Dollhouse

Dollhousing crisis

But sometimes substitutes are better than the real thing, aren’t they? Just look at the professional substitutes of Fox’s "Dollhouse" (10 p.m. Fridays), the best of whom can charm the pants off a major arms dealer, efficiently solicit a proposal of marriage, then start kicking ass and taking names the second her cover is blown.

"Dollhouse" is back and, for the record, it remains a feisty, smart, dynamic, strange, thoughtful, provocative and, yes, deeply disturbing drama in its second season. In fact, I can’t think of another drama that I think is half as exciting this fall, save for that one about nefarious reptilian aliens dressed up as friendly TV spokesmodels coming in November. Just take a gander at this fine exchange between Boyd Langton (Harry Lennix) and Dr. Claire Saunders (Amy Acker), in which Boyd suddenly shows interest in Claire’s welfare in the wake of her discovery that she was once a doll. You really have to marvel at the way that Joss Whedon and Co. open up big questions in the most casual of scenes:

Claire: So should I interpret this new concern as pity, curiosity, deviant excitement? There’s no judging in the dollhouse!

Boyd: You seem to be having a hard time.

Claire: My entire existence was constructed by a sociopath in a sweater vest. What do you suggest I do?

Boyd: Have dinner with me. I think you should get out of you for a while. And I’d be glad of the company.

Claire: I don’t go out. I’m afraid to leave this place. I have a problem with crowds, with people and sunlight, open spaces, noise, pets. (snidely) For some reason I’m just built that way.

Boyd: Every person I know is pretty poorly constructed. Everyone has an excuse for not dealing. But eventually, that’s all they are, excuses.

Claire: What’s yours?

Mmm, so much tasty darkness to dissect in ye olde dollhouse, and so little time! How about the other great scene, where Topher (Fran Kranz) and (a suddenly enraged) Claire can’t seem to decide whether to make out or destroy each other. Doesn’t Topher sound just like a parent when he tells Claire, "I made you question, I made you fight for your beliefs. I didn’t make you hate me. You chose to."

As deeply unnerving as a tale of hired whores and fantasy substitutes may be, let’s keep in mind that this modern world is filled with whores of all shapes and sizes, making the dollhouse a fitting metaphor for almost every one of our stupid lives. Furthermore, a den of whoring whores and whoremongers is clearly an apt place to explore countless themes ranging from how you construct your identity to the usefulness (and inconveniences) of free will to the underlying narcissism of romantic love. If there has to be a little nastiness and immorality at the heart of such a boldly smart journey into the folds of personality in the age of high capitalism, so be it.

Hold on, where was I? Whores for hire in the age of high capitalism ... Are we still talking about "Dollhouse" or "The Hills" or the self-promoting judges on "Project Runway"? Yes, world-weary whores and far perkier, more ambitious substitute whores are currently invading the streets of our cities like nefarious reptilian aliens. You can either substitute knowledge for ignorance and stick your head in the sand, or you can stand up and recognize the shape of things to come.