Now don't get me wrong, Buffy the Vampire Slayer can be considered a success. The show based on the movie of the same name thrived for five seasons on the WB until it was cancelled with it's 100th episode. It was then picked up for two seasons by the fledgling UPN network, where the show held it's following until Whedon pulled the plug.
Angel, Buffy's vampie-beau spinoff held on for five seasons on the WB (which is surprising since two of them were after it's lead-in show Buffy had been moved to the UPN), until the show was canned.
Whedon's third foray into television, Firefly didn't even last a season. Out of 14 episodes filmed only 11 were shown, and the episodes that did make the air were shown out of order. But thanks to strong DVD sales Firefly resurfaced as the motion picture Serenity, and gave fans some closure and answers to some of the programs questions.
Which leads us to the now with Whedon's first venture into tv since Serenity's cancellation in 2002: Dollhouse.
While Whedon fans hold their breath waiting for bad news about this show, Joss himself remains hopeful noting that "these are different people, they didn't do to me what was done to Firefly". Noting that hopefully this changing of the guard will usher in a new era in the so-called "Whedonverse".
Dollhouse focuses on an organization which uses humans known as Dolls to preform various "engagments". These Dolls can be imprinted with memories, skills and personalities for whatever job they are to take on next. Once the job is completed, the Doll is mind-wiped and put away in the Dollhouse until the next time they are needed.
The Dollhouse as well as the show it's self dwell within the moral gray area, making this more akin to Firefly (people doing what they need to get by, good or bad) than Buffy (the greater good). In the first episode we're given a taste of this as lead character, Echo (played by Whedon favorite Eliza Dushku) takes on two separate engagements. The first being to accompany a young man for the weekend to see just how much fun they can have in three days, with the second being act as a negotiator for a kidnapping. What we as viewers are treated to is a main character who can and will be a different person in each episode.
It seems the main plot will revolve around Echo as she slowly becomes aware of her surroundings and what is going on around her. As this was only the pilot, we're treated to possible subplots that may unfold over time such as what lead Echo to become part of the Dollhouse, a federal agent named Paul Ballard running in circles trying to figure out anything he can about the seemingly fictional Dollhouse, as well as a rouge Doll named Alpha who is on the loose.
While the show may draw inital comparisons to J.J Abrams Alias, it will definitely stand out on its own. Supporting characters such as Topher, the scientist who programs the Dolls with for their engagements, Dr. Saunders the scarred female who cares for the Dolls post- and pre-engagement, and Boyd the Handler who watches out for Echo during her missions, seem to be willing to carry the brunt of the storytelling across the arcs as Echo herself has a limited knowledge of just what's going on around her.
Dollhouse looks to be another intriguing exploration of character in true Whedon fashion, here's hoping we'll get to see it through.
Dollhouse airs at 9pm Eastern on Fox, following Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The first episode "Ghost" and subsequent episodes can be viewed on Hulu the day after their premire.
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