Dollhouse
Dollhouse is a two season science fiction thriller by Joss Whedon. Here's the setup: in LA there is a house set up for those who no longer want to live their lives, but need a "break". A neuroscience genius named Topher saves their personality digitally and then wipes their brain, giving only the bare bones of functionality, without personality. Their bodies, meanwhile, can be loaded up with a different personality and sent out on "assignments", usually prostitution fantasies, but sometimes quite dangerous. The story focuses on Echo, the most requested "doll" who, of course, has a mysterious past, and strange abilities.
At first the series only real interest is setting up the situation. It is a fascinating SF world, one that doesn't seem very removed from the present. But after a time Echo's adventures on her assignments are repetitive and we seem to be in a stasis. There isn't much of the tell-tale Whedon humor, and it's clever and all, and there's some progression... until the final episode of the first season.
At this point, and for the rest of the show, the 13 episodes of the second season, we are in high gear and this is some of the most remarkable television ever. The plot very much intensifies and speeds up, and there isn't room to breathe. Secrets are revealed as well as a crazy alternative future. We are quickly caught up with the changes in characters. I wish I could tell you just a bit about what happens, but I shouldn't.
What I will say is that Dollhouse is an underwatched series, and the second season is some of the best speculative fiction on television. I'm glad they decided to shut it down early because stretching this out for another two seasons would have been unbearable. As it is, the second season is taut, strong, character- as well as plot-driven and worth going through the slow first season to set up for the glory that is to come.
4/5