Supernatural Scoop

Dollhouse starring Eliza Dushku, and from the creative minds of Joss Whedon and Tim Minear.

After Fox’s brutal cancellations of numerous projects by Joss Whedon and Tim Minear, usually right after their core fans become mesmerized by the storylines, the two are giving it another shot.

In 2008, so they say, Fox has committed to the first seven episodes of Dollhouse, featuring Eliza Dushku as Echo, one of several people in a mysterious “dollhouse” whose brains can be programmed with “personality packages”. Each is imprinted, then sent on some assignment with some person’s memories, special knowledge, and bad habits. At the end of the assignment, they are “erased” back to a child-like state. (I know you just said Tabula rasa in your head.) Somehow, though, Echo begins to develop persistent memories and self-awareness. I see where this is going and I like it. I hate comparisons, but I can’t help thinking this could expand upon some of the best ideas in Matrix, Alias, and Bourne Identity.

Whedon and Minear, of course, worked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel together. Unfortunately, about the time that Fox figured out what a great cash cow Reality TV was, the pair began work on Firefly. After only 11 episodes, Fox canceled the show for “greener”, cheaper, sleezier shows. Whedon said he’d never work with the network again.

Tim Minear reluctantly gave them a couple more shots, for which he was rewarded as follows:

• Firefly – 11 episodes.
• Wonderfalls – 3 episodes.
• The Inside – 4 episodes.

Fox begged the incredulous Minear to work on Wonderfalls. They fed him lines like, “No. Really. We mean it. We’re so-o-o-o-o into this project. When he finally did the show, because they were so strongly behind it, they strongly cancelled it after three whole episodes. Minear knew it, though. To the delight of the shows many fans, he had already filmed the whole story arc, so he could release it on DVD. Smart man.

Kristin of Watch with Kristin asked, “what are the chances a few Buffy alums might make it onto the show?” I think she meant, “What are the chances all of the Firefly alums will make it onto the show?” Sorry, Joss. I kid because I love you. I admit I’ve never watched Firefly. At the time, I resented Firefly because Buffy and Angel both seemed to suffer story arc problems, while Joss was busy with his new baby. Then, when Fox cancelled Firefly, which, by that time, had become a sure sign that this must have been a brilliant show that didn’t cater well to Fox’s newly rejuvenated Lowest Common Denominator ideals. As its absense was quickly filled in by cheesecake and bad reality shows, I wasn’t sure how to take the sudden influx of Firefly actors into the Buffyverse. At first. They’re all very good performers.

That said, I would like to see some of the other Buffy actors show up on Dollhouse.

Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku have another thing in common, in a way:

With the ongoing Writers’ Strike, a Spring 2008 premiere seems unlikely. Alas, Hope even springs eternal for Jonathan.

When will we see Dollhouse? Are you going to watch it? Will it stay on for 22 episodes?

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