This actually happened to me a few weeks ago. I was dreaming about being late for work when I woke up, breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at the clock, and realized I’d forgotten to set my alarm. Last night, I dreamed I’d lost complete control of my classroom (not, actually, in and of itself that unusual — I have that dream a few times a year, usually in late August). But this time I dreamed my students were running around a shopping mall that somehow ajoined our school, and I was absolutely furious with them. So I woke up mad at my class. Ho-hum. Poor kids.
Anyway, I’m still watching Dollhouse in spite of the fact that the first few episodes were unimaginative, poorly written, and seemed to rely entirely on Eliza Dushku’s body to sell the premise. Tonight’s episode, Stage Fright, actually had more merit than the first two episodes. Echo is starting to develop a character, which is nice. But I’ve got to say this: I’m getting really sick of half-naked women parading around. Forget half. 85% is more accurate. At one point I realized that the singer in this episode was wearing a belly dance costume. That is to say, she was wearing a very skimpy (by bellydance standards, or any) top with a hip scarf — and nothing else. Hip scarves, for the uninformed, are basically a scarf you tie over your clothing, the one with all the coins.
I’m sure I just endeared the show to any male readers. The problem, though, is that when I see this much flesh in a show (like the horrible bit in the first episode where they kept zooming in on Dushku’s hemline, which ALMOST didn’t cover, well, anything), it makes me wonder what they’re trying to distract me from. And I’m starting to suspect it’s the story (or lack thereof).
I am giving this show until episode 6, because according to all the interviews “that’s when it becomes good” (question: why didn’t we start with episode 6, then?). If episode 6 sucks as much as 1 and 2, and to a certain degree 3, I’m done with it. Joss, I hope you realize that there are very few other writers I would give that kind of credit to. J.J. Abrams is another, I guess, since I’m still watching Fringe. Although at least THAT one has some wit, not to mention a few characters you can identify with (a few, I said).
Anyway, I’m off to finish report cards. Ah, the joys of teaching.
