Tonight’s episode: Echoes
There is a Battlestar-shaped void in our Friday nights, but luckily Tahmoh Penikett has another television series over on Fox. So begins our new live-blogging adventure with Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse.
Last week’s installment “Man on the Street” has been called a turning point for the troubled series. What say you, iFanbase? Is there a method to Whedon’s madness or are you still waiting for that special something?
This week, Echo heads back to school to contain the outbreak of a mind-altering virus on campus. There will be monkeys, neon green vials, fetuses in jars, and of course, a bit of déjà vu.
As always, we look forward to your thoughts, opinions, and speculation during this very special, totally interactive edition of Dollhouse.
is it too late to jump on this show?
You should be alright.
Having never liveblogged a Whedon show before, I expect to say a lot of, "What the hell is she wearing?"
Starting with the promo pic: WHAT THE HELL IS SHE WEARING?
It really is a strange outfit. Very Small Wonder of ill repute.
I definitly think last week’s episode is what defines this show perfectly thusfar. If you didn’t like that episode, then I think it’s safe to say you will never like this show.
Also, before we go any further…..a confession.
I still haven’t watched last week’s episode. Time slipped away from me today. I will be catching up, but not before the episode starts.
How did people feel about last week’s show?
I probably won’t watch this live tonight and watch it on DVR later.
@Paul It was great and too anyone who hasn’t watched the show it’ll serve as a great jumping on point
@Paul It was a Whedon script, and Whedon can fucking write a script. It did a good job of digging into the premise and twisting it around. That still begs the question of whether the premise is really worth digging into. One thing that struck me is that it was very little about Echo, and much more about the other characters and their world.
Also, Tahmoh Penikett said my name a lot, in a very intense way. That’s always fun.
It’s just interesting because the promo for this week looks like…business as usual.
I wouldn’t judge from promos, but it’s a good question. Do we even know if they’re showing the eps in order?
If you close your eyes, Sarah Connor Chronicles can sometimes seem like Firefly…
It’s not a Whedon script without nonsensical crazy mumbling.
@Paul – Is Sarah Connor Chronicles still good. I quit watching it 2 episodes into this season, mainly because it interfered with Chuck.
…or a Sarah Fain and Elizabeth Craft script (my bad).
@psyguy – I just caught the end of it because it trickles into the 9o’clock hour.
i love this show. sexy girls and violence. on a side note paul did u get promoted as the official live blogger
You know, I think I believe in the one doll dude more as an agent than a mob thug…that accent was getting on my nerves.
Monkeys!
@cyberauron – Just runnin’ this new one.
@psyguy yeah that accent was annoying but i would like them to explain why he was a mobster
here for more live blogging
Nice teaser, I approve.
That guy was in I Love You Man as Andy Samberg’s new boyfriend!
On a good note, Badger was in last week’s episode and I hope we get more of him.
Not by yourself….
miracle laurie? boy am i going to miss her
so many comments re: that motorcycle moment, so little time
Im strangely more atrracted to the female boss than any other girl on the show
Is this corporation called Rossum or Roxxon because the comic nerd in me hears Roxxon.
Prof Timothy Leary?
@cyberauron – That’s because she’s RUSHMORE’s Rosemary Cross.
never mind I saw it…Sorry if my comments seem slow…my internet is acting weird
@psyguy – "Rossum"
I still have a problem with this show looking like it has high production, rather than Whedon’s usual "grit" on his other shows.
@paul thats right! Shes gorgeous
Huh, I think this is the first time I’ve really liked the first half of an episode. Maybe that means I’ll hate the back half.
@psyguy – It’s true. The show feels sterile. It’s like an over-produced single. I want the acoustic twang.
heres a question. given a choice would u be a doll for a couple of years for a price.
Plus u know that guy will be alpha
I know you were talking about the boss, but I think my fav is Amy Acker…scars and all, she just has it going all.
As a former mentee I’m offended by the Minds Matter comment
@cyberauron – yup the concept fascinates me
Reed Diamond is really good at being a dick.
I was just about to say, Reed Diamond is so damned unlikable.
I think a lot of people are down on the "tech guy" in the reviews and stuff I was checking. I like him, generally, besides his usual "wake up of Echo" speech.
If I liked any of these characters, this would be hilarious. I’d be on the floor. And yet…
@psyguy but amy doesnt have the accident and those eyes
accent… not accident
this episode reminds me alot of several Buffy and Angel episodes…feels very Whedony in a good way
@cyberauron I like her eyes, just fine, plus she’s Winifred and voiced the Huntress for the JL cartoons.
The set though constantly makes me think they are at Wolfram and Hart
Where is Amy Acker, anyway?
Are the "druggies" suppose to be annoying, as the point in this episode. If so, then congratulations.
Uh oh..
@otherpaul – it is very Wolframy.
im seriously going to miss this girl when reed dimond shoots her
@paul the scara cost too much money so shes only a guest star. they seem to be building a budding romance between her and boyd
A lot of the best Buffy & Angel episodes were based on having the characters deviate from their established personalities. But these characters aren’t really well established enough yet.
That said, I’m enjoying it on the level of pure verbal + physical comedy, and just as crack.
her boyfriend is alpha. im betting 2 of my geek creds on it
@P-Money – Good question…this episode lack my Acker, which is probably giving it minus points already, haha.
Now THIS is a Whedon set!
We’re gonna attack this real world objective "like a video game." Does that ever work?
"Water, bridge, under." made me miss Buffy A LOT.
Not much Echo in this one…not that I’m complaining.
So…instead of ‘monster of the week’, it’s ‘memory booster’ or ‘memory inhibitor glitch’ of the week.
alpha was a shadowy figure from what i have seen?
How long have they been telling us how long commericial breaks are gonna be?
Dude, guys, don’t spoil. Some of us are avoiding that stuff.
And I hope they didn’t kill my Victor doll.
@Paul This show is definitely full of "glitches."
&!
hit him with the DNA strand!
A lot of gut shots in here, too
Man Sierra is broken
I thought Boyd was infected, bwahh?
(Any spoilery posts have been deleted, as will any future ones. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
None of the Rossum "agents" on this show feel like agents, except for Boyd.
Haha, reminds me of Buffy when the school/police would blame vampire attacks on drug adicts.
Lack of Helo, too???
so here is what we learn. it can be rreversed. she and dewitt go way back and victor used to be a solder. a informative episode
Great ending.
So they basically talk you into being Dolls?
Oooh, an event!
Next episode looks like it’s made of win…
Next week’s episode is what I assumed last week’s episode was.
I really enjoyed that. We got to see a lot more about Caroline, I think we understand Adele a lot better now, and the mytharc seems to be going somewhere. Plus, if that guy’s a new doll, I’m in favor. He was cool.
Question — did Dominic really try to burn Echo or was that just ranting? I don’t remember that.
This episode should have happened much, much earlier.
@Paul – not really, last episode was different and more "actiony"…I guess they will share the action, but it wasn’t Doll focused last week, or at least it seemed like that to me.
Although, as ohcaroline said, the character breaking moments came too early even here in the 7th episode slot. Still, it shouldn’t have taken so long to see those tea and negotiation scenes.
@Paul Yes, exactly. We went for five episodes with way too little context. I suspect there was network pressure (and maybe producer pressure) to make the show more about Eliza (the producer). In the last couple it finally feels like they can breathe and tell the story. Even so they could have set up more about these people in the first act so we can appreciate them breaking in the middle. i’m thinking of the ‘Angel’ episode that starts out with Wesley being a total badass with fancy weapons, and then regresses him to being a prissy schoolboy. Even if you’d never seen Wesley before, there’s enough within the episode to appreciate the transition. This didn’t really do that — but I still enjoyed it for what it was.
I think of this series in the same way as Prison Break. You know they’re gonna get out/the system is going to break down. It’s what happens next that matters.
@ohcaroline – This is what it would have been like if they’d released the ‘Giles and Joyce as horny teenagers’ episode of Buffy as the 2nd episode of that series. Notice I didn’t say 7th, because I think even then, it would have worked better because they did a good job of introducing those characters early on. With Dollhouse it’s just a funny, but not at all earned concept.
Agreed. But the actors had a lot of fun cutting loose. Also, the reversal of the dolls (for a while) being in more control than the controllers somewhat worked, even this early in the series. That could have played out more, but still, I’m seeing the promise here more than I have in the past. I thought Dushku’s acting was a lot more confident than it’s been, too.
I think my main problem is that Topher Brink isn’t innocent enough for me to find him amusing. It’s partially the actor, but it’s also the fact that he’s a willing pawn of this organization. Not to be crass at all, but it’s like cheering for a charming rapist. He’s maybe even creepier than the others in the organization because he’s the only one cracking jokes. Claire (Amy Acker) is at least resentful of what she’s doing.
Why do I find Topher more reprehensible than Spike (a murder I actually root for)?
Topher and Langdon are both really puzzling. After tonight, I feel like we understand Adele somewhat, and Dominic’s just punching a clock (that fact that he’s a bully is a bonus, but I don’t think it’s essential). But Topher’s being a wiseass, and Langdon seems to be basically nice and caring — so what’s he doing there at all? I do think it’s a problem and it will probably be addressed eventually, but it’s a pretty big hole to be there so late in the series.
@Paul – Spikes hair lured you in. I think of it this way…He’s not a willing pawn and he’s just as resentful as the others, but when this company is giving you a grand life and using your brain then you accept that. Plus, I think of his wise cracking as more of a defense mechanism that shows his resentfulness. We all express our moods in different ways, right. Like you said, though, I don’t care for his creepy moments.
Maybe it IS just the actor.
@Paul
It’s not that he wants to hurt people (like spike did hm?) it’s that he’s unconcerned because he’s getting to do freaking awesome brainy work. His fascination and uber nerdom supercede all; thus, he is not hindered by silly moral dilemmas. The people signed up for it, what does he care? I find it funny that someone who thinks dead babies with diseases in a jar is fascinating… has trouble understanding that. It’s love of science. And juice boxes.
PS – This show has a brilliant wardrobe director. BRILLIANT!
@itsbecca So I take it you’re a fan of Caroline’s tights AND Topher’s vest?
@Itsbecca – Please don’t insult my intelligence. I still don’t like him.
@ohcaroline Oh such a fan. Such. A fan. I’m a huge fashion nerd (from a design perspective. I’m 90% jeans and tshirts myself). The tastes of this show are just. So in my wheelhouse. Sweater vests. Clashing plaid fabrics. The higher class brit, the constantly changing doll personas. And I have been waiting for these tights to make an appearence since the first time I saw the opening credits. Amazing. So much fun.
@Paul
Cry some more, Montgomery.
As the head, and only member, of the Topher fan club I just felt the need to defend him when someone calls him a rapist. Just trying to put out where he’s coming from. He’s not resentful. He loves his work. He is king. The only person better than him at what he does is someone of HIS CREATION. If he was creepy he would leer at the beautiful women he’s constantly surrounded by. Have you noticed how he doesn’t care about them a bit? He’s not creepy. He’s just found a place where he can get his genius on. There’s no above ground organization that could fufill that for him.
I understand what they’re going for. I just disagree that it’s being executed all that well.
@itsbecca I thought the tights were a bit much, but they were certainly a bold choice. Thumbs up on Victor’s G-man suit and Dominic’s shirt and tie, while we’re at it.
I think it’s a personal thing. While I joke he seems to be quite popular elsewhere on the internet. I’m just a lone wolf in our little corner of the universe here. Personally, I find someone like acker’s character to be the disturbing one. Clearly she has problems with the company morally; yet, I don’t see her resigning. Unless she’s part of the inside job of course…
Re: the other conversation, I should say I haven’t really warmed to any of the characters, which would usually make me drop a show by now, but there’s enough interesting going on that I’m sticking with it.
Finally we get to see Whedons humor unleashed. Been waiting a while to have a good laugh out of this show. This series is finally picking up.
Topher’s a great character.
@Paul. You need the preceding six episodes for this episode to have any build up and make sense. We get the reveal that the guy on the motorcycle from the first episode is someone who knew Caroline. You’re not going to get that effect by making this the second episode. You seem like a seasoned Whedon fan… hasn’t he done enough great things that you can trust that the man knows how to pace his stories?
The moral ambiguity of what all the employees are doing in the Dollhouse is the one of the most intriguing aspects of this show. I don’t why you’ve singled out Topher as being the charming rapist; they all are. The main character’s of Whedon’s shows dwell in progressively more grey areas. Think about it: Buffy, Angel, Firefly.
I’ve liked Dollhouse from beginning, and knew it would reach this level of excellence. And put me down as another member in the Topher fan club.
@emily2003 – I didn’t mean this episode, as-is, should have come earlier. I meant that some of the individual elements could have been introduced earlier. The concept interests me, but it’s just not grabbing me like his previous offerings. I’m sorry I don’t like the series as much as you do (glad you’re enjoying it). I promise it’s not from a lack of trying. And I’m still watching.
We’re doing a Dollhouse live blog and not one for the Sarah Connor Chronicles? This is not right. The two-parter that resolved last week was pretty damned fantastic.
I’ve watched one episode–the one where she was hunted in the forest–and thought it was God-awful. I may give it a go next week.
@emily Wait, the guy with the motorcycle was someone she knew? That soared past me. Who was he?
Also, I’m not a Topher fan either — I get what Emily and Becca are saying about the character, he just doesn’t click for me. But on the other hand, I’m a bit taken with Dominic, who’s a more obvious asshole (and I suspect is destined for an unpleasant death for being mean to Echo, but anyway). I still trust Langdon the least (though Harry Lennix is beyond awesome), because he seems like a man of conscience, so I’m questioning what he’s doing there.
I’m not sure if anyone else thinks this, but Miracle Laurie (Mellie) is so cute. Way more my kind of girl than Echo.
@Cheezdog People seem to really like Mellie, which pleases me because she doesn’t fit the super-skinny mold of most women on Whedon shows.
Finally got around to watching the newest episode.
The jury is still out on this show.
Some of it is good and interesting, but most of it is just kinda… blandly presented. There are flashes of wit, which makes the pervasive blandness all the more irksome.
The biggest problem remains the cast. Echo is the least interesting character, and Dushku is just not strong enough of an actress to carry a show. Topher could get hit by a bus and I’d be okay. Agent Paul is, at this point, totally undeused as a catalyst and kind of irrelevant.
Boy, I dunno…
I’ve only seen episode 2, which I hulu’d. There’s a lot of drag in there, but there was an amazing scene where Echo turns around the script on her handler. It really impressd me.
I think there’s potential there. Dushku is trying to play a blank, which is kind of unsettling and annoying. But I think it’s meant to be that way. I don’t know…
@conor It seems like there are contradictory goals here of building a complex world + selling a farfetched premise, and making a star vehicle for Dushku. I don’t think either of them is really working right now, but I’m pretty sure the second has gotten in the way of the first. The strongest episodes have been the ones she was in the least.
its not to late to jump on and you can watch it on FOX.com