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I just saw that Dollhouse is going to start airing across the pond next week. Meanwhile on this side of the pond there is (improbably) a real hope that the show could be renewed. I'm a huge fan of the show; and was elated to see that its cancellation is not a done deal. That said, it's a strange show, and my love for it comes from a different place than does my love for Buffy and Angel. Some spoiler-free thoughts on Dollhouse below the cut.
1. The first five episodes really are pretty dreadful. Yes, you can read them closely and find interesting things to say about them. Yes, some of the few details of the mythology we see in those episodes would be interesting to revisit now that we're through the first season. Indeed, I do plan on watching them again. But it plays very close to episodic TV (might even be a commentary on episodic TV), and all of the scenarios are well-known staples of episodic TV, and these versions of those familiar tropes aren't done in a particularly gripping way. It's worth watching at least a couple to get a feel for the premise and how the show works. It'd be a mistake to make a judgment on the series based on any of those first five episodes.
2. The series takes a huge turn in #6 and gets substantially more interesting. But it's still uneven. #7 and #10 are arguably not so good. I'd even say the finale, Omega, left something to be desired. I can do meta on Omega that gets rid of the shortcomings I percieve but that brings me to my third negative point:
3. A lot of the appeal of the show is intellectual. I think it really is a fascinating piece of meta about entertainment, and fantasy, and so on. At the same time it's a meditation on human nature and technology and the very real possibility that we could drown in our own technology. Finally, plotwise there's clearly much more story to be told that's almost certainly going to involve the camera pulling back to reveal a much bigger picture than appears to be the case now. So lots to think about. But if the show was just appealing on an intellectual level, you could argue that Joss should write a few essays and do other projects that are more about telling stories that are actually gripping.
4. Not a judge of acting. I can usually swallow most anything. But I can see why people say that Dushku doesn't have the range for this. I also think that she elicits a meh reaction because her character (such as it is) is meant to be that way. It's hard to connect with a show that has a void at the center, even if that's a deliberate artistic choice.
5. But I love this show. I can't really explain why. There are just moments where the show hits me with the precariousness of the human condition in a way I find moving. Some of the inversions in the plot have haunted me after the show in the way that TV rarely haunts me. The ensemble got progressively more interesting, and we can see that just a few layers have been pulled back. Amy Acker rocks in the last few episodes. A couple of the dolls are done by very good actors -- and there's one scene in particular where even someone who's not plugged into whether or not something is well-acted can see that it is unbelievably well acted. The woman running the dollhouse obviously has her own agenda though we don't yet know what it is. etc. etc.
All of this leaves me in a funny emotional place. The news that the show might not be cancelled thrilled me. Were we to get news that the show was cancelled I'm not sure I'd be that crushed. I suppose it's because what I've enjoyed is not tied up with a deep need to see how the story continues. And presumably a lot of my enthusiasm is really about what the show promises -- which is a great deal.
It's a Joss-show for sure. But a Joss-show stripped bare. No loveable characters to reach out and grab us in the first few episodes. More parsimony with clever crackling dialogue. The fun just isn't there in the same way as on his other shows. What do you make of a show that is utterly gripping in a completely ungripping way? I don't know how else to put it. It makes my gut churn and that's just in what seems to be the slow rollercoaster ride up and up and up before taking what (we hope) would be that thrilling plunge down.
1. The first five episodes really are pretty dreadful. Yes, you can read them closely and find interesting things to say about them. Yes, some of the few details of the mythology we see in those episodes would be interesting to revisit now that we're through the first season. Indeed, I do plan on watching them again. But it plays very close to episodic TV (might even be a commentary on episodic TV), and all of the scenarios are well-known staples of episodic TV, and these versions of those familiar tropes aren't done in a particularly gripping way. It's worth watching at least a couple to get a feel for the premise and how the show works. It'd be a mistake to make a judgment on the series based on any of those first five episodes.
2. The series takes a huge turn in #6 and gets substantially more interesting. But it's still uneven. #7 and #10 are arguably not so good. I'd even say the finale, Omega, left something to be desired. I can do meta on Omega that gets rid of the shortcomings I percieve but that brings me to my third negative point:
3. A lot of the appeal of the show is intellectual. I think it really is a fascinating piece of meta about entertainment, and fantasy, and so on. At the same time it's a meditation on human nature and technology and the very real possibility that we could drown in our own technology. Finally, plotwise there's clearly much more story to be told that's almost certainly going to involve the camera pulling back to reveal a much bigger picture than appears to be the case now. So lots to think about. But if the show was just appealing on an intellectual level, you could argue that Joss should write a few essays and do other projects that are more about telling stories that are actually gripping.
4. Not a judge of acting. I can usually swallow most anything. But I can see why people say that Dushku doesn't have the range for this. I also think that she elicits a meh reaction because her character (such as it is) is meant to be that way. It's hard to connect with a show that has a void at the center, even if that's a deliberate artistic choice.
5. But I love this show. I can't really explain why. There are just moments where the show hits me with the precariousness of the human condition in a way I find moving. Some of the inversions in the plot have haunted me after the show in the way that TV rarely haunts me. The ensemble got progressively more interesting, and we can see that just a few layers have been pulled back. Amy Acker rocks in the last few episodes. A couple of the dolls are done by very good actors -- and there's one scene in particular where even someone who's not plugged into whether or not something is well-acted can see that it is unbelievably well acted. The woman running the dollhouse obviously has her own agenda though we don't yet know what it is. etc. etc.
All of this leaves me in a funny emotional place. The news that the show might not be cancelled thrilled me. Were we to get news that the show was cancelled I'm not sure I'd be that crushed. I suppose it's because what I've enjoyed is not tied up with a deep need to see how the story continues. And presumably a lot of my enthusiasm is really about what the show promises -- which is a great deal.
It's a Joss-show for sure. But a Joss-show stripped bare. No loveable characters to reach out and grab us in the first few episodes. More parsimony with clever crackling dialogue. The fun just isn't there in the same way as on his other shows. What do you make of a show that is utterly gripping in a completely ungripping way? I don't know how else to put it. It makes my gut churn and that's just in what seems to be the slow rollercoaster ride up and up and up before taking what (we hope) would be that thrilling plunge down.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-12 09:57 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-12 11:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-13 07:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-12 10:10 pm (UTC)But yes, it is definitely an intellectual show, which somehow makes up for the fact that it is difficult to connect with the characters. Don't ask me to explain how, though:-)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-12 11:30 pm (UTC)Needs was great, and now that we know what we know about the person who cooked that up it's all the more interesting.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-21 02:05 am (UTC)Absolutely.
I rewatched the series this week, and really, the stuff that she does is so very different when you've seen the entire season.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-21 03:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-12 10:36 pm (UTC)Mr W summed it up for me last week during the season finale - "This show wouldn't be nearly as interesting if her (Echo's) boobs weren't hanging out.
I like shows with smart, strong (it doesn't have to be Slayer strong, Veronica Mars strong is fine also) women who are funny and engaged in their lives. Dollhouse just isn't going to be my show. All that being said - I hope it gets renewed since my flist likes it so much.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-12 11:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-13 07:40 am (UTC)On the other hand this inability to connect to the main characters illustrates the horror of the show about what it would mean to be stripped of ones personality.
Actor wise, I'm still not sure about Dushku. She has to stay recognizable and be different in every episode, so it might be on purpose that she's not pulling her full range.
The weak link is Ballard imho. He has some incredibly funny dialog and he just didn't pull it off. It became obvious when he was placed next to Todyk, who was a world of better. Wish DB was free, he would be brilliant for the part.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-13 05:54 pm (UTC)That's a really good way of putting it!
The weak link is Ballard imho. He has some incredibly funny dialog and he just didn't pull it off. It became obvious when he was placed next to Todyk, who was a world of better. Wish DB was free, he would be brilliant for the part.
Totally agree. I liked the actor well enough on BSG, and can see the pretty -- but the only scene he had that really worked for me was the last time he had sex with Mellie. He did dark pretty well. Not sure how he ends up signing on with the dollhouse at the end, though that would be an interesting part of the story going forward.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-15 12:00 am (UTC)(BTW, I know I'm a non-presence in the Buffy fandom at the moment, but I do follow the discussions. I still love you guys. ♥)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-15 03:28 pm (UTC)The Topher/Claire thing was one of the best parts of the final two episodes. Topher's reaction to Dominic/Victor in the chair is when I finally plugged into him. Adelle has always been the one I want to know more about. And the actor who plays Victor is amazing (what's going to happen to him now?!!) Anyway, you just hit my list of favorite characters. Here's hoping we get another season!!!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-16 12:20 am (UTC)I'm mostly fluctuating between the Dollhouse and Bleach fandoms at the moment (I had dropped the latter years ago, when its plot and characterization seemed to shrink in favour of fights and fanservice, but along came another crack-pairing-turned-redemption-storyline, and, well, you know me). Even so, I still love the Buffy characters and I still love Joss, and I feel even more comfortable loving them from this safety distance. ;)
The Topher/Claire thing was one of the best parts of the final two episodes. Topher's reaction to Dominic/Victor in the chair is when I finally plugged into him. Adelle has always been the one I want to know more about. And the actor who plays Victor is amazing (what's going to happen to him now?!!) Anyway, you just hit my list of favorite characters.
I've been interested in Topher/Claire ever since Topher's little "scowly babies" rant, but mostly as a guilty pleasure. I didn't expect it to get as juicy and complex as Omega is now hinting. And yes, Enver Gjokaj is an incredible actor. My God. I had an inkling of how good he was from Needs, but his impersonation of Dominic blew me away.
Here's hoping we get another season!!!
Prospects are looking very bright at the moment!!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-16 12:43 am (UTC)My computer/internet skills are extremely limited. Where *is* the Dollhouse fandom? The site where all the cool kids are?
(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-16 01:25 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-21 02:03 am (UTC)That... is really a very accurate way of putting it.