Dollhouse premiere Friday the 13th! Who's watching?

[winklepr]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

I liked the second episode better than the first. The show still hasn't found its footing yet, but this one was more entertaining. Casting the Middleman didn't hurt.

I agree, I'm surprised they answered the question about the doc's scars so quickly - and it was a pretty fun ep. I have a feeling that it will find it's footing in March, it just needs to get there.

By the way, I had to look up this reference you made to The Middleman as I have never heard of it. It looks and sounds... different. I'm assuming you like it from the reference, do you think its worth seeking out further?

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by winklepr

By the way, I had to look up this reference you made to The Middleman as I have never heard of it. It looks and sounds... different. I'm assuming you like it from the reference, do you think its worth seeking out further?

It was a fun show, but very idiosyncratic. It's a love-it-or-hate-it affair. I really don't know what else to compare it to. The show's production values were deliberately cheesy (with some of the worst visual effects you'll ever see on television), but it embraced the cheese and made it work. The dialogue was also very arch and unnatural on purpose. Every character always had exactly the right scripted zinger to deliver at exactly the right moment.

The show was canned after its first season and doesn't really have any resolution. It'll be out on DVD later this year. I've heard that the creators are also working on a graphic novel to tie up the loose ends.

[Marky_D_Sahdd]

Yes, Dollhouse is very disappointing so far, cliched and dull, without the crackling dialog we have come to expect from Joss and his team. The redeeming values here are the things going on in the shadows that should start adding some depth pretty quickly. The problem is that these things should have been developed in the pilot.

As for Middleman, I caught it three times and lost track of it other than that. It was a good idea, well played, but just a bit too far silly in the end for me. Had it been a bit more serious at the core, it would have worked a lot better.

[diggumsmax]

I enjoyed the second episode a lot more then the first. Like others have said though it still lacks the sarcastic/funny dialog you expect from Whedon. Still unsure about this one but hopefully it only gets better.

[gr8one]

i could not be more disappointed in this show so far. i wont stop watching for a few more weeks but its gonna need a big turn around.

[Josh Z]

Third episode... meh. I hear things start to pick up with the fourth, though.

[DustoMan]

Friday's Penny Arcade Strip:

[Slayerfaith1982]

I admit that the "plot of the week" hasn't been terribly compelling, but I'm seeing the groundwork for a very interesting and captivating storyline.

The fact that Echo has shown herself to start remembering more and more, while being aware enough to "hide" it from everyone, I find very interesting. Add to that that Sierra apparently is also able to remember Echo, and it opens up a whole lot of directions the show can take. Is the wiping of memories not really even working anymore? Are more and more of the dolls starting to remember?

Also the reveal of Victor as a doll was interesting, and hopefully he'll get more woven into the storylines with Echo.

Also the character of Dr. Claire, as well as the Alpha "mystery", will also be great I think once fleshed out more.

If I could give any constructive criticism I'd say for the show to focus less on the "job of the week" storyline. Maybe instead of each episode being 95% of "job of the week" and then 5% of awesome over-arching plot that carries episode to episode, that they do a more balanced like 70% focused on the job of the week, and an entire 30% or more devoted to the over-arching plots. Build those up, cuz they definitely have potential IMO.

[zombiequest]

This show is still on????

[diggumsmax]

From what I've read it really starts to get interesting between episodes 4-6 but we will see (and if Fox keeps it on that long). I really want to know why Fox made Whedon re do the pilot. I've heard references to it being to confusing but so what? Lost is one of the most confusing shows out there but the rating are through the roof and I hear talk at work about it all the time like "what does 'x' mean". The first couple episodes of a new series make a big impact an whether it lasts or not. People will stop watching if they aren't pulled in right away and I'm afraid that is probably what is going to happen to this show. I'm willing to bet the ratings are already down.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Slayerfaith1982

If I could give any constructive criticism I'd say for the show to focus less on the "job of the week" storyline. Maybe instead of each episode being 95% of "job of the week" and then 5% of awesome over-arching plot that carries episode to episode, that they do a more balanced like 70% focused on the job of the week, and an entire 30% or more devoted to the over-arching plots.

Another problem with the "plot of the week" is that they're already straining to come up with things for Echo to do on each job other than just being a whore. Because, really, what else would anyone use this service for other than sexual fantasies? A hostage negotiator and a bodyguard? C'mon, if you were rich and you needed an expert in one of those fields, you'd just hire a real expert in one of those fields, not a doll that's been temporarily programmed to act like one.

The show needs to develop compelling reasons why people would use their service for anything other than sex.

[dfms23]

I too am hoping it picks-up the pace a bit and develops things more. What will really make me irate is if it does really develop nicely and then it gets canceled. I've had several shows I like run into this. I was a huge fan of The Black Donnellys on NBC.

[Satans Puppet]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

Another problem with the "plot of the week" is that they're already straining to come up with things for Echo to do on each job other than just being a whore. Because, really, what else would anyone use this service for other than sexual fantasies? A hostage negotiator and a bodyguard? C'mon, if you were rich and you needed an expert in one of those fields, you'd just hire a real expert in one of those fields, not a doll that's been temporarily programmed to act like one.

The show needs to develop compelling reasons why people would use their service for anything other than sex.

But if you think about it... a doll is imprinted with not just the one persons experience, they're imprinted with many variables for instances but those variables are constrained by the imprint... knowledge is vast but they can't use it until needed.

Echo's way of thinking outside the Box is a great twist... protecting the singer from herself by dangling her own life in the balance... Great stuff

The show does need to improve though...

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Satans Puppet

But if you think about it... a doll is imprinted with not just the one persons experience, they're imprinted with many variables for instances but those variables are constrained by the imprint... knowledge is vast but they can't use it until needed.

That's a good point. I think the show needs to explain that more explicitly and showcase some of the ways these imprints make the dolls better qualified for a task than normal people who already do it for a living. As it is so far, they haven't made a strong case for that.

[diggumsmax]

Friday nights episode was certainly more interesting then the previous weeks but still not great. Not sure why they started the episode with Echo delivering a baby. The only reason I can think of that they did that is because of the flashback of Echo holding a baby with an man not revealed yet (could it be Alpha? Would explain why he is so fascinated with Echo). The remote wipe thing was a bit silly but ended up working in the end IMO.