pilot was cut off because fox didn't like it. Same thing happened to firefly.

 

Is it still true that the original pilot will serve as the second episode?

 

Yeah... meh is over stating the pilot. I watched it (though for the latter half my attention was more on killing Nazis than the actual show) and I will watch a few more, but it was pretty bland and disjointed. If the overall goal is just to have a bunch of loosely tied together oneshots, then I'm gonna have to give this show a pass, Eliza or not.

Afterall, 99 shows out of 100 have at least one hot girl. Not a valid reason for watching any particular one.

 

Damn.

Still, waiting for it to download. If it doesn't start good, hopefully it'll get better.

 

As a Whedon fan, I was thrilled to see some of my favorite writers in the credits, like Steven DeKnight and Tim Minear. But I'm not fangirling about the series yet, and I didn't expect to.
Random thoughts that struck me.

I didn't like the opening because it was too vague. I would have preferred a small scene of her signing the contract with the Dollhouse than the weird speech.
I have trouble seeing Eliza as anything other than "actress Eliza Dushku." But the first scene of her with the inhaler helped break that down. I can kind of see what Joss is trying to do. The emotionless doll could get annoying very quick and I hope they don't return to it often.

The Dollhouse set is gorgeous. (Fox spent money!)

I'm sort of stunned that the show already starts out with an FBI agent investigating. Many series would have had that show up in a later season. It's a fairly bold move to have that already established.

 

I think the whole Doll thing is a temp thing. Slowly becomeing aware of what is going on, like this Alpha guy.

 

malaga: Dont know if it works there but hulu is legal and you can watch the show there.

As for the show itself, I liked it. Yes it's bland for now but as was mentioned she will slowly become aware. if everything happened imediately it would be a movie not a tv show. Think of it as being like burn notice or countless other such shows where one thing goes on during one episode thatt is pretty indpndent from the rest of the episodes, yet during of them you get one tid bit which ties into the greater story.

This time it was the Alpha and the flashes that Echo had which showed that she was recalling things.

I really hope this doesnt get cancelled...

 

This.

Makes me wonder exactly how long is the series going to be.

Pilot: The abuse was just something too personal to fully appreciate right in the beginning. It would have been better served a couple of episodes in, perhaps.

Anyway, some parts were nice. Opening was horribly treated. No judgement for a couple of episodes until the plot and the actors are in full swing.

I keep on trying to superimpose leather and a stake upon Echo. Always felt that Faith should have been given a lot more screen time. Anyway, bygones et all.

Oh and,

Still, another awesome Battlestar Episode kinda made up for things.

 

I'm currently in the "meh" category. Liked the FBI agent, but agree with those who thought that Eliza was hard to relate to.

Have to wait and see, but I felt like the whole "Dollhouse" concept would work better as a semi-governmental organization than the private enterprise it appears to be. Like the one FBI agent asked, if I'm a billionaire, what am I paying these people for that I can't get on my own?

 

This.

The whole thing would make a lot more sense if they ditched the fantasy fulfillment angle and focused on the technology of changing people. It would be about whatever organization (government or not) using the first iteration of the technology, putting it under real world conditions to improve and expand it.

Instead of the problems the technology has weakening the concept (i.e. why wouldn't people hire professionals who won't have random glitches) it would strengthen it (it's a beta test).

 

Second episode was much better than the first. The plot was much more interesting, and it was nice to see how the relationship between the "bodyguard" and Echo developed.

But the whole bit with the blood-bath with Alpha was a bit weird. What was that about?

Really looking forward to the third episode. The short sneak preview looked interesting!

 

Already the second episode and things are getting pretty interesting! I too liked this episode better then the first; the plot kept me entertained and I definietley liked the bodyguard (do we even know his name?).

Since the show was being a bitch and didn't give out a preview for the third episode, I suppose I'll be going hunting on youtube for it later.

 

Definitely a much stronger episode than the pilot.

Spoiler

The way they kept emphasizing that "shoulder to the wheel" line was annoying until I realized that it might be a kind of message from Alpha to Echo, given through Robin Hood, who I'm willing to bet was another active that he had created.

No idea if it's intentional or not, but it's hard to miss the similarities between some of the characters here and the crew from Firefly. Echo is obviously River, the FBI agent is Mal, and the imprint nerd is Wash. They even cast actors who look like them.

 

2nd Episode was tons better than the first, a lot more intriguing.

Spoiler

I thought the whole alpha massacre thing, and how the rich guy had faked his whole background were particularly nice twists.

I was thinking the same thing, on how the show was overall pretty similar to Firefly - same type of serialized format, plus the humor was about the same, not overly abundant, but it doesn't take itself too seriously.

 

So it's Firefly with the cast of Angel...


Agreed that is was a stronger. I think at the end of the day it's going to depend what they emphasize. If they try for a series of one shots that have a loose story line around her awareness, it will fail. If however, they focus on her coming aware and fighting for her identity, and the jobs become more 'general' aspect, then I think it will do very well.

 

Excellent second episode. A ten second part for Badger (from Firefly) and an evil hunter Middleman. And we seem to be clearly heading towards making Echo an actual character we give a damn about. If she's just blank slate over and over again, viewers won't really care whether she lives or dies.

Really good balance between the two plots.

Here's my extraneous explanation of how I watch TV series and the dichotomy of the "two plots." Feel free to ignore my off-topic mini-essay.

Anyways, Firefly balanced the two plots exceptionally. I hope this one doesn't get too hung up on the series plot and give us "filler" type episode plots.

I figure if Joss is on his game, I figure I'll love this show by the fifth or sixth episode. For now, still, it's liked. Not loved.

 

I agree completely Nonjon, stuff like House is good to watch once a week when the new episode comes out. Shows like Heroes and lost on the other hand I might have to watch the the previous episode a week later to refresh my memory(especially after a break that the writers are so fond of taking).

I know many people aren't a fan but Smallville is like that also, but with more "filler" type episodes.

 

New episode tonight. I'm glad to see so much diversity in the show. Also found a recent interview of whedon on episode 2 etc. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Whedon-Dollhouse-Secrets-1003097.aspx?rss=news