House of the Rising...Dolls

[astri13]

Saw the Dollhouse Pilot and interesting because if I didn't know, that wouldn't at all scream "Joss Whedon" to me. I'd peg it more for an Abrams show honestly.

Not that it wasn't bad since I was entertained but it wasn't a "sparky" Pilot either. Those are the ones that have at least a single scene that grips me. Usually they are directed by David Nutter. Not all and not an indicator the shows will turn out great but I didn't have that here.

The basic theme is interesting because it introduces the creepy concept of the memory wipe into the Alias/La Femme Nikita/Once a Thief draft. And sure enough there is a secret organization with a no-nonsense (cold? evil? sadistic? not completely so?) female boss. And the young heroine semi-forced to be there because in the beginning it looked like one of those "prison or us" deals.

Also, haha "after your five year term, we let you go." Guaranteed by WHOM? It's not like the person in question will even remember.

I liked the main case story with the kidnapped girl and Echo posing as the negotiator. It also seems like some "personality" of the dolls comes through because the real Eleanor killed herself over her trauma whereas Echo with the same memories confronted her abuser. Something I don't think Eleanor would or could have done.

The arrival of the new doll was also creepy insofar as we got to see her earlier, being near tortured into what she is now. Or was at that specific now: the killer. Shades of Dark Angel there, too.

The parallel with the little girl being in the fridge and later Echo in her sleep coffin was pretty much the only Whedon-esque I could say.

Liked Tahmon Penikett. Helo. :)

Usually the lab tech would be the wise-cracking Whedon character - think Wash here - but he seemed almost evil for a lot of the movie. Certainly not seeing the dolls as people.

What's up with Amy Acker and the scarred face? Way to telegraph "mysterious past" here. Was she a doll?

I really liked the Dad-character of the kidnapped girl. He acted believably and human to Echo/Eleanor.

Whereas the first guy from the teaser was an assignment, yes? Or engagement? And he wanted some girl (he knew?) as the perfect weekend-date? He bought for it, presumably and they had sex together so all that "here, have my little token of affection, Cinderella", he wanted a role-playing prostitute. At least have the balls who hire a real one who knows what she is, fucker. And the organization rents out their dolls for such trivial purposes, too? Real world-helping business there.

Now to Eliza Dushku with whom a show like this stands or falls. I like her and have always liked her but so far her characters have felt similar to me. With varying degrees of tough/vulnerable. We'll see how well she can pull off entirely different people one week after another. As well as mainlining Echo and Echo's influence on the "imprints".
That's a huge call for any actor - dream and nightmare both - and there might not be one who could pull this off flawlessly week after week. But again, we'll see.

Comments

[angels3.livejournal.com]

I love Tahmon and I really want to know the back story behind Amy's character.

[gatorpez.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I'm remembering the first bit, but I think the first guy was played by an actor who used to be on One Tree Hill. (sorry, that just makes me laugh)

Echo reminds me of Max from Dark Angel.

I'll probably watch another episode or two to see if I like it, but right now, I'm on the fence about it.

[leelust.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of it - the pilot was mediocre and Dushku can't play big drama (and i like her and watched cos of her). She needs more action in her roles then she can pull them off.
I like girl's dad too - don't even know why but he's the only one who looks vivid there.
All in all i'll watch couple of eps for Dushku and if it won't improve i'll pass.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I decided not to watch it for the same reason I never watched Alias - it's just too similar to La Femme Nikita and nothing can beat that show, IMHO. Also, I don't like Eliza Dushku *shrugs* She is pretty, that's true, but that's it for me.