Episode Discussion 1.01 "Ghost" - Aired 2/13/09 (FOX-US)

[SpikedBuffy]

I guess I fall in with those crazy critics that everyone hates! I wasn't sold on it. I don't know why... just something feels off about it.

I think Eliza will be okay with all the different characters she must become, but I would rather see Amy Acker doing that. She's already proven from her Fred/Illyria switches that she can do that beautifully and quickly.

I'm going to give it another chance, but I just don't know.

 

[goldenboy]

Ahhh but without the motorbikes, we wouldn't have got the lines...

Echo: Something fell on me.
Topher: I'll bet it was something great!

And that subtle humour amused me to no end!

Yes 🙂 I know Joss is intent on making a dark philosophical drama thing, but here's to hoping he slowly reverts to his snarky self and the humor consistently worms its way in there. I honestly think humor can make a drama better, richer, if it's done well.

 

[DarklyDreamingDrusilla]

I liked the show. I cannot wait until next Friday for the next episode, but it didn't feel like a great pilot episode. I know that obviously characters develop over the time of the show, but I barley caught any names. I got Topher, Echo (obviously 😀 ) and then Cierra. I felt like it all went really fast and I don't know that it was set up well enough for people who had not really read up on what the show is about. My mom was confused and she had to pause it toward the middle to try and get an idea of what the dollhouse was. I hope that it will be more clear later on, well I am sure it will be I just felt like this episode should have been more clear.

I was also quite happy to see Amy Acker again and I want a pair of the pants that Echo wears around the dollhouse cause they are so flowy I dunno just thought I would put that out their :biggrin:

Oh and I love Topher!

 

[yellowcrayon]

Well, firstly, I thought it was good. I didn't think it was great. Granted, with the exception of Firefly, Joss' first episodes (and even first seasons) tend to be his weakest.

That said, my main issues with it come from the perspective of someone who would watch it knowing nothing, which is what Joss really needs to think about.

First off... there is no indication how much time takes place between when Caroline signs her life away, and when Echo is doing that first mission. It seems like she's just starting, yet at the same time the comments they make seem like she's been doing it for awhile. That should have been clearer.

I found the FBI bit confusing. The only reason I was able to follow it was because of what I'd read about it. I think they should have held off on that until the second episode at the very least.

Along the same vein, I had concerns with the "starting to regain personality" bit. Because I knew what was supposed to happen, I recognized the wandering in where she found Sierra and the flashes of the "treatments" when she was talking with Gabriel as the beginning of this regaining her personality. However, they a) don't quite make sense I don't think unless you're looking for them, b) are way too soon, and c) especially too soon if she hasn't been at the Dollhouse very long.

That said, I'm looking forward to next week's episode. 😉

 

[Bluebird]

I just watched it, and of course I loved it. 😀 I thought Eliza did a great job. There was quite a lot of information to take in (it is Joss after all, he doesn't dumb down😉), and at the same time I know there's still a lot to come. I can't wait to see how it all pans out.

 

[Electra Woman]

I don't know if this has been posted yet but here are the ratings from last night with half hour breakdowns:

Fox – Dollhouse (premiere)
Viewers: 4.73 million (#3), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#1t)

Fox – Dollhouse (premiere)
Viewers: 4.70 million (#3), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#2)

Nothing to write home about but it did grow out of its lead in, so that's pretty good.

 

[definition of insane]

First off... there is no indication how much time takes place between when Caroline signs her life away, and when Echo is doing that first mission. It seems like she's just starting, yet at the same time the comments they make seem like she's been doing it for awhile. That should have been clearer.

But isn't the point of it that they can just seem like they've been there for a long time even if they haven't? That was my take anyway. They wipe your personality to replace it with another constantly, so there's no real telling of when the actives came to be there. She may have been there a week, a month, a year. Who knows?

Though I have a theory that Echo is the 5th oldest active. Just from the Alphabet thing.

What does interest me is how they pick who will become an active. I can't wait to see how Joss explains it.

 

[Lindsey McDonald]

Though I have a theory that Echo is the 5th oldest active. Just from the Alphabet thing.

Yes, that's what I thought. Especially because Sierra was just being inducted. That would place Alpha as the first doll, which I was confused about at first. I thought they'd go down the route where he was the culmination of their experience. I think that might be a little too Adam-esque though. I prefer the idea that he was the first, and he's probably self-aware. What's happened to him will probably be what's happening to Echo.

Now I want to know where Bravo, Charlie, and Delta are.

 

[nerd4hire]

I think the chord the pilot hit best with me was it made me anxious to see what's to come. Superior stuff is coming they say.

It's worth noting that Episode 2 is markedly better, 3 features a nifty reveal, and 4 serves up a cool plot twist.

Ratings: How Many Played with Fox's Dollhouse? Did You?

 

[goldenboy]

I don't know if this has been posted yet but here are the ratings from last night with half hour breakdowns:

Fox "“ Dollhouse (premiere)
Viewers: 4.73 million (#3), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#1t)

Fox "“ Dollhouse (premiere)
Viewers: 4.70 million (#3), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#2)

Nothing to write home about but it did grow out of its lead in, so that's pretty good.

I wonder what kind of numbers FOX has typically pulled in with original programming on a Friday night (recently). Hopefully both shows will hold steady or grow slightly if that's possible.

 

[nerd4hire]

I don't know if this has been posted yet but here are the ratings from last night with half hour breakdowns:

Fox – Dollhouse (premiere)
Viewers: 4.73 million (#3), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#1t)

Fox – Dollhouse (premiere)
Viewers: 4.70 million (#3), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#2)

Nothing to write home about but it did grow out of its lead in, so that's pretty good.

Because it's on a Friday I think the numbers are less relevant than where it sat, which is like this...

CBS Flashpoint 8.70 1.8/6
ABC Supernanny 5.62 2.0/6
FOX Dollhouse 4.73 2.0/6
NBC Friday Night Lights 3.50 1.1/4
CW 13: Fear is Real 1.00 0.4/1

About how you'd expect, I think. More people would rather watch Supernanny. They're idiots. Flashpoint viewers are programmed, procedural drones. We in the middle are the elite. 🙂

 

[Friendly Lurker]

Now that people have seen it, hopefully word will spread that the show is actually good and more people will tune in next week! Make sure to tell all your friends. Especially if you know anyone in the Nielsen program. 😉
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Edit:
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What does interest me is how they pick who will become an active. I can't wait to see how Joss explains it.

I couldn't help thinking that it would be easier and less riskier to just kidnap some homeless guy instead of making deals with people. Maybe they don't really keep the deals though?

 

[goldenboy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by definition of insane
What does interest me is how they pick who will become an active. I can't wait to see how Joss explains it.

I couldn't help thinking that it would be easier and less riskier to just kidnap some homeless guy instead of making deals with people. Maybe they don't really keep the deals though?

I'm curious about how they retrieve the personalities. Eleanor Penn died obviously. When and how did they get her "profile"? Did I miss that?

Buffy obsessed fan agrees: before she died..?

Right, but was she a willing participant? Drugged and kidnapped?

 

[Primal Slayer]

I just got done watching it and I have to say that so far I am in love yet again! Though I feel like I should keep my distance since this show is on Fox and I dont think they have changed that much when it comes to good tv.

Joss has set up a very interesting new world, its like a mix between Buffy and Dark Angel. I cant wait to see what happens throughout the season.

 

[AndrewCrossett]

Because it's on a Friday I think the numbers are less relevant than where it sat, which is like this...

CBS Flashpoint 8.70 1.8/6
ABC Supernanny 5.62 2.0/6
FOX Dollhouse 4.73 2.0/6
NBC Friday Night Lights 3.50 1.1/4
CW 13: Fear is Real 1.00 0.4/1

About how you'd expect, I think. More people would rather watch Supernanny. They're idiots. Flashpoint viewers are programmed, procedural drones. We in the middle are the elite. 🙂

This doesn't include DVR numbers, does it? Those are going to be big for this show... much higher than the competition.

Those are much higher numbers than Buffy was getting in its first season. Prophecy Girl only had 2.8 million viewers.

I think they made a good call by promoting the show so heavily during the last 48 hours or so. Eliza must have set some kind of record for appearing on the most talk shows in the biggest variety of short skirts.

 

[charmingslayer]

First off
W O W ! ! !
I loved it it was awesome it was like a film.
50 min was a great time but wny was it 50 min?
Eliza did amazing it wa slike she's played Ms.Penn her whole life.
Sierra or Cierra was pretty cool from what we saw.
On Amy does anyone else think she got those scars from being a past doll?
So far the character I like other than Cierra or Echo(Real names Caroline?) is her watcher guy.
And lastly the credits are growing on me thank god there aint no lyrics just hums which i kinda liked.
Overall IMO 5/5 i can't wait til next week

 

[Friendly Lurker]

50 min was a great time but wny was it 50 min?

"Dollhouse, along with J. J. Abrams' Fringe, will air with half the commercials and promo spots of most current network dramas, adding about 6 minutes to the shows' run times, as part of a new Fox initiative called "Remote-Free TV". Fox is charging a premium price for this advertising space, but they are not completely recouping the money that this move is costing them, thus it is not yet known if "Remote-Free TV" will be back next season."

I'm kind of curious... who advertised during the episode?

 

[charmingslayer]

"Dollhouse, along with J. J. Abrams' Fringe, will air with half the commercials and promo spots of most current network dramas, adding about 6 minutes to the shows' run times, as part of a new Fox initiative called "Remote-Free TV". Fox is charging a premium price for this advertising space, but they are not completely recouping the money that this move is costing them, thus it is not yet known if "Remote-Free TV" will be back next season."

I'm kind of curious... who advertised during the episode?

Yeah me to well thank god we got 50 min
i loved it

 

[Faith]

I'm curious about how they retrieve the personalities. Eleanor Penn died obviously. When and how did they get her "profile"? Did I miss that?




Right, but was she a willing participant? Drugged and kidnapped?

A very good point, one i'm hoping they will pick up on.

I didn't read any reviews on purpose because I wanted to go in with an open mind.

My first thought on the first 'engagement' was 'wow that dress is short.'

I hope we also get to see a bit more of Amy and the background to her character.

Another good point was how they had Echo flash back to her memories in the Dollhouse before she got her new personality (when she had that mini break down). It is important that they keep a thread of 'Caroline' (I think that was her name, i'm very tired so may have got it wrong). There does need to be some consistency and something you can connect with rather than a different personality each show. But I have faith that Joss will keep it going in the right direction.

Intersting at the end with that guy watching the video surrounded by dead bodies. A good start and i'll certainly be watching again.

 

[Tsquared]

Intersting at the end with that guy watching the video surrounded by dead bodies. A good start and i'll certainly be watching again.

Yes! That guy is obviously connected to Echo somehow, and I think the video of her was previous to her entering the Dollhouse. My theory is that he was 'profiling' her original self, to somehow bring her back. It might be a little far fetched, but that's what I think.