Regarding Dollhouse

[redbrickrose]

I got this link from nikitangel last night: The Original Dollhouse pilot script. If you're interested in Dollhouse at all and haven't read the original pilot, I would definitely recommend doing so.

Comments

[tx_cronopio]

I agree with what you say. And the current vibe about oh, just wait till the 6th ep! is just silly. That's a lifetime in television. Even with my fondness for Joss, I doubt I'll give it that much time.

[redbrickrose]

I'll give it as much time as it has probably, but see above re: no bounds and no shame. Mostly, I just don't know why Joss keeps getting into bed with Fox. That NEVER ENDS WELL. He should be on HBO or, barring that, at least scifi.

[viciouswishes]

I really thought that the reason he wasn't writing TV and writing comics instead (and Serenity) because I figured he was holding out until his exclusive with FOX ran out. But then he's back with them. Of course, we aren't privy to inside information about deals.

[redbrickrose]

Okay, I didn't know he had an exclusive still. That explains why DH is on Fox, then. But yeah, we don't know what's going on behind the scenes and I guess the heads of Fox have changed since FF - still, this doesn't seem to be going a whole lot better for him.

[natacup82]

I'll have to check out that script after work, I have a feeling that reading it is going to piss me off because the aired pilot was just weak. I'm not really surprised because: Fox, but still

[redbrickrose]

You should definitely read it, and it will piss you off. We've actually gotten some of the scenes from it spread out over the last three episodes - except in the original they're arranged in a way that clearly ties them together and makes more sense, SO.

I'm going to keep watching (ELIZA PLZ STAY ON MY TV FOREVER) but there probably is no way to make the premise less squicky - but there *are* ways to textually acknowledge everything that's wrong with it and subvert those things. I just worry about how effectively that's going to be done in the end. Fox seems to really like playing up (and dragging out) her vulnerability (the advertisements for the show squick me so hard and I blame Fox for those). The critique that Joss's heroines always come into their power through violation is a valid one and that seems to be what's going on here (again) but I do want to see her come into that power and we really need a lot more of Caroline's backstory fast.

[amaresu]

That was so much better than the pilot we got. Not only does it actually make the show about Echo, I kinda liked Topher.

[redbrickrose]

I know. :( *So* much better. There's character development for everyone and the plot actually makes sense! Of course, Fox couldn't have that.

[amaresu]

Fox doesn't believe in coherent plots. You'd think that with the amount of money they've sunk into the show they'd be willing to try and make it successful.

Also I failed to remember your birthday. So happy belated birthday!

[redbrickrose]

Where's the fun in that? Much better to just show episodes at random.

And thanks!

[mischiefmydear]

My biggest complaint right now is the pacing. I feel like the story is moving fast, but we're getting nothing out of it. We don't know ANYONE, and I have little reason to care about anyone. Firefly's plot moved slow as molasses, and I could never get in to it because of that. Dollhouse's seems to be moving fast, but seems superfluous.

That being said, I still think my show highlights of the week are Moonlight & Dollhouse. Maybe because everything else doesn't feel up to my standards right now. (Except How I Met Yr Mother)

[redbrickrose]

That's what I mean, I think. Maybe things are happening, but they don't matter. They're not telling us anything and we don't know anything about the characters.

The only shows I'm still watching are SPN, BSG and Dollhouse. I've given up on everything else, but I don't really watch sitcoms. I've heard really good things about How I Met Your Mother.

[mischiefmydear]

I don't really watch sitcoms much either, but somehow HIMYM has COMPLETELY stolen my heart. I was completely hooked by the end of season 1. Plus, it's totally got Alyson Hannigan & Alexis Desinof (he's in at least s1), and is very referential to other shows (like Doogie Howser).

Re: Dollhouse, I think I was just trying to agree with you, if that makes sense? Agree + add? I'm not sure. I keep watching shows, like Heroes & SPN, even though they're just disappointing me. Heroes is a bit better now, but now I go, WHERE IS THE COMIC BOOK STORY?!

[redbrickrose]

The other one I've heard good things about and might try is 30 Rock. I'm still sort of watching The Office, but it's just not at all as good as it used to be.

I'm holding out hope for SPN to pull it together. I think I like the direction they're going in (if they're going where I think they are) it's just taking them so long to get there.

[darksylvia]

I like this script for the real pilot WAY better than what was actually shown. Fucking Fox. Ballard and Echo NEEDED that connection to make us all jazzed about it. Right now I'm just like "Blah blah blah, Ballard is up against a giant scary corporation. I've seen this fight before."

[redbrickrose]

It would have been so much better. It would have given us more reasons to be invested in the characters and it would have given *them* a connection. Why does Ballard care about Caroline? WHO KNOWS! Clearly that's not important. *hands*