Dollhouse on FOX

[bicker]

Who else is looking forward to this new program?

Some details, for those who haven't heard about it...

Joss Whedon, creator of groundbreaking cult favorites "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly," returns to television and reunites with fellow "Buffy" alumna Eliza Dushku for a thrilling new drama, Dollhouse.

Echo (Dushku) is an "Active," a member of a highly illegal and underground group who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Confined to a secret facility known as the "Dollhouse," Echo and the other Actives including Sierra (Dichen Lachman, "Neighbours") and Victor (Enver Gjokaj, "The Unit") carry out engagements assigned by Adelle (Olivia Williams, "X-Men: The Last Stand," "Rushmore"), one of the Dollhouse leaders. The engagements cater to the wealthy, powerful and connected, and require the Actives to immerse themselves in all manner of scenarios romantic, criminal, uplifting, dangerous, comical and the occasional "pro bono" good deed. After each scenario, Echo, always under the watchful eye of her handler Boyd (Harry Lennix, "Commander in Chief," 24), returns to the mysterious Dollhouse where her thoughts, feelings and experiences are erased by Topher (Fran Kranz, "Welcome to the Captain"), the Dollhouse's genius programmer. Echo enters the next scenario with no memory of before.

Or does she? As the series progresses, FBI Agent Paul Smith (Tahmoh Penikett, "Battlestar Galactica") pieces together clues that lead him closer to the Dollhouse, while Echo stops forgetting, her memories begin to return and she slowly pieces together her mysterious past. Dollhouse revolves around Echo's blossoming self-awareness and her desire to discover her true identity. But with each new engagement, comes a new memory and increased danger inside and outside the Dollhouse.

Before this 2008-2009 television season started, there were two shows that I was very-much looking forward to: Fringe, which premiered in the Fall, and Dollhouse, which premieres this coming Friday.

Fringe hasn't lived up to expectations, I feel. I believe the series suffers from a bit too much "proceduralization" (i.e., making the "freak-of-the-week" stories stand alone, better). I think Fringe would have been better with a more talented lead. Anna Torv is "okay", but I don't feel she's doing a good job leading the ensemble at Fringe. By contrast, John Noble (who plays Walter Bishop) practically steals every scene he's in, and is single-handedly keeping the show interesting for me.

Among shows I didn't expect to like, The Mentalist stands out as a big, pleasant surprise. While Robin Tunney continues to suck the life out of every scene she's in, that cannot overcome the charm and brilliance of Simon Baker's performances.

Which brings me back to Dollhouse: I didn't actually watch Tru Calling, so I wasn't disappointed when it was canceled. I am hoping, though, that Dollhouse becomes a true stand-out: A genre program with some significant staying power. After Firefly, I would like to see Joss Whedon give us another strong hit, like Buffy and Angel.

 

[npmommie]

I don't know anything about the show dollhouse, but the ad with her laying naked ( or she appears to be naked), just makes it look smutty in nature to me.
very suggestive looking.

 

[bicker]

It definitely catches the attention, and it is in keeping with the spirit of the character, in that it alludes to how the "dolls" are stripped of their memories and feelings between each mission.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm not a fan of Eliza Dushku at all, but the whole premise of the story sounds good to me. I'm willing to give it a try when it comes on.

 

[Avalon_toon]

I'm really looking forward to it - I love Joss Whedon's work, I think it will be great.

 

[Napria]

I'm aware of it but purposely have not read too much about it. I loved Firefly and after renting and watching (and then buying) all episodes because a friend told me to check it out, I went back and watched all Buffy episodes. I've never seen Angel because I just never liked the guy who plays him.

I also like Eureka, but am not too happy with how they're splitting season 3 (I've heard the next batch of episodes for season 3 start this summer.)

So yes, I'm looking forward to the Dollhouse. I'll give it three episodes to decide if I'm going to watch it regularly or not.

Of course, I really, really wish they'd somehow get Firefly back!

BTW, did anyone else hear that Joss is working with BBC to make a "Watcher" series starring Anthony Head?

 

[browneyes106]

This show looks good and I like Eliza a lot and I was sad when Tru Calling got canceled. I hope this show lasts.

 

[JessR]

it looks good

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I don't know anything about the show dollhouse, but the ad with her laying naked ( or she appears to be naked), just makes it look smutty in nature to me.
very suggestive looking.

I got the same impression, but I think because there is a Gentleman's Club in town called the Dollhouse.

 

[BountyHunter]

When does Dollhouse start?

 

[Cool-Beans]

I was not a fan of Eliza Dushku when she was in Buffy. I don't think she's all that good. I hope they make her confused a lot. She's good at being confused.

But I can't think of anything Joss Whedon was involved with that I didn't like at least a little and since "Eureka" keeps getting pushed off, I have an opening in my, "I watch five shows" list...I'll be watching! (Well, Monk and Psych are on that night and Psych is doing a "Friday the 13th" movie thing, so I'll be watching those. But I'll watch it after or on Saturday.)

The premise sounds good, but doesn't matter. It's that Joss touch that I like.

 

[Cool-Beans]

When does Dollhouse start?

This Friday, the 13th. (ee-ee-ee-ee-ah-ah-ah-ah.)

 

[Breezie]

I'm very excited for this. Buffy was (and is) one of my favorite shows. I really enjoy the television shows that Joss Whedon is a part of.

Apparently I'm in the minority in this thread, but I like Eliza Dushku and thought she was great as Faith.

 

[2BigKIdz]

I am looking forward to Dollhouse. I like Eliza Dushku. I did not watch Tru Calling while it was on but have since watched all of the episodes on Sci Fi and really enjoyed it for the most part. Once Jason Priestly came on I didn't like the direction it went, but up until that point it was very interesting.

I like Fringe a lot, but I do agree that Walter makes the show. He cracks me up! I enjoy watching Joshua Jackson as well and their banter as father and son is great.

The Mentalist is probably my favorite new show, Simon Baker is awesome! I really like the Asian guy, can't think of his name right now, I think it might be Cho, he is entertaining. Tunney's character is very, very dry, but I guess it is meant to be that way. The other female charachter is much more interesting. Sorry, can't think of any of the names right now

I also like Eleventh Hour and have not really liked Rufus Sewell until now but think he is doing a great job on the series.

 

[bicker]

The Mentalist is probably my favorite new show

Ours too, but I think that's cheating (on CBS' part). The Mentalist is very much a procedural show with a twist that has been used several times before -- a twist that actually makes the story writing easier (because it acts sometimes almost like deus ex machina). Indeed, the only thing that really distinguishes The Mentalist is how well Simon Baker pulls the twist off. It's just good execution of a often-used formula. Cheating!

Tunney's character is very, very dry, but I guess it is meant to be that way.

I cannot imagine that she's meant to suck the life out of every scene she's in. There are other ways to be dry; Gillian Anderson's Scully, from the first season of X-Files, is a good example.

The other female charachter is much more interesting. Sorry, can't think of any of the names right now

Amanda Righetti plays Grace Van Pelt. Righetti is quoted as saying that she couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. I think she's wrong about that, but, I think she really doesn't fit well as a police officer -- her looks are too stunning to be sufficiently tamped down to make her seem like anything other than a beautiful actress playing a cop. I wonder what it says that it was so much easier to tamp Tunney's looks down to make her look like a convincing cop.

 

[Jennasis]

Dollhouse sounds like a strip club, and the premise walks a line too close to "My Own Worst enemy" (which got canned).

I adore Fringe and think Walter is definitely a scene stealer, but we like Anna Torv as well.

 

[Darsa]

This Friday, the 13th. (ee-ee-ee-ee-ah-ah-ah-ah.)

I will watch it, only because it's made by Mr. Whedon and I loved the Firefly series I hope it's as good!

I love Walter on Fringe as well; he, along with the CRAZY gross things that happen, make that show for me

 

[Cool-Beans]

Well, it really didn't have the Whedonny humor I've come to expect. Bummer there. There aren't many shows that can be dramatic and funny and that's what I like most about Joss' stuff.

Characters not too fleshed out, either. His characters are usually unique and well done. These people were more "suits" than I expected. We'll see.

The show was okay. I'll give it a few more watches.

They should have given that British chick Eliza's job and vice versa.

Didn't love Eliza. But didn't hate her and kind of expected to, so there is that.

Can't say I love it, can't say I don't like it. It's all very "we'll see" right now for me.

 

[Breezie]

Well, it really didn't have the Whedonny humor I've come to expect. Bummer there. There aren't many shows that can be dramatic and funny and that's what I like most about Joss' stuff.

Characters not too fleshed out, either. His characters are usually unique and well done. These people were more "suits" than I expected. We'll see.

The show was okay. I'll give it a few more watches.

They should have given that British chick Eliza's job and vice versa.

Didn't love Eliza. But didn't hate her and kind of expected to, so there is that.

Can't say I love it, can't say I don't like it. It's all very "we'll see" right now for me.

I think that was our problem with it too. I just kept waiting for the humor and it never came.

I'll continue to watch it though.

 

[ilovejack02]

I think that was our problem with it too. I just kept waiting for the humor and it never came.

I'll continue to watch it though.

My problem too.. humor never came.

Was a good show though.. took me a lil while to get into it. Looking forward to the next show.