Ok, do I sound geeky enough? ;o)
It's just that I think the guy is more than a little bit crazy, but he comes up with these fabulous stories, filled with compelling characters, knows how to pick some damn fine actors to bring them to life, and then surrounds himself with writers who share his trademark quick-witted dialogue, fast paced stories that frequently (in disguise) are a comment for something that's a bit "off" in our society. So what's not to love? :p
This time around Joss plunges us head first into The Dollhouse, a somewhat zen and yet mysterious place where a group of people (who we're lead to believe either volunteered or were a bit coerced into a 5-year gig) known as "actives" live and are taken care of by others. The actives are like Dolls, a blank slate of consciousness, on whom can be imprinted the personality of oh so many different types of people (and sometimes a combination of people). With these "new" personalitites in place they head out on their assignment, with people who've paid a fortune for their services (wether that be a weekend of partying or a hostage negotiation).
Main character is Echo, played by Eliza Dushku, and the idea behind the series is that we're going to see her slowly becoming "aware" of the world around her. Becoming conscious. I guess we'll have to let some time pass to get a better idea of what Joss means by that. In the meantime it will be new characters on new assignments each week, with a lone FBI investigator - BSG's Tahmoh Penikett, yay!- looking into this urban legend that is the Dollhouse.
Just want to finish by saying I really liked the first episode, even though I found it a bit lacking in the usual witty banter I've learnt to love in the Whedonverse, but I'm sure more will sneak its way in. So for now I'm onboard with this crazy new adventure and hope enough people are as well for it to stay on the air long enough for Joss to take us on one heck of a fun ride! And let's hope the suits over at Fox give it a fair shake (unlike what they did to Firefly).Oh, and love the "nod" to Battlestar Galactica's Edward James Olmos!!! (although my dad seems to think that based on the fact that I caught that reference -and what it implies- means I spend waaay too much time watching/reading/obsessing about certain TV series, and he's probably right!) :p
On a side note... for those lacking in previous Whedonverse experience, beware happy couples and happy people in general! Joss is known for feeling no qualms about dispatching a beloved character to the great beyond right when it will hurt the most!!! See link below for a list of examples:
http://fandomania.com/joss-whedons-16-most-painful-character-deaths/
