Dollhouse

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 13, 2009
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 6 out of 28
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    60
    Whedon is a vastly better storyteller than anyone involved in "My Own Worst Enemy," so Dollhouse can be very engaging, even if the premise doesn't make sense. Dushku isn't as versatile as the role demands--many weeks, the only difference in Echo's persona seems to be her wardrobe--but Whedon and his writers certainly are.
  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    60
    No doubt Dollhouse will make a good computer game, although it looks like one already.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    50
    Joss Whedon is one of television's most talented visionaries, but his latest series--the highly anticipated midseason drama Dollhouse--is a major disappointment.
  5. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    50
    Ultimately, you'll want to think about Dollhouse more than you'll want to think about watching Dollhouse.
  6. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    50
    Dollhouse isn't awful, but neither is it remarkably good. It's a passable hour of entertainment that shows potential to improve but flails and confuses (and occasionally bores) from the start.
  7. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    50
    The pilot is, in fact, baffling, and needlessly so.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    40
    Dollhouse has an amusing premise, but the universe it inhabits in the early episodes is thin and bland.

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best TV Season of 2009
2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
44
#44 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 419 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 346 out of 419
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 419
  3. Negative: 58 out of 419
  1. alisrachel
    Jul 11, 2012
    10
    I loved this show! I can see why some people may not enjoy the intense suspense, the thrilling and complicated plot-lines, the mesmerizingI loved this show! I can see why some people may not enjoy the intense suspense, the thrilling and complicated plot-lines, the mesmerizing performances and the constantly outstanding level of action, the drama, the development and overall excitement of the show...but then again, I can see why some people prefer to lead simple lives. If you liked Buffy the Vampire slayer, you'll love dollhouse.… Full Review »
  2. LJHayes
    Feb 25, 2014
    3
    I've been a fan of Joss Whedon since before my age even hit double digits but I missed out on seeing this show when it was released so I wasI've been a fan of Joss Whedon since before my age even hit double digits but I missed out on seeing this show when it was released so I was thrilled to find it on Netflix. Then came the crushing disappointment. This show is awful.
    One of the things I love about Whedon is that he brings together a collection of characters with distinct personalities and different personal strengths and weakness and we see them interact and bounce off each other as they develop. But due to the nature of this show, half the main cast (Echo, Sierra, Victor & November) don't have any personality of their own, they change to a different character from episode to episode. It is impressive on the part of the actors to show such a range of talent but it makes it difficult to relate to the character. We don't steadily build up a relationship with a character throughout the series, we have forty minutes to briefly get to know a character we're told we should care about.
    As for the other characters, the non-doll characters, they don't make much sense either. Paul Ballard and Boyd Langton are basically the same guy on different sides of the fence. Paul Ballard is a tough guy working for the police who doesn't like what the Dollhouse are doing and spends every episode (literally every episode) obsessing over how to find them but never makes any progress until the last three episodes. Boyd is a tough guy who used to work for the police who also makes it clear he doesn't like what the Dollhouse are doing, which begs the question of why the hell he's working for them but that never gets answered.
    Topher Brink can have his funny moments but his character remains undeveloped throughout. Adelle DeWitt is the only one who has any kind of depth to her which is somewhat explored in small segments between the large chunks of time spent focusing on the Drones...sorry, Dolls.
    The premise of the show is an interesting concept but there just enough here to keep it afloat. A huge let down.    … Full Review »
  3. Zonata
    Feb 25, 2013
    6
    This show had so much potential. However, for reasons I understand, the ethical concerns were not fully exploited. The result is an halfThis show had so much potential. However, for reasons I understand, the ethical concerns were not fully exploited. The result is an half action/psychological show were both side are just ok.… Full Review »
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