Tahmoh Penikett-related stories
Posted Oct 24th 2009 1:14AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse, Joss Whedon
(S02E04) It's somewhat ironic that upon news that
Dollhouse is going on
something of a hiatus and will likely not be back next year that it delivers one of the best episodes of its run. Co-written by Joss' brother Jed (and it wouldn't surprise me if he wrote the music to the episode as well) and Maurissa Tancharoen (both of
Doctor Horrible fame), we got the backstory of Sierra and received a major view of how dark the underbelly of the Dollhouse really is.
In another surprise, they redid the graphics for the opening credits and they're better. Does anybody else make up lyrics while listening to the theme or is it just me? If so, what are your lyrics? Mine begins with "This is the Dollhouse. We're in the Dollhouse. This is the Dollhouse song."
Continue reading Review: Dollhouse - Belonging
Posted Oct 10th 2009 3:55AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse, Joss Whedon
(S02E03) It looks like the production schedule had this one slated to be the second episode of the season, rather than the third. It was a little odd how much time was spent in showing Ballard getting used to the complete process in turning a Doll into an Active. I kept thinking, "He was fine with last week's mommy engagement?" Knowing that this was intended to be the first episode after he took on the role as her Handler makes more sense.
It also means FOX is screwing around with Whedon's intended schedule on his show ... again! I can't understand how network executives think narrative flow between episodes means nothing. Do they think that fans are so stupid we can't follow a thread between episodes, nor will we notice when things are out of whack?
This would probably have worked better as a second episode anyway, because it got a little more into the technology behind the Dollhouse, as well as how it can go wrong.
Continue reading Dollhouse: Belle Chose
Posted Oct 3rd 2009 12:55AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse, Joss Whedon
(S02E02) So, um, what happened?
Dollhouse came back last week and posted its lowest ratings to date. It's a shame, because the show continues to find its footing. What was impressive this time was that the episode was compelling and dramatic, and it had virtually nothing to do with the overall story-arc for the series.
Just like some of the best episodes of
The X-Files were "monster-of-the-week" installments, this "imprint-of-the-week" chapter was simply brilliant. It explored the full capabilities of the Dollhouse technology, where we got our first hint that Topher's genius can sometimes push him to doing things he shouldn't. At least not without testing. It's this character flaw that led to his failures in "
Epitaph One."
Continue reading Dollhouse: Instinct
Posted Sep 25th 2009 10:00PM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse, Joss Whedon
(S02E01) For those who have seen the DVD-and-iTunes-only episode of
Dollhouse (
"Epitaph One") which deals with an apocalyptic future, we're not there yet. Instead, this episode (written and directed by Joss Whedon) deals with Paul Ballard using his connections to the Dollhouse to go after an arms dealer that he couldn't put away as a simple FBI agent.
We see the beginnings of the Boyd Langton/Doctor Saunders relationship hinted at in "Epitaph One," but once again, considering that Amy Acker has a limited appearance this season in order to go to
Happy Town, she was the highlight of this episode. I honestly hope that show fails, so that Amy will be around this one more for next season. Is that wrong?
Continue reading Dollhouse: Vows (season premiere)
Posted Jul 26th 2009 3:02PM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Reality-Free, Comic-Con, Dollhouse
(S01E13) This episode of
Dollhouse never actually aired on Fox, and in fact, it's not going to. I'm not sure why, though, because I thought it was fantastic. Yes, it was a dramatic departure from what had gone before, but despite its unique presentation, it offered some amazing insight into the world of Whedon's
Dollhouse, and its future.
"Epitaph One" will be available on the
Dollhouse: Season One DVD, available July 28, 2009. It was also screened this past weekend at
Comic-Con. Even though I wasn't there, I did manage to get my hands on it, so join me, if you will, for a very spoilery look at the true season finale of
Dollhouse.
Continue reading Dollhouse: Epitaph One
Posted May 9th 2009 12:18AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E12) I'm not sure if I should label this one the series finale, but I live in hope. In any case, it was an excellent episode and gives some sense of closure to the series, yet allows for a continuation of the story should it be picked up. And there is the unaired episode "Epitaph One," which hopefully will be included in the DVD set.
This episode was rife with characterization and philosophical debate, two strengths of Joss and his minions. Echo even brought up the simple fact that many viewers have been saying all along: "you can't sign a contract to be a slave."
Continue reading Dollhouse: Omega (season finale)
Posted May 1st 2009 11:36PM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E11) So apparently, Echo/Caroline is Briar Rose. The big twist is that Ballard didn't end up being the Prince. Alpha did.
So now we know Alpha's face (and with that knowledge, my Ballard-as-Alpha theory gets blown to Hell in a handbasket), but we're still missing a lot. We don't know his motivation or his connection with Alpha. We do know that while masquerading as Stephen Kepler, he acts a lot like Topher (whom he may have used as inspiration for his facade) and when he reverts to character he acts a lot like Heath Ledger's Joker (Alan Tudyk is a brilliant actor).
Many law firms take on pro bono work to help those that can't afford legal help. I can only conclude that the Dollhouse has a similar service (or perhaps Topher does a little on the side), which is why a care center for abused children can afford a Doll that has been programmed to act like a grown-up, therapist version of their most abused patient.
That ability to actually create fictional personas based on postulations on how people will emotionally mature would be an interesting concept to explore if the show gets future seasons.
Continue reading Dollhouse: Briar Rose
Posted Apr 25th 2009 1:05AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E10) My first thoughts upon watching the beginning of tonight's episode: that teaser segment was quick. It seemed to go right into the opening credits.
This episode focused on a lot of the moral implications of the technology to copy personalities. This is the sort of philosophical story that Joss and company excel at.
I suppose it would be hypocritical of Adelle to not permit Topher to program a "gaming buddy" once a year on his birthday, particularly considering her own personal use of the Actives in previous episodes. It does strike me as odd that Topher wouldn't at least want to have sex with such an obviously compatible female. Perhaps Topher, despite his genius, is emotionally stunted to an age where sex doesn't matter to him.
Continue reading Dollhouse: Haunted
Posted Apr 11th 2009 12:02AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E09) What did we learn tonight? We learned that Adelle herself is not above taking advantage of her position at the
Dollhouse. While it's not quite as bad of the actions of Joe Hearn, it is definitely a conflict of interest and is something I doubt the Rossum Corporation would approve of.
That being said, she's apparently into James Bond types, which sort of makes sense given her career choice.
My favorite line of the episode was from Boyd: "We're pimps and murderers, but in a philanthropic way."
Continue reading Dollhouse: A Spy in the House of Love
Posted Apr 7th 2009 2:04PM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: OpEd, Casting, Reality-Free
Sci Fi (or SyFy, whenever that changeover is taking place) has
cast some of its upcoming projects.
Battlestar Galactica and
Dollhouse's Tahmoh Penikett and Smallville's Laura Vandevoort has been cast in
Riverworld and
Desperate Housewive's Ryan Carnes has been cast as the lead character in
The Phantom.
This is either a sign that
Dollhouse is destined for only one season or Tahmoh Penikett's character of Paul Ballard is not going to survive beyond the first season. I'm hoping it is more of the latter than the former.
Continue reading Some cast for SyFy's Riverworld and The Phantom
Posted Apr 4th 2009 12:05AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E08) For a second ... for just a second ... I thought Ballard's dream was actually happening. Is that what Ballard actually wants? To do the nasty with Echo or Caroline or whomever? If the situation with Victor and Sierra is proof that true love circumvents the programming of the Actives, then maybe Ballard is Alpha and the reason he escaped was because he fell in love with Echo.
The show is gaining a sense of urgency. Once Joss took reign and the network backed off from their "Echo episode of the week," I suddenly feel as if something bad will imminently happen to the Dollhouse. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is anybody's guess. From what has been shown, the season is leading to a final confrontation with Ballard and/or Alpha with the fate of the Dollhouse at stake. Based on experience with Joss Whedon's style, that's probably the last thing that will happen.
At least Joss' sense of humor was obvious in this episode: "I like pancakes." "We're all going to die."
Continue reading Dollhouse: Needs
Posted Mar 28th 2009 10:03AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E07) This was a terrific episode. While it borrowed elements from other science fiction franchises (most notably the episode "The Naked Time" from
Star Trek), it served as a perfect vehicle to explain how Caroline (last name: Farrell. Forgive any misspelling of names) got involved with the Dollhouse.
Whedon and company go to an anti-corporate message. It turns out the Dollhouse is a product of the Rossum Corporation, the biggest drug company in America (if not the world), and Caroline was doing some animal activist activities to earn their ire. Those activities even cost the life of her then-boyfriend Leo.
We also know that Caroline used to be a student at Freema University and had Professor Janik as a teacher (once again, forgive any spelling errors). We knew she was a college student (or probably graduate when she was recruited). Now we know where. Which college campus did they use for filming, I wonder.
Whatever was in that teapot when Adelle was saying "nothing is as it seems", it wasn't tea.
Continue reading Dollhouse: Echoes
Posted Mar 21st 2009 12:57AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E06) So this is the biggie. The episode that changes everything. Did it have to be on the same night as the series finale of
Battlestar Galactica?
It looks like the
rumors aren't true. At least, not this week. Somewhat disappointing, but they could prove true before season's end.
Tonight's episode wasn't so much about Echo as it was about the Dollhouse itself and how the world perceives it. It also discussed (via documentary) the moral and philosophical implications of such a place, the sort of questions that Joss Whedon excels at exploring (good thing he wrote the episode).
Continue reading Dollhouse: Man on the Street
Posted Mar 19th 2009 10:32AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Casting, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
Joss himself has promised that Friday's episode of
Dollhouse is a game-changer. It's a pity that the episode is competing with the series finale of
Battlestar Galactica. What follows is a major spoiler for Friday that I'm leaving until after the jump.
Those of you who do not fear spoilers, click away...
Continue reading Major Dollhouse spoiler ahoy!
Posted Mar 14th 2009 12:20AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Dollhouse
(S01E05) Among other things we've learned from tonight's episode of
Dollhouse is that those who live in a cult can sing in perfect harmony. Mostly likely due to brainwashing.
We've also learned that certain members of the U.S. Senate are well aware of the Dollhouse's existence, making it even less likely that Agent Ballard will succeed in his mission of bringing the place down.
Continue reading Dollhouse: True Believer
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