooo, renewal![/quote]

<img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... umbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':eekrun:' />



Although, I was a little disappointed with the last episode. It wasn't bad, but I was hoping for more unexpected twists.

[Liana]

SEASON TWO GUYS! I have no other avenue for intelligent Dollhouse discussion. My realsies friends just blink at me blankly and pat my head and my other online haunt doesn't seem to care. Whores.



Anyway so Epitaph One was BRILLIANT. My deep love for Joss is like this cycle of me going "Liana, you've been studying film for two years, you know the ins and outs, he's not that great" and then he DOES something and I'm like "OH SHIT YES HE IS." Epitaph One was that thing.



The pilot episode had me all <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... >/ohmy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':wub:' /> Even if I don't remember all that much per se other than Topher saying "I know what I know" all super casual like but if you bought the DVDs (or illegally pirated the episode!) you were like OH SHIT! Confused? Go watch Epitaph One!

[al kusanagi]

Still waiting to stumble across the season 1 blu-ray box set, so I haven't seen the unreleased episodes. I loved episode 1 of season 2, but the second episode was kind of blah.



Oh yes, and this is fun: http://www.fox.com/dollhouse/virtualecho/

[ShinUkyo]

Now HERE'S a bump for you! Although you guys did mention the start of season two, so it wasn't as big of a bump as I'd expected. Anyhow, as all of us Dollhouse fans know by now, the show will be ending with the conclusion of season two. It's sad, really, especially considering how good the show has been at times. This includes a lot of the most-recent episodes, too. We're just finishing the last break period, before the final three episodes start airing this Friday! Can't wait to see how it ends, and I know Joss and crew will do us proud. I'm just hoping they're able to insert some feeling of closure in there. Unlike with Angel, where the last episode of the series was too much like an open-ended season finale. Then again, they only told them that Angel was being canceled in the middle of their last season. Surely not enough time to try and wrap up the countless stories that had been developing since the beginnings of both Angel and Buffy. In the case of Dollhouse, with only twenty-something episodes behind it, they should have an easier time wrapping things up. Still sucks that he had a five-year plan for the show, from what various sources report. With that amount of time, we could have seen some amazing things. And at the same time, it would have been a short enough run to where it didn't drag out obnoxiously. But getting more than even five EPISODES out of FOX, really, is a near-impossible task. Unless you're some terrible reality show. For fuck's sake, they even canceled the series Reunion, which had a finite storyline and only needed to last for exactly 20 episodes. They stopped more than halfway through, which was an even-further insult. It was like, as many people said, going to a really long movie at the theater... and having them decide to cut it off at the middle somewhere.



Enough ranting on FOX. I could write a book on that, for God's sake. I should be discussing the overall stuff from season one, a season for which I was absent from the BBS during most of. As I'd expected before, there seems to be an idea that many of someone's traits come from their core being. Their "soul," if you will. And so these core traits, therefore, can never be wiped from someone. Even regardless of what happens with the data stored in their brain. This is a very spiritual idea, and one I'm fairly in agreement with. Plus, as they don't really delve much into the idea of God, we don't have the problem of very-specific religious ideas separating people and/or causing conflict. Bravo on that one, I must say. This also helps to explain why Echo always had some hint of a bad-ass personality, and why she was always trying to be the savior. Even early in the show, these traits showed up each time... regardless of the specific program they implanted her with. So it wasn't just Eliza Dushku's lack of acting chops, or inability to play a character that varied much from her role in Buffy. They DID actually write her this way, from the get-go. Caroline was this type of girl, and that never really left her.



Then later on, sometime in season two, they threw an even juicier twist into there. It was when Summer Glau's character showed Echo, who was now fairly self-aware, a glimpse of something terrible that Caroline had done to her. It made Echo think that maybe she doesn't want to go back to being Caroline. How, after a lifetime of experiences, people develop "surface traits." Many of these, of course, are negative ones and are things you would gladly erase if you had the choice. They are still fairly powerful traits, though, and the only way to truly get rid of these negative surface traits is to wipe one's mind clean. To start at an almost-zero state, where only the soul and the prime functionality remains in you. In real life, the only way to typically achieve this is through suffering certain forms of amnesia. But through the course of events on the show, and her unique mind type, this had happened to Echo inadvertently. She has also been blessed with the objectivity of a multitude of life experiences and surface traits all mashed together (and apparently now, the ability to have them work in some form of harmony). I'm interested to see how this is going to work out, as I hear the next episode involves injecting Caroline's mind back into her.