Dollhouse Lost

No, the title of this post isn’t about the Joss Whedon’s show on FOX being canceled, though that remains a real danger. Such a cancellation, if it occurs, would be unfortunate as, while Dollhouse did get off to a rather weak start (episode 2's over-done "Most Dangerous Game" story-line almost had me hitting ‘eject’ on the series), it has finally begun to weave the complex story-telling tapestry that’s a hallmark of Whedon’s previous efforts.

So why "Dollhouse Lost" as my title? Well, it’s a reference to what I’m coming to believe is one of the classic literary pieces Whedon may of had in mind as he created the show - John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Read on to see where I’m coming from...

It seems to me that many of the elements of Milton’s take on the Genesis story of man’s fall from paradise find their analogue in Dollhouse. Consider that the dolls live in a sort of modern-day paradise full of luxury, rest, relaxation, art and healing. They don’t know good or evil and lack self-consciousness (e.g. they are unashamed of their nakedness). The dolls also trust and obey the masters and rules of the Dollhouse without question.

That’s not all, however, for just as Milton’s paradise was threatened by the once favored, but then fallen and rebellious angel Lucifer, the Dollhouse is also threatened by a powerful outsider who was once a favored insider – Alpha. And how does Alpha seem to think he can bring about the dollhouse’s destruction? That remains to be fully explored, but early indications are that, like Satan tempted Eve with an apple from the Tree of Knowledge, Alpha’s plan will involve awakening Eliza Dushku’s character Echo from her happy stupor – and she's already showing signs of being open to such efforts.

Despite Whedon being an avowed atheist, it is, perhaps, not surprising that his Dollhouse story would, whether intentionally or not, echo Milton’s.  At the center of both lies the concept of "free will," its exercise and attempts to limit it (all favorite topics of mine). It’s also not surprising given that one can also look at Dollhouse as a commentary on religion as seen by those who are areligious – i.e. the down-trodden or those in crisis (the dolls before entering the dollhouse) seek salvation (getting out of some sort of trouble) from an all powerful being (the Dollhouse and its masters) and enter a state of blissful ignorance (in the Dollhouse) from which they are, on occasion, called to do things in furtherance of the wishes of the all-powerful being that might run counter to their past nature (the dolls’ missions.)

In any event, I look forward to this season’s remaining episodes, and hope that Dollhouse gets a shot next season to either vindicate the above analysis, or show me to be completely cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.**

** Interesting fact you’ll learn if you hit that Cocoa Puffs link: While Kix cereal is produced at the same factories as Cocoa Puffs, the little Kix cereal balls differ from their Cocoa Puff brethren in both density and circumference.

Comments

[Whitney]

Due to my love for Joss - http://www.yeahrightblog.com/yeah_right/2009/02/i-3-joss-whedon.html - I'm giving Dollhouse a try, but am finding it irritatingly superficial. Thanks for giving me an excuse to hold on a little longer and look a little deeper!