Welcome to the Dollhouse!
I just realized I never updated with my thoughts on the Dollhouse series premiere. Thanks to sidewalk_doctor's mention of it in her post for reminding me, lol.
First, I can't begin to say how excited and happy I was to see "Created by Joss Whedon" on my television again. And after the episode, when the Mutant Enemy logo came on, I squealed and actually went "Grr. Arg." with the monster. I'm a geek and I'm proud of it. Now, on to the episode itself.
With every single Whedon project (except Angel, since it was a spinoff and the Buffy fans were going to follow that show anyway), I think the show need a few weeks or so to figure it out. To be really good. To get into that amazing rhythm. Joss's work is usually so out there that the general public doesn't catch on for awhile anyway.
I have heard from many critics that the second episode is twice as good as the pilot, and that the third episode is then twice as good as the second. So I'm not really worried about the show doing poorly.
And Fox did say they would let the show have it's entire run before making a decision as to the show's fate, because they know Joss can bring in the people. They know he needs some time to get the show running and to bring back his fans. Buffy wasn't a hit at first either. It came in as a midseason replacement in winter of 1997. It was based off a 1992 failed movie project (though I do still love that movie, and I have since I was 5). And it became one of the most popular, most talked about, most engaging television shows ever. It spawned a spinoff that lasted five seasons. It continues in comic book form. People still talk about it. Still reference it. Still write material about it. Because deep down, it's an amazing piece of work. It was an allegory for high school being hell. It worked. They know Joss can do good work, is what I'm getting it.
I also think the Fox people are kicking themselves for axing Firefly prematurely now. I think they realize Joss can make them the big money if given a shot. So I'm really not worried at all about the show.
That being said, I actually liked the Dollhouse premiere. But I didn't like Eliza as the negotiator woman Eleanor Penn. I think it's just cause that look is A) not good for her B) never how I've seen her before. I was never a huge fan of Eliza. I mean, I am a fan. I don't hate her, in fact, I really like her. I just tended not to follow her in many of her other things. So basically there are only two people I can see Eliza as playing: Faith, and Missy from Bring It On. Seriously. But I know just from saying that, that she can play a wide range of characters. I have faith (no pun intended) in her.
The one weak link I see is with the nerd programmer whose name escapes me at the moment. They need someone in that role who doesn't look like he just graduated from college as a big science nerd. That character needs to have an actor who has ... more of a presence? Does that make sense? The guy is such a dweeb who plays him. They need someone who is a dweeb, but you might actually believe could do this to people. In the Whedonverse, the first person who came to mind was actually Warren. Because he was a nerd. But he had that big presence. I immediately missed Andrew and thought he could have been perfect, but then realized that he could never be the programmer. Someone else is needed.
And I feel like Amy Acker's character is all weird. But I'm sure we'll get more from her character later. And find out why she has those scars. They subtly brought that in. They didn't really say anything about it, but you know it will play a part in the overall mystery of the Dollhouse. I'm excited about it. I love Amy. And it's about time she returns to TV. She was amazing as Fred and Illyria on Angel, and I actually loved her as Kelly Peyton on season five of Alias. I also flipped my lid when she appeared as Penelope on How I Met Your Mother. So I'm confident Amy will shine.
The best part for me though was Paul Ballard. Tahmoh Penikett from Battlestar Galactica is kicking ass already and I'm so excited. I have to admit something though. I kept yelling, "YEAH HELO! YEAHHHHHHHHH!" at my television whenever he showed up. I think Tahmoh is PERFECT for this role. And while I will probably never stop thinking of him as Helo, it's okay. Because seriously, it works. Helo was a bad ass. Paul is a bad ass. I could totally see Helo taking a job like this when the BSG gang finds a planet to live on (BECAUSE HELO WILL SURVIVE!)
The woman who runs the Dollhouse is JUST creepy and mysterious enough that she works really well. And I really like the man who plays Echo's handler.
Needless to say, I like the show. It has promise. And I cannot wait for Friday.
Also, while I'm on the subject of Joss Whedon, Charisma Carpenter is going to be on one of the thousands of CSI shows.
First, I can't begin to say how excited and happy I was to see "Created by Joss Whedon" on my television again. And after the episode, when the Mutant Enemy logo came on, I squealed and actually went "Grr. Arg." with the monster. I'm a geek and I'm proud of it. Now, on to the episode itself.
With every single Whedon project (except Angel, since it was a spinoff and the Buffy fans were going to follow that show anyway), I think the show need a few weeks or so to figure it out. To be really good. To get into that amazing rhythm. Joss's work is usually so out there that the general public doesn't catch on for awhile anyway.
I have heard from many critics that the second episode is twice as good as the pilot, and that the third episode is then twice as good as the second. So I'm not really worried about the show doing poorly.
And Fox did say they would let the show have it's entire run before making a decision as to the show's fate, because they know Joss can bring in the people. They know he needs some time to get the show running and to bring back his fans. Buffy wasn't a hit at first either. It came in as a midseason replacement in winter of 1997. It was based off a 1992 failed movie project (though I do still love that movie, and I have since I was 5). And it became one of the most popular, most talked about, most engaging television shows ever. It spawned a spinoff that lasted five seasons. It continues in comic book form. People still talk about it. Still reference it. Still write material about it. Because deep down, it's an amazing piece of work. It was an allegory for high school being hell. It worked. They know Joss can do good work, is what I'm getting it.
I also think the Fox people are kicking themselves for axing Firefly prematurely now. I think they realize Joss can make them the big money if given a shot. So I'm really not worried at all about the show.
That being said, I actually liked the Dollhouse premiere. But I didn't like Eliza as the negotiator woman Eleanor Penn. I think it's just cause that look is A) not good for her B) never how I've seen her before. I was never a huge fan of Eliza. I mean, I am a fan. I don't hate her, in fact, I really like her. I just tended not to follow her in many of her other things. So basically there are only two people I can see Eliza as playing: Faith, and Missy from Bring It On. Seriously. But I know just from saying that, that she can play a wide range of characters. I have faith (no pun intended) in her.
The one weak link I see is with the nerd programmer whose name escapes me at the moment. They need someone in that role who doesn't look like he just graduated from college as a big science nerd. That character needs to have an actor who has ... more of a presence? Does that make sense? The guy is such a dweeb who plays him. They need someone who is a dweeb, but you might actually believe could do this to people. In the Whedonverse, the first person who came to mind was actually Warren. Because he was a nerd. But he had that big presence. I immediately missed Andrew and thought he could have been perfect, but then realized that he could never be the programmer. Someone else is needed.
And I feel like Amy Acker's character is all weird. But I'm sure we'll get more from her character later. And find out why she has those scars. They subtly brought that in. They didn't really say anything about it, but you know it will play a part in the overall mystery of the Dollhouse. I'm excited about it. I love Amy. And it's about time she returns to TV. She was amazing as Fred and Illyria on Angel, and I actually loved her as Kelly Peyton on season five of Alias. I also flipped my lid when she appeared as Penelope on How I Met Your Mother. So I'm confident Amy will shine.
The best part for me though was Paul Ballard. Tahmoh Penikett from Battlestar Galactica is kicking ass already and I'm so excited. I have to admit something though. I kept yelling, "YEAH HELO! YEAHHHHHHHHH!" at my television whenever he showed up. I think Tahmoh is PERFECT for this role. And while I will probably never stop thinking of him as Helo, it's okay. Because seriously, it works. Helo was a bad ass. Paul is a bad ass. I could totally see Helo taking a job like this when the BSG gang finds a planet to live on (BECAUSE HELO WILL SURVIVE!)
The woman who runs the Dollhouse is JUST creepy and mysterious enough that she works really well. And I really like the man who plays Echo's handler.
Needless to say, I like the show. It has promise. And I cannot wait for Friday.
Also, while I'm on the subject of Joss Whedon, Charisma Carpenter is going to be on one of the thousands of CSI shows.