Episode 3 – "Stage Fright" – Your thoughts!
Same deal as always – let us know in the comments what you thought!
There’s also the forum.
22 Responses 
Dollverse (c) 2007-2009 Kevin Beaumont. Dollhouse (c) 20th Century Fox.
Same deal as always – let us know in the comments what you thought!
There’s also the forum.
22 Responses
It was awesome! Thank God my DVR didn’t screw up the recording this time and make me have to watch it all small. It was almost like an episode of “Tru Calling” with Echo trying to save the singer, but then it turned right back around and she kinda turned into Faith there with the tough chick attitude and fighting. She doesn’t have a bad singing voice either. I’m guessing that was Joss’ way of making up for Eliza not getting a part in the Buffy musical to show her singing ability. Over all, I loved it!
I agree with Amy, I was really impressed with this episode. I loved how it took a twist and echo took things into her own hands and still managed to save the day. I was disapointed in the first episodes that the other dolls weren’t shown much, but now I really appreciate that joss chose to wait to bring them in. I love the innocence the dolls have, and Sierra and Echo connecting. It was interesting to see Echo shake her head at her, it seems she really is becoming aware or atleast enough so that she knows they have to be discreet.
Looking forward to the next episode! They seem to just keep getting better.
I was fairly positively ambivalent about this episode — I didn’t really like it, but I didn’t really dislike it either (then again, I loved the first episode and a lot of people said that it was fairly “meh,” so what do I know?).
I thought that it had some strong points — Topher is starting to get really multilayered, but none of his layers are positive. The “Attic” that keeps getting mentioned is starting to sound a little creepy, and I dislike Adelle more and more. My favorite part of it, however, was when Lubov was revealed to be a Doll. Call me crazy, but I NEVER saw that one coming; I looked at the TV screen like “What?!”
I also like Miracle Laurie’s little interludes. She’s going to be our favorite side human to root for, I’m seeing it.
What I disliked about the episode, however, was enough to weight out all the good stuff. Sierra (the actress who plays her) did great with the fangirl stuff until she hit the threatening part. Really, the stalker guy was fairly freaksome but she didn’t look actually scared at all. She pulled off every other nuance of her character in “Stage Fright” except that scene; I was really unimpressed.
I didn’t think the plot was that strong, and the little twists (such as Echo breaking out of her imprint to dangle Rayna over the balcony) weren’t enough to really keep me caring about it. Rayna didn’t really come off as sympathetic; she was more annoying. I couldn’t really see her point of view. Another reviewer pointed out how this was like a TRU CALLING episode where a singer guested. I liked that episode. This one left me hanging.
However, the good points were enough to make it enjoyable if not all-engaging. What I’m REALLY looking forward to, however, is next week’s episode — I have a feeling that’s going to be really good, and I have enough faith (pardon the pun) in Eliza Dushku’s acting chops to believe that we’re going to be feeling Echo’s shock during the episode.
I absolutely loved this episode. It was great to see Echo as a bad ass. Her character is really developing despite the fact that she is someone new in each episode. She’s retaining a little bit of information from each engagement and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together. I’m also interested to see how Echo fits into the Alpha story. Josh has hooked me again!
I think Dollhouse is not my favorite show ever but Whedon remains one of my favorite storytellers ever. Episode three was very good – I think that the plotline is being rushed, though. The “revelation” that the FBI agent’s main source is actually a doll would have been a lot more exciting if it had been stretched over a few more episodes. In an interview in Salon, Whedon said that episodes 1-6 are more conventional and foundational and that the subsequent episodes will get more interesting. That same article also stated that Dushku, not Whedon, was the one with the production deal from Fox. Anyone know if that’s how it went down?
http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2009/02/11/joss_whedon/
I appreciated Adelle defending Echo. She gives Echo a chance to play out her plan instead of just having the grunts rush in. She seems to understand the Actives and the Dollhouse better than anybody, even if she does gloss over the unethical elements of the project.
The “scowly babies” line! XD And you could totally tell underneath the mocking amusement Topher was a tad jealous.
Also on Topher: It could just be me, but he seems more gentle with Echo and more reserved with Victor and Sierra. One can’t help but have a soft spot for her, though.
I usually never have anything bad to say about Dollhouse, but I just didn’t feel satisfied with Paul Ballard’s conclusion as to why Dollhouse exists. Humans are destructive, yeah, but…that’s it? We’ve seen him three times and we still really don’t know what his deal is.
But I guess that’s keeps us coming back, along with all the other juicy mysteries. ^_^ This show thrives on mystery and suspense, and I am loving it!
I loved it. I left many thoughts here:
http://is.gd/lfdI
I didn’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed ‘Target’ but it was still a great episiode. I like that Echo was able to think outside the box and complete the mission, and that Adelle was able to see that and appreciate it. Also, the fact that Echo was aware that she and Sierra were being watched at the end and motions to her not to say anything was great!!! They are supposed to be wiped, but, obviously, something is still there. Can’t wait til the next ep!
So maybe I missed this in earlier comments, but as excited as I am generally about Joss being involved in a TV show again, Dollhouse fails to thrill me.
It lacks all the things I think of as quintessential Joss, for example: the quirky humor, neatly disguised life lessons, a Joss-esque universe (through Joss-speak a la Buffy or his take on the universe a la Firefly, or just really darn good a la the sing a long).
Does anyone else feel like something is missing? I think that maybe it’s exacerbated because it’s impossible to bond with Eliza’s character? I don’t know…
Alexis, I’m with you. Unless I knew otherwise, you couldn’t convince me that Joss had ANYTHING to do with this show. Tonight’s was some seriously hokey stuff.
What is wrong with you people? This is the best show on TV right now! Are you blind?! Or insane? Eliza is lucky to have gotten such a great opportunity to play such diverse characters in an episode.
Honestly, the first two episodes I was a little bit underwhelmed by DOLLHOUSE, as I thought it could be better, even though there were some thrilling elements there, but “Stage Fright” now has me completely hooked, because things start falling into place, we see more of the other characters and that really has me totally excited.
I also don’t understand about people complaining about missing humor. Sure, there was not a lot of humor in the first two episodes, but “Stage Fright” really delivered more humor. I’m also starting to get into all of the characters (well, maybe except for Adele, she has a lack of interesting scenes so far).
The woman playing the singer was terrible. It could have been a pretty good episode with someone charismatic and believable in that role but as it was it was pretty meh.
Let’s all help out Amy since she’s obviously missing out on some truly excellent tv if she thinks dollhouse is the best show on tv right now. I’ll contribute Criminal Minds and Damages as two off the top of my head which are light-years better than what we’ve seen from dh so far. Anyone else care to add to the list for her?
I’m with Amy. Some people just have different opinions on what makes good TV.
And in my opinion, there’s nothing different or even refreshing about Criminal Minds or Damages – there’s tons of other shows just like them.
I agree that it started out slow but in true Joss fashion I’m sure it’s about to go some where fantastic and I cant wait for that. Besides he used my name as the singer. Sweet deal for me
This episode was a little disapointing, I know it does have good points to add to the character Echo ( and I tottaly love sierra already!!) and to the whole premise, but most of it was like watching a rihana special, I mean, bleh…
The story from the pilot was standard, average but convincible(kidnapping thing), but these other two are very forced plots, they don´t work , the hunting thing and the psicho fan were silly ( and not even in a funny way)…
-Jim
My initial reaction to this episode was that it wasn’t as good as the first two, but the more I think about it, the less I find fault with it. And there’s a lot there to like. I think I’m starting to get the hang of the show and what to expect from it, and I like it.
Obviously, can’t wait for this Friday. And the one after that, and the one after that…
There were two good points in the show; Victor’s reveal, Sierra and Echo’s exchange. The rest was us being expected to care about a selfish and delusional diva and I found it very hard to dredge up even an ounce of compassion. First we wanted the girl saved, then we feared for Echo being hunted, now we are expected to cheer for a bratty singer who encouraged her would be killer? Not buying it.
It better get better tout suite.
I am having a hard time remaining interested in the show. I liked Buffy until the college years. I like Angel until Conner came along. I loved Firefly and then it was canceled but I think that Firefly would have collapsed as well. Maybe Joss should just stick to movies. That whole conversation between Echo and the Singer about not being a real person. That was just lame. Oooooh this conversation has a double meaning big deal. So far I have been seriously underwhelmed by this show.
If I remember correctly, I believe Joss stated that the first 6 episodes were going to be in essesnce 6 pilots and that the more complicated episodes had to be earned. That said, it usually takes me between 4 and 5 episodes to become invested in a show anyway, so I am still looking forward to see how the season develops.
Do what you need to do to keep this series on the air Joss!