Welcome to the 'Dollhouse'

We've been waiting.

We've been waiting for "Dollhouse" to become the show we all so desperately want it to be. And let's be honest, we haven't exactly been waiting patiently.

Since Joss Whedon's new series premiered in February I've received so many emails that expressed concern that the show didn't feel Whedonish enough. That something was missing. Some of you missed the humor. Others the mythology. Others the nuanced character development. Others worried that you couldn't connect with Echo as a lead character because we didn't really know who she was.

Personally, I began to get concerned that the set up of Echo going on a mission each week wasn't enough to sustain the series. It already seemed more than a little repetitive. Echo goes on a mission, something inevitably goes wrong, yet Echo prevails.

When I was out in LA in January several people told me "Amy just wait for the sixth episode. You'll love it."

Well I'm thrilled to report they are right. With tonight's episode (9 p.m. on FOX), the show moves much closer to what makes a Joss Whedon series a Joss Whedon series. And I expect it's emblematic of the series we will be seeing going forward. In a letter to critics, Whedon said the episode "represent a much stronger vision of what I consider the show to be."

In the two episodes FOX sent out (tonight's and the one that will air on April 3), "Dollhouse" skedaddles the client of the week format to delve deeper into what exactly is going on. Agent Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) learns a lot more and so do we. There's one surprise that didn't surprise me that much (I think you'll know it when you see it) but I was still taken aback with how it was pulled off. And there are several other shocks that really did surprise me. Plus there are some very funny and witty lines (the kind we've been waiting for) and a fantastic fight scene. And Eliza Dushku is terrific in an episode that has her playing multiple imprints. At the end of the episode I had one prevailing thought -- the show just became really interesting.

The episode on April 3 takes the mythology one step farther as we begin to understand who the actives were before they came to the Dollhouse and why exactly they came to the Dollhouse. It's good stuff.

So if you've been watching all along, I think tonight you'll start to feel the payoff. And if you already gave up on the show, I would definitely suggest giving the show another shot with tonight's episode.

Talk about "Dollhouse" below and after you've watched tonight's episode, let me know what you think.

Question of the Day

On a scale of 1 to Izzie sleeping with Denny's ghost, how disturbing is the possibility of Rebecca getting romantically involved with Ryan on "Brothers & Sisters?" I'm going to put it at about an eight. I usually complain on shows when people only date their co-workers, but it's like Rebecca needs to be told to date outside her family.

Quotes of the Week

"I got the plot of my first novel by watching 'One Life to Live.'" Rick Castle on "Castle." Sue, Lil and Darren were the first to nominate this week's most popular quote. They loved this inside joke because Nathan Fillion, who plays Castle, was Joey Buchanan on "One Life to Live."

"They see us as ugly, but I know we are beautiful." Lexie to Mark on "Grey's Anatomy." Thanks to Kelly for the quote. I'm not the biggest fan of the Mark and Lexie but I know a lot of you are.

"There's no fixing you. You're a lemon." Derek to Meredith on "Grey's Anatomy."

"Or that Chuck got a doctor to actually diagnose him with acute stage fright. Should have gone with mercury poisoning." Nate to Dan about Chuck not performing in "The Age of Innocence" on "Gossip Girl."

"If he ever lost you, it would destroy him." Dave to Katherine on "Desperate Housewives." He's so creepy.

"Dude, your English is awesome." Hurley to Jin on "Lost." Thanks to Jeanne for the quote.

"Truth be told, I think I thrive under lack of accountability." Michael on "The Office."

"You know what I regret most? That this world even needs people like me." Jack to the Senator on "24." Thanks to Beth for the quote.

That's all for today. I'm back on Monday with thoughts on "Desperate Housewives," "The Office," "Grey's Anatomy," and more. Also coming next week a look at the new series "In the Motherhood" and the return (finally!) of "Samantha Who?" Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Monday.

E-mail

• Digg
• Facebook
• Fark
• Yahoo Buzz
• Stumbleupon