TV ON DVD Josh Whedon's 'Actives' live weird existence in Dollhouse

— What is it? Dollhouse, Season 1, 14 episodes on four discs from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

When is it available? Now.

How much? $49.98.

What's it about? Need the perfect date for a wedding? Need something stolen? Want someone killed?

Those with the inside knowledge (and the money) can go to the Dollhouse, an illegal organization that provides its clients with exactly what they need. At their disposal is an army of blank slates - people who have volunteered to have their memories and personalities wiped out and become "Dolls" - called "Actives" on the show. When they're needed for a mission, the Actives are imprinted with the personality, muscle memory and skills they'll needto carry out their mission.

The story centers on a young Active named Echo (Eliza Dushku) who acts as a hostage negotiator, a weekend fling, a hunting partner and so on, always monitored by her handler, Boyd Langton (Harry Lennix). When she's not on a job, she lives avery "zen" existence in the Dollhouse, which bears more than a passing resemblance to a luxury spa. There, Echo, Sierra (Dichen Lachman), Victor (Enver Gjokaj) and other Actives wander around in a state of perpetual calm and generally act like misplaced residents of Stepford.

Overseeing it all is Adelle De-Witt (Olivia Williams), a cool, confident leader who sells the "humanitarian" possibilities of the Dollhouse set-up. Nerdy and egotistical tech Topher Brink (Fran Kranz) does the imprinting.

On the outside, FBI agent Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) has made it his mission to prove the existence of the Dollhouse and put a stop to the enterprise. Meanwhile, a rogue former Active known as Alpha (Alan Tudyk) is causing even more trouble.

Sounds pretty strange. It is strange. It's also a creative premise, which is to be expected for a show with its pedigree. It's the brainchild of Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly, all series with much critical acclaim and sizable cult followings. The early part of the season is very " mission-ofthe-week" in its structure. About halfway through, conspiracies and continuing story lines begin to take center stage and the show finally starts to hit its stride.

Bottom line, it's an intriguing idea and beautiful to look at. But, some viewers might find the subject too disturbing. I found it hard to really get into the show - at least early on when many of the main characters are personality-free. It shows some promise, though.

Extras? There are two unaired episodes: the original pilot and an episode titled "Epitaph One." Several featurettes cover the general making and creation of the series, set design and the reunion of alumni from Whedon's other shows. Three episodes have commentary.

New this week: Supernatural, Season 4; Heroes, Season 3; Desperate Housewives, Season 5; Brothers & Sisters, Season 3; Twoand a Half Men, Season 6; C.S.I., Season 9; Rescue Me, Season 5, Volume 1.

Coming up: The Office, Season 5; Criminal Minds, Season 4; Fringe, Season 1; The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency; Harper's Island.

Style, Pages 52 on 08/30/2009

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