Okay I just got done watching the series finale of the terrific sci fi action series Dollhouse. It ended well, yes, but why did it end? Low ratings due to Fox placing it on a Friday night schedule. So yeah, the show was doomed to fail when Fox did that. No one watches TV on Friday nights, unless you're a loser like me. Tee hee.
In case you didn't know, Dollhouse is a story involving an advanced corporation that has the technology to erase the personalities of any individual and replace it with others. These individuals usually sign a contract that allows them to become these Actives (or Dolls). Actives are sent out on assignments for the wealthy with personalities necessary for the assignment. These assignments can range from anything from prostitution to assassination. The Actives are usually placed inside a secure and comfortable facility when without a personality whatsoever. One such Doll is Echo (played by Eliza Dushku), who is the star Active in a Los Angeles Dollhouse. She is however slowly becoming self aware and developing a need to break free from The Dollhouse and the corporation behind it. The story follows her struggles and the allies she makes along the way.
This show delivered on everything from characters to care for, compelling drama, exciting action, and a fascinating story. I ranked it up there with Lost. It's not to say the show didn't have its periodic faults because every show does. But really it is clear that this show was awesome and garnered a fan base quickly. Wouldn't the more reasonable approach be to move it to a better night instead of Friday. I'm sure you want Fox wants to make way for some show we just know is going to last like Human Target and some other American Idol ripoff, but something tells me Dollhouse was just a little bit better.
Even more mind boggling is the fact that this show was created by Joss Whedon, who has masterminded long running shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (other shows I enjoyed). This wouldn't be the first time Fox has cancelled a show of his that was well received but had low ratings. The show Firefly, which many including Whedon believe to be his magnum opus, was cancelled. I have not seen Firefly unfortunately, but I will soon and then judge for myself. Ironically, Firefly later had a followup motion picture called Serenity which was much better than the Star Wars prequels along with the J.J. Abrams version of Star Trek. So yeah, I guess Whedon didn't learn his lesson and thought he could trust Fox with another of his projects. But lets hope he does believe in the "fool me once, fool me twice" expression.
Whedon knew he was cancelled midway through season 2 of the show but was able to get Fox to let him complete his show the way he wants. And he did it well, nothing felt rushed and everything was enjoyable and felt right. He completed the show with grace and it was fun. There was an impact with the series finale but it wasn't nearly as big as it would have been if the show had gone on for a few more seasons or even just one more. It is sad to see it go even still.
My advice to you is to rent Dollhouse season 1 and 2 when it comes out on DVD. See if you like it. My advice to Joss Whedon is to stay the hell away from Fox, they've already destroyed two of your great creations. But now that Dollhouse has past I have more things to look forward to regarding television. Renting more seasons of Dexter and Breaking Bad; begin watching Californiacation, Firefly, and Party of Five; finish watching what will probably be Heroes' last season; and finally watching the godliness that is Lost: the series finale. Hint, hint: I will try to make my next posts Lost oriented in tribute to the show.
This has been a goodbye to a good show from Your Modest Guru. Thanks for reading.
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