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So Why *AM* I Watching This Anyway?
Lately, I’ve been pretty trigger happy when it comes to ditching new shows. Life’s too short to waste it on stories that do nothing for you. So, needless to say, I’ve asked myself a few times last night why I’m still watching Dollhouse.
It’s not that it’s a bad show. It’s not. It’s well written and (sometimes) well acted and I already care about some (not all) of the characters. But I’m often impatient with the storylines. Frustrated when an interesting plot point tempts me into sticking around for another episode.
I think the root of the problem is that while the monster of the week (or crime as the case may be) is something I enjoy about both Fringe and Life, I’m not that into the ones on Dollhouse. It makes me impatient. I just want them to get on with the main mystery. With Fringe… well, taking my cue from Lost and Alias, I’m only along for the monster of the week ride (and The Peter & Walter Show). I do not care about the conspiracy or to try to keep track of a bunch of cryptic clue whose meaning won’t be revealed for another six seasons. In contrast, I can’t tell whether I like Life’s weekly mystery or bigger conspiracy more. That is a sign of a VERY good show.
I actually think the Dollhouse is in the wrong format. It should be a movie and the focus should be on Paul Ballard and the dolls themselves should be in the background… except for the characters that turn out to be dolls themselves. The audience should be more familiar with Caroline than Echo,so that everytime Echo appears, it's shocking. What little we do see of the dolls and the Dollhouse should be through the eyes of Boyd, Topher and Dr. Claire (but that might be only because I really like those three.) Actually, I think the series would befit from the focus being shifted away from the dolls and onto the investigation.
Anybody out there got an opinion they’d like to share?
It’s not that it’s a bad show. It’s not. It’s well written and (sometimes) well acted and I already care about some (not all) of the characters. But I’m often impatient with the storylines. Frustrated when an interesting plot point tempts me into sticking around for another episode.
I think the root of the problem is that while the monster of the week (or crime as the case may be) is something I enjoy about both Fringe and Life, I’m not that into the ones on Dollhouse. It makes me impatient. I just want them to get on with the main mystery. With Fringe… well, taking my cue from Lost and Alias, I’m only along for the monster of the week ride (and The Peter & Walter Show). I do not care about the conspiracy or to try to keep track of a bunch of cryptic clue whose meaning won’t be revealed for another six seasons. In contrast, I can’t tell whether I like Life’s weekly mystery or bigger conspiracy more. That is a sign of a VERY good show.
I actually think the Dollhouse is in the wrong format. It should be a movie and the focus should be on Paul Ballard and the dolls themselves should be in the background… except for the characters that turn out to be dolls themselves. The audience should be more familiar with Caroline than Echo,so that everytime Echo appears, it's shocking. What little we do see of the dolls and the Dollhouse should be through the eyes of Boyd, Topher and Dr. Claire (but that might be only because I really like those three.) Actually, I think the series would befit from the focus being shifted away from the dolls and onto the investigation.
Anybody out there got an opinion they’d like to share?
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And I agree completely that the story of the Dollhouse is way more interesting than the case of the week. That's what's keeping me coming back, week to week.
Heh. Like I said, I'm watching right now. Ballard is in his neighbor's apartment with his shirt off, and I'm thinking what a fricking TEASE he is! But then he just kissed her.
BTW, the neighbor? Totally not what she appears to be. Just speculation, but I'll be completely shocked if she's just the nice neighbor with a crush on Ballard. Not only is she way too innocent, but the show is making Ballard a complete idiot, spilling the details of his very secrect investigation to some Random Lasagne Girl. They're doing that for a reason.
This week, I heard even more Joss. The whole conversation between Ballard and the computer game inventor was very funny.
Ooh, so am I to understand that the Dollhouse knew that Echo would encounter Ballard at that house? Interesting. sorry for the liveblogging here...hee
Sorry, your question. Yes, though I'm liking the show now, I agree that it's weirdly constructed. Your idea about taking the focus off Echo is a good one, especially since I think Eliza Dushku is the central problem. She's not a good enough actress to distinguish Echo from her Active personas from Caroline. So the whole thing is built on sand, a little bit.
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Also? This episode was worth my time if only to hear Tamoh Penikett say, "I'm not just a piece of meat." *g*
And they gave me a nice long shot of him walking. He has an adorable swingy walk.
And I like the expansion of the mystery.
/liveblogging
Carry on. :-)
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Yeah, I was "WHAT?! Oh... Of COURSE!" and actually relieved that she was a doll because that would save her from a very very ugly death. Once I had time to think about it... it really is going to be a mind*bleep* when Ballard finds out. During the entire conversation with the internet guy, I got the feeling that he was using his attraction for his neighbor as his defense and proof that he wasn't obsessed with Caroline in the creepy way. To find out that his girlfriend is actually a doll, specifically programed to fit his tastes... like any other client at the Dollhouse, will probably freak him out a bit. Though it could be very interesting watching Ballard interact with the neighbor once her active persona is removed and she is restored to who she used to be. How DO you interact with someone who you love and had a relationship with once you find out that person doesn't exist? That they are someone new?
She's not a good enough actress to distinguish Echo from her Active personas from Caroline. So the whole thing is built on sand, a little bit.
To be fair, MOST actors aren't. It's a tall order for most actress. Someone like Cate Blanchet could do it in her sleep, but most can't. It's a problem that all three dolls face. Victor seems to handle it the best... but that probably because we've only seen him activated as Lubov, which is a very different from who he is as a doll.
P.S. I owe you an e-mail about Life. I'm almost done with season 1! For season 2, I decided to do this old school. I'm going to read the recaps on NBC.com (which were really informative, without giving away all the good details) and then I'm going to watch the currently available episodes, so that I can watch the new episodes with you all. I'll fill in with the old episodes on Hulu.com as a I get the chance.
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My beloved Callum Keith Rennie will be playing a police detective with multiple personalities in his new show, Shattered, and he is WELL up to the task. *claps and claps*
/my own stuff that no one else cares about
I'm going to read the recaps on NBC.com (which were really informative, without giving away all the good details) and then I'm going to watch the currently available episodes, so that I can watch the new episodes with you all. I'll fill in with the old episodes on Hulu.com as a I get the chance.
Whatever works for you, I'm THRILLED that you're loving it 1 As you know. :-) Though I'm sort of a freak for continuity, so I'd love you to watch the eps in order. But whatever, do what you think is best! Yay for catching up!!!
And remember, we track the Life thread, so post on any epsiode you want, in season 2.
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That's what the recaps are for. I would prefer to watch them in order too and not rely on a bare bones description to catch me up, but I really want to watch WITH you all and time's running out on season 2. Pre-DVDs, this would have been my only option anyway. Read the recaps to catch up on the show. Heck, before TWoP, you would have had to verbally catch me up and hope that I could catch reruns.
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Forgot to say...yeah yeah yeah! Great point. There is something weird going on with Ballard/Caroline and Ballard/neighbor. Too much obsession with Caroline and acting all inappropriate and share-y with the neighbor, almost forcing that relationship into life. I agree with you.
Though whatever plot device gets Tamoh's shirt off is ok with me. ;-D
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BTW, I do know that there are far more actors than Cate Blanchet who could pull of such a roll. (Toni Collette has been getting positive reviews for her United States of Tara for HER multiple personalities.) She's just my example of someone who could pull it off without breaking a sweat. Most actors would really have to work at creating such a role, but only the character actors would be able to pull it off. It's more apparent with Eliza Dushku because she's apparently been just been playing variations of her own personality. A Doll/Active is a dream role for a character actor... and Eliza just isn't one.
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I have thought that the neighbour (Millie?) was a doll the whole time. It just seemed a bit pat that she was always there listening etc. I don't know I just got this feeling.
My mum's comment on this week was that she doesn't get why the dollhouse doesn't just kill Ballard and I have to agree with that.
Also it was a bit freaky seeing NotHelo beating up NotRomo :D
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I agree with your mum. Maybe so as not to arouse suspicion? Because people know he's investigating the Dollhouse? So then everybody will just Mulder him to the sidelines?
I have thought that the neighbour (Millie?) was a doll the whole time.
You're smart! I knew something was up with her, but I didn't realize she was a doll until they revealed it. *thumps forehead*
Also it was a bit freaky seeing NotHelo beating up NotRomo :D
I know, right? 8-)
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Maybe they're afraid of causing too many questions, but, yes, killing Ballard, especially now that he's discredited seems to be the best option. Maybe they think he'd make an excellent candidate for a doll and rather trap him agreeing to join the Dollhouse much like they trapped Caroline. He certainly is hot enough.
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For one, Joss relocated his Whedonesque pen! (Template. Whatever. He found it. :-) It helps having Patton Oswalt -- who could not have been more perfectly cast to the play the uber-nerd Internet billionaire -- to deliver lines like "serious moral spankitude" and to call Ballard "F-bitch-I."
And then it's the funny things said almost in passing: Ballard ending his little vignette with " ... and I'd be writing the Great American Arrest Report." BWAH! A twist on the familiar works every time.
Plus, Topher throwing Langton off the scent with "Not everything is about you, Infinite Ego Man."
The two aspects that just weren't doing it for me were A) an overabundance of Eliza Dushku and 2) the absence of the wit that I love so much in Firefly. Thankfully, those two matters were addressed in this episode. I am SO back in. :-)
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He really does seem to be obsessed because he's obsessed. And the relationship with his neighbor really came out of no where. Quaggy
Yeah, he's WAY too share-y with (what he thinks is -- great twist!) a civilian, isn't he? I agree that he's just obsessed because he's obsessed; it's as if he has to bounce all this data, and these ideas, off of somebody, and the neighbor is quite eager to listen.
I realize now that what I like about Ballard is how un-Helo he is. (I suspect that's what TP likes about playing him, FWIW.) Helo should wear tights and a cape, because you can count on him to do the right thing every time. Ballard's one of the good guys, but he is obsessive, and he frequently does the wrong thing, or makes the wrong move.
I would want Helo to be my best friend. Ballard makes for much more fascinating TV. :-)
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See I think he is sharing with her because she is one of the few people who will listen to him. We know that the only one at work who listens is the black woman. Everyone else makes fun of him. I think that he latches on to her because all off a sudden he has someone who is willing to listen, which is of course what the dollhouse intends.
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He has to tell somebody, and no one else but Neighbor Girl and the lady at work (apparently the only woman working in that office) will listen. I think we all agree it's OK if his FBI co-worker listens to his theory. :-)
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I'm not wild about Eliza Dushku either :(