Seriously, Joss! I sat uncomfortably through the constant rape-vibe for the interesting characterization and the show's mythology and the actually-good bits! I have zero interest in sitting inside the minds of the rapists themselves. Like, I'm not sure I could even keep watching if they went there. This show is so much better when it goes the way of conspiracy stuff and what having a 'soul' actually means and stops playing up the prostitution angle. I think that it would have been better for the show overall if it had started out with some kind of 'no sex allowed' deal. When the first trailer was released, so much of my flist thought it looked awesome, and then when the show itself turned out to be weird softcore stuff the same people went "um. No thank you." Just. ARGH.

I see what you're saying about Dollhouse's run being more of a sucker-punch than BtVS, though I personally disagree - I mean, yeah, DH had way more drama and darkness going on, but one of my favorite things about early Buffy is the sweet, campy fun. The oldschool seasons of BtVS are some of my favorite TV ever.

It would have been interesting to see if it would have eventually become as awesome as BtVS. I doubt it, mostly because of the themes, but it still could have been great.
Word. Dollhouse, I think, has too many fundamental problems to ever be pure greatness like the best of BtVS, but it's hit the right notes a few times and it would've been cool to see it really hit its stride.

(I'm still bitter about SCC, but that is another can of worms altogether. ;_____:)