I've been thinking about this for quite a long time, and I am finally going to say it: Fox is treating Dollhouse much like they treated Eliza Dushku's previous television outing, Tru Calling - but unlike Tru Calling, I believe that it will be comissioned for a full second season to great fanfare unlike its predecessor.
The difference? Joss Whedon.
I will elaborate as time permits.