Poll: Joss Whedon’s Greatest Show
After last night’s rather wonderful episode of Dollhouse, I think it’s fair to say that Joss Whedon’s latest creation is quickly beginning to find its feet and hit its stride. Let’s just hope that it’s not too late in the big bad world of television execs.
However, has Dollhouse reached the heights of Whedon’s previous, much-adored shows?
Only you can decide, so vote below and decide definitively which is his greatest creation to date.
Loading ...And if you feel like your opinions just can’t be summed up in a simple vote, feel free to discuss it by leaving a comment.
93 Comments
Firefly i think was the bast, pity it go can :(
Firefly is far and away the best. I’d say they should bring it back, but since Wash got skewered it just wouldn’t be the same anymore.
@forbetaorworse
You could argue that there’s plenty of stories to tell between Objects In Space and Serenity, solving the Wash issue.
Firefly was a great show, should never been canceled! Nathan Fillion was in another show called Drive & I know it isn’t science fiction, but it wasn’t given a fair chance either!
firefly is by far the best
Yo:
Firefly was Whedon’s best?!?!?!? I think not. The weird clash of space and cowboys just didn’t work. I get the bit about them being cowboys in space, but it was taken a little too far here. That being said, I still liked the show, would have loved to see where he was taking it. Buffy was his best show, though Angel is a really close second, a lot more serious than Buffy ever was. What Dollhouse lacks is the humor and the characters all those other shows had in spades. Tell me, where is Spike and some sarcasm when you need him? The only character on Dollhouse with any life at all is goofy Topher.
I agree to an extent Tommy.
I adore Firefly, always will – I think it pretty much worked perfectly, right from the off.
With regards to Dollhouse, I think Topher is the only character through which it is possible to even recognise Whedon’s humour, and I think that causes some problems. For one, the light-hearted comic relief of the show pretty much depends on him. I think there should be someone else in the show, somewhere, to explore the witty banter a little more, and create a few more snappy-dialogue relationships akin to his previous shows.
That said, I think Dollhouse is pretty good – and the dialogue, as so often is the way in Whedon’s work, is extremely natural and well written. Just not quite the same style.
While Firefly was good, it didn’t have as much time to develop into something as great as Buffy and Angel. Honestly I am kind of torn between Whedon’s first two shows. Both of them are awesome and too hard to compare. My vote is for Angel, since it tends to be the underappreciated out of the two.
Buffy is more than just a show. It has developed a cult status. It has wound its way into our culture, the way we speak, they way we act. Nothing can beat Whedon’s masterpiece, his first and most memorable show. The show that started all of this debate now.
Don’t get me wrong, firefly was good. But it only had one season. It just can’t compete with a show with 7 season, and all of the plot and character development made along the way. It wouldn’t be fair to compare them. Which is why my vote is Buffy.
At the time I’m posting this, I agree with the order of the poll results: Buffy, Firefly, Angel, Dollhouse. I’ve only seen Buffy for the first time in the last year, but it’s so far ahead of the other series (all other series, in the last half century), that even having it in a poll is unfair. Buffy is an epic work, with a depth that can only be glimpsed after multiple viewings. The other series, while quite good, are not in the same category. If you disagree, watch Buffy again (yes, all 100 hours). It is a completely unique and amazing piece of work.
Buffy is not only Whedon’s best work, it’s the best show ever written, bar none. There were storylines in the show I didn’t like…like Joyce’s death…the Buffy-Spike stuff…the trio….but the way it was written made it just as compelling as any other storyline in the series.
Firefly was sheer brilliance, but give Dollhouse another season and I think we’ll see it eclipsed. Buffy was fun, but the early episodes showed signs of immaturity and the later ones showed signs of strain. Angel just never really fulfilled its potential.
I voted Buffy, quite simply because Dollhouse and Firefly never even made it onto Belgian cable. I’m watching them though (don’t sue me, I’ve got the dvd’s ordered :-p)
I would have gladly voted Dollhouse, but to make that decision based on 11 episodes seems a bit premature. It has the potential, just like Firefly did, lets hope Fox gives it a fair chance.
Firefly was far and away the best show on television, ever. A finely crafted masterpiece, the perfect balance between stellar dialogue, ripping action, and characters that you fell in love with. A story that gripped your heart, made all the more tragic for it’s early demise.
I still get teary-eyed thinking about it’s cancellation, as though a close friend had been killed.
I love BtVS, one of my favourite TV shows ever. ‘Angel’ was okay, but it I can take it or leave it. ‘Firefly’ perplexes me – it has to be one of the most overrated shows I have ever seen. I haven’t watched ‘Dollhouse’ yet.
While I voted for Buffy, I think that Firefly could have been Whedon’s greatest show given that it would last for at least one more full season. It had great potential – the show got rid of Buffyverse’s imperfections (khem, special effects) and the characters were equally brilliant, not to mention great dialogues and very good chances of an interesting plot development.
Using Spike as an example is a bad idea, Tommy considering he didn’t appear in Buffy til Season 2.
Dollhouse is 11 episodes in – by that time, Buffy was still finding its feet as well…and there was no Spike yet.
I had to vote Buffy because, well, 7 stellar seasons.
Must add that I love Dollhouse, and hope the series gets the chance it deserves.
i actually love all his shows i worship joss and all his creations he hires the most amazing people i bow down to him! buffys my favourite then angel then dollhouse dr horrible was funny havnt seen much firefly YET his commics are awesome!
I would bet wo de da pee gu that Firefly is the BEST and has potential to still be the best. Those gou su de toe ren at Fox didn’t know what they had!
Buffy was the best series EVER on TV and a show that you not only had to watch and listen to, but see between the lines. Like when Spike showed Buffy the handcuffs and asked her if she trusted him and she said “never”, but later when talking to Tara she was trying to hide the bruises on her wrist, you knew the cuffs had been used. There are things like that all through the show, in fact you have to also watch Angel to get some of them, like William’s poem starts in Buffy and ends with Spike in Angel. I have watched this series many times and every time I find something new. Angel was dark and broody except S5 when Spike came back,but it is just a part of Buffy to me. I did love Firefly and I would have it in 3rd place after Angel. Dollhouse has been very good after the first 5 eps and hope it can make it to a second season.
Out of all the shows Firefly showed the most potential in its brief Supernova of existence. Buffy was brilliant, and the comics still are. Dollhouse has been getting better and better quicker than Buffy did so I hope it’s not a repeat of Firely’s demise.
Buffy and Angel were his best. We need more shows like these. The writing, the stories, it shows great talent and imagination.
Firefly is definitely the strongest, most fully developed of the universes.
Firefly fans, on the other hand, have to get over the fact that Wash is dead. I liked the dude, but he’s dead.
Of course so is Buffy…oh wait she’s back…oops….dead again!…no…back….Dead!…Fooled you again…
Unfortunately I haven’t seen Dollhouse so I won’t vote. Of the remainder, Firefly, definitely.
My vote goes to “Buffy” for so many reasons. Buffy is not only the best Whedon show but the best show of all time.
The casting was amazing, not too many SMG’s out there these days, the chemistry between actors was spot on and the scripts are to die for. Will anything ever compare to seasons two and the Angelus arc?
Could there ever be a more amazing nemesis for a hero than her sister slayer, Faith?
Have you ever cared more about a core group of characters in your life? Buffy, Giles, Xander and Willow. Or how about “Angel”, the leads love interest? This show was all about capturing lightening in a bottle and sharing it with the viewing audience.
Even the villians were special. Angelus. Spike and Dru. The Mayor. The Master. Willow. Glory.
While I love everything that Joss Whedon does, there will never be anything like Buffy again. Joss and Sarah team up and make magic.
Firefly had a universe that felt so full and complete from the pilot. I think Serenity took place in a kind of watered-down, more simplistic universe for the sake of the audience. The show had a kind of magic about it, though.
I believe Buffy was his best show: 7 seasons of extraordinary and deep character development made Buffy the best show ever made.
Firefly was a great show, a masterpiece even, but it didn’t last enough time to compete with Buffy.
Angel was flawed but had a great character development. It’s still one of my favorite shows, but Buffy is better.
And about Dollhouse: I love it right now, it’s different but challenging just the way I like it, and I REALLY hope to see at least a second season!
I like them all and would watch them over & over again. Loved the Firefly concept (and Serenity) but it never got it’s chance to get fleshed out. And I love Buffy. But my vote is for Angel. One of the best….ever!
I voted Firefly — although Buffy and Angel are both oustanding shows as well.
Have only seen the pilot for Dollhouse, unfortunately (stupid crazy personal life). I’m hoping that once I get a chance to get into it, I’ll like it as much as I like Joss’s other work. Including Dr. Horrible.
I LOVE them all. If I had to pick just one; I would pick Firefly but they are all awesome. Love Dr.Horrible too :) I hope we get a season 2 of Dollhouse <3 <3 <3 Nobody writes women like Joss. Just love Joss!!!
That’s not the greatest/most flattering picture of Joss I’ve ever seen.
Oh and I voted Angel, cause you can count on him, because, y’know, he’s the ‘dark avenger’!
Angel is by far the best.especially when spike is in it.
Actually Topher has no life. He never leaves the Dollhouse. Didn’t you see the episode where he imprinted his best friend on a doll for his birthday. Also, Topher brings alot of sarcasm to the table.
I like that Joss doesn’t keep doing the same show over and over. They’re all different with different dynamics among the characters.
Actually Topher has no life. He never leaves the Dollhouse. Didn’t you see the episode where he imprinted his best friend on a doll for his birthday? Also, Topher brings alot of sarcasm to the table.
I like that Joss doesn’t keep doing the same show over and over. They’re all different with different dynamics among the characters.
I’m gonna have to go with the buffy/angel combo. That world was the best. Anything was possible. Those characters will stay with me for life.
firefly: dont forget book! he got killed on the planet he was very important element to firefly also who else is gonna shoot you in the knees!
“”Buffy is more than just a show. It has developed a cult status. It has wound its way into our culture, the way we speak, they way we act. Nothing can beat Whedon’s masterpiece”"
firefly only had one season and it acomplished all this,, imagine if firefly had 7 seasons.
shiny!
Firefly, I just love that show so much!
Cheryl you said, “Have you ever cared more about a core group of characters in your life?”
That’s how I felt about Buffy.
Until I saw Firefly. The crew of Serenity imprinted itself on my heart easily. I went through all the stages of grief when I saw Wash die. No other show has been able to draw that type of strong emotion and loyalty.
Even though I enjoy watching Firefly, it is now bitter-sweet, since I know that those characters are gone and I won’t see them again, except in comic book form.
So obviously I voted for Firefly.
I agree that Buffy is more than a show. It is a part of the zeitgeist of the 90′s. Until Dollhouse hit the screens, I was sure that Firefly was the best show in the history of television. While there is plenty of banter and witty dialogue in other Whedon shows, Dollhouse is an evolution somewhat. It has no comfort, no crutch. The rich philosophy and layers of subtext, fine blend of plot and story driven arks equal any of Whedon’s previous efforts. Firefly is artistic in the sets, lighting and angles. Excellent one shots. Buffy and Angel both snap, great dialogue, sometimes silly (Espenson) sometimes suggestive, (Noxon and Fury) always excellent. Dollhouse is perhaps the most thrilling and consistently shocking. Whedon has learned and developed so much. There are elements of each show in Dollhouse without being formulaic. to disagree with some of you, we don’t need anything more than the subtle humour it possesses. It has scope to be masterful as Firefly did and was. I voted Dollhouse because it is packed in more tightly than Firefly. While I love the characters on the other shows, the gaps left by Whedon in Dollhouse, have engaged me more and I trust Joss to weave the pieces as only he can (without ever getting Lost). Big thanks to Joss. Dollhouse is more than we deserve.
This is like asking God what his favorite book in the Bible is. It’s just so difficult.
Buffy. It’s complete. It’s complex. It repays a million rewatches like no other show I’ve ever seen.
Angel is also complete and also complex. Hits some great dramatic moments, and repays rewatches — but not a million of them and not as well as Buffy pays them off.
Both Firefly and Dollhouse are incomplete and it’s just not fair to judge. Firefly arguably had a better first season than either Buffy or Angel — so it’s a particular tragedy that we never got to see that whole story. Dollhouse is not as entertaining as any of the other shows, but it is tremendously thought-provoking and its picking up steam. So its cancellation will count as another tragedy.
Here’s hoping that some cable network figures out how to give Joss space to tell a complete story if and when he ventures out into TV again.
Buffy is cute, but Firefly is pure gold.
BUFFY AND DOLLHOUSE: THE REAL GIRL’S POWER, HOT, SMART, KICK ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!! ELIZA AND SARAH ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The talent of the writers and actors who worked on BtVS totally captured me. The depth of character development was extremely satisfying.
I was completely fascinated by this show and have watched each episode many times. I think BtVS will be a “once in a generation” phenomenon.
I know it had to end, and I thought the very end was absolutely great—SMG’s little smile was the perfect last shot. But I miss BtVS a little every day.
Buffy is the true tour de force for Joss although l am a big fan of anything that Joss creates
As things are currently, my vote is for Buffy with Dollhouse as a close second. Dollhouse has enormous potential (like Firefly did), but apparently its renewal is a long shot. So based on where everything is at currently, I vote Buffy.
The obvious answer here is Buffy! I am going to say Angel, with 110 episodes aired, is second. Firefly third and Dollhouse fourth. Dollhouse should be renewed. Fox brass messed with Joss’s creative vision. This caused episodes 1-5 to be uneven and confusing. Eps 6-11 have rocked! I am looking forward to EP 12 on May 8th and 13 to air at some point. If not, EP 13 is going on the DVD release on July 28th. Please tweet @Foxbroadcasting and request they renew Dollhouse!!!
My twitter address is http://www.twitter.com/patrick Sorry for the bad link!