So Why *AM* I Watching This Anyway?
Mar. 21st, 2009 05:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quaggy
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?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-03-22 03:17 am (UTC)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.