Joss Whedon's Dollhouse - R.I.P

[CurryKitten]

Damn, shouldn't have looked at the spolier tag. Kind of automatic when I think i'm up to date.

I did exactly the same... oops

[rumblecat]

Aye, maybe one be tagged as a future spoiler, I always assume in the TV show threads the spoilers are for things that have already happened (I actually thought it was Firefly spoiler in the context of the previous post).

[Strawp]

Aww, poor Topher. Bless him.

Did anyone else notice he had the Marc Ecko ltd edition Boba Fett zip hoodie on in the beginning? So tempted to get one of those

[Hexx]

I liked Topher's use of a Doll.

I wish we'd seen more of the Doll's being used as an emotional crutch for people - rather "Yey I get to make hanky panky with my dream girl/boy"

Edit - Also where was Echo's new handler while she was being chased by a shovel killer?

[rumblecat]

I thought the Echo plot was largely rubbish. The concept was decent enough but Dushku didn't have the acting chops to pull the role off. I don't know if it was her performance or the script, but at one point this upper-class middle-aged millionairess greeted another character with "Hey". I know that's nit-picky but the whole concept of the show is supposed to hinge around the dolls actually becoming other people, and the rest of the story wasn't strong enough to make me overlook weak acting and mistakes in characterisation.

Yeah, I think you're pretty spot-on with that. I know it's become a bit boring to say that Dushku lacks the range for the role, but she really is weak link. Every 'different' person she plays ends up being the same wise-ass gal. The stuff at the funeral was particularly poor. I didn't mind the cheesy kind of Cluedo plot but it could have been a little more twisted and interesting.

The stuff with the FBI guy and the doll was great though, exactly the kind of screwed-up situation they should be mining.

[Geo]

Apologies for the spoiler guys, was regretting posting it all day but was no where near a computer! I too can't resist sometimes, I'll edit it out and direct to the imdb page, apologies.

[Hexx]

Alan Tudyk is amazing.

"Carrots! Medicinal Carrots! That were here when I moved in! For my own personal use!"

Really good episode of DH - even the ED stuff wasn't as lame as usual.

And it's pretty much stated that at least some of the staff are also Doll!

[Captain Novaforce]

Indeed, great episode.

I think it shows what couldve been done with the show if all the dolls were as good at acting as Tudyk!

[Peter]

I found Alan Tudyk annoying. He was just doing Wash on speed.

[Gambit]

To me the whole series should be centred more on Helo. His storyline is by far the best of the lot, and if that means putting in less Dushku then I'm all for it. What the fuck was the point of all that child nonsense at the start? It didn't even go anywhere.

[Jimbo]

The Dushku stuff was weak as usual, the Wash stuff was good.

[11 Herbs 'n' Spices]

To be fair, this ep played out as the first part of a two parter.

Besides, even if the juvenile story goes nowhere else it was a yet another good example of how the Dollhouse can be used, creating an extremely personalised careworker. I didn't like last week's storyline – the posthumous murder mystery – but the concept was great. I love seeing the dolls employed in more innovative ways rather than the obvious 'become a ninja assassin' or 'satisfy a client's carnal desires'.

[Fuddle]

they have to keep sticking stuff like that in, otherwise its just a high tech whore house. and they obviously dont want the viewer to think that.

but the little kid was also a clever way of introducing the prince rescuing sleeping beauty theme that was mirrored in the actual dollhouse story, and was perhaps a big clue that he was alpha, and would actually get her out at the end.... although i didnt see it.

[Harsin]

How did Alpha know Ballard was going to come see that bloke?

[Silent Runner]

Quality episode. I never really got into Firefly and that guy was one of the main reasons but he was pretty great in Dollhouse. I wonder what the implant Echo got implanted with was? Maybe it’s the real Caroline and not the animal-lib chick from earlier in the series. Pity we’ll never see a second series.

[Strawp]

Next one is the last one isn't it?

[Mogster]

Next one is the last one isn't it?

For TV, yep. There'll an extra episode on the DVD though.

[Campfire_Burning]

I thought that was brilliant. I thought Alpha imprinted Echo with himself. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if Echo was originally Alpha, who imprinted Alpha with her personality because she knew she couldn't escape from the Dollhouse. She made a copy who could escape while all the attention was focussed upon her. IN FACT, it's possible that they're now both facets of the ORIGINAL Alpha's personality. So when they talk about sending Alpha to the attic, they're not lying - the original Alpha was sent to the attic after he imprinted himself upon a number of the dolls. Which would explain the glitching some of them have been experiencing.

I'm guessing the doctor molested Alpha when he was brought in. They seemed to suggest that in this episode, and it's one of the themes of the show.

Also, major props to the guy who plays Victor for what was surely greatest impersonation of Reed Diamond the world has ever seen.

The only bit I didn't like was the end, which reminded me far too much of Spike and Drusilla - or it would have if Dushku was actually channelling Dru instead of bad-girl Faith.

[Silent Runner]

Also, major props to the guy who plays Victor for what was surely greatest impersonation of Reed Diamond the world has ever seen.

That bit was great. He really nailed it.

[Hexx]

I'm guessing the doctor molested Alpha when he was brought in. They seemed to suggest that in this episode, and it's one of the themes of the show.

Alpha was "testing" the Doctor and her memory. (Like when he asked if she'd "always" wanted to be a Doctor and called her a liar when she said yes).

She's clearly a Doll ("Victor/Laurance" calls her Whisky).

The best internet theory I've seen is that she's a doll broken/scarred by Alpha, so was no good for assignments - so they made her a doctor to complete her 5 year contract in another way.

Other theories have been she's the "imprint" of the original Doc Saunders (like Laurance was in Victor) but doesn't know it.

I can't really remember the pilot - so I don't know how this ties in.

Edit - And yes the Victor actor is amazing. And Sierra too (but not "as" amazing). ED is the weak link

[Couch Corpse]

I've started to forward the Echo parts, much better show.

[Campfire_Burning]

I've started to forward the Echo parts, much better show.

I keep hoping she'll be killed off in a trademark Whedon shock kill. But since she's the producer it seems unlikely.

Which means it'll be one of the likeable characters.

[DarhkFox]

yeah i think the actor who plays Victor is really good. I think Sierra is good as well, much better than her Neighbours days.

[poppa_f]

Gutted there's only two more episodes

From around episode 9 onwards it has not failed to entertain me, probably my favourite current TV show now BSG has ended.

Could anyone recommend me something similar to watch once dollhouse ends?

[Geo]

Gutted there's only two more episodes

From around episode 9 onwards it has not failed to entertain me, probably my favourite current TV show now BSG has ended.

Could anyone recommend me something similar to watch once dollhouse ends?

If you haven't seen them watch Buffy, Angel and Firefly. All brilliant and all better than Dollhouse (though Buffy and Angel both have the odd smelly season).

[Hexx]

Could anyone recommend me something similar to watch once dollhouse ends?

Buffy/Angel/Firefly.

(Although Buffy's first season is like a lot of the weaker Dollhouse episodes)

[poppa_f]

Firefly I have already seen, liked that a lot.

Have caught the odd episode of Angel and Buffy here and there but never really got into it. Sounds like I should give it another crack then?

Should I start at episode one, or are the first few series a bit duff?

[Silent Runner]

You have to start with Season 1 of Buffy, it’s a bit dated now but it’s still great. Season 2 is some of the best TV you’re going to see. Season 3 is also excellent. At the end of season 3 the Angel spinoff starts so you’d probably need to have watched Buffy to get into it. In summary, stick with Buffy season 1 even when it’s a bit weak because season 2+3 will blow your mind.

[Hexx]

Firefly I have already seen, liked that a lot.

Have caught the odd episode of Angel and Buffy here and there but never really got into it. Sounds like I should give it another crack then?

Should I start at episode one, or are the first few series a bit duff?

You should - but you'd have to watch them in order (alot of it is continuity/thread/arc based).

I'd watch season 1 of buffy...it's variable but it's still pretty good.

Season 2 steps it up to generally "good" - but then get amazing after the second two parter (Innocence/Surprise) and stays that way till the finale. (Best finale of all 7 series )

Angel is set after Season 3 of Buffy - So I wouldn't start that until you've got to the end of S3 of Buffy.

I think S3 of Buffy is the best overal - it's more consistently higher, but never has the peaks of S2.

[Geo]

Extended episode for the finale? The file size is defo bigger! EXCITEMENT!!