A few weeks back, on the recommendation of Leah, our youngest child, Sherry and I joined her in watching
Dollhouse, a short TV series from 2009-2010. We finished the series last night.
This series was created by Joss Whedon, a creator whose works always seem to resonate with me, though I -- for some reason -- don't see them until after they are well-known to others. (
The Avengers being the notable exception, because I saw that immediately!) Other Whedon projects include
Firefly,
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog,
Toy Story (screenplay) and
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV show).
Dollhouse starts with a science fiction concept, but doesn't stop there. The concept: a corporation has invented technology which can store your "mind" and then replace it with other constructed minds. The corporation ("Rossum") enters into contracts with young, fit, attractive people to compensate them generously in exchange for being able to use their bodies for five years as "dolls." These dolls are hired by wealthy people, after having specific personalities and skills placed into the dolls' minds by the people who run the Dollhouse.
Our heroine is a doll called Echo (played by Eliza Dushku), and from the beginning we can see that she is special, even for a doll. The first few episodes, we get what almost anyone would have done with this concept - Echo becomes a lover, an undercover bodyguard, or someone ho has to solve a mystery. If it had remained this, I would have gotten bored.
Before long, though, the characters surrounding Echo -- half of whom are involved in either running the Dollhouse, or trying to discover and destroy it -- begin to show how such a technology would be very dangerous to society. And, in fact, this is clearly the overarching theme of the series. At some point, Whedon and the others must have been told they would have a very limited run, so rather than just put out episodes, they built the series into a 26-episode TV novel. The consequences of the technology are well thought out, and we care very much about the characters involved -- both dolls and others.
I recommend this to anyone who would like a series with such a science-fiction concept, especially if you appreciate a complete story -- something where the end follows logically from the beginning, and doesn't seem like a "how the heck do we tie this all together?" ending (as many people reacted to "
Lost" for example.)
I will always remember this series for the satisfaction it gave with its creative story telling.
But that is not all.
Over the years, Sherry and I have watched many TV series, and many of those with one or more of our children. Leah, as the youngest, has been around for more of those series than anyone else. Over the past few years, it has seemed we were constantly watching one series or another with her.
Last night, Leah pointed out that
Dollhouse is probably the last series we will ever watch with her. Soon, she will "leave the nest" in a very permanent way. Tomorrow, we will put her on a plane for Ireland, where she will finish up her final courses in her college career. And then, in August when she comes back to the States, we will move her to The Cities where she will begin her next chapter of life.
For that reason,
Dollhouse is likely to represent Leah, and her passage from "child" to "adult" even more than it represents a good story.
Leah, you recommended it, and it was an excellent choice. What parallels! Echo learned who she was, and became even more than anyone expected. You have learned about yourself, and you have gained exceptional experience and skills. Now, you are ready for what's next. I look forward to your visits, as often as you can make them. But in the meantime: Farewell, you amazing, intelligent, beautiful young woman!
