Sunday, December 21, 2008

Thinking Makes It So

I've been remiss about posting updates recently; there's no real excuse for it, especially on the weekends. Hopefully, I'll be getting back into the daily posting routine sooner rather than later, and posting on things of substance. This, however, may make my life easier. It is a clip from Joss Whedon's new show, Dollhouse, premiering February 13th, 2009. I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly and Dr. Horrible and Serenity, and like Angel: the Series - and would build the man an alter if I were someone who worked with her hands.

Dollhouse seems like it is going to be awesome - and probably cancelled after 9 or so episodes, if history is any judge for how long Joss Whedon projects existing in the Friday night at 9 timeslot fare. I'm a little concerned for Eliza Dushku's acting ability; I don't think she's the worst actress in the world, but she hasn't done anything to truly impress me either - or that demonstrates she has the kind of range necessary to pull off what Dollhouse needs her to, namely, becoming a different character every episode. The clip itself is incredibly cool, and quotes Shakespeare. I'm interested in how philosophically heavy Dollhouse is going to be, and what its message will ultimately translate to. BtVS and Firefly were both at their heart about the individual and the individual's importance in relation to society, as well as being about tiny girls who could and did kick major ass. I see Dollhouse being a continuation of that theme, along with an examination of what the individual is. Since Echo gets a new personality downloaded for every mission and then wiped clean, what is the state of her as an individual? Is she, even in that state, "a person, actual and whole?" I tend to think the show is going to come down on the side of yes, but I look forward to actually watching it and dissecting it. And, of course, reading the philosophy books written about it. Buffy the Vampire Slayer has produced some very good books on its subject, most notably for me Rhonda Wilcox's Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I can't wait for a similar one exploring Dollhouse.

4 comments:

MediaMaven said...

I'm kinda meh on the promo. Didn't care for the actors, mainly.

The problem is you make the show sound so interesting, but what if it doesn't deliver? I'll watch (or try to watch; I'm having a terrible track record this season) for the sake of it being Joss Whedon, but Friday night at 9 sounds like a death wish by the network, unless some sort of miracle occurs (really low ratings expectations? Like seriously low.).

What was the Shakespeare quote?

Just hold off fantasizing about the philosophy books. Let's wait till this show has a season pickup before going there.

petpluto said...

"Just hold off fantasizing about the philosophy books. Let's wait till this show has a season pickup before going there."

No way! Firefly got 14 episodes filmed and less than that aired and they got philosophy books!

"The problem is you make the show sound so interesting, but what if it doesn't deliver?"

I think the writing will deliver; I'm a little unsure about the acting. But I also have faith that the acting will come, because it has before. Some BtVS actors really aren't the greatest, but were terrific on the series.

"What was the Shakespeare quote?"

There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

John said...

Wow, that promo was surprisingly boring. Did they really feel that was the best few minutes of the show to leak? Don't get me wrong, though: I'll still watch it, but now I'm far less excited about it than I was.

petpluto said...

I don't know if they were going for the most exciting couple of minutes of the show, but a couple of minutes that sums up what the Dolls go through and what they are. I expect the rest of the show will be more exciting (and hopefully ED will be less... wooden).