tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post7498363380763270425..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Dollhouse, "Haunted": Mostly deadAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1106813501514479862009-04-30T00:39:00.000-04:002009-04-30T00:39:00.000-04:00Honest, brief opinions:
- Shame on Joss for runni...Honest, brief opinions:<br /><br />- Shame on Joss for running a filler episode this late in the season. By now we should know the season's major source of antagonism (I'm pretty sure Alpha isn't going to be resolved this season, so it has to be something else they haven't gotten into yet) and we should be being hit over the head with how bad this antagonist is. I fear that this show might suffer from the Smallville problem of introducing the season plot way too late in the season and then sweeping the consequences of said season plot away in the early part of the next season. With 13 episodes you must write a very condensed three acts, and it needs to end with opportunities that entice your audience into wanting another season... but in episode 10 we're spinning our wheels just as much as we were in episode 5. <br /><br />- The only plot point this episode offers is that through memory extraction we can have characters that functionally are immortal -- can be uploaded and downloaded into a new body pretty much at will, meaning that the upper echelons of the Dollhouse could be corrupt 70 year olds running around in 20 something year old bodies, along with downloaded skill sets which could grant them generations worth of combat training and expertise at intrigue. I find that kind of neat, if they explore the "Bring down the Dollhouse" avenue. I'd find it even neater if Alpha took a face turn and became an asset of the local dollhouse, rather than public enemy #1.<br /><br />As far as I'm concerned this show is on life support. It wants to break out and be cool, it has some interesting ideas... but the lack of character in the uhm... central character, combined with the fact that most of us don't like who the character used to be makes me just shrug my shoulders and want to move on to the next series. At present I'd rather see the Sarah Connor Chronicles renewed over this.DRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19569707894338208622009-04-28T08:26:00.000-04:002009-04-28T08:26:00.000-04:00Okey-dokey. No attacking other posters. Period.Okey-dokey. No attacking other posters. Period.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76077272609995425222009-04-28T08:17:00.000-04:002009-04-28T08:17:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-91458949623837992862009-04-28T01:35:00.000-04:002009-04-28T01:35:00.000-04:00Edd, actors have to be available for shows but the...<B>Edd</B>, actors have to be available for shows but the producers don't have to use them. For example, on House Cameron has been entirely missing in 40% of the episodes and unimportant in another 8 in spite of the fact that Jennifer Morrison is one of the six characters in the opening credits. (A year age David Shore said in an interview that he wanted to have Cameron significant in every episode this season. Nobody lies like David Shore.)<br /><br /><B>nutmeag</B>, Topher is nothing like Rodney McKay, who although an arrogant geek is at heart a good guy. Topher is a sociopath. He doesn't care if he hurts someone or who it may be. He's missing the moral chip. He's so creepy, he ruined the Topher/Sierra plot for me.<br /><br />I'm still watching but the only parts that interested me were Ballard/Mellie. The self-loathing in the shower was great. It's also nice to see a woman on screen who isn't the requisite 95 pounds.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09010014986025448974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87218908597985979862009-04-27T23:35:00.000-04:002009-04-27T23:35:00.000-04:00I thought it was pretty clear Topher had programme...I thought it was pretty clear Topher had programmed Sierra with his own personality - hence the equal scores in the games, the same jokes, etc. Makes the whole situation even creepier, I thought that was a nice touch. <br /><br />I still think Ballard is probably Alpha - that explains why he hasn't been neutralized by the Dollhouse, and why he is so deeply obsessed with the Dollhouse.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12803640382350112614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-32147280450409900782009-04-27T18:04:00.000-04:002009-04-27T18:04:00.000-04:00Was is it just me, or when Adele was talking about...Was is it just me, or when Adele was talking about topher and we were watching him play best friends, did our point of view change to we were watching Alpha watching tohper and sierra play? wanted to see if anyone else caught that. And would that portend bad things for everyone's least favorite creep (i don't have such hate for him, but i get it)? Only a coupla episodes left or so, and this could be where we're going. Weird, since previously he's been so intent upon Echo. Would he have been watching sierra or topher? <br />or am i just crazy?7s Timnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60516495632059799542009-04-27T15:31:00.000-04:002009-04-27T15:31:00.000-04:00The company is really missing out on the money pot...The company is really missing out on the money potential this technology actually offers, as revealed by this horrid episode. <br /><br />Instead of catering to a handful of uber rich sex fiends, you can market to entire humanity the ability to return from the dead. They've essentially got a Cylon-style resurrection system in the making. <br /><br />Stop being ridiculously unethical and give the people the chance to return from the dead. Although, I suppose this raises the question of whether or not a "copy" of one's memories and personality and self is truly actually you.Kennethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80426372593211329572009-04-27T11:26:00.000-04:002009-04-27T11:26:00.000-04:00My thoughts:
- Yes, the A plot felt like Murder, S...My thoughts:<br />- Yes, the A plot felt like Murder, She Wrote. And I found that I didn't really care who had killed her or why.<br />- Mellie and Ballard was, to me, even creepier than Sierra's rape. I don't think Sierra's handler felt guilt, and in fact, rationalized that this was what the dolls were for, anyway. Ballard subsequently loathes his decision to give into his darker instincts, punishing the Dollhouse by punishing Mellie. He fully understands that he's victimizing her even as he's trying to save all the dolls, and feels guilt even as he acknowledges that he's become a "client."<br />- I wasn't really bothered by Topher and Sierra. The action was in keeping with his behavior of the past, and I didn't find it any more or less reprehensible than anything else he's done. I also wondered if he had programmed her with his own personality.<br />- I did wonder for a moment if eternal life is the ultimate goal of the Dollhouse, which led me to another question. Where do they get the personalities that they use to program their dolls? Adele mentioned that her friend had been going through painful procedures for 18 months. Who would volunteer to have an imprint done if they weren't expecting to come back and solve their own murder? Are all of the personalities from current and former dolls? Is the Dollhouse paying broke college students for personality imprints? Can they get them from people before they die (allowing Echo to play the dead wife in Man on the Street)? It seems like the Dollhouse would need to have quite the library to custom-make all the different kinds of dolls that are implied from that massive warehouse of clothing.<br /><br />Somehow, I don't think the show is going to be given the time to satisfy my curiosity on this - there's really just enough episodes left to answer questions about Alpha. Sigh. Even if future seasons had just as many shaky episodes as this one, I'd like to see Dollhouse continue. I'm just not holding out too much hope.oheyhowdyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15581920493553424630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35410545664859063392009-04-27T10:08:00.000-04:002009-04-27T10:08:00.000-04:00Alan--This is the most recent of several reviews (...Alan--This is the most recent of several reviews (of different series) of yours that have said something to the effect of "I didn't really watch the whole episode," or "I fast-forwarded through the parts that bored me," or "No time to watch, here's some links to some other reviewers," or "I didn't really like it, but then, I didn't see the whole thing." Part of providing a complete review of a film, book, tv show, whatever, is being willing to slog through the crappy (or simply less well-executed) parts. To those of us who care about this series (or even American Idol) - that's important. Are you getting too busy? Or trying to do too much at once? I'd rather read a couple of great reviews from you a week, than 10 phone-ins, you know?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54588462738093464582009-04-27T09:56:00.000-04:002009-04-27T09:56:00.000-04:00Can't believe nobody's mentioned that the real Mar...Can't believe nobody's mentioned that the real Margaret was played by Brenda Bakke (the hottie in Hot Shots 2 and American Gothic.) A thankless role, but she was almsot unrecognisable now as a 45-year-old. God, 45. Where has the time gone?Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05821524840819117719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20523778731591874242009-04-27T02:38:00.000-04:002009-04-27T02:38:00.000-04:00Taleena said...
I got the feeling that Ballard was...<I>Taleena said...<br />I got the feeling that Ballard was waiting for November to say "stop" wanted to see how far her programming would push her and then was disgusted at himself for following through on what was essentially a rape</I>I agree that Ballard is disgusted at himself, but I think I feel some sympathy for him, because he's caught in a trap. <br /><br />He learned Mellie/November is is spying on him <B>after</B> he began a sexual relationship with her. He's likely to need November's help to find the Dollhouse and rescue the dolls/victims. But if he refuses Mellie's sexual advances, he risks alerting the Dollhouse that someone on the inside is trying to help him. He hates succumbing to her advances, but feels it's necessary to do so for the mission. <br /><br />He's disgusted with himself because he feels he has to rape Mellie to save November and the others. Ends justify the means? Or greatest good for the greatest number?Eldritchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247921343535184791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-92102207111450058842009-04-26T16:48:00.000-04:002009-04-26T16:48:00.000-04:00I got the feeling that Ballard was waiting for Nov...I got the feeling that Ballard was waiting for November to say "stop" wanted to see how far her programming would push her and then was disgusted at himself for following through on what was essentially a rape.<br /><br />The four characters I care at all about are November, Sierra, Victor and Ballard. I think the interesting dynamic will come when November when she is who she really is, confronts Ballard about using her to end the dollhouse. It is one thing to be unwitting, such as when their physical relationship began, it is another to continue a physical relationship after.<br /><br />As for Victor/Sierra I want righteous justice to be visited on Sierra's betrayers more than the previous episode.Taleenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465468178554091355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-14531119570498006932009-04-26T15:47:00.000-04:002009-04-26T15:47:00.000-04:00I gave up on this show after the 7th episode (the ...I gave up on this show after the 7th episode (the campus one). The good will Whedon had earned from his other series mitigated my serious concerns about the plot and forced me to give him the benefit of the doubt until the hyped sixth episode. But this program is just so awful compared to Whedon's other shows, and the premise is so utterly ridiculous, that I can't believe it bears Whedon's imprimatur. I hope the show is canceled soon so that Whedon can go back to the drawing board and start anew. I just hope that he doesn't become embittered at the network (as is in his character) because this time the fault is his: the show is just terrible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58754596136136360632009-04-26T15:43:00.000-04:002009-04-26T15:43:00.000-04:00Eric - *slaps head* Of course. I was going to say ...Eric - *slaps head* Of course. I was going to say that's less morally repugnant than taking someone and replacing their consciousness with an imprint, but if you manufacture a human that would have developed a consciousness had you not replaced it with an imprint...isn't that essentially the same thing? Would it be better if you can manufacture an entire body without the consciousness (it would still be wrong, but less wrong?)<br /><br />One item that doesn't seem realistic but that we have to accept as part of the premise is that these nefarious organizations have made a lot more progress on the software vs. the hardware aspects of creating new people.<br /><br />Anonymous, I read it similarly but slightly differently, that the Mellie persona's programmed attraction to Ballard plus their screwed up situation (even before Ballard knew the truth, "Mellie" knew there was a sexual component to his desire to save Caroline) made her willing to have the hate sex, but deep down it was so disturbing to not just him but her that she went against her programming enough to comment on how it was something they shouldn't do often. Which is the story of their relationship now - the disconnect between Mellie's programmed attraction and the reality that Ballard is clearly disgusted with her manifests itself in that willingness to be emotionally (and if you're right, physically as well...yikes) abused.Number Fivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85668060152349142462009-04-25T22:57:00.000-04:002009-04-25T22:57:00.000-04:00Sheesh, Mellie said multiple times how what she an...Sheesh, Mellie said multiple times how what she and Ballard did was something they shouldn't do very often, like her body was seriously in pain. [shudder]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69024480311308628912009-04-25T22:30:00.000-04:002009-04-25T22:30:00.000-04:00Number 5 - The Dollhouse may not be able to create...Number 5 - The Dollhouse may not be able to create human bodies, but you can be sure Rossum is working on it -"Why would they need embryos?"<br /><br />Also was it pointed out when they first appeared the <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.U.R._(Rossum%27s_Universal_Robots)" REL="nofollow">origin</A> of the name Rossum?Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18351452512636422112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20332529416477006132009-04-25T21:32:00.000-04:002009-04-25T21:32:00.000-04:00I wish they had flipped the stories. The Topher/Si...I wish they had flipped the stories. The Topher/Sierra story was fascinating, and I would have liked to see that fleshed out more, like where her personality came from and ultimately how hollow the whole thing would be. It was very well done, though, and it did make me sympathetic for Topher and how screwed up he is as DeWitt and the other Dollhouse employees (I like saalon's phrase "deeply sad"). He's still monstrous since he's the most amoral and the key to the Dollhouse working, but it still added to his character in a way I wouldn't have guessed from before.<br /><br />I agree that the main story was almost superfluous. The concept of duplicating yourself like that is mind-blowing, and I like how they're going down a lot of the dark paths that the Dollhouse technology implies. But turning it into Clue was as pointless as most of the early stand-alone episodes.<br /><br />Wilder is right...they're preparing for the point when they can download a consciousness into another body, versus recreating a duplicate consciousness. Except unlike the Cylons, they can't make bodies from scratch, so they need the Dolls. Now that is really terrifying.<br /><br />tony libido, in a nice twist, Dominic and the NSA didn't mind the technology, they just thought it needed to be kept under more control. He was keeping tabs on it, not trying to take it down like Ballard. He wanted to kill Echo because he knew her glitches would turn her into another Alpha and she'd destroy the Dollhouse.<br /><br />Eric, I disagree that Ballard is a former Doll (I hope we can rule him, DeWitt, Boyd, Topher, and Saunders out at this point), but I like the Hollywood metaphor. I also think they're making larger allusions to our increasing inability to differentiate between reality and illusion as our technology continues to advance.<br /><br />Everything's already been said about the Ballard/Mellie scenes, but they were great...dark, twisted, and very compelling.Number Fivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80543026231202264962009-04-25T20:49:00.000-04:002009-04-25T20:49:00.000-04:00I agree with all of the comments above (Eric, your...I agree with all of the comments above (Eric, your theory really wowed me) with one small exception.<br /><br />This episode didn't remind me of a Murder, She Wrote as much as a storyline on a Fantasy Island.<br /><br />Perhaps they are in essence one and the same and it is only my age that makes me disagree with you younger folks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-67300368098449350732009-04-25T20:11:00.000-04:002009-04-25T20:11:00.000-04:00@Zack Smith: I remember NOW AND AGAIN with great f...@Zack Smith: I remember NOW AND AGAIN with great fondness. I LOVED that show.<br /><br />As for this episode, all the usual criticisms apply: Dushku can't handle what she's given; Topher is too creepy for words; the only parts worth watching were Ballard/Mellie, but they still squicked me out.<br /><br />But here's my question, which was niggling at me as I watched. Ballard shows up at the FBI offices to get his old colleague to run Mellie's prints through the lab. How did he get in? Isn't he off the job? Don't you need to have, like, ID to walk around FBI headquarters?<br /><br />Or am I missing something?Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25418533565245285892009-04-25T19:20:00.000-04:002009-04-25T19:20:00.000-04:00I found the A-plot boring as hell and the Ballard-...I found the A-plot boring as hell and the Ballard-plot disturbing and creepy, but I really liked Topher and Sierra. There was a lightness and a sense of fun to it that's rarely seen in the Dollhouse. <br /><br />I really disliked the A-plot, but that might have been an aversion to the form. Also, it seemed like really lazy, exposition-y writing. Eliza's character was written very inconsistently - as though it was supposed to be funnier than it was. It didn't work for me.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11066020648885170225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89032785214834277182009-04-25T18:02:00.000-04:002009-04-25T18:02:00.000-04:00I've never really understood everyone's hate for T...<I>I've never really understood everyone's hate for Topher. </I>For me, nutmeg, it's not about his science geekiness, it's about his sociopathy. It would be one thing if he were a science genius, but the conceit of the show is that the Doll technology is failing. He didn't develop it, did he? Not seeing any redeeming qualities in the character. He apparently knows quite a bit about the human psyche (to be able to construct the imprints) but if that makes less connected, then why the looooong goofball scenes with Sierra? (And anyway that makes him more interesting than Echo.) As it is, I'm more interested in Adele. Apparently Whedon and Kranz view Topher as an amoral, but as a child is amoral. Well, children aren't amoral (selfish, amoral no) and Topher isn't a child, so he's just amoral. <br /><br />I'm was initially not surprised he has to use a doll for a birthday buddy, on the theory that they can't let him out of the Dollhouse. Ever. Too risky to security, he's too valuable. But since they can just make any number of him whenever they need, that can't be right.<br /><br />I dearly love Ms Espenson, and clearly they were trying for something more thoughtful in this episode, but yeesh. Immortality this is not, it's merely duplication. Even so, the most horrible element to me (even beyond slimy Topher and tormented Ballard) is Adele's pulling of the plug on her friend. Why can't that continue? Even if they intend to honor the five year agreement with Caroline (sure) they can just swap over. Dollhouse = Cylon Resurrection ship.<br /><br />@Eric: Fascinating theory! Though it's not Whedon's first day at the rodeo. The weaknesses in this very episode were entirely the responsibility of the writers. <br /><br /><I>This was also said before in one of Alan's earlier columns on Dollhouse. The actress who plays Sierra would have been a better lead for this series than Eliza is. That was me.</I> So say we all, David.<br /><br />I want this show to be renewed. I demand Whedon keep at it till he gets it right.Corvus Imbriferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11765017251043248002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73659680522118275642009-04-25T17:40:00.000-04:002009-04-25T17:40:00.000-04:00Hmmmm. Maybe this actually IS more of a mythology ...Hmmmm. Maybe this actually IS more of a mythology episode after all....<br /><br />What is the purpose of the Dollhouse?<br />Beta testing of downloading.<br /><br />Whoda thunk it ... all along this show was the true prequel to Battlestar Galactica.<br /><br />But no metal. All organic.Wildernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-358669503797629242009-04-25T17:00:00.000-04:002009-04-25T17:00:00.000-04:00Eric, I totally dig your analysis of Dollhouse. I...Eric, I totally dig your analysis of Dollhouse. I myself never tried to reflect on it from that perspective. Instead I bought into the obvious premise that is presented. In a sense, I am a customer of the Dolls. But, that's a great way to view the show. Haha! I think I'm in love with it now because of you. <br /><br />P.S<br />It doesn't matter to me if Eric's analysis is accurate or not.Tyro.k.yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05357669429570794640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16992523184176685262009-04-25T16:40:00.000-04:002009-04-25T16:40:00.000-04:00About half way through this episode, I found mysel...About half way through this episode, I found myself so bored that I came here to this blog for spoilers.<br /><br />I've been a blindly loyal Whedon fan, defending all the bad episodes of this series until now. But I think my patience ran out during this episode. <br /><br />With the end of the season so close, I'll probably continue watching, but for once, I won't be disappointed when the show's canceled.<br /><br />Recently, I caught up with "Drive," a quickly canceled series (after 4 episodes) written by Whedon alums. Its premise seemed as uninteresting as possible, a cross country race. But they quickly made that show fascinating. How could the same writers fail with "Dollhouse?"Eldritchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247921343535184791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69678352229537043012009-04-25T16:37:00.000-04:002009-04-25T16:37:00.000-04:00I've never really understood everyone's hate for T...I've never really understood everyone's hate for Topher. I don't love him or anything, but don't see him as being any better or worse than any of the others working the Dollhouse. <br /><br />I've spent a good majority of time with very smart science people, and they tend to be more arrogant and morally ambiguous than the general population. So Topher's attitude is no surprise. <br /><br />What surprises me is that fans adored Dr. McKay on Stargate, but abhor Topher . . . they seem like similar characters to me. <br /><br />Thus, I enjoyed the Topher plot. I was glad to see him treat Sierra's character as a person rather than a plaything, like most Dollhouse clients do. He seemed genuinely happy and treated her better than he treats most people.nutmeaghttp://quixoticirony.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com