Now, I rarely stand up and tell people they’re going to have one of those “smack yourself in the forehead” moments. I know everyone’s tastes are different. Far be in from me to tell someone that they’re going to regret anything.
But those folks who gave up on Dollhouse after a couple episodes of Season 1 — you’re gonna have that moment if you choose to watch it later. These past 6 episodes (the double header December ones) have brought it.. and brought it hard.
And I know the feeling, I had a horrible, “why didn’t I watch this show when it was on the air” feeling when I finished Firefly. I know many of you had the same. Yet, I could chalk it up to never knowing the show existed (my family watched every crazy scifi show out there during that time — and we totally missed it would even be on).
Yet, I wasn’t that way when I started watching Firefly. Don’t shoot me but I thought the pilot (yes, the real one.. Serenity) was boring. I couldn’t see why my friend was raving and raving about it. Couldn’t grasp why he kept looking at me with those big huge “isn’t this the best thing you ever watched” eyes. In fact, it was a lot of months before I watched another episode of Firefly, because I didn’t get hooked.
Same thing with Buffy, I watched it after that first episode of Firefly… but merely out of sheer boredom. I didn’t have cable. My boyfriend at the time loved Sarah Michelle Geller and I needed to know why.
And now, of course, I get it. Yes, I’m an unabashed Joss Whedon fan. Yes, if he put out a video called “Joss Whedon’s Lets Watch Paint Dry” I would probably watch it and write fanfic about it. But this, this is something more.
Dollhouse is gone after these next few episodes. I have accepted that, I have mourned that, I have moved on from that. But after seeing last night’s episodes I can’t believe there are some of my fellow fans who did not strap in for the entire ride. Not because I’m mad at them, I get it – there’s lots of great TV out there to keep you occupied. But this? This wasn’t just great TV… this was art. This was taking people and characters and turning them inside out and then back side in. It was a social, political, people commentary without the blatantly obvious plot lines and blue folks (sorry James Cameron.. but I get it….. you don’t need to preach at me).
This show was magic. I have already declared that Enver Gjokaj (Victor) is quite possibly the best actor on the planet. I’m going to remove the possibly and say he is. So if you’re not watching I am sorry. Sorry you missed the payoff, sorry you missed the seasons that might have been. ‘Cuz Dollhouse just stole my heart and it was awesome.
I started watching Dollhouse season one, but couldn’t keep up with it. With my busy schedule, I generally watch all of my shows at once on Saturday, but for some reason couldn’t stick with it as much as I wanted. I watched the season two premiere, and was way lost. I’m planning on giving it another shot, though, thanks to dvd.
I got a few of my friends hooked on Buffy after making them watch the pilot, but they didn’t really get into it until I made them stick with it. Same goes for Dollhouse, I’d wager. 🙂
Very well said Tabz!
This show isn’t perfect and since it doesn’t have the emotional appeal that previous Joss shows have had a lot of people tried an episode or two and gave up. This is much more of a cerebral show.
As you said the performances by several members of the cast are outstanding and the rewatch value of this series is incredibly high because there are so many story bits dropped like bread crumbs throughout the series.
After seeing this episode John Pavlich posted on Twitter that he thought it was similar to the Buffy season 4 finale ‘Restless’ and I agree. Something that you can watch over and over and see new things each time.