Dollhouse Galactica

The two shows have been linked since Dollhouse began, with Joss recruiting the hunky noble Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) to play the hunky noble and much more boring Paul Ballard. There is also the connection behind the screen, in the writers' room, as Buffy alum and close partner of Joss, Jane Espenson, became a much valued top-of-the-food-chain writer on BSG in its final years.

As commented on here before, discreetly and with much respect, Joss' nepotism is growing balls-to-the-wall outta control, the shameless infernal arrogant sod. However when it comes to actors I like, familiar faces who cult-y hits have endeared to a viewer, I can easily get over it.

For instance, it has been revealed that Jamie Bamber will be guest-starring in the new series. Don't know who that is? Allow me to refresh your memory:



Known primarily as the fighter pilot Lee Adam, call sign Apollo, on Battlestar Galactica, he is also fondly remembered as Lieutenant Archie Kennedy in the Horatio Hornblower miniseries. (And, unfortunately, the trite, PC, toxic Law and Order: UK alongside Freema Agyemen, aka Martha Jones of Doctor Who.)

Joining Bamber in Dollhouse, though not necessarily on the same episode, is Michael Hogan, another BSG vet. I'd include a picture, but Saul Tigh was rather old (especially for a cylon) and I don't want to destroy the nice lingering taste of that Bamber towel picture.


Dollhouse seems to be really piling up the guest stars. From Joss' own phone book, a few Whedon alum are expected to show up this coming year, including Alexis Denisof (Wesley on Angel and the baby daddy of Alyson Hannigan's new little rugrat.) Joss has also hinted at the possibility of Summer Glau joining the show, if possible, on at least a temporary basis. And since I'm an equal opportunity blogger, and I want R.S. McCain to link me, I'll contribute a pic, the product of an inspired photo shoot that even I can appreciate.



In short, I approve of the reusing of beauty or talent. But its bears repeating that the extended family of Whedon writers have neither, and Joss would be far more well served if he were to do the dirty work himself, writing and directing like he used to, or at least hiring some tried and true writers from the halcyon Buffy days.