Ready to Rinse and Spit: Dollhouse and Cultural Narratives
It was going to happen sooner or later... Yes, I spent the evening writing Dollhouse meta. Quite long Dollhouse meta, that may or may not make sense and has a rather general feminist chat as it's opening. And it doesn't cover nearly as much as I would like to one day
( Read more... )
Comments 21
Reply
Reply
Reply
This is true. But there are only 12/13 episodes! That's easy...
Reply
Reply
Reply
I love how you related the cultural narratives to Echo and Ballard because I don't like the Prince charming/Ciderella aspect of it, and maybe that's what I don't like about Ballard. While in her Doll state Echo is somehow rebelling against the fantasy/self-constructing from all the imprits and experiences she gets, Ballard gets more and more into the Prince Charming character but what's interesting is that he might find a princess who was able to save herself.So he'll either find a new identity to aspire to or he'll end up deeply disappointed.
Will we accept that this is how TV works, that the male gaze is to be satisfied? Or will we refuse to be distracted and demand to know more about the nature of the Dollhouse’s human trafficking?Well yes, we accept it, we thrive on it and yet... I don't think the people who got into the sow are watching it for the episode to episode fantasy, sure cute ( ... )
Reply
Yeah, it'll be really interesting to see where he goes - technically he saved wedge!Caroline, but I can see him not wanting to leave her physical body there either.
I don't think the people who got into the sow are watching it for the episode to episode fantasy, sure cute girls fighting are still appealing, pretty people walking around being sexy is fun but What's exciting is what happens when the fantasies stop, when Echo remembers something, when a knowing look passes between Victor and Sierra etc, so it's a paradox we want it both ways.That's such a good point. I suppose I wonder then whether we would be happy with just one of those sides without the other. Would we be willing to watch the show without any of the sexy people running around? (And equally would we accept the concept without anyone glitching etc?) It's a kick in the teeth for anyone who piously claims they're above wanting to watch beautiful people run around at the same time ( ... )
Reply
well yeah, and right now what I would think is awful is not so much the things that they make them do, after all what we do know is that the Dolls have to be brought back in one piece (which makes it horrible to be Saunders and Victor). But the not knowing what they did for 5 years ::shudders:: I'm sure some of it they wouldn't want to know but really not knowing anything at all? I'd go crazy afterward, plus I'd want to know what I survived even if it wasn't really me.
Reply
Me too, definitely. I wouldn't be able to stand walking around and wondering if anyone recognised my face - and if so what for...
Reply
Reply
Reply
In no particular order:
When you talked about the hunky lead, I could not work out who you meant -- I thought of Boyd, I thought of Victor, I even thought of Mr Dominic, but Ballard completely slipped my mind. I'm not sure if that's a criticism of the actor or of what I perceive to be his role in the story. (I actually thought both were rather weak).
Paul Ballard ... his arc from Ep. 9-12 is fantastic ... he finds out that Mellie's a doll and it completely messes with his head
I saw that as Mellie's arc, LOL. I loved the 'flowers in a vase' trigger business.
One thing I really enjoyed about Dollhouse was that it had such a strong story arc -- a mystery, really -- running through the entire series, and it didn't feel bolted on (like the conspiracy stuff in the X-Files), it felt like it was the point of the series, with the episodic stories just providing the flesh on the skeleton. And, like fangfaceandrea, I loved spotting those clues!
Topher ... the geeky near-sociopath (with the hubris to make the whole world fall ( ... )
Reply
Yay, you have stuff to say! I always take that to mean meta's been a success.
I saw that as Mellie's arc, LOL. I loved the 'flowers in a vase' trigger business.
Hee! I loved that too. I suppose I didn't really see it as Mellie's arc because, as far as she's concerned, she gets together with a guy and then he's mean and dumps her... But then I suppose that's a story in itself of how not-overly-important her personality was made to be.
the Dollhouse is like a monastery/nunnery
Ooh, that's such an interesting comparison, especially with the breaking point for DeWitt in Epitaph One being (or at least by implication?) the decision to give the bodies away for the whole span of their lives, rather than just five years. Although I would query the difference it makes, considering the five years are rather crucial parts of their lives (ie. their post-youth pre-old-age heyday) - it reminds me a bit of Vestal Virgins, who were chosen between the ages of 6 and 10 then obligated to the ( ... )
Reply
I will definitely want to read it. Will come back to it as soon as I can.
Reply
Yay! *waits semi-patiently*
Reply
Leave a comment