How Dollhouse could have been better

[Black Eye Guy]

So I've been watching through the new show Nikita, the one that has been compared to Dollhouse and I have to say Nikita is so much better.

And they way the story is set up is way more engaging and thrilling compared to Dollhouses, it got me thinking, I think Dollhouse would have been so much better if the Echo character replaced Alpha, and we followed her on that side (leaving out the crazy).

I think if we were thrown into the story, with Echo having already become aware and escaped and working to take down the Dollhouse, they could have done things like whatever she's doing in that episode we could get flashbacks back t her mission in the Dollhouse were we learn how she got the skills.

Anyone else think this would have worked better then the slow march to death we had on Dollhouse?

 

[caitaintdead]

That's a great idea (with the flashbacks I mean). One of my problems with Dollhouse is that I found it hard to engage with Echo so I think that would be a great solution. I haven't seen Nikita yet, but I'll have to give it a go.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I saw some previews for Nikita (I assumed it was based off of La Femme) but it deffo had a Dollhouse feel to it. I think there were so many reasons why Dollhouse failed and that is one. I cant remember the characters name, but the one Reed Diamond played should have been the lead. It's sorta like you were saying BEG but from a different angle. Especially in the second season with him locked in the Matrix, or um, the Attic. I thought his character by far was the best, or at least had the most potential.

 

[Taake]

I think if we were thrown into the story, with Echo having already become aware and escaped and working to take down the Dollhouse, they could have done things like whatever she's doing in that episode we could get flashbacks back t her mission in the Dollhouse were we learn how she got the skills.

Anyone else think this would have worked better then the slow march to death we had on Dollhouse?

That could actually have been really interesting.

I would say though that my problem with Dollhouse is that it's too Echo-centric and the concept they have would have worked better for me if they would have given more space to Viktor and Sierra as actives as well. As if Eliza hadn't been the star... but then she probably wouldn't have done it...

I just always feel that those great other characters are a bit neglected and pushed into bit parts here and there, almost as if the writers went - "oh crap have to stick them into some kind of function this ep, let's have them stand in a corner and watch Echo walk by"...

That's the change I would have craved, but that could have been arranged with a concept like the one you suggested as well

 

[sk]

I didn't mind Dollhouse at all. Not even the early mission of the week episodes.
But sure, perhaps they could've done more with Echos' progress of getting more and more aware. Now they often just had that one small scene towards the end.

Your idea sure sounds great BEG.
Telling the awareness story by flashbacks could work really well.

/SK

 

[EvilBuffy]

I actually liked Dollhouse as it was. I took it the same way I took Buffy; I wasn't hooked during season 1 but as it got to season 2, I was addicted. I think it would have been interesting as you described it. Probably would have had a longer run. But I was grateful that they at least gave it a full second season. (Unlike Tru Calling... grumble grumble.) Off topic, sorry. 😛

 

[The Unspoken]

That could actually have been really interesting.

I would say though that my problem with Dollhouse is that it's too Echo-centric and the concept they have would have worked better for me if they would have given more space to Viktor and Sierra as actives as well. As if Eliza hadn't been the star... but then she probably wouldn't have done it...

I just always feel that those great other characters are a bit neglected and pushed into bit parts here and there, almost as if the writers went - "oh crap have to stick them into some kind of function this ep, let's have them stand in a corner and watch Echo walk by"...

That's the change I would have craved, but that could have been arranged with a concept like the one you suggested as well

My thoughts exactly. I felt that Eliza was the weakest actress, yet she was given the meatiest and most demanding part.

I didn't like season 2 because it felt very rushed and plot-driven. You could tell they wanted to wrap things up.

I also read that Joss was never allowed to follow his original vision and was 'forced' to do stand-alone episodes and aim for more of an action-adventure vibe.

By the way, I don't agree with the OP. For me, part of the appeal of the show was seeing how utterly helpless those Actives were. And there was already an outsider working on uncovering the Dollhouse.

 

[Tasha]

I also like Dollhouse as it is! Even though s1 kinda sucked with it only being Echo-centric and we totally never got to see much of the other characters..
And yes me too! I never liked s1 of Buffy/Angel , so same goes for this. S2 i was hooked.

And i really need to see this 'Nikita' show everyone's been going on about.. and compare, but then i might get annoyed at Dollhouse if i do. 😛

 

[zobothehobo]

1. I really like Dollhouse as it is.
2. That being said, this idea does sound really cool... better... I don't know. Cool, definitely.
3. I'm watching Nikita because I want to see the "Dollhouse-like" show... I like it but I think it's biggest similarity to Dollhouse is the tech guy. He's like a rip-off Topher. I don't like it.

 

[Misty]

I like Dollhouse, but I agree that there was too much Echo and we didn't get to see alot of the other characters. I love Eliza, but I didn't like her being the main character in the show, because her acting wasn't very good in some of the episodes.

 

[Justme]

Not had a Mary Sue as a lead? Just a thought.

 

[CMF9]

I wouldve been bored senseless if Dollhouse was anything like Nikita.

At least Dollhouse was interesting and made me think instead of being actiony and senseless.

I love DH just the way it is. S1 included. Still no idea why ED gets the BS flack she does. Of course she wasn't acting like V and S, she wasn't SUPPOSED to. Oy.
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[Icarium]

Giving Ballard a functioning brain might have helped. Or better yet, writing him off the show. Or making Adele the main character, for me she was about 343948395439483 times more interesting than Echo and Olivia Williams is way more talented actress than Eliza Dushku.

 

[Summerlilly]

My thoughts exactly. I felt that Eliza was the weakest actress, yet she was given the meatiest and most demanding part.

Time for some Eliza defending. Really? You thought she was that bad? I feel like she was just givin a character with no longevity and that's why we couldn't connect with her. She went away at the end of every season to wake up with no personality. I wanted Echo to figure out what the hell was going on and try to fix it.... a little faster. There's got to be those moments where we feel like she knows whats going on and won't completely lose it by the end of the episode! I think she did the best with what she was given.

 

[Emzzie]

I definitely agree. I LOVE Nikita! I compared it to Dollhouse but love it so much more. It has way more action. I don't think it is "sensless" at all. There has been lots of character development and depth in it's episodes. I even compare it to Buffy in a way because it has a kickbutt powerful female lead but great supporting characters as well, and while it is action-packed I also look forward to scenes delving into the stories of the show's characters. I think both shows have a good balance of action and plot scenes. So in the end, I think Dollhouse was lacking in that balance and that's why it was having trouble keeping people engaged. It had a great plot and characters, but I did not find it thrilling at all.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

I wouldve been bored senseless if Dollhouse was anything like Nikita.

At least Dollhouse was interesting and made me think instead of being actiony and senseless.

I love DH just the way it is. S1 included. Still no idea why ED gets the BS flack she does. Of course she wasn't acting like V and S, she wasn't SUPPOSED to. Oy.
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I'm guessing by your explanation of actiony ans senseless you've maybe seen the ad for it then, since in it's 6 episodes it's already developed it's characters, explored their past and set up the seasons arc story.

And Eliza only spent a small part of each episode as Echo, she spent the majority of the time as an imprint and she wasn't pulling it off, she was clearly just being lazy sine she's been awesome before and she really kicked it up a notch for the last few episodes where she got so much better, imo.

 

[CMF9]

Actually I gave it 3 episodes and I didn't find it watchable at all.

Fun thing about message boards and being human, we are allowed to have different opinions.

I'm glad you like it, but I find it beyond uninteresting.
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[Skanky Vamp]

I havent watched it; the Nikita thing.. I try NOT to watch broadcast TV unless I know it will be good or it has lasted awhile. Like that show wit the chick spy and the blind computer lab guy.. it seemed like it could work, had a fairly impressive cast, but it just didnt do much for me. I dont remember the name. Last summer I think. Anyway.. I think alot of new shows are like that. They have a good premise but the story falls short of the premise.

 

[kadrikaur]

I really like Nikita but it doesn't have the depth that Dollhouse had. When I watch Nikita I don't connect with the characters as much as I connect with those in the Dollhouse - Echo, Paul, Topher (especially on his birthday), Adelle, etc.

And I actually liked the fact that Echo was inside the Dollhouse not somebody trying to take it down. I was constantly waiting for her to 'wake up' and become the hero /leader, but it was something new to have the main character be oblivious to her situation and not try to break free. I hope you get what I'm saying.


How Dollhouse could have been better? If it had had more episodes and seasons. And if people let Joss do his own thing instead of making stand-alone episodes.

But overall, I loved and continue loving the Dollhouse. Plus, Echo was perfect and I find Eliza's acting quite good, but feel free to prove otherwise. I am always open for a good discussion.

 

[Wesley Junior]

Victor is the main protagonist of the Dollhouse. Echo is in an Alpha role, being the rogue Active the Dollhouse is trying to stop from ruining everything. Echo sees in Victor the same spark that made her rebellion against the Dollhouse possible. Echo wants to encourage it to create the beginning of an all-out rebellion among the Actives. So Echo arranges a series of tests for Victor that would shake his programming. While Victor deals with this growing self-awareness, he also deals with his developing feelings for another Active, Sierra. The Dollhouse may try to use those feelings to keep Victor from rebelling against them and joining Echo.

Victor’s father was a cop who died in the line of duty. His father’s partner, Boyd, looked after Victor as if he was his son. Then Victor was taken into the Dollhouse and disappeared without a trace. Boyd made it his mission to track him down. When he found out about the Dollhouse, Boyd took drastic action to create a false identity for him to use and infiltrate the Dollhouse. To Boyd’s luck, he ends up becoming Victor’s handler. Boyd tries to bring back the Victor he knew while making sure the people in charge doesn’t become aware of his attempts. He also has to look after Victor in the field.

Rossum isn’t evil. Rather, it is a corporation that wants to save humanity and isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty in the process. Rossum predicts the coming of a major future disaster and is looking for a way to prevent it or at least for humanity to survive it. The Dollhouse is one of the company’s many ideas that are being field tested in this pursuit. The Dollhouse technology having the power to implant someone with a different personality and consciousness along with multiple sets of skills, Rossum thinks it can be used to copy the consciousnesses of those who can ensure the survival of humanity in the aftermath of the future disaster (scientists, political leaders, medical doctors, etc.) and implant them in the bodies of the Actives with enhanced skills. So Rossum considers themselves good guys trying to save the human race and those who opposed them as obstacles to the achievement of that goal.