It seems that everyone on the planet is talking about Dollhouse’s ratings these days. I’ve decided that, since this is a post about Dollhouse the show, and not necessarily the TV landscape, I will refrain from discussion about the how the ratings better improve quickly, because no one is watching this show. Nor will I talk about how, if the show was better, more people would be watching. Because I think we all could use a break from talking about how much trouble Dollhouse is in.
(The previous paragraph was brought to you by tonight’s episode’s sponsors, the Sarcasm Police)
Seriously, though, folks, as disappointed as I have been in this show since the season started, there is a lot of good going on.
Update: Ratings are up this week. 2.25 million viewers and a 1 in the demo.
I am constantly impressed with the ability of the actors playing the dolls, to create and inhabit a different character each week. Eliza Dushku does an outstanding job each week managing the different personas. Enver Gjokaj proved tonight that he’s got the range to do just about anything the writers throw at him (and really, give this guy more to do, stat). His work tonight as KiKi was just hilarious.
The episode also brought back some of the funny that I think we’ve been without. I’ve put bits and pieces of some of the funniest stuff below. Joss has a way of writing humor that makes you think, and the deadpan delivery of some of the lines tonight was taking good writing to the next level.
Both engagements were fairly interesting as well, and I liked the way that they were related. A literature professor teaching (though I use that word very loosely) about Chaucer and his characters that find empowerment through sex. Then we have a serial killer so completely intimidated by women and their sexuality that he has to imprison and control them. In the end, the show’s definition of the empowered woman, the latent Caroline character, showed up to help the women through.
Other stuff:
Clacked by Ivey West
on Oct 10, 2009 @ 00:34 EST5EDT
It was a fun episode, and I agree with you, we do need more Enver Gjokaj, along with more Dichen Lachman. This was also probably the best Ballard episode to date. His interrogation scene, in particular, was very good.
I also like how they tied this back to “Epitaph One”, despite the fact that the engagement was mostly a stand alone story. It’s not a big leap to get from Topher’s meddling with the remote wipe to everyone fearing all technology in the future. This is where it all starts.
If I have a complaint it’s that they continue to show the people that run the Dollhouse to be borderline incompetent. Just this week, someone walks out the front door with an active. Not just an active, but one imprinted with the mind of a serial killer. And then they manage to get their client stabbed in the neck. I don’t have any experience working in the high-end hooker field, but I’m guessing that gets marked down as bad customer service.
Tahmoh was incredible. The best I’ve seen him in this series (that includes him kickboxing with his shirt off). And Enver is brilliant.
Good episode. I’m excited to see who wins the contest.
I completely agree about the incompetence factor at the Dollhouse. It was very distracting for me.
I chalked up the security lapses to budget cutbacks :)
Any episode penned by Tim Minear has a greater potential of being good.
I think you’re in the minority thinking that Eliza is doing an outstanding job. Or maybe I am thinking she doesn’t…
I just don’t think much about her really, so I’m not bothered. I really never see her as the star of the show.
It’s too bad the show’s producers do. (Hey–she’s one of them! What a coincidence!)
Enver acts circles around her. As I’m sure Dichen will next week. And those are just the actives. The rest of the cast is doing “Masterpiece Theatre” compared to Eliza doing, well, Kiki (she did a decent job with her, which I guess extends her range to–well, 2 characters).
The show does know how to get exceptionally bad ratings week after week. ;)
Dorv – In my opinion Ballard killed the guy at the end. No chest going up and down.
I agree. Also, the machine showed a flatline.
I think this really goes to the question of right and wrong. Until now, Ballard, even though working with the Dollhouse, could be considered a good guy. But, this brings in to question his morality, just like every other character on the show.
I am a shades of gray believer when it comes to the different characters on Dollhouse, but I foresee the actual shades to become much more defined this season.
Yeah, Eliza? Faith or just stupid Faith, that’s her range. I’ve never liked her “acting.” If she wasn’t the darn producer, I’d say boot her, but we can’t have everything.
The house should revolve around Victor and Sierra since they have the ability to be different people at the drop of a hat. I think Paul’s “You got a problem?” was probably the funniest thing I’ve seen on that show in a loooooong time, aside from the salon guy (name?)…”And who are we this week? You *are* a prize.”
As for Ballard’s morality…killing the serial killer puts him in the same boat with Dexter and Chase (“House”). Doing a not-so-good thing for the good of society.