As we reported to you guys weeks and weeks ago, despite Fox ending the first season of Dollhouse one episode short, Fox executives decided to pick up the Joss Whedon show for its second season. Let’s simply call this the Firefly-effect, meaning Fox execs were worried more about canceling a great show on the cusp of finding an audience more than they were worried about Dollhouse struggling for a second season.

Check out this quote from show creator Joss Whedon in the article: “I assumed it was dead in the water because the network was refusing to air the 13th [episode],” Whedon said. “Not refusing, but just not interested. I assumed that meant the bell tolled for us. And they made a point of calling and saying, ‘That is not what it means, and we’ll keep you posted.’ ” Will “Dollhouse” make it? This Chicago writer says it definitely should!

If this is the vision Joss Whedon had all along, I salute him. The sixth episode of Dollhouse, “Man On the Street,” delivers in a big way. For the first time all season, the show brings its awesome backstory to the forefront as Agent Paul Ballard and Echo come face to face, or more accurately fist to fist.

We all know word on the street was “Dollhouse” was going to get really good starting with Episode 6. Now you don’t have to take our word for it. “Dollhouse” creator Joss Whedon is getting the word out as best he can, sending notes to reporters along with advance copies of episodes 6 and 7. He says the show from here on out “represents a much stronger vision” of where he sees the show heading.

Eliza Dushku, Harry Lennix and Brian Bloom provide arguably the most entertaining — and certainly the highest level of acting talent — seen on an episode of “Dollhouse” thus far. While I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill-a-minute second episode, “True Believer” bests that episode in almost every way. That’s great news considering all the pre-season hype centered around Episode 6, next week’s episode.

In an interesting twist tonight on Dollhouse, Echo will be blind. It’s the fifth episode of the show and it’s called True Believer. As this blind woman, Echo (Eliza Dushku) must join a fanatical cult and help find a missing woman. Join us for our weekly live chat; it’s at 9 p.m. EST!

The fourth episode of “Dollhouse” teases us with one terrific back story, but “Gray Hour” only partially delivers due to plot holes in the main story line. That being said, the back story centering around the rogue doll Alpha continues to make “Dollhouse” work and keep viewers entertained.

Now THIS is the kind of thing I always thought an Active might be hired for. In the fourth episode of Dollhouse, Echo (Eliza Dushku) will be hired as an expert safe-cracker! While I chalked up the third episode as disappointing compared to the excitement offered in Episode 2, I think this week’s episode, Gray Hour, will prove to be just as entertaining as Episode 2.

Dollhouse fans, there’s some interesting news coming out of the Whedonverse that I had to share with you. It turns out that NASA wants to rename a new section of its International Space Station — apparently “Node 3″ wasn’t cool enough — and a name Joss Whedon fans know and love is leading the vote right now.

The third episode of Dollhouse is disappointing and falls terribly flat after last week’s phenomenal thrill ride. Despite strong performances from Dichen Lachman as Sierra and Harry Lennix once again as Boyd Langton, even they could not pull together a shaky plot that left “Stage Fright” limping along. Thankfully the backstory and fight scenes involving Agent Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) dotted the show and kept most Dollhouse fans entertained.