Tuesday, March 10, 2009
TV / Nerd Empty Dollhouse
Posted by Paul Constant on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 5:42 PM
I watched the fourth episode of Dollhouse last night. (First episode recap here.) In this episode, Echo, the blank slate who gets programmed with different personalities depending on the super-secret mission she's assigned to, gets involved in a botched art heist. Unlike the first episode, which showed some promise, I was bored out of my skull watching episode 4.
The good news is that Dushku seems to be improving as an actor. Maybe the fact that she's not playing a Sexy McSexpot in this episode is allowing her room to grow and work on other . The bad news is that Fran Kranz, who plays Topher Brink, gets all the Whedonesque dialogue and he repeatedly smacks the viewer in the face with it. It comes across like a high school stage version of Buffy.
The internets are proclaiming that episode 6 is the first real Joss Whedon episode without much Fox interference, and that's when the show will start not sucking. That will have to be a really good goddamned episode to make this series awesome, and, based on the poor ratings (a 20/20 special about Siegfried and Roy beat holy hell out of this episode last Friday), being awesome just might not be enough.
Share via
1
Yeah, I'm a huge Whedon fan, but I'm giving up on this. I'll watch episode 6 on Hulu... if I remember and have time, which is looking less and less likely.
5
I whttp://post.thestranger.com/foundation/images/buttons/formatting/bold.gifatched you enter code improperly. Shame.
6
I mostly agree with you Paul. However, I thought the first episode was horrible. The second episode was the one that showed promise. The third episode was absolutely awful. The forth episode shows Eliza pretending to be five years old for half an hour. The only thing interesting about it was when they imprinted Sierra with the same Taffy personality, and that actress managed to pretty much nail the same performance, lending some credulity to what they do at the Dollhouse.
The only reason why the second episode showed some promise is because it introduced the crack in the foundation of the Dollhouse. It gave us something that can legitimately pass from episode to episode so we can feel some compassion for these characters. When a character is a blank slate, then a dancer, then a blank slate, then a safe cracker, then a blank slate... They make it impossible to care. Even when there is danger in the episode, the only danger that seems to hold any lasting change, or character development is the direct result of Alpha tampering with Echo. We all know they aren't going to kill Eliza, so no one cares about the physical danger they put her in. This series is an interesting example of how not to make serialized television.
Alpha needs to pick up the pace because I can't watch a series where her careful programming/deprogramming slowly crumbles. Glaciers move faster than this.
Also, I love Tahmoh Pinkett, but his character thread serves zero purpose at this juncture. I don't even care that his informant is a doll. He has no impact on anything. Four hours of this so far? And there are going to be two more before we get to some magical change of pace? Good luck with that.
Joss is overrated. "Fox is evil" can only go so far to rationalize this.
More...
The only reason why the second episode showed some promise is because it introduced the crack in the foundation of the Dollhouse. It gave us something that can legitimately pass from episode to episode so we can feel some compassion for these characters. When a character is a blank slate, then a dancer, then a blank slate, then a safe cracker, then a blank slate... They make it impossible to care. Even when there is danger in the episode, the only danger that seems to hold any lasting change, or character development is the direct result of Alpha tampering with Echo. We all know they aren't going to kill Eliza, so no one cares about the physical danger they put her in. This series is an interesting example of how not to make serialized television.
Alpha needs to pick up the pace because I can't watch a series where her careful programming/deprogramming slowly crumbles. Glaciers move faster than this.
Also, I love Tahmoh Pinkett, but his character thread serves zero purpose at this juncture. I don't even care that his informant is a doll. He has no impact on anything. Four hours of this so far? And there are going to be two more before we get to some magical change of pace? Good luck with that.
Joss is overrated. "Fox is evil" can only go so far to rationalize this.
7
Buffy/Angel were successes, and Firefly is overloved.
I realize that's two solid projects and a good idea from one guy, but really -- that's not enough to make the guy a genius. Every successful idea he's had spun out of the Buffyverse.
This'll get canceled, and then people will start to reevaluate Firefly and decide it was a promising but deeply flawed show, not a masterpiece.
I realize that's two solid projects and a good idea from one guy, but really -- that's not enough to make the guy a genius. Every successful idea he's had spun out of the Buffyverse.
This'll get canceled, and then people will start to reevaluate Firefly and decide it was a promising but deeply flawed show, not a masterpiece.
9
I watch this show religiously - on hulu on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Yeah, it's not great and may not get there, but the overarching idea is interesting. Episode 2 was the best one sor far by a mile, but I'll hang in there through the fabled ep 6, and probably beyond even if it doesn't deliver. Of course, I've been watching Heroes faithfully and it's been a hot mess since Season 1.
Oh, and "Topher"? Sucks and I keep hoping he'll get killed by someone - anyone - each episode.
Oh, and "Topher"? Sucks and I keep hoping he'll get killed by someone - anyone - each episode.
10
@9 I like Topher. There's something incredibly creepy about him. Not just because his job is unethical, but because I get the impression he takes the dolls out for test drives. There's also some conflict between Topher and the traumatized Dr. Saunders which better lead somewhere.
12
I'm a little confused why Whedon continues to work with Fox ever since his Firefly experience. I thought he had said he would never work with Fox again...
13
@6: Agreed that episode 2 was the best, and I think you nailed it in describing why this just doesn't work as a television serial.
That said, Joss is someone who has gotten where he is by making really compelling storylines out of garbage series concepts. I agree that "Fox is calling the shots" is no longer an excuse here. I think this concept is just too garbage even for his talents as a storyteller.
That said, Joss is someone who has gotten where he is by making really compelling storylines out of garbage series concepts. I agree that "Fox is calling the shots" is no longer an excuse here. I think this concept is just too garbage even for his talents as a storyteller.
14
I watched the first ep, and frankly it just didn't grab me - conceptually, it just felt like a mish-mash of so many other "spy-girl" espionage series I've seen recently, "Veronica Mars", "La Femme Nikita", et al, with a large dollop of "The Pretender" thrown in for extra thickening, none of which have really ever been my cup o'.
And @7, shut yer goram mouth, ya' BUN tyen-shung duh ee-DWAY-RO!
And @7, shut yer goram mouth, ya' BUN tyen-shung duh ee-DWAY-RO!
15
This all sounds vaguely familiar. I winced a lot on the first Buffy episodes. Later, more comfortable with the show, I didn't.
Whedons shows usually take awhile to settle in and have most of the pieces fit together.
I don't know if I'll like this show yet but the idea is interesting and I hope it works out. Points for trying either way.
Whedons shows usually take awhile to settle in and have most of the pieces fit together.
I don't know if I'll like this show yet but the idea is interesting and I hope it works out. Points for trying either way.
16
Ugh, why do I keep watching this show?
The Topher character is highly annoying. He just seems like the stereotypical smart ass IT person that has been seen over and over in tv and film. Over 20(!) years ago we had Bryce Lynch on Max Headroom. And now the actual IT department at my work is full of wise crackers. Why do I want to watch this Topher jackass?
The Topher character is highly annoying. He just seems like the stereotypical smart ass IT person that has been seen over and over in tv and film. Over 20(!) years ago we had Bryce Lynch on Max Headroom. And now the actual IT department at my work is full of wise crackers. Why do I want to watch this Topher jackass?
17
Okay, so I am also watching, agree that it's flawed, wish that it weren't, keep telling myself I don't care, keep caring, etc. But then something -- maybe the presence of Tahmoh Penikett -- made me realize that the perfect actress for the part of Echo would be Grace Park from the new Battlestar Galactica. (Non-BSG-watchers [did I hyphenate that right, Paul?], you may stop reading now if you wish, because none of the following will make much sense to you. Sorry.)
Seriously, would that not be absolutely riveting television? I know there are problems with the show itself as well as Dushku (so far anyway), and yet I feel as if Park were playing Echo I would actually look forward to new episodes. We already know she can play a blank slate and lots of different personalities without even breaking a sweat -- you know which Sharon she's being on BSG before she even says a word. Plus we'd get to see her smile more (not a lot of smiling on BSG).
Now every time I watch I'm going to be distracted by how much I wish Eliza Dushku were Grace Park. Hm.
Seriously, would that not be absolutely riveting television? I know there are problems with the show itself as well as Dushku (so far anyway), and yet I feel as if Park were playing Echo I would actually look forward to new episodes. We already know she can play a blank slate and lots of different personalities without even breaking a sweat -- you know which Sharon she's being on BSG before she even says a word. Plus we'd get to see her smile more (not a lot of smiling on BSG).
Now every time I watch I'm going to be distracted by how much I wish Eliza Dushku were Grace Park. Hm.
18
Okay, to continue the off-topic-ness, I just image searched Grace Park and am distraught to see that in all the pictures that initially pop up she is extremely scantily clad. Lest any of you think otherwise, she is also a very talented actress. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
19
@17: No, I really just think the script is bad. I don't think a different actor would save it.
And I say this as a fully accredited Grace Park stalker-wannabe. She is, indeed, both gorgeous and talented, but I don't see her rescuing that role.
As the No. 8 Cylon, she plays variations on a single, not-terribly-complicated character. She hasn't had to pretend to be an amnesiac moron.
And I say this as a fully accredited Grace Park stalker-wannabe. She is, indeed, both gorgeous and talented, but I don't see her rescuing that role.
As the No. 8 Cylon, she plays variations on a single, not-terribly-complicated character. She hasn't had to pretend to be an amnesiac moron.
20
I actually just finished reading the original pilot script online that Joss wrote (and filmed, I think, before Fox went and had it reshot), and it's so, so much better than most of what we've seen so far (although it's been cannibalized and strung throughout the four episodes). It's pretty much a different show: it establishes the characters so much better (especially Dr. Clare Saunders and Agent Paul Ballard); gives some semi-plausible reasons for hiring a Doll; and makes the Dollhouse seem more morally gray other than pitch-black EEEVILLL. Plus, Eliza would have had a lot more to do besides standing around in her bra for at least 10 minutes every episode.
21
@20: Eh, well, that's kinda what I was hoping to believe, but it really does cause one to wonder why Joss agreed to work with Fox again.
I mean, we're talking about a network that even has a dedicated channel for critically-acclaimed, season-long storyline shows that do poor in the ratings department. Why does he continue to accept the worst terms possible? (if that's what's going on here, of course)
I mean, we're talking about a network that even has a dedicated channel for critically-acclaimed, season-long storyline shows that do poor in the ratings department. Why does he continue to accept the worst terms possible? (if that's what's going on here, of course)
23
Ok, I went and read the original Dollhouse pilot script and there is no doubt in my mind that the current hackery we have seen thus far stinks of FOX corporate interference. The original script is brisk, smart and everything we’d expect from Joss Whedon. I think the bigger question is, yes, Joss is genius, but why is he acting like such a spineless sell-out doormat??? Why is he letting a bunch of FOX studio pigs run his art into the ground? Did he make some sort of fucked up faustian deal the FOX suits; did he agree to let them have their way with him Echo-style for the first 6 episodes, in exchange for free artistic range for the remainder of the episodes?
24
@23: "the original Dollhouse pilot script and there is no doubt in my mind that the current hackery we have seen thus far stinks of FOX corporate interference"
Got a link?
Got a link?
27
#18, why the distraught-ness over Grace Park's scantily-clad-ness? Grace Park should ALWAYS be scantily clad.
28
I made it through the first 10 minutes of the first show and knew it was a dud. I like Dushku and Whedon. They are much better than what's being .
30
Dollhouse pretends to be quirky, but is in fact quite formulaic. Like most of Whedon's stuff. I still don't get the fascination with "Buffy," which was nothing more than Charlie's Angels plots coated in a veneer of 90s smirkiness.
Self-referential stupid TV is still stupid TV.
Irony doesn't excuse vapidity.
Self-referential stupid TV is still stupid TV.
Irony doesn't excuse vapidity.
32
If everyone from some random guy who just wants a perfect date and a secluded couple who need a midwife can locate the Dollhouse and hire a doll, why can't the Federal agent find the joint?
This bothers me, along with the multitude of other problems already mentioned in this thread.
This bothers me, along with the multitude of other problems already mentioned in this thread.
Most Commented on Slog
-
Straight Up by Dan Savage
-
Stephen Fry v. the Catholic Church by Dan Savage
-
Neologism Needed by Dan Savage
-
Palin's Cheat Sheet by Dan Savage
-
SL Letter of the Day: The Toilet Brush Off by Dan Savage
-
How's That Hopey, Changey Stuff Working Out For Childhood Obesity? by Dan Savage
-
Every Child Deserves a Mother and a Father by Dan Savage
-
Tea Party Crowd Believes That Only Good Spellers Should Vote by Dan Savage
-
Privatizing WA Liquor Carries a High Cost, Says Opponent by Cienna Madrid
-
This Shit Will Never Get Old by Eli Sanders
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (32) RSS