Dollhouse: “Vows”
Does knowing the ending spoil the show? After watching “Epitaph One,” the supposed-to-be final episode of Dollhouse, created before the show was picked up for a second season, it’s hard not to wonder. The straight-to-DVD episode flash-forwarded to the apocalyptic future of a world where identity is no longer permanent. It’s brilliantly incorporated flashbacks created a series that could have been. But that was before Fox (thank you thank you) picked the show up for a second season. Now it’s the series that is.
The second season starts off full-tilt in “Vows.” Time did not stop to wait for the viewer during the past two months. Instead, we’re expected to play catch-up and connect-the-dots, figuring out Paul Ballard’s new position, Topher’s growing conscious and Dr. Saunders’ growing paranoia. The good doctor seemed at peace with the realization that she was a doll at the end of last season. But the reality of not being real has worn on her. Her thoughts are Topher’s desire, so she thinks, and fighting her own mind is making her fracture. As she says, “My entire existence was constructed by a sociopath in a sweater vest. What do you suggest I do?”
The Dr. Saunders plot line is a good sign of the ensemble cast Dollhouse is trying to create. One person’s struggle for identity is an interesting show, but a world of people struggling for identity — dolls and actual — is compelling on a level much higher than television. Knowing the ends of the stories, and watching for the beginning of a breakdown, is less entertaining and more satisfying. Dollhouse is becoming the kind of show that makes viewers question their reality, not just the show’s.
That’s why it was nice to see the heady philosophy cut by a reference to that lonely soul Tempura Joe, a client who enjoyed being turned into tempura by Echo. Because humor is a part of identity too.
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As a woman, I find the show to be extremely sexist and offensive. If you want to compound that issue by calling me narrowminded, go right ahead. It’s what’s been done to women basically forever, after all. It won’t change my opinion, and it won’t make me stop smiling every time this hateful show crashes and burns with horrible ratings, poor DVD sales, and rampant cancellation rumors that will (hopefully VERY soon) come true.
Gwen
September 27, 2009 at 10:05 pm
@gwen:
ummm really?
i think joss has earned the right to pull off whatever he wants with his female leads. buffy, inara, and certain other reoccurring characters from joss’s other shows show that he is not sexist, in fact he empowers his female leads and makes them role models. i can see why this show has made lots of people uncomfortable, but THATS THE POINT OF THE SHOW. the fact that this company is removing people’s (read: both men and women) souls and forcing them to go out against their wills is not supposed to sit well with viewers. this fact is highlighted in the first season with episodes such as “man on the street” and “a spy in the house of love”. a journey of self discovery in the face of insurmountable odds is joss’s strong suite (see buffy, angel, firefly, and even dr. horrible). the fact that fox thought to renew this show based on the potential success shows that the show is more then just about whores for hire (which by the way is not limited to women, just because we dont see any men in dominatrix outfits doesnt mean it doesnt happen in that reality.
@collins:
i thought it was super interesting the way that the two actives (whiskey and echo) are dealing with knowing that they are dolls. whiskey is slowly going insane and echo is growing more confidant and powerful. im intrigued to find out just how ballard is going to work as echos handler.
and
“The Dr. Saunders plot line is a good sign of the ensemble cast Dollhouse is trying to create. One person’s struggle for identity is an interesting show, but a world of people struggling for identity — dolls and actual — is compelling on a level much higher than television. Knowing the ends of the stories, and watching for the beginning of a breakdown, is less entertaining and more satisfying. Dollhouse is becoming the kind of show that makes viewers question their reality, not just the show’s.”
AGREED
silva
September 28, 2009 at 11:40 am