Dollhouse on Fox

[Mike'sgirl]

Originally Posted by Bearcata

I was not that impressed. I thought the premise of the Dollhouse was to use the actives for important missions not as the perfect prostitute. The implication is that the actives are being lied to before they agree to becoming part of the Dollhouse. The second part of the story was more interesting. But I again was not that impressed with the FBI agents roll in this. On a sidebar I never notice that the one doctor was Fred. I will pay more attention next time.

The article I read mentioned that this illegal operation (dollhouse) is reserved for anyone who can afford the millions it takes to "rent" a doll for whatever purpose they want. The active is programmed to perfectly meet the need, and because they are supposedly perfectly programmed they are better then a specialist would be in any given area. In other words they are the "perfect" doll.

Now, the article also mentioned that the people chosen to be actives are supposed to be individuals who volunteered for the job; however, we saw that Echo was coerced into the role. I do like the fact that she seems to have a sympathetic handler, (former cop) watching over her.

I enjoyed the fact that they showed something frivolous as one use and something intense in the second part. It shows me that there will be a wide range of doll uses. I also happen to be a fan of fast pace shows, it keeps my attention more.
Right now, my favorite new series is Leverage, but depending how this show develops I could get really into it.

[Google]

 

[PWS]

I see, so you thought the "date" was her having been asked for as the perfect date/prostitute... Somehow I thought there was more to it. I guess we won't see that guy again. And I agree with Harvest, if there are going to more episodes with them serving as call girls and gigilos I'm not long for the show. Too yucky. Like roofies.

[Florimel]

People find different things offensive. My own major dislike is most of the horror genre and some of the action genre where mutilations, torture, and body counts abound. I do understand that other people really enjoy getting that grip the edge of your seat scared feeling. I just choose not to watch them.

I think that creative people generally are aware that prostitution has always and will always be around both in real life and in fiction. Just a few examples off the top of my head might be Inara Serra as a companion in Firefly, Cassiopeia as a socialator in the original Battlestar Galactice, Holly Golightly as a party girl in Breakfast at Tiffiany's, Margaret Gauthier/Camille as a Parisian courtesan in Lady of the Camelias. I pretty much like all of these characters.

[PWS]

Yes, but to a greater or lesser extent (given their financial situations) all those women (well, haven't seen all those shows, but guessing) chose their line of work, no? Vs. Dollhouse where we have no idea if the original Echo (already forgotten what her name was prior to the wiping/implanting) would have chosen to be a prostitute. Hence the analogy to roofies...sex without the ability to give consent is rape...whether it's because you are a child, retarded or brainwiped and implanted.

[beerbelly]

Don't want to partake in the debate, although you all are very welcome to it.

But in a very simple note (and not to put light on the topic at hand) I really liked Dollhouse and am really interested to see it evolve. I was so happy to see Amy Acker. I just think the roles are very interesting in a very Joss way...I do admit I am partial. I loved Angel and Firefly. Maybe I'm just desperate for some silly science fiction...but I look forward to the next episode!

[Miss_Griss]

Originally Posted by PWS

I see, so you thought the "date" was her having been asked for as the perfect date/prostitute... Somehow I thought there was more to it. I guess we won't see that guy again. And I agree with Harvest, if there are going to more episodes with them serving as call girls and gigilos I'm not long for the show. Too yucky. Like roofies.

I guess we'll see how it all plays out, but I heard Joss interviewed about this, and it sounds like he wants people to be thinking about these issues and reacting this way. I don't think he does want people to think it's OK that people are being used this way. His first version was more in your face about this, and the network made him redo it to make it look more innocuous. (At least that was how I understood it.)

I think the whole point of this show is to explore the ethics of situations and to also explore what makes a person who they are, what it means to lose oneself and find oneself again. (My understanding is that as time goes on Echo remembers more about who she was before or is at least not as easy to wipe totally clean as the folks in charge would like.)

[Bearcata]

One of the things I like about Joss Whedon is how he thinks outside the box, how interesting he makes his POV (point of view). Luv'ed it in Buffy and luv'ed it in Angel. He gets loyal fans and the networks hire him because of it and then get scared of the weirdness factor and try to reign him in. I have a feeling the initial premiere would have suited our tastes much more then the watered down version that actually aired.

[Mike'sgirl]

Originally Posted by Miss_Griss

I guess we'll see how it all plays out, but I heard Joss interviewed about this, and it sounds like he wants people to be thinking about these issues and reacting this way. I don't think he does want people to think it's OK that people are being used this way. His first version was more in your face about this, and the network made him redo it to make it look more innocuous. (At least that was how I understood it.)

I think the whole point of this show is to explore the ethics of situations and to also explore what makes a person who they are, what it means to lose oneself and find oneself again. (My understanding is that as time goes on Echo remembers more about who she was before or is at least not as easy to wipe totally clean as the folks in charge would like.)

Thank you for providing more info on this. I like the fact that we are discussing it, and while I am not thrilled to see the call girl route, I do think it was a useful tool to explain and outrage the viewer of the concept that with enough money you can pay to have that so called experience of a lifetime.

The guy giving Echo the "heart necklace" wanted a woman that was everything he could possibly hope for, someone who would play his sport, be competitive, sassy, come second to his accomplished first place (rolling eyes) probably every time........... and most likely be the perfect partner in bed "for him". I don't think their weekend was just about sex, I think he wanted to experience a woman perfect for him on every level.

Leaving us with the moral/social issue of forcing someone to do something they would not willingly want to do; or against their will. Of course it is wrong! The dollhouse is wrong, and thank goodness it is not possible; but I think the show is more then just flaunting social and moral injustices, and that is what intrigues me........

I also like the fact that they use multiple human memories.......... to program a doll, thus leaving the dolls subject to possible human weaknesses and error. While a doll might be perfect for an assignment, it is possible that not all the dolls will be perfectly, flawlessly reprogrammed for the assignment. (as we saw in the negotiator).

[VanJagSol]

I have been looking forward to this show, love Eliza. I hope it lasts.

[Florimel]

What I think may happen is that the wipes start to be incomplete and the dolls begin to retain some memories of what happened to them. They may organize to try to bring down the dollhouse. It's somewhat similar to the movie Paycheck if anyone remembers that.

I would not be suprised to discover that some government agency is involved and working with the dollhouse.