Like many Joss Whedon fans, I’ve been watching Dollhouse since it began. Though the first episode left some things to be desired, it seemed pretty clear that it was the victim of too much network interference. Also, the concept for Dollhouse, while overtly simplistic, is actually more complicated than it seems. The first few episodes set up the Dollhouse universe so that Joss & Co. could then commence dismantling it.
And that’s where we’re at now. I think that next week, the dollhouse is going to start coming apart.
I think my reaction is perversely the opposite of what most critics have been saying. I have been enjoying the show. I liked the caper-of-the-week episodes that gradually reveal Echo’s memory leaking back into place. I like the slow build we’ve been getting with the personalities of Adele and Boyd and Dr. Saunders. I haven’t been such a big fan of Agent Ballard, but that might be because I feel like Tamoh Penikett should still be playing Helo on Battlestar Galactica (R.I.P.)!
But there have been some things that annoy me. None of them more than last Friday night’s doll outfit for Echo.
I mean, really? There was nothing more ridiculous than seeing Eliza Dushku attempt to run in those heels across a college campus. The lace! The tiny little fluttery skirt! And what bizarre kind of top is she wearing?
Now, you could argue that the outfit served a purpose. Echo was dressed for an “escort” gig, thus the outfit was part of her identity for that gig. When she left her gig wearing that outfit, she became a prostitute-turned-heroine. Visually, the outfit signifies a fantasy version of virginity (the sexy schoolgirl look) which echoes (ha) the nature of the dolls themselves — their innocence is also a fantasy.
Echo is Alice (the name of the escort persona — anyone think of Wonderland?) in this episode, an apparently sweet girl who happens to like bondage, but tumbles down the rabbit hole into the real world. Her outfit marks her as someone who looks both innocent and not-so-innocent. So in conclusion: You could argue there is a purpose to her dress.
Nevertheless, the outfit annoyed the daylights out of me, because the sexy schoolgirl who isn’t as innocent as she seems is just overdone. I mean, Joss did it over and over again in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Can we please move on?
Besides, you put Eliza in a sexy schoolgirl outfit and then put her on a motorcycle, and any effort at subversion is just lost. That is pure titillation, and the show has titillated enough already. I’m over it.
Some folks have been arguing that the show is not at all feminist, and I know what I just wrote adds fuel that fire. But actually, I don’t think we can draw any conclusions about the show as a whole yet. We’re only halfway through the season, and Joss Whedon has clearly mapped out a season-long story arc. We’re at the midpoint now — the turning point — and I think things are about to change.
I am hoping that Echo’s ridiculous outfit from last Friday marks the end of the isn’t-she-so-cute-as-an-escort stories. Because yes, even though I have enjoyed the show, I do have a problem with the dolls being the playthings of rich men. Of course I have a problem with that.
The reason I’ve kept watching the show — besides the fact that yes, I’ve found it entertaining! — is that I’m looking forward to seeing how the dolls take down their captors. I hope it’s good, because these dolls clearly need to kick some ass.
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{ 17 comments }
i tend to not analyze on feminism and such
when watching shows. unless it is just really really
overtly piggish. BUT i did do a double take on that
outfit. not only is it over the top–it’s not attractive.
*shakes head* pity. and then she was on that bike
showing and i was like WHOA! ha! i do enjoy the show
tho. and i’m not a puddle of fan girl for joss. we’ll see
where it takes us.
“I do have a problem with the dolls being the playthings of rich men. Of course I have a problem with that”….
My comment to that….
If they WANT to be the play things of rich men, then thats fine.
Its called a choice…Its THEIR choice, and if THEY CHOOSE to do it…let it lay where it is. (No pun intended)
As KT said below, I don’t think the dolls in the dollhouse have much choice in the matter. If they did have a choice and still chose to be the playthings of rich men, it would be a different debate entirely.
Logan, have you watched the show? I’m not sure how much choice is involved with these women who have their memories wiped clean after each assignment.
Admittedly, I only watched the first three episodes before giving up. I love most of Joss Whedon’s work and I like Eliza Dushku as an actress who can play a real kick-ass character, but this show was a little too much testosterone-fueled male fantasy for my tastes.
If Dollhouse lasts and gets better, I’ll count on you, Malinda, to let us know. In the meantime, I’ll just be over here, watching Buffy.
Yes, I’ve seen the show….
Its doone in the typical Joss fashion.
If you’ve ever watched Angel…
There was an episode where a similar memory erase happened.
I love Joss, and everything he does.
Its a good show, and I hope it makes it, for a ton more seasons.
Knowing Joss though it’ll all end in a HUGE cliff hanger….Kinda like Angel.
DAMN YOU JOSS…..WHY DO YOU HATE ME!?
LOL
I have been a lover of this show since the start. I will always give Joss a chance. I hope everyone else gives it a chance because it’s about to get very good. I think both Joss & Co have been quite upfront about the sexual nature of the show. Each character is exploited in some way and there is always another agenda lurking beneath the surface.
This latest episode gave a glimpse underneath the façade of all the main characters and their demons. It was interesting to find out some of lines that won’t be crossed when it comes to exploitation: Sierra for example. Plus, I so knew the neighbour just wasn’t being ‘just’ neighbourly! Sleeper agent? Helo is in for one hell of a crazy trip down the rabbit hole.
Why can’t fox put Terminator, Fringe, and Dollhouse all on the same night? I think that Fringe would be a better lead in for either show and Friday is the kiss of death for most shows.
I think that Fringe isn’t going to make it to another season, Holly. But Friday night might also have been something of a safe zone for Dollhouse — because ratings are generally lower on Fridays, it doesn’t have to perform as well as it would have on a different night. I hope the show stays alive long enough for Joss to finish the story he’s setting up, though!
Can you ever have too much titillation?
I am loving this show. Perhaps I am not that critical when it comes to TV shows, or maybe my expectations weren’t that high.
I like the premise, I like watching Eliza (regardless of what she is wearing, doing or saying) and I am curious to see where it’s all going. The morality thing about the dolls not having any say about what’s being done to them is interesting; the inability to wipe someone clean completely and what happens when memories come back is intriguing.
If bad outfits would bother me, there’d be few shows left to watch.
On the live chat on AfterEllen the other day, I asked Jane Espenson about some of this stuff. She indicated that we are supposed to be troubled by the way the Dolls are treated ie: lack of consent in sexual situations. It looks like it gets better next week. I am trying not to have blind faith in one person, but Joss Whedon has done a pretty good job in the past with things like this. Great post. Thanks.
don’t say that about FRINGE! i love fringe!
Yes, indeed, we are supposed to be troubled.
There is a lot going on in Dollhouse besides the obvious. Yes, the dolls are being used, their rights as human beings are being subverted and abused. But remember-they are dolls because they accepted the 5-year agreement (unless Joss is going to prove me wrong on that somewhere down the line). They made the choice themselves.
How much does that make the reponsibility of what is done to them shift from the dollhouse to the dolls themselves? I’m not saying that what is being done to them is morally justifiable or right. What I’m saying is that there is subtext here, tons of it, and if you’ve ever watched other Whedon shows like Buffy, you’ll be aware that what Joss puts on the screen is only a fraction of what’s really going on.
I haven’t read any spoilers about future episodes, so I don’t know how much these characters like Caroline actually know about what their lives as dolls will be like when they consent to becoming them. I’m interested to find out how much they are actually consenting to …
And of course I am a huge Buffy fan and I know that there is lots of other stuff going on behind the scenes. But the fact that we are “supposed” to be disturbed by it doesn’t make it any less disturbing, if you know what I mean.
I hear you. Being disturbed is never a pleasant experience, particularly not when someone sets out to do it on purpose. It does however mean that someone is playing with/on your sense of perception — or you are playing with your own perceptions via the murky pool of personal context. As an academic, that’s always going to be interesting to me
And yes, I too am looking forward to seeing how much the dolls know about what will be done to them prior to them handing over their lives.
Is it possible that Joss Whedon hired the wardrobe people from The L Word?
Ha!! That’s funny.
Hi Malinda,
I have a tebdancy to agree with you, I have been watching the show for two reasons; Eliza and of course Joss, with hopes of a storyline that would cover many issues. Joss is a brilliant storyteller and well Eliza is a beautiful woman, so the question is what type of marriage (as per story and actor) have they created? It seems the visual effect of a ‘doll’ and outfit combo have stimulated the male and some female’s as well but honestly, I rather see a good story than a escort service any day. I hope that you are right and things are about to change, if not my Friday nights will go back to watching what I taped the week in advance. Take care and thanks for letting us express ourselves on your website.
Cheers, Sue.
You’re welcome! And thanks for your comment.
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