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Joss Whedon fans get some 'Dollplay' online

By April MacIntyre Feb 13, 2009, 0:57 GMT

The series stars Eliza Dushku as ECHO, a member of a highly illegal and underground group of individuals (“Actives”) who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Gamers and Joss Whedon fans are being offered a cool pre-Easter Egg of sorts prior to the highly anticipated new drama "Dollhouse" on Friday, Feb. 13 (9:01-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

The web exclusive will help fans unravel the show’s mythology.

“Dollplay,” an innovative and unique online participation drama invites Whedonites, crime buffs and FOX fans to solve an intriguing mystery now unfolding at fox.com/dollhouse and rprimelab.com.

The series stars Eliza Dushku as ECHO, a member of a highly illegal and underground group of individuals (“Actives”) who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas.

Hired by the wealthy, powerful and connected, the Actives don’t just perform their hired roles, they wholly become – with mind, personality and physiology – whomever the client wants or needs them to be.

Whether imprinted to be a lover, an assassin, a corporate negotiator or a best friend, the Actives know no other life than the specific engagements they are in at that time. After each engagement, Echo returns to the mysterious Dollhouse where her thoughts, feelings, experiences and knowledge are erased. Or are they?

In Whedon's online participation drama “Dollplay,” a virtual character named Hazel Rose is trapped in a locked mobile laboratory.

Her link to the outside world is through the online participants, and is her only hope to escape confinement and help her find out more about her mother, a researcher somehow linked to the Dollhouse.

Through Hazel’s video blog of real-time captivity, fans are encouraged to post clips, view other fan video responses and offer Hazel advice.

In return, Hazel will respond to the audience, challenging them to help her uncover clues and discover secrets about the Dollhouse’s early defining days. Meanwhile, Hazel will use the Dollhouse’s imprint machine to dangerously mind-wipe and download herself with a number of new and different personas to help her piece together her mother’s sordid history.

With only three weeks, beginning today, to solve the mystery and escape from the laboratory, time is running out for Hazel.

Visit rprimelab.com or fox.com/dollhouse today to help Hazel out.