The Firsttime Viewers Spoiler-free Discussion Zone

VisionGirl

VisionGirl

Newly Human
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
5,253
Age
57
Location
The Joycemobile
Sineya
Hey y'all, I've just started watching Dollhouse & I knew a few others are doing so currently too. When I did my big BTVS/ATS & Firefly watches/rewatches these past 8 mos I would watch the episode, look up info online (Wikipedia, TV.com, buffyguide.com) then post to that episode's discussion thread. Not so for Dollhouse. I don't know why, but I'm very averse to spoilers in this show, so I thought I'd start our own thread where we can discuss our watching completely spoiler-free!

So here's the deal: I'll start the discussion on one ep, we'll talk about it for awhile (giving everyone enough time to weigh in), then we'll move on to the next. No spoilers for future episodes, season 2, or any character/plot development please! If you're not a firsttime, then pretend that you are lol.

And away we go...

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Episode One: Ghost

My first impression is how much I like Eliza Dukshu in this. And maybe I need to duck & hide, but I like her better in Dollhouse than as Faith in ATS/BTVS. I like her range, and the variety of "characters" she gets to play. The flashback scene with Olivia was intruguing to me, and makes me want to know more: what happened, how did she get to the place where becoming an active was the only alternative left for her?
I'm just not getting the characteristic Whedon wit in the first few episodes. Is Topher supposed to be funny? Because right now all I'm feeling toward him is extreme annoyance. I get the feeling that folks like Topher & Olivia are going to be the characters that you both love and hate. Interesting to see Amy Acker in such a different role. Well, she's a doctor, so not that different, but her personality is...she's pretty flat. I like the whole plot of this episode: the kidnapping, "Ms. Penn"'s reaction to the one kidnapper, Sierra coming through the door at the end. And the ending, with the creepy guy & the dead bodies- yeah, I definitely wanna see what's going to happen next! 🙂
 
I'm not a first time viewer but I want to see this thread active. Looking back on how the discussions went when the show aired is interesting and I'd love to see how newbies to the show feel and think about it.
 
Which one is ep 8 again? I've seen season one before, but not two. I want to see it all together, and never could catch it on tv...
Posted via Mobile Device
 
episode 8 is "Needs". I was wrong, I actually just finished up 9, "Haunted". So far I think that "Echoes" and "Needs" are the best eps. It seriously just gets better & better. I freaking love this show!
 
Taake
Taake
freaking love you right now :)
That'd where it starts to get really really good. Hurry up and watch the next ones!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Tonight when the kids go to bed, I'll watch a few...I promise! 🙂 By the way, we're going to be in OKC on Tuesday for the Teacher's rally at the capital.
 
Awesome! Enjoy the trip, and don't go too far up lincoln blvd! Check out bricktown if you get a chance. They've got some amazing food!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
I'd love to hear more what you think of characters etc now if you've gotten some insights to them, or changed opinions etc etc? Whatever you got or feel about it really 🙂
 
Just finished season 1 last night! I can't hang out long though, gotta clean up before I head to my mom's for my bday. I'll post some thoughts later tonight.
 
"Needs" is a phenonmenal episode! I'd like to hear more too, so happy to join in the spoiler free natter when you've got more time! 🙂
 
Spoilers ahead!!!!

OK I'm back. Since I have watched the entire season 1, I can't promise that this will be completely spoiler-free for viewers just beginning season 1, but I'll try to spoiler tag the really big things.

First of all I want to reiterate what I wrote about Eliza... I think she does a fabulous job. I love all these different characters she gets to play. I actually think that she has a wider range of characters than Dichen Lachman.

OK, Topher did grow on me LOL, and yes I finally did see that famous Whedon wit. However I do see this show as darker in nature than either the Buffyverse or Firefly, so I'm glad he didn't go overboard with the funny. What I find incredibly fascinating is how I grew to care about the Dollhouse staff (Topher, Adele, Boyd, Dr. Saunders & Dominic). I mean, I hate them for what they're doing, but they're incredibly sympathetic.

Can I tell you how much I ship Paul & Mellie? At first I really wanted to see Paul & Echo together, but I so adore Paul & Mellie. I am in love with Tahmoh Penikett and Miracle Laurie is gorgeous. Joss finally gets points for casting a real-looking woman as a sexy, kick-ass character. She is so adorable. And I love them together.
It's so sad when Paul leaves her, and Mellie is in the van "Did I do something wrong?". Equally touching when Paul agrees to work for the Dollhouse in exchange for them letting Mellie go, and he doesn't give her his name. He wants her to go back to her normal life.
Please, please, please do NOT tell me what happens to them in season 2.

Like I said before, Echoes & Needs took it to another level for me. Really, really great. Topher & Adele in Echoes were hilarious!!

Alan Tudyk as Alpha
was a total surprise to me. He was so awesome in that role. I was also completely thrown for a loop to find that
Claire was actually a doll, imprinted with the old Dr. Saunders' personality.
It leads me to think that we can't be sure who anyone really is in this series.

I have to say that I was not a big fan of Epitaph One. I usually like Felicia Day, but not here. I just couldn't really connect with any of these characters. The little girl was annoying. I'm sure I need to watch season 2 and see Epitaph Two to get how it all connects.

Can't wait to start season 2!
 
With the exception of not liking Epitath One I can only say that your end of season 1 reactions and feelings seems to be pretty much identical with my own.

I'm very glad you came over on the side of liking Topher 🙂
As for the Dollhouse staff I agree... it's such an interesting sort of Catch 22 because you really don't condone their actions or in some cases beliefs but at the same time they're all incredibly sympathetic and you kind of root for them as individuals even if you're rooting against their main actions.

I too really love the Paul and Mellie pairing, she's so awfully cute and I don't know. There's something very touching but tragic about them. Especially after he finds about her doll state.

As for Eliza as Echo I can't say I found her 'even' in the role and there were definite dips for me as far as performance went, but I do love her as Echo. I think it's partly because I really love Echo! 🙂

I'm curious - what do you think about Viktor and Sierra?
And more importantly - how do you feel about the "Man on the street" ep (the one the really hooked me! That ending is just... wow. That old Joss brilliance!)
 
Do you mean Viktor & Sierra as a couple, or individually? Individually I like them, although I wouldn't say they're my favorite characters or the most compelling characters. I like their 'ship storyline, how they're attracted to each other & care for & watch out for each other no matter what their current state is (doll-state or aware-state). I can't wait to see what happens with that.
Sierra's rape storyline is so tragic to me,
especially since as Dolls they are more like children.

I agree that Man on the Street is amazing! Which part exactly are you referring to?
 
VisionGirl said:
I agree that Man on the Street is amazing! Which part exactly are you referring to?
Click to expand...

I was mainly curious about what you felt about Viktor and Sierra as individuals since you didn't mention them 🙂

And for Man on the street I meant the attack on Mellie. I was horrified watching that.
 
Taake said:
I was mainly curious about what you felt about Viktor and Sierra as individuals since you didn't mention them 🙂
Click to expand...

Well, now I'm in the midst of season 2, and "Belonging" was amazing! That focus on Sierra's character & her background made me love her. I am also impressed at Viktor's (well, Enver Gjokaj's) abillity to impersonate just about anybody! And Topher's character development in that episode was heartbreaking.

OK, I had my first fan moment: We were in the car the other day, on a long drive, and my 10-year old was napping. When he woke up he said "Did I fall asleep?" and I bit my tongue not to answer back "For just a little while"- I don't want to be branded a complete lunatic you know!

And don't give me spoilers, but just tell me, does Amy Acker come back in season 2?

I'm pretty sure I need a Dollhouse banner now- anybody want to make me one? Preferably with this photo please! (or anything Paul & Mellie/November related) 🙂
dh-ep212_sc34_4931.jpg
 
Taake
Taake
Belonging <3 Such a great ep! And lol at the fan moment :D
Urgh, Mellie is the one character I have absolutely no time for. I can't stand her lol. And she is SO not the girl for my Ballard. No sir, no way. 😉 I have plumped for Paul/Echo from the very beginning.

I knew you'd come round to Topher. Your early comments really made me chuckle with the whole 'is he supposed to be funny?' but I didn't say anything because I never trust myself not to spoil!

Man, I seriously need S2 on dvd.
 
Flannen said:
I knew you'd come round to Topher. Your early comments really made me chuckle with the whole 'is he supposed to be funny?'
Click to expand...

Lets be honest. A lot of people, including me, took their time to warm up to him. Stuff like that is why I love about threads like this.
 
I know Enver is a brilliant actor! I was blown away by his 'Topher-ness' 🙂

And hey I love making Dollhouse art so I'll gladly make you a Mellie/November/Paul banner!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flannen
I knew you'd come round to Topher. Your early comments really made me chuckle with the whole 'is he supposed to be funny?'
Click to expand...
Washburne said:
Lets be honest. A lot of people, including me, took their time to warm up to him. Stuff like that is why I love about threads like this.
Click to expand...

Yeah, took me awhile to warm up to Kaylee on Firefly too. I know it's almost sacrilege to say this, but she annoyed me at first too. 🙂

Just showin' off my new Dollhouse banner by Taake! I was gone this weekend- it was a great weekend but totally put a crimp in my Dollhouse watching!
 
Taake
Taake
so glad you like :)
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom