Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Dollhouse: Season 2

 

The second season of Dollhouse almost feels like two different shows. For part of the season, it is much the same story of the week kind of show that it was in the first. Then, once the announcement was made that the show would be canceled, it rushed to tell the "rest" of the story that would have been dragged out more over at least a couple more seasons had they got the chance to make them. The show was on thin ice after season one and it was brought back for a second season with a much-reduced budget so more of the show was shot on the set of the dollhouse and they rotated which of the series regulars appeared in which episodes. This season also saw other alums from Whedon's shows appear in recurring roles, specifically Summer Glau and Alexis Denisof. Dichen Lachman and Enver Gjokaj are really the standouts this season, and Alan Tudyk was great as Alpha in a couple of episodes he returned for.

For those who get the Blu-Ray set, there are commentary tracks on selected episodes, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a couple of making-of featurettes. Of course, the show was made before Whedon's fall from grace due to his awful treatment of (some) of the cast and crew on his various projects, so he is featured heavily in the extras. Whether that lessens your enjoyment of them or would make you avoid watching them is something you have to consider. But, in general, if you like watching the extras, there is a lot there.

Overall, the season was good, but because it was yet another show that was canceled before the story could really be told, felt rushed. You do get a good sense of how the show would have been wrapped up if it had been given a 4-5 season run, but it is not as satisfying because they had just a few episodes in which to end the series.

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Dollhouse Season 1

 

Dollhouse was a series that continued Eliza Dushku's run of bad luck as a lead in a series that did not get much traction and was canceled early (the series Tru Calling being the first one). This series was one of Joss Whedon's post-Buffy series. The premise is that there are "dolls" who are people that have had their memories wiped and when they are hired for a job, they are imprinted with whatever memories, skills, emotions, etc., that is needed for whatever they are hired for. Then, when the job is done, the doll's memory is wiped and they return to their "blank" state which is very child-like. The jobs that the dolls are hired for can be just about anything, legal or illegal, and they (supposedly) have no memory of prior jobs once they return to the blank slate.

The series definitely takes a few episodes to find its footing and set up the characters and the world that they inhabit. The show includes a very strong cast including Fran Kranz, as the programmer who gives the dolls their memories (and takes them away), Dichen Lachman as another doll Sierra, Amy Acker, Enver Gjokaj, Tahmoh Pennikett, Miracle Laurie, Harry Lennix, Reed Diamond, and Olivia Williams. Like many of Whedon's other shows about midway through the season the story picks up, and we start getting more twists and backstories to fill in the questions that the initial episodes present.

For those who get the Blu-Ray set, the show looks and sounds great in HD. The extras include commentary tracks for a few episodes. One of them has Whedon and Dushku, one with Whedon alone, and one with Whedon and his wife and brother. The original unaired pilot is included, and a couple of making-of and behind-the-scenes features. A decent amount of material for those who like going through the bonus features.

Overall, the series is very good. It is a good blend of action and drama, with some comedy thrown in there too. It presents a lot of ethical questions (especially in the second season), and it has a lot of twists and turns. Obviously, there is the question of supporting Whedon's shows given everything that has come out about his behavior over time. Obviously, this came out long before any of that was ever public, and it does tarnish his image a lot. I look at it as, I liked the show before all of that came out, and many more people were involved in the production than him. That said, I will not listen to his commentary tracks anymore because you know some of the stuff he says, especially when he goes on about morals and ethics, is contrary to some of the things he was allegedly doing. I still think the show is worth watching, just know that if you do get into it, it only lasted a couple of seasons and was canceled before the entire story could be fleshed out.