Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode.

[Captain Craig]

This will be an active disucssion about what has happened in season one.
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I've just finished watching Dollhouse. The Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku starring showing that debuted midseason.

Knowing that its gotten a second season(13episode) pickup I'd like to bounce things off of others who like the show, or like me have just gotten into it good.

The Season One DVD comes out July 28 and contains the unaired episode Epitaph One. The DVD set will also contain the original pilot Joss filmed before being ordered by Fox to reshoot it.


I originally only caught the first 3 episodes of Dollhouse before other activities kept me from keeping up. I've since caught up and I'm glad I did as this is a great show with alot of promise.

Whedon takes a good 6 episodes, an Act 1 if you will, to set up the show. The last 6 episodes(Act II) spend time exposing and further exploring the characters set up prior. Its not a show you can appreciate if you only watch the first few. You have to commit to it, like any Joss show,for it to pay out.


What we know:
- The Dollhouse is underground.
- The Dollhouse, while not government or military, has contacts to both.
- The government has different branches with different attitudes about the Dollhouse. The NSA is trying to infiltrate(ep 9) while the FBI utilizes a 'doll' to do a raid(ep 5). Despite one FBI(former?) agent trying to bring it down.
- There are 20(at least) Dollhouses scattered about(USA or world?) and we know Manhattan(ep 10) is at least one other location.
- The 'dolls/actives' apparently volunteer for the program(Novembers release) but at one point they took prisoners(Alpha). [ep 12]
- The Dollhouse uses the NATO phoentic alphabet to name its actives.
- The Dollhouse is a subsidary of a larger company called Rossum. They deal in ethically challenged pharmaceuticals and other sciences. It seems Echo/Caroline was a student at Fremont University and quite the activist. She and some friends had planned to expose Rossum by breaking into the Rossum Science building and filming the experiments.
- Alpha is overprogrammed and broke loose of the Dollhouse after an experiment to 'wipe' him went wrong. It first seemed he wanted to bring the Dollhouse down but now appears he only wanted Echo. What he wants now remains to be seen. [ep 12]
- Dr.Saunders(A.Acker) is actually the former #1 active and her codename is/was Wiskey. She found this out in episode 12 and it remains to be seen what will happen with her.
- On suspension FBI agent Paul Ballard, having found the Dollhouse, is left in a position to now become a part of it...maybe? [ep 12]


Where do they go from here?

I'd like to hear about what ideas people would like to see for season two of Dollhouse. Where do you think Joss might go from here?

-I'd like to see another Dollhouse or two?
-Perhaps another DH has to get involved due to the LA branch having problems like Alpha.
-I'd like to have some clarification on the DH's government connections.
-I think that Wiskey, her scars healing during the course of the show, might go back to becoming an 'active'. I could see Victor becoming the new Dr.Saunders.
-Where does Paul stand after these events? Could he become a dual opperative?
-Will we see November/Madeline again? Whedon said to expect it so in what capacity then?


Can't wait for the DVD. Looking forward to hopefully some commentaries and season two tidbits. Can't wait to see Epitaph One as it is a one off post-apocalyptic tale. Then September 25 when season two debuts.

 

[Captain Craig]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Such a nice OP and no one wants to talk Dollhouse? Really?

 

[Ayelbourne]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Well, I just posted something in that other thread over there:
http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=99189

 

[Lindley]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Such a nice OP and no one wants to talk Dollhouse? Really?

The DVD isn't out yet. Give it a couple of weeks.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

The unaired episodes can be found if you look. The original pilot is better, I think it all plays out in a much more interesting way, I would have liked to see where it would have developed from there.
The 13th episode is an interesting "clip show" with almost totally new clips, with a look in to the future which makes it more intriguing.
I've just ordered the blu-ray set, which is region free for any one in the UK who's interested.

So far I would say out of Joss Whedon's shows this one is my least favourite, but it has tonnes of potential and I can't wait to see how it gets to the situation in Epitaph One.

 

[Captain Craig]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Well, I just posted something in that other thread over there:
http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=99189

That thread was for:
1- just the one unaired episode, mine the whole first season
2- started after mine anyway

Such a nice OP and no one wants to talk Dollhouse? Really?

The DVD isn't out yet. Give it a couple of weeks.

True, I did know that. I was hoping to get some discussion going from those who've already seen it as we anticipate the two unaired eps on the DVD. Also, that the discussion might prompt others to get interested/reinterested in the show.

 

[Captain Craig]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

The season one DVD hit retail today. I've gotten mine and will be watching the unaired pilot "Echo" soon and then "Epitaph One".

Anyone else pick up the set or plan to?

 

[Lindley]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Amazon indicated it was shipped yesterday.

 

[Too Much Fun]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

I thought the show got off to a shaky start and missed a few of the early episodes, but for me it gradually got more and more awesome from episode 6 onwards. I was disappointed by the season finale, though, and not too crazy about "Epitaph One".

The build-up to Alpha's appearance and the mystery surrounding him was very intriguing, but when they finally 'showcased' him in the finale, I thought he came across mostly hokey (the multiple personality stuff was way too overplayed, in my opinion). I was excited to find out more about him, but the episode that spotlighted him made me react the opposite way and not make me want to see him anymore.

I blame the writing more than the actor. The concept of a person with that many personalities is just silly and kudos to the actor for trying to pull it off, but I believe it's just too preposterous for anyone to play convincingly, plausibly, and entertainingly.

I'm still optimistic about season 2, however, because everything from episode six until that episode gave me high hopes for this show. It's a little too high concept sometimes (a far cry from Buffy, which was often perfect in its simplicity), but I like the cast and I like the main conflict. Also, I think "Sierra" is one of the most breathtaking women on television right now. I hope she keeps getting plenty of screen time next season.

 

[Pingfah]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Unaired episode 13 is, IMO, one of the best episodes of any Whedon show. And if it is any indication of where the show is heading then all I can say is

I'm not buying the DVD set yet though, i'm gonna wait for the "Complete Dollhouse" set, which should be out by spring

 

[Tomato]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

^

I really liked the unaired episode. it had a really good firefly feel to it and very little acting required by Eliza.

 

[Warp Coil]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Dollhouse got off to such a mediocre, boring start that I couldn't see how Joss Whedon's name could be associated with it. You really need to just sit through the first five or six episodes. Then, suddenly, the show starts to become more interesting. The characters seem less annoying. The writing improves dramatically over the latter half of the season. I was very happy to see that Fox gave it a reprieve and didn't cancel the series just as it was starting to discover itself. I really hope season two continues the upward swing.

I'm on the fence about buying the season one DVDs. I haven't seen "Epitaph One".

 

[Forbin]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Same here. I'm not sure the show has any rewatchability value to justify buying it, but I di want to see the "lost" eps.

 

[Captain Craig]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

^^^^
I think it will have rewatchability, hence why I bought the set, cause its a Joss show and his other 3 haven't let me down in that area.


So I've watched 'Echo', the original unaired pilot, and think that it sets the show up in a different manner. While I liked it and would've been curious to see where it went from that pilot I'm fine with the reworked Fox ordered one.

I think Joss put more elements of the show and had more characters interact to try and keep those A.D.D. afflicted happy. Too many times people will say, "It wasn't fast enough or revealing enough" to keep my interest aka I'm impatient.

Fox's reworked pilot actually slowed down these introductions and interactions. Almost as if they tried to sabotage it.


Also watched 'Epitaph One', the unaired 13th episode, and I loved it till it ended. Remote wipes, the imprinting tech somehow overtakes the airwaves or is used as a weapon? That wasn't revealed. Somehow Dr.Saudners/Wiskey/Claire was able to have her scars completely healed.
Boyd, Topher and the core Dollhouse members seem to have had sometype of reaction, medical?, to what was happening. Wasn't clear on that either. Is Wiskey dead? I hope not cause I'd like more Epitaph installments. Caroline/Echo is a 12yr old girl? Fascinating?
Where is Paul?

This episode was total Joss doomsday and I want more of that future apocolyptic world.

 

[Tomato]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

^

Imagine that was where he was going with dollhouse. Imagine a scenario like that in S3 where it all takes place in Epitaph timeframe. This could even be like a 5 year arc like B5. I hope Joss gets to make the show he wants too b/c Dollhouse now has much more potential.

 

[Captain Shaw]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

I have just seen ep 13 and the unaired pilot.
Must say i thought the unaired pilot was much better than the one they showed on TV.
If they had gone with that one the first few eps could have had a faster pace and would have been a lot better IMHO.

 

[Captain Craig]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

This could even be like a 5 year arc like B5. I hope Joss gets to make the show he wants too b/c Dollhouse now has much more potential.

A five year arc would make sense seeing as how the actives sign on for 5yrs. We don't know how long Echo has been an active but it would make sense for the series to end as her contract is about to conclude. Compound that with how we know Echo is retaining more of herself and the issues that lead to Epitaph it could make for a great arcing story.

I noticed on my DVD set that this is labeled 'Joss Whedon's' Dollhouse. Seems he has gotten big enough for the the marketing department to sell the series based on his name. In hopes maybe that those unfamiliar with Dollhouse will know Whedon's name and prehaps purchase and try the series out?

 

[.:: TSN ::.]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

Spoiler: Guest actor spoiler for S2

Not sure if this belongs in this thread, or if this has been mentioned anywhere else, but Michael Hogan (Tigh from BSG) will guest star in second episode of S2
http://whedonesque.com/comments/21194

 

[Ayelbourne]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

That's great. Give it a couple more episodes and Joss will have the entire BSG cast reunited.

 

[Tomato]

Re: Dollhouse S1 recap thread, discussion, DVD set and unaired episode

^

ha ha Imagine Eliza being implanted with the memories of 6.