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RSSStill not panicking about 'Dollhouse'
Do you remember last year how dismayed I was about The Return of Jezebel James? I couldn't get past the fact that the dismal comedy was from the woman behind Gilmore Girls.
I know many of you are concerned about the show and I want to assure that it is NOT the same situation with Dollhouse, the new series from Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly) premiering tonight at 9 p.m. on FOX. Having loved, loved, loved Buffy, my expectations are probably even higher than they were for Jezebel James.
But with Jezebel James I couldn't see a way out. With Dollhouse although the two episodes I watched were a little rocky, I can see that great things could happen with this series. (There was some delay in getting the DVDs of the second two episodes available for review to me. So I wasn't able to watch the third episode available for review in time for today's post but I definitely will let you know what I think next week.)
Eliza Dushku (Faith on Buffy) stars as Echo, an "Active" who can have her memory erased and be imprinted with a new personality for each mission she is hired for. In the pilot, she's an expert kidnap negotiator. Next week she's the perfect girlfriend.
There is A LOT going on in the first two episodes. The show has to not only set up the rather outlandish premise (a secret organization that hires out Actives for big bucks) and introduce us to a slew of characters but also set up the multiple conflicts that exist in this world. So we meet Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett), the lone FBI agent who believes the Dollhouse exists and is determined to find it. Harry Lennix is Echo's handler Boyd. Amy Acker (an actress I'm happy to see anywhere) is the seemingly fragile doctor who cares for the Actives. Fran Kranz (very different from his Welcome to the Captain role) is the not as happy-go-lucky as he looks guy who imprints the personalities. Enver Gjokaj and Reed Diamond are the creepy folks keeping the Dollhouse in check. There are enemies inside of the Dollhouse, enemies outside of the Dollhouse, the mystery of how Echo ended up in the Dollhouse, the fact that Echo is starting to remember some things and much more happening.
That's a lot of ground to cover in one hour and it plays out that way. The pilot isn't the easiest way into the series. But I like Dushku in the part. She's good as the innocent and convincing in her different hired out "roles." And the rest of the cast suits the series as well.
While watching, I have to remind myself that I don't think Buffy truly became the genius show that it was until its second season. I think it takes a show that has to create an entire fantasy world for the viewer to find itself. But Dollhouse definitely has my attention. I'll continue to watch. And I'm so not panicking. For now, three stars.
After you watch tonight's episode, let me know what you think and talk about Dollhouse below.
Quotes of the Week
"It's a bromance Turk, you can't fight it." J.D. to Turk on Scrubs.
"It's too late for me. My head is her summer house." Leonard to Penny about his mother on The Big Bang Theory.
"I didn't come out of the closet to become a cliché." Saul to Kevin when they are invited to Kitty's baby shower on Brothers & Sisters.
"I have been naked on this street. It would be nice to take the heat off that story." Susan to Katherine on Desperate Housewives.
"My babies will have Alzheimer's and suicidal tendencies and split ends." Meredith to Cristina on Grey's Anatomy.
Exchange of the Week
"How can I be sure where your loyalties really lie?" President Taylor to Jack Bauer on 24.
"With all due respect Madam President, ask around." Jack's response. Thanks to Barry, Sue and Dean who were the first to submit the most popular exchange of the week.
Some Fun Links
FOX has developed an online game you can play that corresponds to Dollhouse
And there's still time to get Valentine's Day e-cards of 30 Rock, Chuck, The Office and more at
That's all for today. I'm back next week to talk about American Idol ( Really? Tatiana? Really? I so don't like how they are getting down to the final 12 this year), 24 (Chloe vs. Janis showdown is almost here!), ER (paging Dr. Carter), Leverage (the two part season finale begins Tuesday) and more. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Monday.
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
I completely agree with you on Tatiana! I am cringing just thinking about having to hear her the whole season.
She may be this year's, "Sanjiya" Okay, so I do not know how to spell his name:)
Oh Amy, I hope you're right. I really enjoy Joss Whedon's previous projects, but Dollhouse has me very concerned for a few reasons:
1) The premise of Dollhouse seems overly complicated, not necessarily designed for a large following and a little similar to "My Own Worst Enemy," which nobody watched and was quickly canceled.
2) Whedon is putting a lot of eggs into Eliza Dushku's acting ability basket to carry the show. Having seen her rather one-dimensional work before (Tru Calling), I have my doubts whether she can pull it off. Whereas a relatively unknown Jennifer Garner was able to make Alias -- another high concept series -- work, I have serious reservations if Dushku can do the same for Dollhouse.
3) The few promo scenes I watched from the show indicate there is a group of people running Dollhouse who speak a lot of techno-babble and if those actors aren't interesting and compelling, that will be another huge strike. Alias also had a very good supporting cast backing up Garner.
4) Lastly, Friday nights at 9? Good or bad? Big gamble.
Still, I'll be watching and hoping for the best.
OMG I cannot believe that Tatiana made it to the 36--I hope she gets wiped out right away!!
Can't wait for Monday's Column with Dr. Carter and ER--oh no the end is near...nooooooooo
Pietro
I'm excited (and apprehensive!) about Dollhouse but am willing to try anything that Joss puts on tv.
I'm so looking forward to seeing Dr. Carter on ER again - he was always my favorite. :)
Amy, I am so glad to read your review of Dollhouse after reading the one posted earlier today on zap2it. I so believe in Joss, and I agree that Buffy was not great overnight. As far as Dushku goes, I agree that so far she has been very similar in many of her roles - typically a bada** with a chip on her shoulder, although Tru Calling was a little bit different - but if Joss believes in her, then I will have faith (pun not intended and definitely worth of an eye roll). Also, I did not know Amy Acker was on board - yay!
Why is it that all shows I want to watch are scheduled opposite each other. First The Office and Supernatural. Then How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, and Gossip Girl. Now Friday Night Lights and Dollhouse. Yet somehow, there's nothing most other nights. Do all of the networks own stock in Tivo?
Did anyone else think that last night's episode of 30 Rock was too much like an ad for McDonald's McFlurry? The show had its moments but the fawning over the McFlurries at the beginning and end of the show turned me off.
I have to agree on the comments about Tatiana. Seriously how did she make it to the top 36. She is very very annoying.
I think that there were a lot of other girls I liked better than her who were sent home much earlier in Hollywood.
I am also looking forward to Dollhouse because I have liked everything that Joss Whedon has done so I hope that it will be good.
LOVE IT_LOVE IT_LOVE IT
I am watching the second episode of Dollhouse right now, having missed the first one. It seems ok, not great. I was a big fan of Angel and Firefly, but I am not really that interested in the concept of Dollhouse. It seems pretty pedestrian to me, not as fun as Angel and Firefly were. I will give it a few episodes, but I am not that optomistic.