Comments on: The (Almost) Final Word on Dollhouse http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/ A television blog Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:39:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Movies Over Here!! » Blog Archive » The TV Blog Coalition - Seasonal Switch http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-167382 Movies Over Here!! » Blog Archive » The TV Blog Coalition - Seasonal Switch Mon, 11 May 2009 13:21:48 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-167382 [...] Whether it’ll stick around remains to be seen, but Marisa wants to have the (almost) final word on Dollhouse. (TiFaux) [...] [...] Whether it’ll stick around remains to be seen, but Marisa wants to have the (almost) final word on Dollhouse. (TiFaux) [...]

]]> By: Angel http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-166960 Angel Sat, 09 May 2009 02:13:36 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-166960 Sierra and Victor's self guided journey was the highlight of the show. THe concept is more interesting as an ensemble proposition- the focus on echo hasn't quite worked. Sierra and Victor’s self guided journey was the highlight of the show. THe concept is more interesting as an ensemble proposition- the focus on echo hasn’t quite worked.

]]> By: Marisa http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-166404 Marisa Tue, 05 May 2009 22:33:40 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-166404 Rebecca, I agree with you completely! The guy who plays Victor did a great job of acting like that NSA guy. I also wish that they would stop being agents of varying kinds--that's getting old. Rebecca, I agree with you completely! The guy who plays Victor did a great job of acting like that NSA guy. I also wish that they would stop being agents of varying kinds–that’s getting old.

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-165988 Rebecca Tue, 05 May 2009 03:19:26 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-165988 I think Dollhouse is an exciting high concept that kind of falls apart if you examine it too closely, but the biggest problem is that Eliza Dushku is not an appealing enough leading lady. The show would be so much stronger if it stopped revolving around Echo/Caroline (for example, Ballard's obsession with saving her makes him so much less rootable), and became more of a true ensemble. Sierra and especially Victor are amazing. I think Dollhouse is an exciting high concept that kind of falls apart if you examine it too closely, but the biggest problem is that Eliza Dushku is not an appealing enough leading lady. The show would be so much stronger if it stopped revolving around Echo/Caroline (for example, Ballard’s obsession with saving her makes him so much less rootable), and became more of a true ensemble. Sierra and especially Victor are amazing.

]]> By: Jessica Rae http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-165793 Jessica Rae Mon, 04 May 2009 07:00:55 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-165793 Even as a loyal Whedon fan, I've found it hard to like most of this show. You aren't the first person who's said to me that Topher seems just like Xander. To me, he seems like Andrew of BTVS. And that's just one. There are too many 'but I've already seen you create this character' occurrences. I want to believe Joss can do better, cause the effort for this show just seems lazy. P.S. I added Tifaux to my Twitter. Add SofaChip's? It's: ThisJessicaRae. And omg, 'Requiem for Murder' with Molly Ringwald just came on TV...ah! Even as a loyal Whedon fan, I’ve found it hard to like most of this show. You aren’t the first person who’s said to me that Topher seems just like Xander. To me, he seems like Andrew of BTVS. And that’s just one. There are too many ‘but I’ve already seen you create this character’ occurrences. I want to believe Joss can do better, cause the effort for this show just seems lazy.

P.S. I added Tifaux to my Twitter. Add SofaChip’s? It’s: ThisJessicaRae. And omg, ‘Requiem for Murder’ with Molly Ringwald just came on TV…ah!

]]> By: jesse http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-165444 jesse Sun, 03 May 2009 06:57:30 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-165444 The moral ambiguity of the characters and story is actually something I'm really digging about the show -- but you're right that the characters are less inherently likable, which for me makes some stand-alone episodes a little rougher. Not that they're not good -- the actual stories are usually kind of neat or cool -- but when there was an inessential semi-standalone story on Buffy or Firefly, it could still be immensely enjoyable because the characters were so much fun. These characters are largely pretty interesting, but I wouldn't call them "fun," exactly, so there's a lot more pressure on the story to deliver. That said, I enjoy that it's a little more cerebral and less emotional than some of Whedon's other work, because even though Buffy is easily one of my favorite shows ever, I sometimes find Whedon's fan-involvement expectations a little cloying. I like that I'm not supposed to be going eeeeeeeeee about anyone on this new show. But I do wonder how it will sustain itself, if it indeed makes it past the first season. There definitely seems to be story enough to continue past these 13 episodes, but is there enough to go past 25? 50? It's harder to picture, give how fast and furious the twists have been flying. Whereas I could see how Firefly had many more different types of stories to tell. The moral ambiguity of the characters and story is actually something I’m really digging about the show — but you’re right that the characters are less inherently likable, which for me makes some stand-alone episodes a little rougher. Not that they’re not good — the actual stories are usually kind of neat or cool — but when there was an inessential semi-standalone story on Buffy or Firefly, it could still be immensely enjoyable because the characters were so much fun. These characters are largely pretty interesting, but I wouldn’t call them “fun,” exactly, so there’s a lot more pressure on the story to deliver. That said, I enjoy that it’s a little more cerebral and less emotional than some of Whedon’s other work, because even though Buffy is easily one of my favorite shows ever, I sometimes find Whedon’s fan-involvement expectations a little cloying. I like that I’m not supposed to be going eeeeeeeeee about anyone on this new show.

But I do wonder how it will sustain itself, if it indeed makes it past the first season. There definitely seems to be story enough to continue past these 13 episodes, but is there enough to go past 25? 50? It’s harder to picture, give how fast and furious the twists have been flying. Whereas I could see how Firefly had many more different types of stories to tell.

]]> By: Angel http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-165326 Angel Sun, 03 May 2009 00:52:34 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-165326 Agree, last night's episode WAS amazing (finally). Very fun return of Alpha from beginning to end. This post is completely right; it's hard to be invested in a relatively empty shell/doll. But I'd like to see him get another season to hit stride. And agree, Xander II is NOT funny. Also, everyone agrees the doc is a traumatized doll, right? THey are dropping anvils of clues now, but I think it was there all along since Topher and the rest treat her with the same disdain and ambivilance as they treat the dolls. Agree, last night’s episode WAS amazing (finally). Very fun return of Alpha from beginning to end. This post is completely right; it’s hard to be invested in a relatively empty shell/doll. But I’d like to see him get another season to hit stride. And agree, Xander II is NOT funny.

Also, everyone agrees the doc is a traumatized doll, right? THey are dropping anvils of clues now, but I think it was there all along since Topher and the rest treat her with the same disdain and ambivilance as they treat the dolls.

]]> By: Marisa http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-165173 Marisa Sat, 02 May 2009 17:17:56 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-165173 Shoot, I forget the name of the building! And it hasn't been that long, honest. I'm just getting old. When you walk in from Willis Ave, it was the first one on the left. Also, last night's episode was easily the best of the season. But [MAJOR SPOILER] they *did* do the thing again where I grow attached to a character's personality, and then they strip that personality away. Still, AT was amazing! Shoot, I forget the name of the building! And it hasn’t been that long, honest. I’m just getting old. When you walk in from Willis Ave, it was the first one on the left.

Also, last night’s episode was easily the best of the season. But [MAJOR SPOILER] they *did* do the thing again where I grow attached to a character’s personality, and then they strip that personality away. Still, AT was amazing!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.tifaux.com/2009/05/01/the-almost-final-word-on-dollhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-164974 Sarah Sat, 02 May 2009 06:47:25 +0000 http://www.tifaux.com/?p=5671#comment-164974 No messing or cases to be made, really, but it is funny how, even a season in, there's not a solid judgment on the show. Dollhouse is strange in how indefinite an opinion it leaves. Usually there are just the Whedonites and the unbelievers, not lukewarm enthusiasts. I agree that the most compelling part of the show so far is the situations the actives are placed in, which doesn't bode well for a long-term serial. A lot of friends have defended the show by saying that first season of Buffy was bad, too, but the difference, I think, is that the characters were more compelling than here. Still, I have no problem with Dushku's acting, and from everything being said about the finale and the unaired coda to the season, I think there are some interesting directions that they could take it in. With BSG vanished into ether, Lost's run winding down, Terminator now connected to Summer as in Blockbuster instead of Glau, and Heroes' reaching new levels of infirmity, I'd like to see Dollhouse stick around and try to find its stride. If it gets renewed, I'd keep watching. Firefly seems to be Whedon's aberration in that it's a very strong first season (and only part, at that) of one of his shows. As an aside, I am a current freshman at the same aforesaid humble college and am curious which of the bunkers he spoke in. Crowell? No messing or cases to be made, really, but it is funny how, even a season in, there’s not a solid judgment on the show. Dollhouse is strange in how indefinite an opinion it leaves. Usually there are just the Whedonites and the unbelievers, not lukewarm enthusiasts. I agree that the most compelling part of the show so far is the situations the actives are placed in, which doesn’t bode well for a long-term serial. A lot of friends have defended the show by saying that first season of Buffy was bad, too, but the difference, I think, is that the characters were more compelling than here. Still, I have no problem with Dushku’s acting, and from everything being said about the finale and the unaired coda to the season, I think there are some interesting directions that they could take it in. With BSG vanished into ether, Lost’s run winding down, Terminator now connected to Summer as in Blockbuster instead of Glau, and Heroes’ reaching new levels of infirmity, I’d like to see Dollhouse stick around and try to find its stride. If it gets renewed, I’d keep watching. Firefly seems to be Whedon’s aberration in that it’s a very strong first season (and only part, at that) of one of his shows.

As an aside, I am a current freshman at the same aforesaid humble college and am curious which of the bunkers he spoke in. Crowell?

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