[This show frequently addresses issues of rape, coercion of all stripes, and sexual violence, which will be discussed further here, so please be forewarned if this may be triggering for you.]
Since there's so much discussion 'round this part of Blogdonia about the feminism (or lack thereof) of Joss Whedon, I thought I'd give some of my own brief run-down, since having just finished the series a couple of weeks ago. I'm intentionally avoiding reading any other critiques before writing this before giving my own opinions.
A summary of the plot, from the site's Wikipedia page:
The story follows Echo (Eliza Dushku), a "doll" or "Active" for the Los Angeles "Dollhouse", one of several fictional facilities run by a company which hires out human beings to wealthy clients. These "engagements" range from romantic interludes to high-risk criminal enterprises. Each Active has their original memories wiped and exists in a child-like blank state until programmed via the insertion of new memories and personalities for each mission. Actives such as Echo are ostensibly volunteers who have surrendered their minds and bodies to the organization for five-year stints, during which their original personalities are saved on hard drives, in exchange for vast amounts of money and a solution to any other problematic circumstances in their lives. Echo is unique however in that she remembers small amounts even after personality "wipes", and gradually develops an increasingly cognizant self-awareness and personality. This concept allows the series to examine the notions of identity and personhood.
[SPOILERS AHEAD!]
