Horrible Watch: 'Dr. Horrible's' second act

Continuing from Act I.  Act II. Good stuff times two!

Starting with the stare. That 10 to 20 second stare from Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris) was acting genius. And that melded seamlessly into the catchy, and might I add well-sung, "On the Rise"* harmony between Penny (Felicia Day) and Dr. Horrible. Technically, a great illustration of character development through song ... a hummable ditty!

Who knew Doogie was this good? Well, anyone who has seen him on stage and in anything he's ever been in -- but still, this is a bit surprising. A way-more-than-decent actor, but occasionally not in the greatest material. I guess "sometimes there's a third, even deeper level and that one is the same as the surface level." The individual stand-up scenes, the coin wash face-to-face talks with Penny, and the quick but hilarious repartee with his evil sidekick Moist ("At my most bad ass I make people feel like they want to take a shower,") illustrate why NPH got an Emmy nom this morning for "How I Met Your Mother."

Oh, and I really hope we get to meet Bad Horse (the Thoroughbred of Sin) and some other members of the Evil League of Evil.

Capt. Hammer (Nathan Fillion) is showing signs of Caleb (the demonic preacher from "Buffy"). That was pretty evil of him to bring Penny into his personal spat with Dr. Horrible. Evil of him? Do I feel a plot twist coming on ... nah! Couldn't be -- could it? Am I questioning myself? Let's stop this.

The songs. I hope Joss puts out a greatest hits album (yes, I really said album). Act I and its tunes were a bit more fun, but "On the Rise," "Seeds You're Sowing" and "Brand New Day" were excellent. With Dr. Horrible (PhD in Horribleness) embracing his dark side, I can't wait to see the climactic third act.

But we must.

-- Jevon Phillips

* Just making up song titles because I can.