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Still not convinced.
Joss Whedon said in at least one interview that the thing that appealed to him about Dollhouse's concept was what people would do if they were given an opportunity to live a life without consequences and could do anything they wanted without having to remember it. That issue was explored in this episode through a series of 'man on the street' interviews done by a TV reporter. While the people on the street gave varied answers on both sides of the issue, they did nothing to make me think that such a life would be freeing or liberating. How could it be when you never for one second have an opportunity to say no to anything? If Joss really thinks it's freeing or liberating to be used and tossed aside like a wadded up Kleenex, then maybe he should work out his personal issues somewhere other than on national television.
I can see the client of the week, Joel Mynor, wanting to reenact the moment he never got to have with his late wife where he showed her the house he was finally able to buy after years of her supporting him without complaint while he chased his dream, but the fact that the house was completely empty and unfurnished except for the bedroom tells me he wasn't really doing it just to see the expression on her face when he showed her the results of his success. And do I really need to bring up TV execs' continued belief that a pudgy, homely guy can always snag a smokin' hot young wife? When was the last time you saw a hot young stud on TV happily married to a frumpy older woman?
Meanwhile, the plot finally thickens. It turns out there are 20 Dollhouses around the world and that while they do provide programmable people to suit any need, that's only how they make money, not what they use the money for. Apparently, the Dollhouse network is up to something else. We get to find this out because someone on the inside messed with Echo's programming so that she would tell Agt. Ballard. It wasn't Topher, because somebody messed with the upload while Topher was out of the room talking to Boyd. It wasn't Boyd himself because he was talking to Topher. While I wouldn't put it past Boyd to keep Topher busy while someone else (say, Echo at Boyd's instruction) messed with Echo's upload, I think Boyd is too new to know all the details Echo was programmed to pass along. Either Boyd has done a lot of digging off-camera, or someone else on the inside wants to bring the Dollhouse down.
Sierra's handler turned out to be a real piece of work, but he was right in that when you hire a bunch of amoral men (have we seen a female handler yet?) and surround them with submissive, helpless women, it's surprising there hasn't been more abuse. There seem to be very few Dollhouse employees who see the actives as people and not objects.
I loved Boyd for tracking down Sierra's abuser and punching him through a glass wall. I even liked Adelle a little bit for setting up Sierra's abuser to be killed by another active he thought was just a helpless woman he was supposed to assassinate. I'd like to say I was surprised that Mellie turned out to be an active, but I called that one back in "The Target."
I'd really like it if Echo got another assignment soon that wasn't about being a fantasy sex object. She was awesome when she was beating up Agt. Ballard.
Joss Whedon said in at least one interview that the thing that appealed to him about Dollhouse's concept was what people would do if they were given an opportunity to live a life without consequences and could do anything they wanted without having to remember it. That issue was explored in this episode through a series of 'man on the street' interviews done by a TV reporter. While the people on the street gave varied answers on both sides of the issue, they did nothing to make me think that such a life would be freeing or liberating. How could it be when you never for one second have an opportunity to say no to anything? If Joss really thinks it's freeing or liberating to be used and tossed aside like a wadded up Kleenex, then maybe he should work out his personal issues somewhere other than on national television.
I can see the client of the week, Joel Mynor, wanting to reenact the moment he never got to have with his late wife where he showed her the house he was finally able to buy after years of her supporting him without complaint while he chased his dream, but the fact that the house was completely empty and unfurnished except for the bedroom tells me he wasn't really doing it just to see the expression on her face when he showed her the results of his success. And do I really need to bring up TV execs' continued belief that a pudgy, homely guy can always snag a smokin' hot young wife? When was the last time you saw a hot young stud on TV happily married to a frumpy older woman?
Meanwhile, the plot finally thickens. It turns out there are 20 Dollhouses around the world and that while they do provide programmable people to suit any need, that's only how they make money, not what they use the money for. Apparently, the Dollhouse network is up to something else. We get to find this out because someone on the inside messed with Echo's programming so that she would tell Agt. Ballard. It wasn't Topher, because somebody messed with the upload while Topher was out of the room talking to Boyd. It wasn't Boyd himself because he was talking to Topher. While I wouldn't put it past Boyd to keep Topher busy while someone else (say, Echo at Boyd's instruction) messed with Echo's upload, I think Boyd is too new to know all the details Echo was programmed to pass along. Either Boyd has done a lot of digging off-camera, or someone else on the inside wants to bring the Dollhouse down.
Sierra's handler turned out to be a real piece of work, but he was right in that when you hire a bunch of amoral men (have we seen a female handler yet?) and surround them with submissive, helpless women, it's surprising there hasn't been more abuse. There seem to be very few Dollhouse employees who see the actives as people and not objects.
I loved Boyd for tracking down Sierra's abuser and punching him through a glass wall. I even liked Adelle a little bit for setting up Sierra's abuser to be killed by another active he thought was just a helpless woman he was supposed to assassinate. I'd like to say I was surprised that Mellie turned out to be an active, but I called that one back in "The Target."
I'd really like it if Echo got another assignment soon that wasn't about being a fantasy sex object. She was awesome when she was beating up Agt. Ballard.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-22 02:55 am (UTC)From:I was disquieted over how we're supposed to have warm feelings for the guy who annually programs a random Doll to replicate his wife's joy in his accomplishment, with the obvious happy ending suggested by the rose petal-strewn bed. (Though I did love "Rebecca" Echo seeing that bed on her way out and yelling, "It is a porn!!!"
I called Mellie for an Active the moment she first opened her mouth. She was too much of an adoring doormat.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-22 03:40 am (UTC)From:That's the part that I don't get. Joss said it would be liberating to do whatever you want and not have to remember it, but if you can't remember it, what's the point of doing it in the first place?