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TV Poll: Was 'Dollhouse' worth the wait?
Published Wednesday, May 20 2009, 20:36 BST | By Dan French and Neil Wilkes | 13 comments
On last week's TV Poll we questioned your thoughts on the health of Heroes following the rather twisted conclusion to its third season.
A large chunk of you gave a big thumbs up to the finale, with 47% of voters declaring that the show is now back on form. 28.6% of you took a dislike to the episode but had hope that season four/volume five would be better, while 24.4% of you voted to say that you were sick of the show completely.
All things considered, that's a fairly positive response. Let's just hope that season four will deliver: after all, with two hit-and-miss seasons to learn from and with Bryan Fuller now back on board, there really can be no excuses next year.
For this week's poll, we're discussing Dollhouse. We've been looking forward to its UK premiere since, well, forever - but what did you make of last night's debut on Sci Fi?
In the opening episode of Joss Whedon's latest project, we were introduced to the bizarre/scary Dollhouse, saw Eliza Dushku take on multiple personalities and got a glimpse of other important characters to come.
So, after watching the first ep, will you be tuning in for more? Or are you super-advanced and have already watched the entire series? If so, what did you make of it? Cast your vote below then feel free to vent your anger/approval in the usual place.
Check back next Wednesday to find out the result!
A large chunk of you gave a big thumbs up to the finale, with 47% of voters declaring that the show is now back on form. 28.6% of you took a dislike to the episode but had hope that season four/volume five would be better, while 24.4% of you voted to say that you were sick of the show completely.
All things considered, that's a fairly positive response. Let's just hope that season four will deliver: after all, with two hit-and-miss seasons to learn from and with Bryan Fuller now back on board, there really can be no excuses next year.
In the opening episode of Joss Whedon's latest project, we were introduced to the bizarre/scary Dollhouse, saw Eliza Dushku take on multiple personalities and got a glimpse of other important characters to come.
So, after watching the first ep, will you be tuning in for more? Or are you super-advanced and have already watched the entire series? If so, what did you make of it? Cast your vote below then feel free to vent your anger/approval in the usual place.
Check back next Wednesday to find out the result!
Your Views
13 Comments
Your Responses
Demi, Nottingham, on May 27th, 2009
I have so far watched the first 2 episodes on Sci-fi and I absolutely love it already! I was uncertain what to expect after luke warm reviews coming from the USA but in Joss we trust and I'm so glad I did! Joss at his best and Eliza is more stunning than ever (in every way!). If it gets better mid-season I'm not sure I can take it. Who am I kidding?! Bring it on!!
I have so far watched the first 2 episodes on Sci-fi and I absolutely love it already! I was uncertain what to expect after luke warm reviews coming from the USA but in Joss we trust and I'm so glad I did! Joss at his best and Eliza is more stunning than ever (in every way!). If it gets better mid-season I'm not sure I can take it. Who am I kidding?! Bring it on!!
Danny, Manchester, on May 21st, 2009
I watched all of dollhouse US pace and I do not see why so many people disliked it, it was excellent, had a clever premise and despite a shaky start which is not even that bad, episodes 6 to 12 were amazing and left you with your mouths wide open by how good they were with the exception of 7 which tried and failed to be funny. It is a brilliant show which should really shine in Season 2 except for the fact that Fox has placed it on Friday yet again, meaning that season 2 might unfortunetely be the last, fingers crossed it isn't.
I watched all of dollhouse US pace and I do not see why so many people disliked it, it was excellent, had a clever premise and despite a shaky start which is not even that bad, episodes 6 to 12 were amazing and left you with your mouths wide open by how good they were with the exception of 7 which tried and failed to be funny. It is a brilliant show which should really shine in Season 2 except for the fact that Fox has placed it on Friday yet again, meaning that season 2 might unfortunetely be the last, fingers crossed it isn't.
Paddy, Lurgan, on May 21st, 2009
I enjoyed it, but I can see how it runs the risk of becoming too 'samey' with a different mission-of-the-week, and the risk of the lead character being too difficult for the audience to relate to, given the fact that she is either 'childlike inncence', or 'programmed then wiped, so no point engaging with the programmed character'. That said, Angel series 5 is a perfect example of Wheson's abbility to sneak in a long-running arc plot under the radar of a network that orderd standalone episodes, so I trust his judgement. I imagine the 'Alpha' file is a suggestion of things to come; I would guess the naked man at the end is Alpha, a doll gone 'wrong'. I also think the non-doll characters are show promise, especially Ballard and Adelle, although the tech dude is a bit creepy. Also - Amy Acker? Clearly something up with her character; can't see Whedon wasting one of his tried-and-tested in a bit-part of no substance. Rumours are episode 6 are where it all comes together big style; i'm fine with that, as series 1 of Angel was a bit hit-and-miss in the first half of season one and look how that series turned out!
I enjoyed it, but I can see how it runs the risk of becoming too 'samey' with a different mission-of-the-week, and the risk of the lead character being too difficult for the audience to relate to, given the fact that she is either 'childlike inncence', or 'programmed then wiped, so no point engaging with the programmed character'. That said, Angel series 5 is a perfect example of Wheson's abbility to sneak in a long-running arc plot under the radar of a network that orderd standalone episodes, so I trust his judgement. I imagine the 'Alpha' file is a suggestion of things to come; I would guess the naked man at the end is Alpha, a doll gone 'wrong'. I also think the non-doll characters are show promise, especially Ballard and Adelle, although the tech dude is a bit creepy. Also - Amy Acker? Clearly something up with her character; can't see Whedon wasting one of his tried-and-tested in a bit-part of no substance. Rumours are episode 6 are where it all comes together big style; i'm fine with that, as series 1 of Angel was a bit hit-and-miss in the first half of season one and look how that series turned out!
Mac, Dublin, on May 21st, 2009
Also....I kind of hope SciFi show the last 2 episodes back to back, and if they don't you should sky+ them or whatever and watch them back to back. The second last episode "Briar Rose" is by far the best episode and sets up for the last episode nicely, but viewed a week apart the last episode might fall a bit lat compared to "Briar Rose". I wonder who's watching on SciFi when we all seem to have been too impatient to wait and have all watched it already :)
Also....I kind of hope SciFi show the last 2 episodes back to back, and if they don't you should sky+ them or whatever and watch them back to back. The second last episode "Briar Rose" is by far the best episode and sets up for the last episode nicely, but viewed a week apart the last episode might fall a bit lat compared to "Briar Rose". I wonder who's watching on SciFi when we all seem to have been too impatient to wait and have all watched it already :)
Simon, London, on May 21st, 2009
Like all Joss Whedons' shows, during all season openers I can think of (apart from maybe, Buffy vs. Dracula) - Joss starts off slow, builds a premise; you can't really see where he's going with it, but all the while, he's quietly laying the groundwork for the inevitable 'OMG!!! WFT? OMG!!!111!!!' moment - which, in the case of Dollhouse, famously occurs during Episode 6. Three times, in fact! You're then left rushing headlong towards the finale with not a moment to lose. It's awsome! Trust in the master. His pay-offs are always "worth the wait", and Dollhouse is no exception. It's just that the pay-off doesn't neccesarily come during the first few completely neccesary 'set-up' episodes.
Like all Joss Whedons' shows, during all season openers I can think of (apart from maybe, Buffy vs. Dracula) - Joss starts off slow, builds a premise; you can't really see where he's going with it, but all the while, he's quietly laying the groundwork for the inevitable 'OMG!!! WFT? OMG!!!111!!!' moment - which, in the case of Dollhouse, famously occurs during Episode 6. Three times, in fact! You're then left rushing headlong towards the finale with not a moment to lose. It's awsome! Trust in the master. His pay-offs are always "worth the wait", and Dollhouse is no exception. It's just that the pay-off doesn't neccesarily come during the first few completely neccesary 'set-up' episodes.
Chris, Bracknell, on May 21st, 2009
Seen all 12 episodes, and gagging to see ep13, which kind of reveals my opinion. Dollhouse is brilliant. Joss Whedon has graduated from his Buffy/Angel days. This is the same quality writing and concept he gave us with FireFly and Serenity. Infact, in terms of quality, I'd compare the series as a whole to the Serentiy movie rather than the FireFly series. Early episodes are slow to start, but Joss is establishing the concept. Tahmoh Penikett was good in BSG, but in Dollhouse he kicks ass - figurative and actual. Just as Joss has matured, so has Elisa's acting. There are some amazing episodes late in the series. Take a leap of Faith (see what I did there?), add this to your Sky+ Series Link, by the end of the series you will be hooked!!!
Seen all 12 episodes, and gagging to see ep13, which kind of reveals my opinion. Dollhouse is brilliant. Joss Whedon has graduated from his Buffy/Angel days. This is the same quality writing and concept he gave us with FireFly and Serenity. Infact, in terms of quality, I'd compare the series as a whole to the Serentiy movie rather than the FireFly series. Early episodes are slow to start, but Joss is establishing the concept. Tahmoh Penikett was good in BSG, but in Dollhouse he kicks ass - figurative and actual. Just as Joss has matured, so has Elisa's acting. There are some amazing episodes late in the series. Take a leap of Faith (see what I did there?), add this to your Sky+ Series Link, by the end of the series you will be hooked!!!
A, Wales, on May 21st, 2009
I agree with whats been said already. Dollhouse has a slow start, but after episode 6, thats when things get interesting.
I agree with whats been said already. Dollhouse has a slow start, but after episode 6, thats when things get interesting.
Louie, on May 21st, 2009
I have seen all 12 episodes and all i am gonna say is that early episodes are weak but around episode 5/6, the show gets really good and quite addicting.
I have seen all 12 episodes and all i am gonna say is that early episodes are weak but around episode 5/6, the show gets really good and quite addicting.
Steve, Dublin, on May 20th, 2009
Seen the whole series. Loved it from the start but it just keeps getting better. Delighted that Season Two is coming in just a few months. I'm sure that things haven't even began to kick-off for this show yet!
Seen the whole series. Loved it from the start but it just keeps getting better. Delighted that Season Two is coming in just a few months. I'm sure that things haven't even began to kick-off for this show yet!
McKey, on May 20th, 2009
i think its unfair to have this poll so early on in the series especially when it doesnt hit its stride till ep 6 im an avid fan now and think it rules
i think its unfair to have this poll so early on in the series especially when it doesnt hit its stride till ep 6 im an avid fan now and think it rules
Jason, UK, on May 20th, 2009
Dollhouse has a shaky start. Some blame network interference in the first few standalone episodes. They are mediocre, but once mid season comes in the show hits its stride and its worth sticking with, as it becomes a solid show with some nice twists.
Dollhouse has a shaky start. Some blame network interference in the first few standalone episodes. They are mediocre, but once mid season comes in the show hits its stride and its worth sticking with, as it becomes a solid show with some nice twists.
Mac, Dublin, on May 20th, 2009
I've seen the whole series already and all I can say is that everyone should stick with it. The first few episodes may seem a bit slow and that, but from episode 5 or 6 it gets so very very good and everything starts to tie in. There are some major twists and turns in it and some serious shocks, plus possibly the funniest bit of acting I've ever seen (from the guy Ballard gets to help him find the dollhouse) Basically stick with it, it's worth it.
I've seen the whole series already and all I can say is that everyone should stick with it. The first few episodes may seem a bit slow and that, but from episode 5 or 6 it gets so very very good and everything starts to tie in. There are some major twists and turns in it and some serious shocks, plus possibly the funniest bit of acting I've ever seen (from the guy Ballard gets to help him find the dollhouse) Basically stick with it, it's worth it.
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When I first watched Dollhouse, I was actually surprised it was a Joss Whedon show. The first two or so episodes seem lacking in that classic Whedon humour. However, since I love Eliza Dushku, I kept with it. And by the end, I was left desperate for more. (by the way, i watched the whole season online). Each episode, offers such amazing premises. The same idea of Echo being placed in an engagement and something goes wrong, and she has to solve it as her personality, seems the same every week. But in a way only Whedon could pull off he offers intriguing ways of remaining original. And the long-running mystery just continued to offer exciting twists. Just when you think you have it figured out, another shocking revelation comes along. Almost every episode offers at LEAST one gasp out loud moment. Final Verdict - another original, intriguing, and damn right AMAZING Joss Whedon show!