I admit it: I never liked the TV adaptation of Buffy: the Vampire Slayer.

I thought its plot lines, and characters, were pretty simplistic. I really tried to like it. I love vampires -- as a teen I was hopeful that Lestat would come to my window (he never did). My apathy toward Buffy kept me from watching its creator's (Joss Whedon's) next show: Firefly. After Firefly was canceled I caught a few episodes and realized my tragic error. I am not going to make the same mistake with Whedon's latest offering: Dollhouse. I'm all over it. It's on now and I'm hoping to be blown away...

Hmmm. Well I wouldn't say I was blown away. I'm not even sure I’m intrigued. Rational adults may not be the targeted demographic of this show. It seems to be trying to reach young males. In the first ten minutes there's a reckless motorcycle race, our heroine dancing in a dress cut just below her, ah, assets, and an allusion to bondage (and later on there's even a group shower scene).

While the young women are objectified the male characters represent the full compliment of powerful male stereotypes: the Dollhouse's secret operatives, the thugs, the FBI agent whose boss doesn't have faith in him, and an ex-cop with a story.

The pilot episode only hints at complexities that may intrigue and hook the more mature viewer. The biggest question posed is, "Who is Echo?" What past indiscretions warrant volunteering to be a mindless slave (and possibly a sexual slave as well). Echo hints that a certain "she" influenced her to act in a bold, but apparently disastrous manner. Who is "she?" Who are the people running the Dollhouse? Who developed the technology? Who are some of the other characters we meet? Why is FBI agent Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) so obsessed with finding the Dollhouse? Why is seemingly good ex-cop Boyd Langton (Harry J. Lennix) involved in an operation he doesn't seem comfortable with? And what does the mysterious file marked "Alpha" refer to?

Overall, will we agree that the Dollhouse is an entity whose ends justify its means, or an example of frightening technology in the wrong hands? More importantly will we care?

They have my interest for another episode or two. It will take more than subjugated women and copious violence to keep me tuning in.