Dollhouse is the highly anticipated new series from Joss Whedon, creator of many cult sci-fi favorites such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and “Firefly.” The series stars fellow “Buffy” alumna Eliza Dushku as Echo, an “Active,” who is a member of a highly illegal and underground organization dubiously called Dollhouse.
Echo’s real name is Caroline and prior to her life at the Dollhouse, she got into trouble while “trying to make a difference, trying to take [her] place in the world.” The head of Dollhouse, Adelle DeWitt, played by Olivia Williams, offers Caroline the opportunity of getting “clean slate” in exchange for joining the Dollhouse for a 5-year term.
In the Dollhouse, “Active” members or “Dolls” have their minds ”wiped” and are reprogrammed to have their personalities fit the desires of the Dollhouse’s wealthy, powerful and connected clients. The Actives don’t just perform their hired roles, they wholly become whomever the client wants or needs them to be. And memories of former lives are wiped clean after each assignment.
Dollhouse had a rocky start from the beginning. Many were worried the show would never air. In production, Whedon walked a fine line trying to please both Fox executives and his loyal fan base.
The show has met mixed reviews from critics and Whedon fans alike. Fans longing for the intelligence of “Firefly” have accused the people at Fox of forcing Whedon to “dumb down” the show for mass consumption. While the critics complain that the show is overly complicated. Others are concerned that Dushku pretty much plays the sexy tomboy in every episode. But who didn’t love her as Faith on “Buffy?” Keanu Reeves has based his whole career on being typecast, who am I (or you) to judge?
Despite fan concerns and the unfortunate Friday night time slot, Dollhouse is one of the top sci-fi show downloads on iTunes and is getting major internet play on both Hulu and the Fox website.
So what’s the real deal? The truth is Dollhouse is perhaps one of the most promising sci-fi television shows we’ve seen in a long time. It is smartly written, has plenty of action, strong (attractive) female characters and Whedon at the helm with his reputation to uphold.
Dollhouse is not as superficial as much of the sci-fi produced in recent years. The show actually deals with tough issues, including the human trafficking, prostitution and one of the classic sci-fi questions: “what makes us who we are?” There are many layers of mystery and suspense that unravel in each episode.
Is the show perfect? No. However, don’t make the mistake of underestimating Whedon because rumor has it, Dollhouse is only getting better from here on out. So turn it on and set your DVRs to see what you’ve been missing. And if there’s something that you feel needs tweaking, or think the show is fantastic, get on the message boards and voice your opinion. It would be a shame to see a show with so much potential go the same way as “Firefly”: canceled after only one season. Just remember: “In Joss we trust.”