I'm having the same trouble loading the pictures. Or, actually, the thumbnails even, as of now.
I know it's been said before, but it really is remarkable how much the Dollhouse set looks like the W&H set from Angels fifth season. It looks absolutely lovely, though. Do most set designers start out as architects or something similar?
After much grumbling and resisting from my computer, I finally saw the 'nails enlarged. Gorgeous, warm and rich set. Definitely confirmed the W&H vibe, though, even if it's a good thing. The lighting was also great, but wonder if a different tone, like cold blue or black, would give the Dollhouse a completely different feel.
Wow, those are probably the most gorgeous sets I've ever seen. They definitely look more expensive than most sets, so you can see why Fox sent their money that way instead of into producing a more splashy pilot.
Mindblowing. Some Strawberry Blonde Auteur is married to an architect.
ETA: The W&H HQ radiated power, but this space is very warm and welcoming. It looks like a very pleasant place to visit and to stay. Which just makes it that much more creepy, because it's overtly very human-friendly, but its purpose is dehumanizing. Their little sleeping cubes remind me of the boxes Barbies come in, and those sell one fantasy/role or another.
I'm also getting an error from the Dollverse site. Maybe too many people are trying to look at the pictures at once? I'll try again later.
But from what I've seen, all I can say is I wanna live in the Dollhouse!
The Dollverse heading says Stuart Blatt did the set for ths show, so that would explain the similarities to the W&H set (Blatt was the Production Designer for much of Angel and built the Hyperion and W&H sets).
As for the brown-ness, I think I remember something about blue and shades of blue turning up on film as cold, dark, and boring. Brown, as a much warmer color, still fits in the background but without boring the eye (if any of that made sense). Love the Eastern influences throughout.
I seem to recall seeing a Whack-a-Mole as well, maybe it was in the original, rough trailer? I think it's that yellow bit to the left of the dart board.
Amazing set! Love the atmosphere! And that panorama... I couldn't get past the thumbnails with IE (got the error message) but Firefox showed all the photos without problems.
Hey, gossi, do you know how to make the pictures more IE-friendly? My computer is very mad at me now for attempting to view them (at all).
From what I squinted at, they're gorgeous! It completes my comment that this place is a "home/house" for the Dolls, and yet people still work there. I get a weekend-retreat spa feel going on when I see it. Very wholistic.
Also, gossi, did you take those pictures? Whoever did just became my new best friend.
I'm beginning to see more of the appeal of being a Doll, I mean Active. I might not mind a memory/personality wipe if it came with such awesome living quarters.
there's also a trampoline. He likes toys, does the ace haired one.
And the view of the floor below plays into the "maybe likes his job too much" aspect as well. It's a bit voyeuristic. Hang out upstairs, play some darts, program some people to be secret superninjas, watch to see if they show signs of remembering anything. I expect he'll be awesome.
Man, that's gorgeous. I can see why they went for it, too. All expense up-front, but they'll be reaping the benefits of that set for seasons to come (I hope). There's so much to show and do!
Beautiful!
Very shiny.
You know,when I get my own place, I wanna have a bed like in the dollhouse. It even saves space! Can I live there? I wouldn't mind working as an Active.
It definitely has a similar vibe to W&H.and it's all very...woody. I like it. and it does look sort of apanese as well. at least like the movies I've seen.
the one about 'Echo' in the box is absolutely gorgeous!
I dunno about the book forgetery, barboo. I think the Actives, while on assignment, don't remember anything from before and then lose memories gained after the assignment's over. But from the clip we've seen, it seems to me that they would remember what happens between assignments. Not life before becoming a Doll, but life as a Doll in the wiped-clean state. So I imagine if Echo read something on her downtime as Echo, she'd remember it a couple weeks later after going out, becoming a superninja, and returning to the lab to become Echo again. She wouldn't remember life before being a Doll or all the stuff she did on assignment, but she's remember say, Topher. And what she read last week.
I see what you mean, Sunfire: it would just be difficult if the Actives forgot who the people inside the Dollhouse were. It would be kind of like 50 First Dates, which would just not fit with the premise.
Although I bet Adelle is careful about which books are in the house. I don't see 1984 or No Exit being among the selections. Probably not Moby Dick either, for that matter. Especially if it's been underlined meaninfully, a'la Heathers.
So no dystopias, and no political readings such as The Communist Manifesto. That would make life so very difficult, which might force them to wipe the Actives' minds of literature.
There is that clip in the trailer, though, where Topher says that Echo, Victor and Sierra are grouping, and Boyd says something like, 'Are you saying they remember each other?' - which would seem to point to the mind-wipes affecting their 'clean slate' memories as well.
theonetruebix - I'm not 100%, but I know it's all in one big building at FOX. I think there's a good potential for a one shot or two to make the actors cry.
Gorgeous sets. I've already used them in my unobtrusive (I hope) campaign to bring my other half into the wonderful world we call Whedonverse. He was intrigued enough by the photos to ask when the show starts (yay). Fingers crossed...
The set really is nice, but I see I'm not the only one here getting a faint stench of nostalgia ala the new and improved L.A. offices of Wolfram & Hart via season five of "Angel" from it.
Is anyone a tad worried that there may be too many similarities to it?
I see the similarities to W&H a little bit, but they don't bother me, because so much is different. Mostly what seems familiar to me is the woods and the opulent feel to the place.
I'm still excited about the sets because they are so different from what I was imagining they'd be (lots of cool colors, metallics and blues). I love this set because of how "homey" it feels, with touches like the books, the dartboard, the whack-a-mole, etc. It's awesome how grounded in reality the dollhouse looks, besides, obviously, the girl-in-a-box.
I really like the ostensible warmth with the sinister undertone. I really want there to be a secret underground layer with a disgruntled former Doll in the manner of the Phantom of the Opera.
The set really nice, but I see I'm not the only one here getting a faint stench of nostalgia ala the new and improved L.A. offices of Wolfram & Hart via season of "Angel" from it.
No, I don't think so. This is a whole new gig from Joss.
It's not that much like Wolfram & Hart--way more comfy and warm. I mean, look how many Whedonesquer's are all ready to move in! (Pretty high price to pay, though.)
I don't really see anything Wolfram and Hart-ish about it- apart from both sets being modern and expensive looking- which are both pretty wide categories. This one has an vaguely asian-design look and a spa vibe, neither of which were characteristic of the W and H set.
W and H was much more generic fancy corporate. This one is prettier, and also spookier, in my eyes.
The more I view the Dollhouse, the less it looks like a place to house evil corporate lawyers. By the time January rolls around, it'll be Wolfram & Who?
But I can see the W&H connection, too. That was one of the first things I thought when I saw picture number seven. It's not the colors, or (obviously) what's in the room, it's the size and general shape of the interior. Wide open space with a small walkway on the upper floor.
How very pretty, yet wildly imposing at the same time.
I get the W & H comparisons, it was generically beautiful and also had lots of wood and many levels. But that set seemed to pick up facets of the character's identities as they became more comfortable in their new environment. (Like Amy's posters, Harmony's unicorns etc.)
The 'Dollhouse' set contains very little clues to the characters, which appears to be reflective of the cavalier mindset behind messing with other's identities. There's absolutely no privacy in that context at all. Everything is exposed- even the showers.
Topher's office does seem to have his own possessions in there, and while giving the impression of being hidden, he's actually wide open and central to the 'hub' of the set. Amy's character has her own exercise bike, despite a gym being scant steps away, further reinforcing her separation from the dolls. Echo's sleeping chamber is tomb-like, perhaps to show that the dolls' are 'reborn' each day.
I'm utterly intrigued, and kinda in love with that water feature. (So very Jamie Durie.) Not to mention MOST impatient for January.
I love this set - all that beautiful wood, water in the middle and the warm lighting. I don't think I'd be willing to be an Active to live there, however.
As people above have mentioned, however, there is definitely an underlying scary, possibly sinister, 'vibe' what with the enclosed beds and open showers.
I bet Joss and others who direct will have a ball.
QuoterGal, the books were the first thing I noticed in that picture. I figure they must have all been pre-approved by Adelle.
Heh, I would find those showers spectacularly unacceptable.
I had originally expected the Dollhouse to look much more traditionally scifi, all white and chrome and hi tech. I should have realised that Joss would go in a much more interesting direction! I love the warm tones, which I've much missed since Firefly (and W&H, but I miss the Firefly sets more).
Oh, and for anyone feeling the bookcase love, see here.
I've been eyeing these for some time now, although I have no idea how I'd get them to the UK!
The little chairs and tables make me think of the "kid's" table we had at home, which, as the two youngest, my sister and I sat at when our family had guests over for a meal. (Except we shared one table.) Which is fine for two children under the age of five. Not so much for adults.
Orphanage (Little Orphane Annie-type) -- Everyone is together (in one shared room), but separate. You get the feeling that much interaction is not encouraged. Of course, part of that vibe might be coming from the trailer.
Day-care -- The layout of the rooms, each area has a little spot for each of the dolls. The shared tables, with the resource material near by.
Hansel & Gretel -- In the "little golden book" version of Hansel and Gretel, the first night the children stayed with her, she fed them a warm meal and put them to bed in warm cozy cupboard-type beds (how I wanted one of those). Of course, she was a witch. And the Gretel killed her in the end.
I hate the fact that they don't wear anything on their feet. And that the bed doesn't have a blanket. There is nothing comforting here. Beautiful place. Warm colours. Nothing humanizing. It's not a home; it's a human storage facility.
Maybe I'm biased because I sell bedding, so my whole job is to make that part of a person's home as comfy as possible. And that place offers no comfort. Beauty, yes. Comfort, no.
I don't mean this to be negative toward the show in any way. I think the set is brilliant. Well done!
Yeah, good points all. It's warm, cosy, nicely lit, basically perfect. Like one of those magazine spreads for interior designers i.e. it's designed to be warm, cosy and nicely lit - there's no everyday messiness, no "bits of furniture that don't fit but you keep them anyway because they were your Granny's". It's as if someone read a book about "Architecture to set people at ease" and then went to work. Very nice set from Mr Blatt, the perfect place to live for "people" that don't realise life is about the imperfections.
Some sets - like the deck below Topher's lab - look WR&Hy to me, same sort of cool (and obviously expensive) swanky minimalism but most of the rest of them are pretty different.
That Sapien bookcase is cool, but I've got a different plan for all of my books. I want them to be wall to wall, floor to ceiling. With a ladder, a'la a certain scene in Atonement...
....but I digress.
I like what Judy said about the set, specifically about the beds with no blankets. For some reason I didn't really notice that before, but it is a really interesting touch. I know I don't even like watching a movie without a blanket...and I live in AZ! It's just a nice, comfortable thing to have...which the Dolls lack.
I'm not sure what I think about the exercise bike in Amy's office, except that maybe it's one of those things where they hook the Dolls up to sensors to monitor their bodies before setting them on the more demanding objectives. For example, I can't see Adelle sending November to do something that Echo might, such as skydiving.
But I do think that it would make sense for the people who work there to try and separate themselves from the Dolls. I think that even if Topher, for example, says that he sees no problem with what he's doing, he subconsciously doesn't want to associate with them when they're in their innocent, unactivated states.
Amy's character, as a physician, probably feels this even more, since she must have to deal with more than the odd sniffle or sore throat. So maybe that's why the exercise bike is in her office.
Plus, I wouldn't want to work out next to someone in the same shape as Eliza. Even though Amy is gorgeous in her own right.
As for their being barefoot, I like it. It seems very Asian, to not have foot coverings inside the house. Also, kids love to go barefoot, and since the Dolls are supposed to be childlike when they're not activated, it makes sense.
This all seems a little Shade's Children to me, in a really good way.
For example, I can't see Adelle sending November to do something that Echo might, such as skydiving.
That's an interesting point. Do all the dolls have specific skill sets? Do the clients get to choose which doll they get based on appearance? I had assumed that every doll could be programmed to do everything, but it would make sense to have some specialization.
Another good thing this set says to me, although maybe a bit redundant now that we know 13 eps have been ordered, is lots of money sunk into it - they're expecting to get a lot of use out of it.
For example, I can't see Adelle sending November to do something that Echo might, such as skydiving.
Err, why ? Being "heavy" (especially when you're only "Hollywood heavy" ;) doesn't mean being unfit or unhealthy. I knew a couple of rock climbers that most people would consider "heavy" for instance and falling is much, much easier than climbing ;).
I agree with you, Saje; skydiving was a poor example. But I can see the Hispanic thugs backing down to Echo much more quickly than they would to November. But, in the cast descriptions, November is described as "A comforting, radiant presence, who tends to get fewer of the criminal gigs and more of the personal ones."
But it's interesting, because you'd think that it would have to do more with personality, but the Dolls aren't supposed to have a personality. Yet it seems that, if the Dolls are all equally fit and capable, they (that is, those who run the House) are imprinting at least their own notions of the Dolls' personalities into who would be chosen for which mission. Otherwise, why would November be chosen for the more personal missions, if she is as capable as Echo or Sierra as being either ruthless or nurturing?
Why would you have so many different types of Dolls if there was just one Doll for any mission? And, I would think that the clients have a certain amount of choice, because someone might find Echo more attractive than Sierra, or vice-versa. If a client is paying as much money as I think they are to engage an Active, you'd think they'd get a little bit of a choice.
EDIT: I realized that my pronouns didn't make sense. Sorry! Also, all of this speculation makes my head hurt, but in a good way.
Heh ;). "Sage" was pretty reasonable when approached and even agreed to schedule the duel for after dawn (i'm not a big morning person) - i'm still waiting to hear back from "Mr Sage" though ;).
(both real users BTW)
But I can see the Hispanic thugs backing down to Echo much more quickly than they would to November.
I dunno BandofBuggered, if multiple latino thugs are gonna back down from a fight with a single opponent I think it's mostly going to relate to attitude and that seems like exactly the sort of thing that can be imprinted. Putting political correctness to one side for a minute, petite, 5'5" women aren't, on the face of it, that scary either (and yes, before anyone jumps on me, i'm aware that many petite 5'5" women are tough as nails and could kick my arse into next week but we're talking purely about appearances i.e. with attitude and skills removed from the equation).
I think it's fairly obvious why they have more than one "kind" and it's as you say, because different clients have different tastes and different "types" in mind (not just for sexual fantasies either - if they wanted someone to role play e.g. a dead loved one then they might need someone physically similar to make it work). And of course, if you can make X dollars from one doll why not have e.g. 3 dolls and make 3X dollars (i.e. hire them out concurrently) ?
As far as personality goes though, they become who they're imprinted with and that's that. If you imprint "comforting, radiant" November with a serial killer then she's a serial killer (unless Joss has mis-described his own concept, which seems unlikely ;).
(it does seem a bit odd that November would get fewer criminal "gigs" though, unless the point being made is specifically about the preconceptions of the handlers based on her appearance. After all, if a client wants something burgled they're presumably not going to specify "petite brunette" as the thief ;)
As for their being barefoot, I like it. It seems very Asian, to not have foot coverings inside the house. Also, kids love to go barefoot, and since the Dolls are supposed to be childlike when they're not activated, it makes sense.
I have a personal bias when it comes to bare feet because, with the exception of mid-blazing-hot-summer, any time my feet are bare for longer than a few minutes, I'm freezing. *g*
But the real reason I don't like the bare feet is that everything the dolls have has been given to them. The books, furniture, food and clothes. And the same goes for children. No problem. However, even children are given shoes and socks. And, if the whim takes them, and they have the ability to do it on their own, even little children can put them on and wear them, if they like. The dolls seem to have no such privilege. They don't seem to even be given these pieces of apparel. Just the bare (if you'll pardon the pun -- and if you can pardon Jossaholic's, you can certainly make room for mine *g*) necessities. To me, it smacks of control.
But it's interesting, because you'd think that it would have to do more with personality, but the Dolls aren't supposed to have a personality. Yet it seems that, if the Dolls are all equally fit and capable, they (that is, those who run the House) are imprinting at least their own notions of the Dolls' personalities into who would be chosen for which mission. Otherwise, why would November be chosen for the more personal missions, if she is as capable as Echo or Sierra as being either ruthless or nurturing?
Babies have personality when they are born. Ask any parent. I don't think that the dolls necessarily loose that. What the dolls lack is knowledge of their past, their memories and experiences.
People allow their personal biases to influence their choices. Even if November can be made just as capable as the other dolls to commit crime, if a customer sees her as less capable simply because of her appearance, they will opt for another choice.
As far as personality goes though, they become who they're imprinted with and that's that. If you imprint "comforting, radiant" November with a serial killer then she's a serial killer (unless Joss has mis-described his own concept, which seems unlikely ;).
I think that she would still have her own personality, "comforting, radient", but perhaps she would just make a more insidious serial killer, because perhaps she would be more able to lull her victims into a false sense of security through these qualities. If a doll has a more authoritative personality, that doll could play on that strength with the same result.
But the real reason I don't like the bare feet is that everything the dolls have has been given to them. The books, furniture, food and clothes. And the same goes for children. No problem. However, even children are given shoes and socks. And, if the whim takes them, and they have the ability to do it on their own, even little children can put them on and wear them, if they like. The dolls seem to have no such privilege. They don't seem to even be given these pieces of apparel. Just the bare (if you'll pardon the pun -- and if you can pardon Jossaholic's, you can certainly make room for mine *g*) necessities. To me, it smacks of control.
Judy, to me that is exactly why they are barefoot. (Of course, we all know that Joss has a foot fetish as well.) In all the pictures inside the house that I've seen, the 'dolls' are barefoot, but others are not.
It's one more way to control them. If they don't have shoes or socks, they are unlikely to 'run away' or even go outside. No blankets because apparently they sleep in giant Tupperware containers, a la Eerie, Indiana! I wonder if it has the same effect?
They also seem to have very little variation in clothes while they're in the Dollhouse - do they even have clothers of their own, I wonder, or are they given a semi-uniform?
I agree that if they're barefoot through Adelle's not giving them shoes or socks, it's definitely a control thing and a problem. Especially since shoes seem to be a "luxury" to people with less means. I have worked in classrooms where if a kid needed new shoes because s/he outgrew them, s/he had to ask for them for Christmas. That's ridiculous and cruel.
On the other hand, I love being barefoot, to the point where I sometimes take off my shoes in school, or when I'm in a park, or something like that. I only wear shoes when I absolutely must, as determined by social mores or the temperature or texture of the place I'm walking.
In a place like the Dollhouse, shoes might be seen as an unnecessary luxury, since the place is clean and devoid of rocks or burning asphalt.
And I wouldn't put it past Adelle to put them all in uniform. Why would the Dolls need to have their own waredrobe that they selected and/or is personalized? They're not supposed to have any personality, except for that which is imprinted.
That's where I'm seeing the complexities. Because I think that personality is innate, but it is also formed by one's experiences--which none of the Dolls have since their joining the Dollhouse...unless their entire memories of childhood are wiped as well. Now that would suck.
But I also think that the Dolls aren't supposed to have personalities, because otherwise it would make sense for them to group when they were in the houses. After all, if you have a personality, you're apt to be either introverted or extroverted, and have similar aspects. If they have no personalities, they have no reason to be friends with eachother. So grouping would suggest that the Dolls are starting to find commonalities between eachother, which would be leftover *something* after they're wiped.
Sorry for such longness, but I'm really having fun with this thread, and the idea-bounciness of y'all!
I think within the show Echo will certainly develop/display an innate personality and possibly other actives too but this, to my mind, is just an example of Joss having his cake and eating it too i.e. the entire premise is predicated on them being completely overwritten with whichever personality they're "using" (he said words to the effect of "they don't just have the memories, they don't just act like them, they are that person") but the main thrust of the show (and Echo's journey) will presumably be promoting the idea that the human spirit/soul/essence/whatever-you-want-to-kid-yourself-we-have ;) is indomitable, that something persists and strives for freedom no-matter how many times it's apparently wiped.
And as has been pointed out upthread, if they were supposed to display innate tendencies then grouping wouldn't even be worthy of comment. As it is, from the trailer it's apparently both surprising and unsettling to the dollhouse powers that be (which seems to be pretty clear evidence that they're basically tabula rasa after their introductory wipe so no memories of childhood etc.). Which raises the question of how they can speak of course ;).
Though more seriously, if their speech is left intact, is their vocabulary ? Because surely the sort of words you know and use reflects your personality and background, especially with real brains - i.e. not the made up sort that Joss is no doubt talking about and which you can overwrite without issue ;) - where the words you use most often will be "weighted" more heavily ? Or maybe they're all given a "standard set" of words to use so that, like Charlie in 'Flowers for Algernon', we can watch out for changes in vocabulary, new words being used, as a sign of emerging personality (or as a sign of "leakage" from an imprint to an innate).
Clearly Joss is going to have to make a few compromises in the interests of conventional storytelling:-
How can you have resonant character arcs if key characters can have multiple character traits? (Every week is "Who Are You?" - btw shout out to Eliza for her fantastic portrayal of Baith)
Equally, how can an audience be drawn into rooting for a central character if that character is always in a state of flux? In this regard it will be interesting to see Joss blur the boundary of the Mission-of-the-week (much like he did with Buffy's Monster-of-the-week)
Talking of Buffy, I'm hoping for a Dollhouse episode as twisty as "Normal Again". But maybe that only works in a later season.
Pre-show syndication materials - not to mention good communication with staff writers requires detailed character profiles. Echo, Sierra and November have to have particular voices.
Thinking about this, will the Actives suffer the same level of interference from FOX as happened to Mal Reynolds's original character? (Inter-office memo after the pilot "Make her less bland")
Maybe Joss is remaking "The Prisoner". (Dollhouse=Village) Echo has to play along with her missions in order to learn more. Who exactly is pulling her strings and why?
The fourth photo looks very "girl in a box" to me. Homage?
hacksaway | May 23, 21:37 CET
Lovely pictures though, and a beautiful set. Is is January yet?
Leaf | May 23, 21:44 CET
Donnie | May 23, 21:46 CET
I know it's been said before, but it really is remarkable how much the Dollhouse set looks like the W&H set from Angels fifth season. It looks absolutely lovely, though. Do most set designers start out as architects or something similar?
GVH | May 23, 21:49 CET
Perseo | May 23, 21:51 CET
swanjun | May 23, 22:07 CET
stellabee | May 23, 22:10 CET
Sunfire | May 23, 22:11 CET
gossi | May 23, 22:12 CET
ETA: The W&H HQ radiated power, but this space is very warm and welcoming. It looks like a very pleasant place to visit and to stay. Which just makes it that much more creepy, because it's overtly very human-friendly, but its purpose is dehumanizing. Their little sleeping cubes remind me of the boxes Barbies come in, and those sell one fantasy/role or another.
[ edited by Pointy on 2008-05-23 19:22 ]
Pointy | May 23, 22:12 CET
But from what I've seen, all I can say is I wanna live in the Dollhouse!
The Dollverse heading says Stuart Blatt did the set for ths show, so that would explain the similarities to the W&H set (Blatt was the Production Designer for much of Angel and built the Hyperion and W&H sets).
As for the brown-ness, I think I remember something about blue and shades of blue turning up on film as cold, dark, and boring. Brown, as a much warmer color, still fits in the background but without boring the eye (if any of that made sense). Love the Eastern influences throughout.
Arabchick | May 23, 22:16 CET
Echo's bed looks really comfy
[ edited by Mr.Pointy on 2008-05-23 19:24 ]
Mr.Pointy | May 23, 22:22 CET
Ameer | May 23, 22:23 CET
electricspacegirl | May 23, 22:25 CET
MonkeyInBlack | May 23, 22:30 CET
Pointy | May 23, 22:31 CET
I seem to recall seeing a Whack-a-Mole as well, maybe it was in the original, rough trailer? I think it's that yellow bit to the left of the dart board.
JMaloney | May 23, 22:40 CET
Valerie | May 23, 22:44 CET
gossi | May 23, 22:44 CET
From what I squinted at, they're gorgeous! It completes my comment that this place is a "home/house" for the Dolls, and yet people still work there. I get a weekend-retreat spa feel going on when I see it. Very wholistic.
Also, gossi, did you take those pictures? Whoever did just became my new best friend.
korkster | May 23, 22:59 CET
barboo | May 23, 23:02 CET
And the view of the floor below plays into the "maybe likes his job too much" aspect as well. It's a bit voyeuristic. Hang out upstairs, play some darts, program some people to be secret superninjas, watch to see if they show signs of remembering anything. I expect he'll be awesome.
Sunfire | May 23, 23:03 CET
With the open, multi-level thing going on, it's obvious Joss has learned something from the Angel sets.
bigsofty | May 23, 23:04 CET
Yeah, I got a girl-in-a-box vibe too.
ManEnoughToAdmitIt | May 23, 23:41 CET
Very shiny.
You know,when I get my own place, I wanna have a bed like in the dollhouse. It even saves space! Can I live there? I wouldn't mind working as an Active.
It definitely has a similar vibe to W&H.and it's all very...woody. I like it. and it does look sort of apanese as well. at least like the movies I've seen.
the one about 'Echo' in the box is absolutely gorgeous!
okelay | May 23, 23:56 CET
theonetruebix | May 24, 00:55 CET
Oh, plus books! Lovely books! Can't read the titles, but still - they're there! Sitting there being books!
QuoterGal | May 24, 02:27 CET
Hmmm, I could get a memory wipe and forget ever having watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and then I could watch it all again and it would be brand new!
barboo | May 24, 02:49 CET
I could so easily be very wrong though.
Sunfire | May 24, 02:59 CET
Although I bet Adelle is careful about which books are in the house. I don't see 1984 or No Exit being among the selections. Probably not Moby Dick either, for that matter. Especially if it's been underlined meaninfully, a'la Heathers.
So no dystopias, and no political readings such as The Communist Manifesto. That would make life so very difficult, which might force them to wipe the Actives' minds of literature.
BandofBuggered | May 24, 03:07 CET
Winther | May 24, 03:09 CET
theonetruebix | May 24, 03:10 CET
Valentyn | May 24, 03:10 CET
gossi | May 24, 03:14 CET
Winther | May 24, 03:18 CET
Effulgent | May 24, 03:36 CET
Madhatter | May 24, 03:58 CET
Is anyone a tad worried that there may be too many similarities to it?
[ edited by J Linc on 2008-05-24 01:03 ]
J Linc | May 24, 04:01 CET
Not me, because I don't actually see what people are talking about.
theonetruebix | May 24, 04:10 CET
I'm still excited about the sets because they are so different from what I was imagining they'd be (lots of cool colors, metallics and blues). I love this set because of how "homey" it feels, with touches like the books, the dartboard, the whack-a-mole, etc. It's awesome how grounded in reality the dollhouse looks, besides, obviously, the girl-in-a-box.
I really like the ostensible warmth with the sinister undertone. I really want there to be a secret underground layer with a disgruntled former Doll in the manner of the Phantom of the Opera.
BandofBuggered | May 24, 04:18 CET
No, I don't think so. This is a whole new gig from Joss.
Madhatter | May 24, 04:22 CET
jcs | May 24, 04:27 CET
W and H was much more generic fancy corporate. This one is prettier, and also spookier, in my eyes.
toast | May 24, 04:31 CET
korkster | May 24, 04:42 CET
But I can see the W&H connection, too. That was one of the first things I thought when I saw picture number seven. It's not the colors, or (obviously) what's in the room, it's the size and general shape of the interior. Wide open space with a small walkway on the upper floor.
But yeah. Very zen. Purrrdeee.
Mrs.BigPileofDust | May 24, 04:51 CET
UnpluggedCrazy | May 24, 05:02 CET
I get the W & H comparisons, it was generically beautiful and also had lots of wood and many levels. But that set seemed to pick up facets of the character's identities as they became more comfortable in their new environment. (Like Amy's posters, Harmony's unicorns etc.)
The 'Dollhouse' set contains very little clues to the characters, which appears to be reflective of the cavalier mindset behind messing with other's identities. There's absolutely no privacy in that context at all. Everything is exposed- even the showers.
Topher's office does seem to have his own possessions in there, and while giving the impression of being hidden, he's actually wide open and central to the 'hub' of the set. Amy's character has her own exercise bike, despite a gym being scant steps away, further reinforcing her separation from the dolls. Echo's sleeping chamber is tomb-like, perhaps to show that the dolls' are 'reborn' each day.
I'm utterly intrigued, and kinda in love with that water feature. (So very Jamie Durie.) Not to mention MOST impatient for January.
missb | May 24, 05:48 CET
ManEnoughToAdmitIt | May 24, 06:07 CET
[ edited by J Linc on 2008-05-24 04:33 ]
[ edited by J Linc on 2008-05-24 05:09 ]
J Linc | May 24, 07:33 CET
Krusher | May 24, 08:43 CET
As people above have mentioned, however, there is definitely an underlying scary, possibly sinister, 'vibe' what with the enclosed beds and open showers.
I bet Joss and others who direct will have a ball.
QuoterGal, the books were the first thing I noticed in that picture. I figure they must have all been pre-approved by Adelle.
samatwitch | May 24, 11:44 CET
I had originally expected the Dollhouse to look much more traditionally scifi, all white and chrome and hi tech. I should have realised that Joss would go in a much more interesting direction! I love the warm tones, which I've much missed since Firefly (and W&H, but I miss the Firefly sets more).
Oh, and for anyone feeling the bookcase love, see here.
I've been eyeing these for some time now, although I have no idea how I'd get them to the UK!
NotMandatory | May 24, 17:32 CET
magnus carnage | May 24, 20:05 CET
Better than Cracker Barrel.
theonetruebix | May 24, 20:08 CET
The little chairs and tables make me think of the "kid's" table we had at home, which, as the two youngest, my sister and I sat at when our family had guests over for a meal. (Except we shared one table.) Which is fine for two children under the age of five. Not so much for adults.
Orphanage (Little Orphane Annie-type) -- Everyone is together (in one shared room), but separate. You get the feeling that much interaction is not encouraged. Of course, part of that vibe might be coming from the trailer.
Day-care -- The layout of the rooms, each area has a little spot for each of the dolls. The shared tables, with the resource material near by.
Hansel & Gretel -- In the "little golden book" version of Hansel and Gretel, the first night the children stayed with her, she fed them a warm meal and put them to bed in warm cozy cupboard-type beds (how I wanted one of those). Of course, she was a witch. And the Gretel killed her in the end.
I hate the fact that they don't wear anything on their feet. And that the bed doesn't have a blanket. There is nothing comforting here. Beautiful place. Warm colours. Nothing humanizing. It's not a home; it's a human storage facility.
Maybe I'm biased because I sell bedding, so my whole job is to make that part of a person's home as comfy as possible. And that place offers no comfort. Beauty, yes. Comfort, no.
I don't mean this to be negative toward the show in any way. I think the set is brilliant. Well done!
[ edited by Judy on 2008-05-24 19:00 ]
Judy | May 24, 21:59 CET
Some sets - like the deck below Topher's lab - look WR&Hy to me, same sort of cool (and obviously expensive) swanky minimalism but most of the rest of them are pretty different.
Mr. Pointy, you know we already have a Pointy.
Stake off ! Two sticks enter, one stick leaves !
;-)
Saje | May 24, 23:32 CET
....but I digress.
I like what Judy said about the set, specifically about the beds with no blankets. For some reason I didn't really notice that before, but it is a really interesting touch. I know I don't even like watching a movie without a blanket...and I live in AZ! It's just a nice, comfortable thing to have...which the Dolls lack.
I'm not sure what I think about the exercise bike in Amy's office, except that maybe it's one of those things where they hook the Dolls up to sensors to monitor their bodies before setting them on the more demanding objectives. For example, I can't see Adelle sending November to do something that Echo might, such as skydiving.
But I do think that it would make sense for the people who work there to try and separate themselves from the Dolls. I think that even if Topher, for example, says that he sees no problem with what he's doing, he subconsciously doesn't want to associate with them when they're in their innocent, unactivated states.
Amy's character, as a physician, probably feels this even more, since she must have to deal with more than the odd sniffle or sore throat. So maybe that's why the exercise bike is in her office.
Plus, I wouldn't want to work out next to someone in the same shape as Eliza. Even though Amy is gorgeous in her own right.
As for their being barefoot, I like it. It seems very Asian, to not have foot coverings inside the house. Also, kids love to go barefoot, and since the Dolls are supposed to be childlike when they're not activated, it makes sense.
This all seems a little Shade's Children to me, in a really good way.
BandofBuggered | May 25, 00:38 CET
That's an interesting point. Do all the dolls have specific skill sets? Do the clients get to choose which doll they get based on appearance? I had assumed that every doll could be programmed to do everything, but it would make sense to have some specialization.
hacksaway | May 25, 00:53 CET
barboo | May 25, 00:53 CET
Err, why ? Being "heavy" (especially when you're only "Hollywood heavy" ;) doesn't mean being unfit or unhealthy. I knew a couple of rock climbers that most people would consider "heavy" for instance and falling is much, much easier than climbing ;).
Saje | May 25, 00:56 CET
But it's interesting, because you'd think that it would have to do more with personality, but the Dolls aren't supposed to have a personality. Yet it seems that, if the Dolls are all equally fit and capable, they (that is, those who run the House) are imprinting at least their own notions of the Dolls' personalities into who would be chosen for which mission. Otherwise, why would November be chosen for the more personal missions, if she is as capable as Echo or Sierra as being either ruthless or nurturing?
Why would you have so many different types of Dolls if there was just one Doll for any mission? And, I would think that the clients have a certain amount of choice, because someone might find Echo more attractive than Sierra, or vice-versa. If a client is paying as much money as I think they are to engage an Active, you'd think they'd get a little bit of a choice.
EDIT: I realized that my pronouns didn't make sense. Sorry! Also, all of this speculation makes my head hurt, but in a good way.
[ edited by BandofBuggered on 2008-05-24 22:15 ]
BandofBuggered | May 25, 01:08 CET
Stake off ! Two sticks enter, one stick leaves !
Just you wait until someone takes the screen name "Sage," Saje.
Pointy | May 25, 02:03 CET
(both real users BTW)
But I can see the Hispanic thugs backing down to Echo much more quickly than they would to November.
I dunno BandofBuggered, if multiple latino thugs are gonna back down from a fight with a single opponent I think it's mostly going to relate to attitude and that seems like exactly the sort of thing that can be imprinted. Putting political correctness to one side for a minute, petite, 5'5" women aren't, on the face of it, that scary either (and yes, before anyone jumps on me, i'm aware that many petite 5'5" women are tough as nails and could kick my arse into next week but we're talking purely about appearances i.e. with attitude and skills removed from the equation).
I think it's fairly obvious why they have more than one "kind" and it's as you say, because different clients have different tastes and different "types" in mind (not just for sexual fantasies either - if they wanted someone to role play e.g. a dead loved one then they might need someone physically similar to make it work). And of course, if you can make X dollars from one doll why not have e.g. 3 dolls and make 3X dollars (i.e. hire them out concurrently) ?
As far as personality goes though, they become who they're imprinted with and that's that. If you imprint "comforting, radiant" November with a serial killer then she's a serial killer (unless Joss has mis-described his own concept, which seems unlikely ;).
(it does seem a bit odd that November would get fewer criminal "gigs" though, unless the point being made is specifically about the preconceptions of the handlers based on her appearance. After all, if a client wants something burgled they're presumably not going to specify "petite brunette" as the thief ;)
Saje | May 25, 02:21 CET
Stake off! Two sticks enter, one stick leaves!
I hate to be "blunt", but I'll get to the "point". This sounds like a very "stick-y" situation. "Wooden't" like to be involved.
Teehee.
Jossaholic | May 25, 02:27 CET
Saje | May 25, 02:32 CET
Jossaholic | May 25, 02:36 CET
Saje | May 25, 02:40 CET
[ edited by Jossaholic on 2008-05-25 00:28 ]
[ edited by Jossaholic on 2008-05-25 00:33 ]
Jossaholic | May 25, 02:51 CET
I have a personal bias when it comes to bare feet because, with the exception of mid-blazing-hot-summer, any time my feet are bare for longer than a few minutes, I'm freezing. *g*
But the real reason I don't like the bare feet is that everything the dolls have has been given to them. The books, furniture, food and clothes. And the same goes for children. No problem. However, even children are given shoes and socks. And, if the whim takes them, and they have the ability to do it on their own, even little children can put them on and wear them, if they like. The dolls seem to have no such privilege. They don't seem to even be given these pieces of apparel. Just the bare (if you'll pardon the pun -- and if you can pardon Jossaholic's, you can certainly make room for mine *g*) necessities. To me, it smacks of control.
Babies have personality when they are born. Ask any parent. I don't think that the dolls necessarily loose that. What the dolls lack is knowledge of their past, their memories and experiences.
People allow their personal biases to influence their choices. Even if November can be made just as capable as the other dolls to commit crime, if a customer sees her as less capable simply because of her appearance, they will opt for another choice.
I think that she would still have her own personality, "comforting, radient", but perhaps she would just make a more insidious serial killer, because perhaps she would be more able to lull her victims into a false sense of security through these qualities. If a doll has a more authoritative personality, that doll could play on that strength with the same result.
Judy | May 25, 08:15 CET
Judy, to me that is exactly why they are barefoot. (Of course, we all know that Joss has a foot fetish as well.) In all the pictures inside the house that I've seen, the 'dolls' are barefoot, but others are not.
It's one more way to control them. If they don't have shoes or socks, they are unlikely to 'run away' or even go outside. No blankets because apparently they sleep in giant Tupperware containers, a la Eerie, Indiana! I wonder if it has the same effect?
They also seem to have very little variation in clothes while they're in the Dollhouse - do they even have clothers of their own, I wonder, or are they given a semi-uniform?
[ edited by samatwitch on 2008-05-25 07:43 ]
samatwitch | May 25, 10:39 CET
On the other hand, I love being barefoot, to the point where I sometimes take off my shoes in school, or when I'm in a park, or something like that. I only wear shoes when I absolutely must, as determined by social mores or the temperature or texture of the place I'm walking.
In a place like the Dollhouse, shoes might be seen as an unnecessary luxury, since the place is clean and devoid of rocks or burning asphalt.
And I wouldn't put it past Adelle to put them all in uniform. Why would the Dolls need to have their own waredrobe that they selected and/or is personalized? They're not supposed to have any personality, except for that which is imprinted.
That's where I'm seeing the complexities. Because I think that personality is innate, but it is also formed by one's experiences--which none of the Dolls have since their joining the Dollhouse...unless their entire memories of childhood are wiped as well. Now that would suck.
But I also think that the Dolls aren't supposed to have personalities, because otherwise it would make sense for them to group when they were in the houses. After all, if you have a personality, you're apt to be either introverted or extroverted, and have similar aspects. If they have no personalities, they have no reason to be friends with eachother. So grouping would suggest that the Dolls are starting to find commonalities between eachother, which would be leftover *something* after they're wiped.
Sorry for such longness, but I'm really having fun with this thread, and the idea-bounciness of y'all!
BandofBuggered | May 25, 11:11 CET
And as has been pointed out upthread, if they were supposed to display innate tendencies then grouping wouldn't even be worthy of comment. As it is, from the trailer it's apparently both surprising and unsettling to the dollhouse powers that be (which seems to be pretty clear evidence that they're basically tabula rasa after their introductory wipe so no memories of childhood etc.). Which raises the question of how they can speak of course ;).
Though more seriously, if their speech is left intact, is their vocabulary ? Because surely the sort of words you know and use reflects your personality and background, especially with real brains - i.e. not the made up sort that Joss is no doubt talking about and which you can overwrite without issue ;) - where the words you use most often will be "weighted" more heavily ? Or maybe they're all given a "standard set" of words to use so that, like Charlie in 'Flowers for Algernon', we can watch out for changes in vocabulary, new words being used, as a sign of emerging personality (or as a sign of "leakage" from an imprint to an innate).
Saje | May 25, 14:28 CET
How can you have resonant character arcs if key characters can have multiple character traits? (Every week is "Who Are You?" - btw shout out to Eliza for her fantastic portrayal of Baith)
Equally, how can an audience be drawn into rooting for a central character if that character is always in a state of flux? In this regard it will be interesting to see Joss blur the boundary of the Mission-of-the-week (much like he did with Buffy's Monster-of-the-week)
Talking of Buffy, I'm hoping for a Dollhouse episode as twisty as "Normal Again". But maybe that only works in a later season.
Pre-show syndication materials - not to mention good communication with staff writers requires detailed character profiles. Echo, Sierra and November have to have particular voices.
Thinking about this, will the Actives suffer the same level of interference from FOX as happened to Mal Reynolds's original character? (Inter-office memo after the pilot "Make her less bland")
Maybe Joss is remaking "The Prisoner". (Dollhouse=Village) Echo has to play along with her missions in order to learn more. Who exactly is pulling her strings and why?
malcolm | May 25, 15:27 CET