sdelmonte | Dollhouse Thoughts

Yes, I know. I know that Dollhouse's ratings are abysmal. I know it's skipping sweeps in November and that Joss reportedly has a final script in the works. Yes, this show might be doomed.

But right now, having seen the latest episode, "Belonging," I really can't say I care. Because I like to revel in great TV, and this was great TV.

Hats off to the featured players in this drama, Dichen Lachman, Fran Kranz, Harry Lennix, and guest star Keith Carridine. Hats off to the screenwriters, Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen, who gave us a story of both heart and unexpected subtlety. (Joss, we love you, but you cannot do subtle. Apparently, your brother and sister-in-law can.) Hats off to director Jonathan Frakes, whose work behind the camera on Next Gen impressed me as much as his work in front of it. And hats off to Joss for letting the focus shift away from Echo almost entirely.

This was a heartfelt, surprising, unconventional hour of TV, the sort of thing we used to get from Joss more often. If he has a few more of these in store before Dollhouse plays out the string, I will be happy.