Mr. Whedon has told Michael Ausiello that he has been coveting Summer Glau for Dollhouse for some time. “If anybody thinks [bringing Summer onto Dollhouse] hasn’t occurred to me already then they have not met me,” he says. “I mentioned it to her before [SCC] was canceled. I was like, ‘You know, we should get you in the ‘house.’ But first we have to come up with something that works.” He went on to say, “Summer would be perfect to play an active, but she’s done that [type of role] a lot.” And, “I’d rather see her play someone who talks too much. The most fun I have is when I get somebody who’s good and comfortable at doing something, and then I make them do something else.” (Oh, Joss, you evil, evil thing, you.) And Summer has told Joss, “I would like to play a normal girl before I die of extreme old age.” LOL!

So, yeah, now that T:SCC has been given the ‘ol boot to the head, will we see our mei mei in the ‘house?

“Riikka” mentioned in the comments of the Ausiello piece that he/she would like to see Summer play twins. One on the outside, searching for the one on the inside. That would give Summer the opportunity to play her patented quiet crazy girl role we love so much while making with the talky talk as a nosey sister looking for her twin.

I’d say the best way to cast Summer in Dollhouse is to cast her in a dual role. Say there are identical twins; one has everything and a generally good life, while the other gets in way over her head and joins the Dollhouse. To her twin, it’s like she’s completely disappeared, and there are eventually mistakes where one is thought to be the other. When the non-active twin realises what’s been done to her sister, she also wants to take down the Dollhouse, perhaps even to the point of trading places with her sister to try and infiltrate the secret base.

So, what’s your dream role for Summer on Dollhouse?

I know we are all worried about Dollhouse being renewed for a second season, but another show with a Whedon alum is in danger as well.  Summer Glau’s show Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles is in danger of cancellation, so some fans have gotten together and decided to flood the Fox website with viewers.

The watch tonight is kind of short notice, but if you can, go to the Fox website tonight (April 9) at 11 PM EST and watch an episode of T:SCC.

Then, go back tomorrow night at the some time and do it again.  Maybe we’ll make a difference and maybe not, but it’s worth a try.  Go here for more details.

photo courtesy of Fox Entertainment

Joss Whedon is back on TV. And it feels so darn good. If you watched tonight’s episode, I’d love to hear your reactions. Kim and I will be talking about it in our next episode (out this upcoming week), but spoiler free.

As most of you know, I was a DVD convert to the Jossverse. So this is my first Joss Whedon TV premiere and I was very happy.

Now, my immediate reactions (now an hour after the show ended). There are spoilers, so beware.

Really there are spoilers behind this cut… do not read if you do not wish to be spoiled

Iwas managing my expectations. Honestly, with all the negative reviews and Joss’ qualifying statements I was worried. I was prepared to wait till episode six to really love this show. Perhaps that’s why I loved the episode so (Kim and I have talked about how being over-excited can spoil things – like the first Buffy comic).

First impressions -
I really, really don’t get why people think Eliza’s acting is ‘wooden’. I think she’s quirky, but fantastic. Maybe they didn’t get that Echo is supposed to be nearly fairy-blank-like.

I’m prepared to really really love Boyd Langton. He really stole the show.

Also, Joss is right. Tahmoh should be shirtless more.

If you’re a Pretender fan, did the final scenes with Alpha remind you of Angelo?

Concept, people seem to keep commenting that they’re not sure where the show could go. I don’t know how people can think that. With Alpha, the FBI agent, Echo, Amy’s character, etc. There’s so much potential.

I also loved the story of giving someone who had committed suicide – closure. Is that weird? I really thought it was a beautiful ending to Ms. Penn’s story, even if she wasn’t there to really experience it.

Best scenes? Amy and Eliza together. “Does someone take care of you?” – Hauntingly tragic and amazing.

—edited to add more thoughts—

I was prepared to hate this show, especially given the negative reviews it had garnered. I was prepared to give Joss a pass and chalk it up to studios messing with a master piece. I also was prepared  to remember that I didn’t fall in love with Buffy, Angel or Firefly on their pilot episodes (I actually thought all the pilot episodes were pretty dull).

This episode felt more like a good pilot. Joss trimmed back his talky talk (the man can go on and on). There’s action and visual flash to everything. There’s tension between Echo’s handler and what they’re doing it (I’m in love with Boyd already), there’s hidden secrets behind Dr. Saunders and the Dollhouse. I’m really intregued by the Alpha storyline. And I loved Eliza answer the security man in Spanish (I have a tickle as a gal who grew up in Pico Rivera when I get to answer people in Spanish when they think I don’t understand them).

I personally don’t think the studios mandated “short dress! sex! T&A!” – I think that’s what the Dollhouse is. If you spend ($1M?) for a fantasy girl – that’s how you’re gonna want her.  Joss even said the studios asked him to tone down the sex (and he said they were a bit more prudish than fans might think).

Maybe because I was expecting to be disappointed I wound up being very happy. I try very hard to manage my expectations especally with something we’ve been talking about since 11/07!

I look forward to next week.

Oh and I almost cried when I saw Grr Argh. It felt good. So. So. good.

Okay, so the promo is a bit cheesy, but come on… it’s cool. I can’t wait for Friday!! 4 Days!

Click here for the article on EW.

http://www.fox.com/terminator/contest/

Deadline is Dec 13, 2007