Dollhouse: Season One
The latest series from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly creator Joss Whedon is another voyage into the fantastic. Not in a demon-slaying, cowboys-in-space or vampire atonement fantastic way, but fantastic in the potential of modern science to evolve by leaps and bounds neurologically. Scientists working at the Rossum Corporation finally perfected the art of the complete personality wipe and replacement. Currently still classified as a technology "in development," the company has to operate their side business underground. The Dollhouse is designed to supply the most affluent members of society with whomever they require.
SPOILER ALERT!!
Caroline was in over her head. A plan to liberate Rossum test animals ran afoul, a man died, and Caroline got in trouble with the law. The Dollhouse was the answer to Caroline's troubles, and after five years with the company, she would be free. Of course, during those five years, she'll be constantly recreated and wiped, and she will be under the suspicion of everyone from the NSA to the FBI.
Although the show seems to be a long-lasting ploy for the sexually-focused, the many personas actives (dolls) adopt keep the story interesting while an involved undercurrent provides the interconnectivity between episodes that advances the plot. Agent Ballard is such an undercurrent, as the FBI tasked him with blowing the lid off the Dollhouse and Rossum's connection. Throughout his search, he routinely runs into dolls, but doesn't start to put everything together until a deranged, genius ex-doll starts feeding him clues.
Over the course of the season, the dolls are midwives, spies, bodyguards, performers, federal agents, sleeper cells, safe-crackers, murder victims, extreme dates, professional negotiators, video game geeks and more. Caroline (or as she's known as a doll - Echo) is the focus of the series, but all the tangential storylines are fascinating as well.
The series is well-planned, brilliantly cast and features amazing writing. Whedon comes out swinging with his trademark wit, and last-minute shocks. The story arc develops perfectly over the season and ends in a completely unexpected place. This show is a refreshing stand-out in a world too obsessed with "reality" and crime.