Created and produced by the one and only Joss Whedon!!!, genius of television.
I've seen the first 10 episodes of this series, and every one of them is better than the last. Meaning, while the first couple episodes are definitely intriguing, they weren't enough to keep me desperate for more content when I first watched them.
However, having heard great things about the show as it was finishing its first season and going into a second, I decided it was time to start again. And it's awesome.
That being said, this entry will be more of a general overview of the show and its plotlines, hopefully sparking your interest rather than throwing spoilers at you.
The Dollhouse
The Dollhouse is a facility completely unknown to the general public. The activities that go on within are highly controversial, even among those who work there. In short, their business is in "human programming."
The calm, peaceful facility is occupied by "dolls," people whose minds and memories have been entirely erased, leaving little more than a child-like shell of a human cognition. Wealthy clients of the Dollhouse can then arrange to have a doll "programmed" to be whoever they need, whether that be an assassin, a lover, a computer hacker, etc.
"What do you mean controversial issue?!" you ask. "That is REALLY MESSED UP."
And yeah, it kind of is. But the controversy comes in when considering the arguments of the higher-ups in the Dollhouse:
First, These dolls volunteered to do what they do. Most of them suffered traumatic experiences before finding their way to this place. Not to mention the extremely handsome sum of money they're offered for a 5-year contract as a doll.
Secondly, none of what the dolls are sent to do is against their will. Once they are programmed as a different person entirely, they then truly want to fulfill their goals; truly love the person they're programmed to love; or truly trained for their entire life to throw themselves in danger's way.
Of course it's still weird. But it is an argument.
---------------------------------------------------
So as far as characters go, here are a few of my favorites.
Echo
(Eliza Dushku)
The closest thing we have to a main character, Echo is a doll, and a favorite among those with authority in the Dollhouse. She performs efficiently when on a job and even adds her own flairs of adaptation now and again (which a programmed active shouldn't be able to do, but certainly interests her handlers). It's difficult to list many character traits seeing as she gets a whole list of new ones with each episode, but she's definitely a doll to keep an eye on.
Ballard
(Tahmoh Penikett)
Agent Paul Ballard is our second protagonist, and his is the opposite side of the story from that of the Dollhouse residents. He spends all of his energy and resources on a desperate hunt to uproot and take down the Dollhouse, which he is convinced exists. He's ostracized by his peers for believing in this assumed "myth" but he sticks to his guns and stays faithful to his instincts. By no means does Ballard play his investigation by the books, but how could he when the system is a detriment to his detective work? (Also, Tahmoh played 'Helo' on Battlestar Galactica and he was my favorite character, so I think quite highly of Ballard.)
Boyd
(Harry Lennix)
Boyd Langton, Echo's handler, is an all around good guy. He was a cop once upon a time, but now spends his time watching out for Echo, with whom he's formed a special bond. He treats her like a daughter and clearly pities the girl who once inhabited Echo's doll body. He's one of our more morally conflicted characters, sometimes seeming to stick around the Dollhouse just to make sure that things don't become too ethically out-of-hand. I like Boyd.
Also there are these two to watch for:
Sierra and Victor
Other actives like Echo with pretty rockin' storylines of their own, though the producers take their sweet time in letting those stories develop.
-----------------------------------------------
So the first 6 (or so) episodes provide a great deal of attachment to characters, background of people and organizations, and episode-by-episode storylines for the most part. The overlying, main plotlines of the series tend to be suggested as a second thought to each episode's main plot, which usually deals with Echo finding herself in a sticky situation.
But then about halfway through Season 1 shit gets real - each episode is given free reign as far as changing our opinions of characters and apparent truths. At this point, you realize why all of the mini-plots beforehand were necessary and you're glad you had them. The characters you now love and hate have to deal with changes and test their morals. Unexpected events begin to occur and all of the whispers of all-encompassing storylines suddenly become real and this series becomes one of those that keep you glued to the screen and begging for more.
Thanks Joss!
No comments:
Post a Comment