Dollhouse
I am going to talk TV again here, I dont do it very often (I think) but I just want to sort my thoughts out on this show before they get tainted by the internet etc. There will be spoilers (Hence the cut) but I will try to keep them to a minimum so that if you read my thoughts you will still be able to enjoy the show.
( Dollhouse 1x01 )
( Dollhouse 1x01 )
Joss's strength is writing great ensemble casts with unique, idiosyncratic people that grow and interact and develop - it is love for them that keeps you watching, even if the story of the week isn't that strong.
In DH - from what we've seen - your main character is someone who, as you point out, basically isn't a someone. They're a nothing, who becomes a someone for a single episode (or maybe two) - kind of the character equivalent of SPNs monster of the week. The surrounding personnel aren't particularly nice. Even if some of them eventually become angsty about what they're doing (and yes, definitely saw flags for that one) - they are still just peripheral characters, and cannot maintain any kind of coherent relationship with Echo as she ceases to be whomever they are relating to that week. Best they can manage is a giant pity fest, to which one could add 'break-through' memories, but hey, still just angsty pity fest.
So, to me it lacks the basic premise for a good Joss series - there is no TEAM. There's no one to attach to. And I don't fancy Eliza enough to watch for the perv factor - I suspect she's a rather clever lady, but she just lacks something for me in a leading roll.
I can't see any avenue for this to go that would engage me - if I don't care about the people, then the monster of the week scenario doesn't work for me. And if it just turns into some giant angsty psych fest with added double crossing style twists (and playing dodgem with yet another stereotypical lone FBI agent with a mission)?? Nah, not interested.
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