Does it mean they will pay to have them all filmed and in the can, or just pay for the scripts?

Not going to worry about it. Even though we try to make it our problem, how many episodes get shown is not under our control There is an old engineering cliché : "No solution, no problem". There will be however many episodes there will be. If there are not as many as we would like, I'm going to count on the scripts of any episodes we don't see being put on-line. And if it becomes a hit series and there are seven seasons , so that this is not needed -- so much the better.

Liese is me. Only with shinier hair and better words.

PC. I don't know. That is a good question. My guess is in the can, but of course, I am probably wrong.

P.S. The strike is on.

Get out that blank sign, Tim.

Also, I want to stress that there is going to be conversation that is positive and negative about the show both before its airing and during its (hopefully long and illustrious run) and that is Just Fine. The strongest negative language I've seen here is "dubious" and "qualms" which I find to be a long way from gnashing teeth. I think it's reasonable to be both excited about the show, and to discuss its premise with concern for how the topics will be handled.

Hell yes. Hey, we're all sufficiently emotionally engaged with our TV that we're posting on a board, and crossing states/countries/continents to hang out with fellow board-members, for a show that ended several years ago. So it's probably safe to say that everyone's going to WANT to fall in love like that all over again, but that we're also going to be nervous about getting our hearts broken by this new (possible) object of our affections. I can definitely understand why some people find the show's premise makes them wary, and I quite understand wanting to explore that in a brace-yourself-for-the-worst, don't-get-your-hopes-up-yet kind of way.

Most importantly, I don't want to see a woman that has to be damaged in order to be allowed to be powerful. That's the problematic recurring theme that I was poking at in Gibson's work. And that's what I don't want to see here. I'm fine with a problematic background, in and of itself. I'm fine with a slow reawakening to strength and character. I'm even fine with seeing difficult depictions of exploitation. I just don't want to be asked, as the viewer, to enjoy it. I want to be expected to be offended by it.

Yes. This. And I agree that I'm not 100% sure that Joss will play it that way - but I'm still excited about the show, and I'm going to be hoping for the best.

edited because apparently I can't read properly with these contact lenses. Huh.

Get out that blank sign, Tim.

Somebody sent me a photo overnight of several people holding blank signs on the street. They saw Tim's interview on TM.net. That's totally going to be my board avatar at some point.

I'm not concerned about the FOX factor, other than - obviously - network notes and the like. The title character, you could argue, is essentially a rape victim and you just know there's gonna be some interesting opinions on scripts.

The 7 ep commitment isn't defined in the press down to scripts or producction, although they're starting production very early (assuming the writers strike ends) so they will already have many episodes in the can pre-airing. In fact, I'd imagine more than 7 will be ordered if the net likes it, since FOX want to start airing in Fall '08 without stopping week to week, so they'll need a good volume delivered early. As opposed to Drive, where FOX's crazy scheduling meant they were finishing episodes, like, days before they were due to air.

P-C, there's a funny story behind that which will come out in the wash at some point.

Tossing another "doll" story into the mix: Valley of the Dolls. I have to admit, I thought Ibsen first, but very quickly skipped right over to Valley of. Ibsen had Nora, but Valley had...well, more than one doll in the dollhouse.

Can't we all just get beyond the Valley of the Dolls?

Re the title - I went straight to Welcome to the Dollhouse. Which I hated for a variety of reasons unrelated to the title but may well be contributing to my initial "ick" reaction here. I shall try to focus on Ibsen instead.

beyond the Valley of the Dolls?

Har.

During the first season? Really? MAYBE at the end of the second episode, but prior to that she was batshit crazy, IMO.

Well, I meant more in general. But even in that episode, I dunno. When the other people in the room are Lindsey & Lilah, or Angel & Wesley, you can be pretty crazy and still win.

Plus, she came up with a darn good suicide plan.

I went straight to Welcome to the Dollhouse. Which I hated for a variety of reasons unrelated to the title