Photo courtesy of Mutant Enemy Productions
Are people around you singing a jaunty little ditty that includes such lyrics as “or he’ll make you his mare?” Or are they fearing “his terrible death whinny?”
Well, they’re singing about and referencing “the thoroughbred of sin.” Bad Horse, the criminal mastermind of “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.”
Move over, Dr. Evil. Bad Horse is in da house.
Never fear. What follows is not a plot spoiler. Besides, all of my horse-loving friends will prefer that I give them a heads-up anyway.
That “terrible death whinny” is not a reference to Bad Horse’s demise. Far from it.
Joss Whedon, a mastermind himself of the cult faves “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly,” produced “Dr. Horrible” with friends and family as a Writers Guild strike project. Outside the studio system.
He debuted the musical comedy online this summer. Demand crashed the original servers.
If the slings and arrows of the current economy have pinned you against the wall, you can still watch it for free at the Dr. Horrible site. Or you can download it on iTunes (also linked through the Dr. Horrible site.)
Or you can order the Dr. Horrible DVD, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (Amazon.com Exclusive)
with extra goodies.
In other words, there’s a sliding scale for supporting this online independent film.
And, as you’ve probably gathered, it’s not one of those ponderous indie films filled with meaning and angst. It’s very funny yet poignant, and you’ll catch yourself humming the tunes afterward.
But I’m a horse lover, too. I know what you want to hear. You want to hear about Bad Horse.
“The Thoroughbred of Sin”
Bad Horse is unseen for most of the movie, but he’s the one pulling the reins.
Dr. Horrible, played by Neil Patrick Harris, dreams of a position of importance in Bad Horse’s organization. But there’s a price.
A very pumped up Nathan Fillion plays Captain Hammer, the self-appointed superhero out to stop him.
Felicia Day, seen recently in TV’s House, with her sweet clear voice plays Penny, the girl caught in the middle.
But I digress. Back to Bad Horse.
His cowboy henchmen sing his praises and deliver his messages. Let’s just say that Bad Horse earns his name.
We only glimpse Bad Horse at the end. He looms over his capos of The Evil League of Evil at a board-of-directors table.
According to the credits, Bad Horse is played by Dobber. He’s black with a blaze.
But We Want More
Hello, Joss Whedon? Or your henchmen? If you’re reading this, we want more info about Dobber.
I’m submitting my questions in advance. No ambush journalism here.
What breed is he? Whose horse is he? Is this his first role? If so, what’s his day job? Was he a tyrant on the set? What are his favorite snacks? Is he a she? Will Dobber be in the sequel? Will there be a sequel?
My email is admin@thehorseyset.net. Inquiring minds want to know.
Move over, Dr. Evil. Bad Horse is in da house.
Tags: Bad Horse, Dr. Horrible, Felicia Day, Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Neil Patrick Harris
December 5th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Oh God. Anybody who hasn’t seen this, deserve to see it *right* now. I’ve never met such a sinister horse in my life
December 5th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Ah, but Bad Horse would say, “Neigh. A horse has got to do what a horse has got to do.”