Tara's Take: "Last night's ep titled "Haunted" and written by Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen-Whedon, and Jane Espenson was pretty good, I thought. It definitely was kind of a filler-MOTW, though, and could really have been used earlier in the season to replace, say, STAGE FRIGHT. Ah well. It wasn't. And, awwww, Topher's birthday. But with all those great minds in the same room, I might have expected something a little better. That's all I'll say."
Michelle's take: "Considering that I fell asleep, that pretty much says it all."
The ratings for last night's episode were dismal. We know that last's week's Prison Break return fared worse than the usual Dollhouse numbers., Unfortunately this week's ratings were a 1.9/3 in its return, averaging a a worst ever for the series with only 2.99 million viewers. Bitsy rant: What's that sound I hear? Why, it almost sounds like a fat lady singing... or is it the sound of a sad trombone? The haunting song of the fail whale? In any event, I hope the abysmal ratings mean this mistake will finally die like the aborted, mutant fetus it is so I can wake from this nightmare and have Joss make something I'll actually enjoy. That'd be swell. end rant
Bitsy's take: "This would have been a good episode if it weren't for this whole "Eliza is completely one-note and can't play anyone but Faith to save her life" problem. I can't be the only one to notice that the best episodes tend to involve Echo the least. Here she's the full on central figure and all the potential drama of the situation gets sucked out of the room through Dushku's pouty lips. Or would you prefer I say that the raw emotion of a life after death scenario was brutally drowned in the pools of Dushku's empty, love doll like eyes? Either way, she ruined the day on this one. Also? I feel no sympathy for Topher. I'm a firm believer that he could have friends that are not invented if he, oh I dunno, maybe spent less time RAPING THE MINDS OF PEOPLE, USUALLY WOMEN. Sorry, Topher. I'm never ever going to feel bad for you."
The ratings for last night's episode were dismal. We know that last's week's Prison Break return fared worse than the usual Dollhouse numbers., Unfortunately this week's ratings were a 1.9/3 in its return, averaging a a worst ever for the series with only 2.99 million viewers. Bitsy rant: What's that sound I hear? Why, it almost sounds like a fat lady singing... or is it the sound of a sad trombone? The haunting song of the fail whale? In any event, I hope the abysmal ratings mean this mistake will finally die like the aborted, mutant fetus it is so I can wake from this nightmare and have Joss make something I'll actually enjoy. That'd be swell. end rant
We don't want Dollhouse to die (Bitsy's note: Speak for yourself, Tara), but we Buffyfesters made a bet long ago in "The Dollhouse Death Watch". As you can see from the chart, Bitsy lost back in episode 7.Do you think Dollhouse will make it to season 2? Leave us a comment and let us know which group you belong:
Tara's Group (the bitter realists) - thinks Dollhouse will not make it to season 2.
Michelle's Group (the starry-eyed optimists) - who still believe that Dollhouse get renewed for a second season.
note: The optimism is higher than ever and the realists have even taken a hit due to some unfortunate calculating last time. What? I wasn't cheating, I swear! I don't really want to win this thing, you know! That would be bad for everyone.
I'm still a bitter realist while at the same time hoping I'm wrong since I'd love to see more. The next episode looks really good and I'm thrilled that Alan's going to be on the show.
ReplyDeleteim an optimist
ReplyDeleteI'm still an optimist, but I have to say that I also fell asleep last night, sadly. But in my defense, I had to be out really late last night so I couldn't watch live, so it was really, really late.
ReplyDeleteI also have to agree that the show's biggest problem is Dushku. But that can be fixed, right? Right??
I agree with Bitsy about Dushku's acting. She's pretty good playing in her range, but this part was just too far outside of what she can do. Think of how much better this episode would have been if Sierra and Echo's assignments have been reversed.
ReplyDeleteI don't want the show to die, but I count myself among the bitter realists. Fox will not renew.
i wish i was an optimist but sadly... bitter realist here. it is fox after all.
ReplyDeleteI thought Eliza's acting was just fine in this episode, and I've never understood those who insist she can't act. I know bad acting when I see it, and she's not it.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my favorite episodes of the show yet. A thoughtful and interesting character piece. In other words, "boring" to the 90% of the viewing public that does not include me.
But less than 3 million viewers isn't gonna cut it. If Fox renews it at this point, it's because they (for some reason) just don't care about the ratings.
Andrew, I'm sorry but I have to agree with others that ED's acting is the poorest on the show. The other characters draw me into the story while each time Echo comes into a shot, I'm pulled out because ED (in my opinion) can't pull off the emotions and "realness" like the others do.
ReplyDeleteI just finished watching the episode last night and I thought the strongest part of it was the Topher/Sierra stuff and the "Paul Ballard is trying to wash off the metaphorical slime in the shower" scene.
It's interesting, and often frustrating, that two fans can watch the same show and see two completely different things.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting, Andrew. I actually don't have as much a problem with ED's acting as my fellow bloggers do (which always surprises them.)
ReplyDeleteAlthough once I thought about what Barry said above, "what if Echo and Sierra's assignments had been reversed?" I thought, yes! So maybe I'm confusing myself now. See: The Dollhouse Uncertaity Principle.
Bitsy, you may want to be a little careful with your gratuitous usage of capital letters and the word 'rape', lest you be confused for someone who is less considered in her criticism. (see: http://users.livejournal.com/_allecto_/34718.html)
ReplyDeleteomg, TOTALLY! I forgot all about that particular rant, Nitpicker. The last thing the fandom needs is to go down that road again, hee!
ReplyDelete~twilight zone theme plays~
Luckily, I know Bits better than that. It's more like lots of bitter bashing and snark. Uh, I think.
While I realize the use of the term 'rape' to describe what's happening to the dolls has become a rather hot button topic of late(one I'm dubious about delving into further but oddly compelled to address in a separate post), I think there's more than a fine line between calling what Topher does 'rape' and calling Joss Whedon a 'rapist'. Also? Less than a sentence in caps hardly constitutes "gratuitous". As an admitted nitpicker, you ought to know these things, darling.
ReplyDeleteThat being said I've begrudgingly accepted that some people will always feel the need to take any opinion I have to an illogical end, radically misinterpreting the text to serve their own purposes. C'est la vie. I appreciate the heads up but I'm going to say what I'm going to say and, when people inevitably try to twist my words I'll just do what I always do: eviscerate them with my rapier wit. Isn't that charming?
Is it wrong of me to be looking forward to this week's ep for the sole purpose of mocking how bad it's gonna be?
ReplyDeleteAlso, maybe we should start an ED bad acting drinking game.
1. Any time she substitutes vacant eyes for acting. (Sorry, Sierra doesn't quite make the same vacant eyes when in doll mode)
2. Any time she tilts her head to insinuate confusion.
3. Any time coming to life consists solely of karate moves
Others?
Hilarious! OMG Jgirl...you and Bits are totally getting married and having scowly babies!
ReplyDeleteActually, I think you, Bits AND Michelle are going to have a polygamous marriage with scowly babies!
:snicker:
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me. ;-)
Jgirl,
ReplyDeleteIf I try out that drinking game tonight, I'm bound to get drunk. We should probably add this to the game:
Drink every time Echo comes on screen wearing a gratuitously sexual outfit. Double points if she says something gratuitously sexual to go along with it.
It's a deal, Michelle. We'll be wasted in the first 10 minutes.
ReplyDeleteTriple points if her former handler gets jealous when he sees her dressing sexy.
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ReplyDelete