A Dollhouse Remake

[Buffy Summers]

Could they remake Dollhouse today and how would they improve it if so?

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Change the whole premise. Make the dolls to be manchurian candidates versus what they were on the show. Have better episodes would be another thing.

 

[nightshade]

I wouldn't might if they did a remake but then I'veneveractuallywatchedtheshow

 

[white avenger]

As I recall, the show was generally well received at first, until someone pointed out that it was basically a combination of slavery and prostitution, and then there was a general loss of support for it. Unless they could come up with a way to change that view, I don't think that it will ever be remade.

 

[Mr Trick]

I don't have a problem with how the Dolls were portrayed on the show. Its seems it was ahead of the curve in a way. I think maybe at the time it just a bit too dark or maybe niche for a mainstream audience. It maybe more suitable for a modern audience its just whether the show has enough name value to be picked up. I guess it could work on Netflix or Amazon.

 

[VisionGirl]

I liked the theme of what is the essence or the soul of a person? And even if that is erased or wiped, is it still there? It’s about personhood, and I think that is always relevant. The trappings of that, essentially a whorehouse, yeah, and sex without consent- that was gross upon retrospect. The dolls were like children and that idea can go. So no I don’t think the show should be remade. There were lots of elements of the show that were interesting as it stood. And I guess maybe people will keep making those shows? Westworld? (Although I haven’t watched it)

 

[BuffyNvrForgets]

When watching it, I felt it was hard, as someone who likes character driven shows, to make attachments to the characters, because they were constantly being rewritten literally every episode, and the characters that weren’t, just weren’t given enough time to be interesting. That somewhat improved during season 2, but still.

How I would improve it:

Don’t have Echo be the main character. She can be the most important character, but she cannot be the audience surrogate as she was in the original, because she literally is a blank slate.

the whole time I was watching it, I kept thinking how much more interesting it would be to see this situation from Whiskey/Claire’s perspective. I mean, she’s so quiet and observant, yet she’s in the very middle of all of it. And imagine how much more interesting it would have been for the reveal that she is, in fact, and has been a doll the whole time. Much more interesting than them teasing Caroline, who ultimately didn’t mean very much.
Then, imagine her sacrifice at the end? They really didn’t flesh it out, but it was always a really interesting part to me.

Anyways, that’s what I would have done. They also could have made it from Paul’s perspective, but I think that would be less interesting.

(Side note: anyone else think Dollhouse would have made a great Anime? It’s just an odd Thought I had…I’ve seen other anime’s deal with similar themes, such as Evangelion or Elfen Lied, and I could just see them pulling it off…)

 

[Kendar]

As I recall, the show was generally well received at first, until someone pointed out that it was basically a combination of slavery and prostitution, and then there was a general loss of support for it. Unless they could come up with a way to change that view, I don't think that it will ever be remade.

Law and the Multiverse did a nice writeup on the legality of the Dollhouse. You can find it here.

Note: The writeup is whether this could be legal at all, as there are plenty of things that Dolls did that the show freely acknowledged as wrong/evil.

 

[RonWesley]

Of course they could remake Dollhouse.

Heck since this is Joss Whedons weakest show, they could probably manage to make a reboot stronger than the original.

 

[Mr Trick]

Of course they could remake Dollhouse.

Heck since this is Joss Whedons weakest show, they could probably manage to make a reboot stronger than the original.

I agree its his weakest show at least out of his original 4 (only seen one episode of The Nevers), but I still think it gets a bad rap and was much better than people give it credit for. If it got more seasons it could have been right up there with his others. With how things have progressed I would be up for a reboot. The only danger is if a show like Westworld has already stolen its thunder.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I definitely would not watch a Dollhouse remake. I just wish it had been renewed for a third season.

 

[ChaseRules]

When watching it, I felt it was hard, as someone who likes character driven shows, to make attachments to the characters, because they were constantly being rewritten literally every episode, and the characters that weren’t, just weren’t given enough time to be interesting. That somewhat improved during season 2, but still.

How I would improve it:

Don’t have Echo be the main character. She can be the most important character, but she cannot be the audience surrogate as she was in the original, because she literally is a blank slate.

the whole time I was watching it, I kept thinking how much more interesting it would be to see this situation from Whiskey/Claire’s perspective. I mean, she’s so quiet and observant, yet she’s in the very middle of all of it. And imagine how much more interesting it would have been for the reveal that she is, in fact, and has been a doll the whole time. Much more interesting than them teasing Caroline, who ultimately didn’t mean very much.
Then, imagine her sacrifice at the end? They really didn’t flesh it out, but it was always a really interesting part to me.

Anyways, that’s what I would have done. They also could have made it from Paul’s perspective, but I think that would be less interesting.

(Side note: anyone else think Dollhouse would have made a great Anime? It’s just an odd Thought I had…I’ve seen other anime’s deal with similar themes, such as Evangelion or Elfen Lied, and I could just see them pulling it off…)

I like the idea you have about Wiskey/Claire. You could have a lot more interesting storyline that way. .Echo can be like you say can be the most important character, & Wiskey/Claire starts getting feelings for Echo . At first she starts feeling like her parent & does her best to look after Echo who starts liking
her back for being so nice . Then Wiskey/Clair finds out she is a doll . The kicker could be that she wasn't programed to like Echo & they had gotten along before which leads to the question that is there some things you cant get rid of ?

 

[DeepBlueJoy]

As I recall, the show was generally well received at first, until someone pointed out that it was basically a combination of slavery and prostitution, and then there was a general loss of support for it. Unless they could come up with a way to change that view, I don't think that it will ever be remade.

This! The premise is VILE. It only looks 'interesting' if you can detatch from human empathy and I dont think that is good for my soul.

It actually was the second nail in Joss' coffin for me as "good guy". The first was his cruel glee at having killed "someone in the credits" (Amber Benson). It was utterly clear he got off on the power of it like a cruel schoolboy pulling wings off butterflies.

Dollhouse was about how power is wielded. I have no doubt that if people could program others, someone would. A certain kind of person needs that kind of power over others.

Someone out there will make something like it - as entertainment or, if rhey can get away with it, for real.

Has anyone seen the reboots of blade runner, including the animated bits like black lotus?

Power hunger is not quenchable.

I hope people are not fooled into thinking there is anything benign in this "entertainment".

Btw: i did watch it, though I could not watch all of season 2.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Could they remake Dollhouse today and how would they improve it if so?

I wouldn't want a remake, but a reboot would be cool. I thought the show had really found its footing in the second season, and it would have been really cool to have a new season that continues the story.

 

[Spo0kyxSpice]

I think if they remade or rebooted it nowdays or in the near future, they'd have to make it entirely original (so no association to Joss would occur, not in royalties or by comparison) because I feel like with everything coming to light about him, this show just hits so close to truth than a work of fiction. Not just to do with his skeevyness but with actual accounts of similar scenarios in real life that have come out since then around the world.

Sure it could probably be compared because let's face it, everything nowdays gets compared to everything else for some reason. As long as he didn't make money off it so it wouldn't get boycotted would be the way to go.

So perhaps go in a different direction entirely - like perhaps more of an action focused - espionage type plot rather than "Pretty people anyone can buy for their fantasy."
Then it wouldn't be a product of Dollhouse re -imagined at all, would it?

 

[Plasma]

Some of the issue is that they already did remake Dollhouse, somewhat, via Altered Carbon on Netflix. Though admittedly based on a book, Altered Carbon has a similar premise of “bodies used as blank slates for personalities to be uploaded into”.

Some of the nuances and specifics of Dollhouse are obviously absent, but it has a similar enough premise that I consider it a re-imaging of the concept.

 

[DeepBlueJoy]

Some of the issue is that they already did remake Dollhouse, somewhat, via Altered Carbon on Netflix. Though admittedly based on a book, Altered Carbon has a similar premise of “bodies used as blank slates for personalities to be uploaded into”.

Some of the nuances and specifics of Dollhouse are obviously absent, but it has a similar enough premise that I consider it a re-imaging of the concept.

I liked Altered Carbon as much as I abhor Dollhouse. The autonomy of the characters makes all the difference in spite of the huge abuses that transpire. The abuses are treated very differently in this series than in Dollhouse. I also really enjoyed the actors who played the lead a lot.

It is very violent, however, so be warned. The violence doesn't feel gratuitous, but it is not pretty. In spite of being set in a different reality and future, it has a realness that Dollhouse lacks. The characters also have a richness and emotional relatability that is fully absent from Dollhouse.

If you like Buffy, Angel or Killjoys, I think you will like Altered Carbon.

 

[TamsinValencia]

I would like it if it was a different story or a continuation of another character or a new characters story. I don't want them to remake the old show with the same story and characters again.

 

[Mott1]

Unlike Buffy, Angel etc I would actually welcome a Dollhouse remake.

I've watched it twice so far, and it's just so rushed - no amount of great material could work with such constraints, and going into the future doesn't often help these shows. Dushku was incredible as Faith but the demands of the role here seemed to be a little much for her - she might have pulled off a double personality but having to be someone new most weeks (at least early on) was a bit much. Acker, as strong in DH as she was in Angel, could have done with more screentime, and maybe Topher a bit less.

If there were a remake I'd have loved Enver Gjokaj to reappear - he, for me, was the real standout, despite the fine work of Olivia Williams.

"Did I fall asleep?"