Digital News Report- According to various sources, Fox has picked up Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse for a second season. This move came as a surprise to many fans whose outlook for the show was dour. Many people felt that Fox’s treatment of Whedon’s last show, Firefly, was unjust. Not only do Whedon and Fox have a rocky history, but the concept of the show is rather esoteric compared to more mainstream programming. To top it all off, it premiered on Friday the 13th. The outlook didn’t look good. However Fox stunned everyone by ordering a full 13 episodes for the second season.
Calling the premise of the show “strange” would be an understatement. The Dollhouse wipes peoples minds, making them into “dolls,” in exchange for an undisclosed amount of money at the end of their contracts. The dolls can be imprinted with various personas and skills for whoever can afford their services. Whether it’s a bank heist, the infiltration of a cult, a complex hostage negotiation, or just a date, the Dollhouse can create the perfect personality for the job.
The first season of the show focused on Echo, a doll that slowly begins retaining memories from her previous imprints, and Alpha, a mysterious doll who glitched, went on a rampage, and escaped from the Dollhouse. The season finale featured a showdown between the two, but left many loose ends that can be explored in the second season.
The final episodes dropped a bombshell when it revealed that Dr. Saunders was a doll. This is one of the many elements of the show that I hope gets expanded on during the next season. With the departure of November, the addition of Ballard to the Dollhouse crew, and the ongoing self-awareness of Echo, the writers have a lot of ideas to play with.
The shows rating were low, but with high DVR numbers, online viewing audience, and strong potential for DVD sales, Fox granted the odd little show some mercy. Perhaps the era of ratings determining whether a show sinks or swims is finally over. Whedon fans can now squeal with delight.