Dollhouse: I Want to Believe

“On the other hand, this is Joss Whedon, who has earned a little trust if any TV creator has, so if someone can pull off a high-degree-of-difficulty concept, it’s him.”

Echo that, captain. What I’m expecting is character emergence, rather than character development.

“And I base my worries on nothing more than my gut reaction to the way the show was described.”

That seems to echo one of the central problems, from what I’ve read – that there was some disconnect among the concept pitch, the Joss vision, and the network vision – folks were reacting to and interpreting the idea differently, so its taken some time for the show to find its own “voice” and tone and structure. I’m a big Whedon fangirl, and have high hopes for the show, but am trying to temper that until I actually see the finished product.

Nope, this has flaming disaster written all over it – complete with Fox vs. Whedon creative differences.

Still, I’ll be there to watch the flames.

And if you are desperate for material, you could look into the cancellation game. Last I heard, Kath & Kim was picked up for the season (Hell, I’m not sure if even Lipstick Jungle will get mid-season canceled over at NBC this year!) while Pushing Daisies was quietly told it won’t get a mid-season renewal.

Or you could start looking into the midseason returns/premieres – between Lost, Reaper, Kings, the animated comedies, etc., there has to be something worth writing about.

The trailer makes it look like the show’s trying to get way too psychological/metaphysical for Whedon, but trailers are misleading. Whedon has always been best at taking high concept shows and merely using the concept to drive his own personal fun style along.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEE! I’m looking forward to Dollhouse I think even more than I was to the return of Pushing Daisies (which, if Tom Shaw is right, I’m devastated for. Please don’t be right, Tom Shaw. Please!), and that’s saying a lot.
Though it’d be a lie to say I’m hoping for this show’s success more than I was the success of my candidate in the presidential election, that’s only because the stakes were so much higher on Tuesday. If there was a Whedon Channel on TV, that just played reruns of Buffy, Angel, Firefly and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, I’d subscribe!

I am excited about Dollhouse but I have some anxiety.

Whedon’s previous (television) work has always had helpful doses of action. In addition to all the pathos and comedy there was punching and kicking and shooting. Dollhouse doesn’t strike me as a show filled with swimming (yes swimming, it is a sort of obscure Buffy reference; if you get it, good for you!)

I’m terrified about the pacing. Journeys of self discovery are, um, well, journeys. By definition, they are not terribly swiftly moving affairs. With little action, and incremental character growth, the show could end up being tedious. However, you also cannot move to fast, at risk of the payoff not having the appropriate emotional resonance. That is going to be a tough needle to thread.

Finally, Dollhouse may be doomed by expectations. Thanks to Dr. Horrible, Whedon is a superstar on the old net right now. Remember though, that while Whedon’s last foray into big network tv was a critical success, no one watched it (or at least, not enough people watched it). As a midseason show, Dollhouse is going to be coming onto the scene with 24 and American Idol returning, to say nothing of shows on the other networks, ahem, Lost. I’m not sure an esoteric sci-fi show will be able to grab a large enough audience quickly enough to fend off cancellation. Yeah, Whedon has a huge cult following, and if Dollhouse was on the CW he would be safe for sure, but hard to say if it will be able to assuage FOX.

As for what to talk about right now. Maybe you should rethink your position on Friday Night Lights. I thought last nights episode was great. I know actually care about J.D. and we were treated to the best phone singing to a baby since Dr. Bailey on Grey’s Anatomy.

I watched the trailer, thought it looked okay, and then saw Joss Whedon and Fox. DOOMED!