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Another review of the first episode of Joss Whedon's Dollhouse has appeared online, and like the first, it describes a show that could be excellent. Time to get nervous yet?
Television review site The TV Addict - written by a self-declared "Whedon fanboy" - has had a chance to see the first episode of the new Fox drama, but their verdict isn't entirely one of slavish devotion:
I’m not going to lie, it’s not perfect. There are a few missteps — and some even glaring mistakes — made in the first episode, but there is a lot of potential in the concept, in the characters and in the story... This is actually the second episode filmed for DOLLHOUSE, the initial pilot was rejected by Fox, which is probably why this episode feels like there’s a lot handed to you in terms of exposition. Clunky lines like, “Let’s have no ex-cop heroics, huh?” hinder the flow of the show and make me think, “Come on, Whedon, you’re a better writer than that. There must have been a more elegant way to introduce that.” There are also moments that make me think, “Whedon, you’re a better director than that.” In a couple scenes it seems that Whedon can’t get the actors to the emotional place he needs them to, especially during the opening scene which really hurts this episode.
It isn't entirely bad news, however; the review also tells fans "fear not [because the] first episode is mostly good and it’s something to be excited about," before closing with a pessimistic - but practical - summary:
As far as this episode goes, it’s not the total success that fans were hoping for. It’s a show that still needs to find its feet and that puts this show in more than a bit of jeopardy with cancel-happy Fox. But from what I’ve seen, I’m convinced that there is a good series following this pilot even if it isn’t here yet.
Whether or not it'll get there depends on ratings and Fox's patience.
Dollhouse premieres Friday, February 13th on Fox.
Review: Welcome To The Dollhouse [The TV Addict]
Send an email to Graeme McMillan, the author of this post, at graeme@io9.com.
Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
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