Dollhouse

Dollhouse (Fox)

Attractive young people who have run afoul of the mysterious Rossum Corporation sign themselves over to become “actives,” programmable servants of the Dollhouse. While the actives’ original personalities and memories sit in a hard drive on the shelf, their bodies are programmed with new memories, personalities, and abilities to serve the Dollhouse and its clients. But when Echo (Eliza Dushku), the Dollhouse’s most popular active, begins to become self-aware, it raises questions as to whether even the Dollhouse can truly erase a person.

Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon wants us to consider whether the actives are any more exploited than anyone else in our society, but the most fascinating aspect of the series is how the Dollhouse uses its actives. The dolls frequently provide companionship or perform illegal activities for Dollhouse clients.. And with the actives infused with other people’s memories, the possibilities are endless. In one episode, a deceased woman has her consciousness posthumously downloaded into Echo’s body so that she can witness her own funeral and solve her own murder. In another, a troubled girl meets an older version of herself so she can see a better possible future. And since the brain can be programmed with traits like loyalty and discretion, anyone may be an active, even the Dollhouse’s own employees.

Status: Renewed. A rocky first few episodes combined with a Friday night timeslot contributed to dismal ratings, but strong streaming and DVR numbers convinced Fox that Dollhouse was worth another second go-round. Plus, it turns out Fox executives themselves are rather fond of the high-concept drama.