Right around episode 6, “Dollhouse” kicked into creative high-gear — but it might have been a little too late.

Series creator Joss Whedon, speaking on a “Dr. Horrible” panel Tuesday night at the Paley Festival, said the possibility of the show receiving a second-season pickup was, well, rather grim.

The chances are “not very good,” he said, according to SciFiWire.com. “Obviously our numbers are pretty soft … but we live in hope.