The Biggest Surprise of Whedon’s Career
As part of the Television Critics Association, reporters visited the set of Dollhouse.
(And you’ll understand the title of this post once you click through to all these links…)
“(Fox) saw that when we liked it (ongoing storylines), everybody liked it, so they liked it. So they stopped going, ‘Let’s try this, let’s try that.’ They said, ‘You do your thing, it’s not for everyone, but the people who love it, love it hard.’”
Hit Fix asked Joss why he was so candid about his problems during the start of the series:
“(W)e were under a microscope. Every time we got shut down, people wanted answers, they wanted some explanation. And if an episode was nothing more than diverting and we hadn’t quite gotten inside the experience as much as I wanted, I wanted people to know that I knew that, that I felt like we were trying to get something out and the struggle we had defining the show was causing it to stumble a little bit. I can’t put something out there that is less than what it could be, without some kind of explanation and again, it was just a question of what stories can we tell and how can we please the network and all of those things we were going through.”
Zap2it quotes Joss describing the season premiere:
(It) will revisit that future and bring those who didn’t see “Epitaph One” up to speed. However, “the actual bulk of the show takes place three months after the events of ‘Omega.’ But we will be visiting that future every now and then.”
Eliza tells IGN how this season premiere episode is memorable for her:
“I am already sort of astonished by the emotions and actions and reactions just in the last eight days, just this episode. Yesterday, full on I burst into tears in the middle of the take. It was a giant scene with [Jamie] Bamber and there was something that happened and I haven’t had that kind of… I was just surprised at my emotion and hadn’t really had that. I was like, all right this is kind of a nice kick off for the season.”
TV Squad has Joss talking about the impact of “Epitaph One” on the second season:
So, yes, the events of the “hidden” season finale of Dollhouse will affect the goings on this year, but in an effort to serve the “two masters” of those who saw the episode on DVD and those who didn’t, things will be explained when the show comes back. “We will visit that future now and then.”
Access Hollywood has a video interview with Joss on guest stars.
August 17th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I didn’t see The Dollhouse on Fox i bought the first season on DVD on a whim. I trusted that Joss Whedon’s writing prowess. I was not disappointed. I really like the story. I’ll be watching it this fall.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I was screening Comicon through my recorder and saw Eliza and Whedon’s name fly through my screen. I backed up and saw the interview and the Dollhouse poster. Not knowing much about the series, I ordered it on Netflix. My son and I are hooked. We love Whedon’s work and I love seeing Eliza again. She shows her acting stuff and it is super. I enjoy seeing Amy Acker too. We too will be watching this fall. Not to mention purchasing the series and adding it to my collection.
August 20th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I hope that with a second season, you will have enouph ratings to make season 3 a 22 episode season.
August 24th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I’m glad we’ve got a second season. I love the linierity of the story lines; and I’m incredibly happy that I still get to see the BSG crew in action. Incredibly talented actors all.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Way to go Joss and company. Hoping that Dollhouse will take off and give us fellow nerds much more seasons. Its been too long since Mutant Enemy could spread there wings.
On a personal note, It wouldnt be Mutant Enemy without James Marsters”spike” or Tom Lenk”andrew” from Buffy. And would it be asking too much for Nathan Fillion”caleb” to make an appearance? I also hope that Felicia Day sticks around for awhile too.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Thank goodness! I DVR’d the season even though I wouldn’t be able to watch it. I was hoping to be able to have a positive impact on ratings. I picked up the DVD and watched all the episodes in quick succession. It is dynamite, just as I knew it would be. The cast and stories are extraordinary. Now, I got from watching “Epitaph One” that it was a way to tie things up if subsequent seasons were not picked up. You don’t have to write everything towards this conclusion for me. “Epitaph One” suggests alternate epitaphs to me. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Go play!!!
September 16th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I’VE BEEN A FAN SINCE BUFFY, I’VE COLLECTED ALL THE BUFFYS, ALL THE ANGELS , FIR FLY AND EVEN ALIEN RESERECTION JOSS IS THE BEST AND DOLL HOUSE JUST CONTINUES HIS GREATNESS I BOUGHT THE DVD SET AND LOVED IT CANT WAIT TILL THE NEXT SEASON,( IF JOSS WOULD HAVE DONE TRUE CALLING I THINK IT WOULD HAVE LASTED ALOT LONGER)
September 24th, 2009 at 11:51 am
You’re quite lucky watching the show on tv… Since Firefly I got more and more interested in Whedon’s work and now here I am. Trying to watch dollhouse online. Though it’s tough watchinga different kind of strong female characters
… Christmas is not far away… yay!
September 26th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I have been a huge fan of the show soooooooo happy it’s back! Love all Joss’s work!
September 26th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I hope Fox doesn’t f*ck this up by not letting it play out for several years… Joss is at his best in later seasons (even though first seasons are always really good too). Joss is the best character developer I’ve ever seen in entertainment. I cannot wait to watch where Dollhouse can go. Especially after seeing Epitaph One.
They should extend this season to 22 episodes.
Can’t wait to see what’s next! (Love to see November again!)
September 26th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I hope Fox doesn’t screw this up by not letting it play out for several years… Joss is at his best in later seasons (even though first seasons are always really good too). Joss is the best character developer I’ve ever seen in entertainment. I cannot wait to watch where Dollhouse can go. Especially after seeing Epitaph One.
They should extend this season to 22 episodes.
Can’t wait to see what’s next! (Love to see November again!)
September 26th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I do like this show. I must say it is missing something that all other Whedon shows have. It is definitely not his best work (and all his work is his best work). It’s missing the funny!
Buffy and Firefly were known for being very witty and full of good quips. This one is just dry. Joss, you do the funny so well! It’s brilliant dark humor! It’s what you’re known for! Why leave it out of this one?
Kind of a let down. Otherwise, brilliant plot line and storytelling as usual!
October 13th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Joss is in his element and it looks like Fox may just let him go full tilt. They still need to change the air day, friday’s are going to kill Dollhouse. Looking forward to seeing how this season plays out.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I love this show! Joss is a genius! Please FOX, DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW!!!!!!! Cant wait for season 2!
October 28th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
This show is great! Joss is a genius! Fox, do not cancel this show!! cant wait to watch season 2!!!
November 9th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Just got into this show. It’s amazing! Love the characters and can’t believe how awesome the fight sequences are!