Here’s hoping that you tuned in to catch Josh Whedon’s Dollhouse this past fall. Some consider the Sci-Fi/Drama the pinnacle of writer/director Josh Whedon’s career. After finding success with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, Whedon has had a bitter love/hate relationship with FOX. His 2002 series, Firefly was well received amongst viewers, but chopped up and spit out by FOX execs. The series was aired out of order and canceled prematurely. Many fans have yet to forgive FOX for this blasphemy, though the studio may redeem itself if it places its faith in the Dollhouse.
The concept Dollhouse is definitely intriguing. A well funded organization provides a unique service to those willing to pay. The Dollhouse accepts those whom have no where else to turn. Their minds are wiped and archived. Their bodies become relatively empty vessels, waiting to be populated with the fitting personality that the job requires. Once the arrangement has been fulfilled, the active has their mind re-wiped, with no recollection of the events that took place.
The moral dilemma of such a concept plays a major role in the story, as an ex-FBI agent becomes infatuated and obsessed with bringing down the Dollhouse, which exist to the general populace as only an urban legend. As questioned in the show, does removing a person’s memory also displace their soul, an arguably figurative term referring to what makes a person who they are? Throughout the series, there are hints that indicate that despite all of the memory wiping that may occur, some instincts inevitably carry over. You can change what a person thinks, but you can’t change whom they are.
Though the series has had a couple of sleeper episodes in the 12 episode first series, there have certainly been a fair share of memorable, thought provoking moments. It is undeniably a breath of fresh air to see a prime time series attempt to break the common mold and take a risqué approach. To attempt a series where the main character, Eliza Dushku in this case, has a different personality from week to week, is unheard of. How can we develop an essential emotional attachment to a character whom half the time has no emotions, and the other half they are artificially imposed? Mastermind, Josh Whedon manages to pull this off, by making the character not only adorably hot, but also someone whom we want to root for in hopes that she will become self-aware, and rebel against the agency that has (consensually) taken away years of her life.
While in writing, the series sounds of one that is destined for longevity, it seems to have the odds stacked against it. For as many prospective shows that have earned FOX’s backing, there are 10 more that have been cancelled before given a chance to become a mainstream success. Don’t even get me started on Arrested Development. And, of all the time slots to give a premiering series, the one you want to avoid is Friday nights, especially in a world that has yet to recognize the value of broadcast time shifting or streaming internet content.
As of this writing, it is unknown whether Dollhouse will be renewed for a second season. Even if it is, how much is FOX willing to tolerate of a show has yet to show signs of monumental viewership? Whether or not Dollhouse is allowed to capitalize on its potential, Josh Whedon has certainly proven that he deserves the respect that Sci-Fi enthusiast have bestowed upon him. Meanwhile, if you care to contribute to the continuing presence of Science Fiction in prime time, you owe it to yourself to watch Dollhouse, be it downloaded from iTunes, streamed from Hulu, or rented from Netflix. Emerge yourself in the Dollhouse, but be careful not to lose your mind ;)
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