My Dr Horrible vs Severus Snape
We two young men, A and B. Both are intelligent, uncharismatic, unpopular and deeply in love with a Charitable Redhead. They both share an inexplicable spiritual bond her, but they botch up their romantic prospects when they let their Career in Evildom get in the way. Her attraction to Phallic Opponent shoves them further along the path of bitter evildom, which finally culminates in a Tragic Climax wherein Charitable Redhead dies with Phallic Opponent's (in case A, child's) name on her lips. A dedicates the rest of his life to her memory, manifesting his grief through snark, sadism and poor hygiene. B dedicates his life to his previous goal and toils on emptily, taking no real pleasure and making no real difference.
A is more admirable. B is Billy. Snape is redeemed, Billy is anti-redeemed.
And yet, Dr Horrible gets all my sympathy and adoration. Snape can get a pat on the nose and a nice afterlife, but in truth, all his humanity seems to come from Lily. She is his redemption, and he cares about little else. Billy has an autonomous humanity: he has Societal Views, he is decent towards children and fanmailers. She is a part of it, and when that gets ripped out, the rest grows numb. But it's still there, ray-frozen.
... In short: I value the potential to start anew above everlasting loyalty? That, or Billy is the most adorable creature since the pie monster.
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What do you think? Am I simplifying Snape? Am I blinded by the catchy showtunes? Have I not emphasised Horrible's hotness enough?
I've still thoughts on Penny, and on Society - I may pen them down later, eventually.