Dollhouse - Season 1
I'll admit, when I first came on board to Dollhouse, my expectations were extremely low. I had never been a fan of Joss Whedon's other works and I was extremely doubtful he and his team of writers could pull-off the inherently outlandish premise of implanting human “Dolls” with false memories for a covert, underground (literally) organization. What made me watch was the conceptual and thematic elements that the show promised to explore, which I was also skeptical could be adequately realized, but which I found too compelling to dismiss. However, over the course of Season One's twelve episode run, my expectations were soundly exceeded beyond anything I could have hoped for.
What makes this show so special is the unique combination of a high-concept premise coupled with a fascinating exploration of themes of identity, ethics, and mortality. Adding to this is the fact the writers make the most of Dollhouse's small cast, who all shine, and who's part in the larger, overarching story is revealed in ways that are sometimes shocking, but almost always flesh out the universe while raising thought provoking questions about what will happen next and how they fit into the larger themes the show is built on. Aside from a few episodic missteps — Ep 2. The Target and Ep. 5 True Believer — which primarily centered around stereotypical TV “filler” plot lines involving a “dilemma/villain of the week” that did little to move the series forward, this show has kept the ball rolling at a blazing pace that makes it more and more engaging with each successive episode. Having seen the entire season from beginning to end, I genuinely feel as if I've been on a journey with the show's characters because so much has happened in the short time I've gotten to know them.
I won't go into the specifics, so the uninitiated will remain spoiler free, but I do want to touch upon a few things. First, the writers have done a fantastic job of avoiding the comfortable routine that too many shows, particularly those in the sci-fi genre, fall into. Things change, characters grow, and as the story progresses the viewer is (pleasantly) reminded again and again that nothing is as it seems. Second, are the high production values seen throughout the proceedings; nothing feels cheesy, overdone, or out of place. Lastly, Dollhouse features a damn neigh perfect balance of action, mystery, character development, and perhaps most important of all: an ever deepening exploration of its themes. In a strange twist of fate, Dollhouse, which I once envisioned as a prime example of everything that was wrong with network television, became the unlikeliest reason to give commercial TV another chance.
Fans have started a campaign to the save this show, which is currently at risk for cancellation. I urge any DH fans to please voice your support on the Tweet to Save Dollhouse Petition.