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Dollhouse and Merlin recs
I haven’t posted for a while because of crazy RL stuff, but you know a new Whedon show would bring me out of hiding!
Eliza! Eliza on a motorcycle! Eliza dancing in an impossibly short dress! Eliza looking like adominatrix sexy librarian type! Eliza, Eliza, ELIZA!
Ahem. Where was I? Oh, right, the plot and stuff.
I’ve seen mixed reactions to the pilot, and really, I understand the reservations-the characters are still unformed, the plot has the potential to become formulaic, and of course Joss’ unique dialogue is suspiciously absent.
I personally don’t share the reservations, for one simple reason: this is a pilot. Pilots are notoriously akward examples of television (remember Welcome to the Hellmouth?). They need to introduce the characters, set up the premise (infodump, infodump!) and manage to ‘hook’ the viewers enough to get them to stick around-and not be too confusing. As a pilot, I feel it achieved all that…and then some. As for the dialogue, well, I trust enough in Joss in believing he can deliver great dialogue even without the wacky.
For all the action-focus on the premiere, there was some solid, Joss-style Subtext Of The Creepy. There’s something deeply disconcerting about the concept of the Dollhouse, and it raised some issues of identity and consent. The coercive element in ‘volunteering’ (and do the Actives even know what they’re signing up with), the sex work element (who else was majorly creeped out by the implication that one of the suppliers of new Actives to the Dollhouse are human traffickers) and of course the majorly invasive and mind-raping process of reprogramming all jumped out at me. Of course, this being Joss, it’s kept from entering majorly skeevy territory by putting a woman in charge of the whole thing and making the Actives of both genders (plus, co-ed showers are always fun).
The characters definitely have potential. Helo’s FBI agent (er, I don’t remember any names besides Echo’s yet, give me time) and his obsession with the Dollhouse is one thread I can’t wait for them to follow through. The nerdy tech guy is another-I know Xander comparisons were made, but I think they’re off base: if anything, the guy reads like the bastard lovechild of Warren and Andrew, with all the disturbing traits that entails. Amy Acker’s character barely had an screentime, but I’m intrigued (my current theory is that she’s a former Active who got injured on the job: I expect to be proven wrong, since I fail at that sort of speculation).
Echo’s handler seemed the most human of the bunch. He was the only one who gave any thought to the ethical issues, who genuinely cared about retrieving the little girl (he has a MISSION! Hero buttons, pressed!) and who actually cared for Echo as more than an asset. Lots more of him, please, I’m wondering how he ended up with that gig.
And Eliza…wow. I *emphatically* disagree with those who criticized her acting. Yes, the first personality had a Faith-like vibe (as well as sexy Faith-like dancing and swaggering), but Echo was just appropriately blank and the kidnapping specialist was a perfect mix of professional steel and deep vulnerability within.
You better not kill this show, evil Fox monkeys! I’ll get on a plane, come over there, and CUT YOU!
In other TV news, I’ve become hooked on both Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and, embarrassingly enough, Skins (never mind that I’m twice the age of the cast). Since practically nobody on the flist watches them though, I’ll spare you my ramblings.
Some not-so-new and long overdue unrelated recs:
The History of Two Conversations (On Paper) by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
takadainmate Merlin/Arthur Extremely cute and humourous story including a magic book, immature hijinks and a disapproving Gaius.
Am prionnsa, an t-amadan agus na meirlich byaithris Gen I never tire of all the “Arthur finds out” scenarios fandom comes up with-this time, it involves kidnapping by bandits. Some solid emotional conflict and great Merlin-Arthur scenes.
Mirrored Glass bysarcasticbabbleGen Another finale coda, this one is a bit angstier in tone than I normally go for, but satisfying nonetheless.
All the Laughter From Before bywaldorph Merlin/Arthur I don’t know how I can do this justice to this without spoiling the hell out of it. Just-the beginning might seem, well. Just stick it out, trust me on this. It’s worth it.
Coming of Age byastolat Gen At this point, I should stop bothering with individual recs and just point you towards Everything Astolat Ever Writes. Great mythology and destiny themes, as usual.
So Are They All, All Honourable Men byseperis Merlin/Arthur Oh, this is simply perfection. Merlin gets himself in trouble he can’t magic his way out of. Stunning fic, cannot recommend it enough.
Eliza! Eliza on a motorcycle! Eliza dancing in an impossibly short dress! Eliza looking like a
Ahem. Where was I? Oh, right, the plot and stuff.
I’ve seen mixed reactions to the pilot, and really, I understand the reservations-the characters are still unformed, the plot has the potential to become formulaic, and of course Joss’ unique dialogue is suspiciously absent.
I personally don’t share the reservations, for one simple reason: this is a pilot. Pilots are notoriously akward examples of television (remember Welcome to the Hellmouth?). They need to introduce the characters, set up the premise (infodump, infodump!) and manage to ‘hook’ the viewers enough to get them to stick around-and not be too confusing. As a pilot, I feel it achieved all that…and then some. As for the dialogue, well, I trust enough in Joss in believing he can deliver great dialogue even without the wacky.
For all the action-focus on the premiere, there was some solid, Joss-style Subtext Of The Creepy. There’s something deeply disconcerting about the concept of the Dollhouse, and it raised some issues of identity and consent. The coercive element in ‘volunteering’ (and do the Actives even know what they’re signing up with), the sex work element (who else was majorly creeped out by the implication that one of the suppliers of new Actives to the Dollhouse are human traffickers) and of course the majorly invasive and mind-raping process of reprogramming all jumped out at me. Of course, this being Joss, it’s kept from entering majorly skeevy territory by putting a woman in charge of the whole thing and making the Actives of both genders (plus, co-ed showers are always fun).
The characters definitely have potential. Helo’s FBI agent (er, I don’t remember any names besides Echo’s yet, give me time) and his obsession with the Dollhouse is one thread I can’t wait for them to follow through. The nerdy tech guy is another-I know Xander comparisons were made, but I think they’re off base: if anything, the guy reads like the bastard lovechild of Warren and Andrew, with all the disturbing traits that entails. Amy Acker’s character barely had an screentime, but I’m intrigued (my current theory is that she’s a former Active who got injured on the job: I expect to be proven wrong, since I fail at that sort of speculation).
Echo’s handler seemed the most human of the bunch. He was the only one who gave any thought to the ethical issues, who genuinely cared about retrieving the little girl (he has a MISSION! Hero buttons, pressed!) and who actually cared for Echo as more than an asset. Lots more of him, please, I’m wondering how he ended up with that gig.
And Eliza…wow. I *emphatically* disagree with those who criticized her acting. Yes, the first personality had a Faith-like vibe (as well as sexy Faith-like dancing and swaggering), but Echo was just appropriately blank and the kidnapping specialist was a perfect mix of professional steel and deep vulnerability within.
You better not kill this show, evil Fox monkeys! I’ll get on a plane, come over there, and CUT YOU!
In other TV news, I’ve become hooked on both Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and, embarrassingly enough, Skins (never mind that I’m twice the age of the cast). Since practically nobody on the flist watches them though, I’ll spare you my ramblings.
Some not-so-new and long overdue unrelated recs:
The History of Two Conversations (On Paper) by
takadainmate Merlin/Arthur Extremely cute and humourous story including a magic book, immature hijinks and a disapproving Gaius.Am prionnsa, an t-amadan agus na meirlich by
aithris Gen I never tire of all the “Arthur finds out” scenarios fandom comes up with-this time, it involves kidnapping by bandits. Some solid emotional conflict and great Merlin-Arthur scenes.Mirrored Glass by
sarcasticbabbleGen Another finale coda, this one is a bit angstier in tone than I normally go for, but satisfying nonetheless.All the Laughter From Before by
waldorph Merlin/Arthur I don’t know how I can do this justice to this without spoiling the hell out of it. Just-the beginning might seem, well. Just stick it out, trust me on this. It’s worth it.Coming of Age by
astolat Gen At this point, I should stop bothering with individual recs and just point you towards Everything Astolat Ever Writes. Great mythology and destiny themes, as usual.So Are They All, All Honourable Men by
seperis Merlin/Arthur Oh, this is simply perfection. Merlin gets himself in trouble he can’t magic his way out of. Stunning fic, cannot recommend it enough.
no subject
Pilots are notoriously akward examples of television...They need to introduce the characters, set up the premise (infodump, infodump!) and manage to ‘hook’ the viewers enough to get them to stick around-and not be too confusing.
So true. FRINGE's pilot had its share of awkwardness, and the show has had a bumpy road this season, but for me at least there's been marked improvements as the actors get more comfortable working together and the writers find their grooves. Hopefully Dollhouse will similarly get stronger over time.
...it’s kept from entering majorly skeevy territory by putting a woman in charge of the whole thing and making the Actives of both genders (plus, co-ed showers are always fun).
LOL, having a woman in charge of such a ethically & psychologically dodgy process could well be SKEEVIER! The ones you think would hurt you less may actually cuase more damage, and care less about the damage they do. Which might take Dollhouse into potentially non-cliche and original territory. We'll see!
Isn't Shirley Manson, the lead singer from Garbage, on the Connor Chronicles? Is she any good in that?
no subject
LOL, having a woman in charge of such a ethically & psychologically dodgy process could well be SKEEVIER! The ones you think would hurt you less may actually cuase more damage, and care less about the damage they do.
Well, the visual of a man in charge would be more disturbing, but you're right about the implications. Plus, the actress they cast is ICE COLD, which I'm kind of loving.
Isn't Shirley Manson, the lead singer from Garbage, on the Connor Chronicles? Is she any good in that?
Well, she makes a very convincing emotionless robot. :P
Seriously though, she's great. Shades of the actor who played the liquid metal Terminator in T2, and her almost alien looks really fit the part. It's an all-around awesome show (strong female characters ftw!), you should check it out.
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And you might want to check out the icons
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I must really watch Merlin.
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That's a good point. The moment she stands out to Penn's abuser is a great one for female empowerment.
I'm definitely intrigued by the show, can't wait for next week!
Thanks for the icon tip, I'll check them out.
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And I'm willing to bet that it foreshadows when Echo finally managed to stand up to her own abuser (those who run Dollhouse? Or someone else?).
A lot of people complained about the kidnapping and abuse of children story line in this first episode, but it seems pretty obvious to me that we are meant to see that the actives are basically children when they've been wiped, and their situation is fairly abusive.... And not all of them volunteered for this, there is very likely kidnapping involved in at least some cases (Echo/Caroline seemed more coerced than kidnapped, but we shall see).