I argue that Penny could not possibly end up with Dr. Horrible since he is doing the stereotypical nerd/nebish(sp?)/"nice guy" lusting after a pretty girl without knowing that much about her.
You couldn't do it in three acts with the first two set in stone, but could probably do it with four as long as Penny dominated the second part of act 3 and the first of act 4.
If the divergence point is that when Dr Horrible's gun blows up in Captain Hammer's hand it takes out a nearby bystander, and then Penny (who recognises Billy) has Billy fix the freeze ray so they can freeze the bystander and get him to hospital safely. Captain Hammer drops out from the pain and is presumed dead - sufficient for Billy to join the Evil League of Evil. Act 4, Penny forces the choice between the Evil League and her. I think that could work. In three acts, as you say, there's not enough time to give her agency.
But he's not someone who deserves death. Nor does Horrible really deserve what happens to him despite what he intended. But that's what happens sometimes when people (the both of them) choose that sort of path.
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Date: 2008-07-22 04:59 pm (UTC)You couldn't do it in three acts with the first two set in stone, but could probably do it with four as long as Penny dominated the second part of act 3 and the first of act 4.
If the divergence point is that when Dr Horrible's gun blows up in Captain Hammer's hand it takes out a nearby bystander, and then Penny (who recognises Billy) has Billy fix the freeze ray so they can freeze the bystander and get him to hospital safely. Captain Hammer drops out from the pain and is presumed dead - sufficient for Billy to join the Evil League of Evil. Act 4, Penny forces the choice between the Evil League and her. I think that could work. In three acts, as you say, there's not enough time to give her agency.
But he's not someone who deserves death. Nor does Horrible really deserve what happens to him despite what he intended. But that's what happens sometimes when people (the both of them) choose that sort of path.
Agreed on all points.