HIMYM misses an opportunity for Dr. Horrible homage

Barney Stinson has always been one to hold a grudge. Toss in an affront to the one thing that he holds in the highest regard (his wardrobe, natch), and you have a volatile mix to be sure. But when producers Carter Bays and Craig Thomas put this particular episode together, they missed a prime opportunity to have fanboys (and girls) across the planet jumping for joy.

It started with Barney’s emotional breakdown. Spurned by Marshall for a lunch date, the Barnacle tears his office apart. Chairs tossed, desks cleared, paper tossed in the air (and falls down at an oddly delayed rate) … something clearly was bothering him. Though early on, I thought that there was a much more familiar score that could have been playing in the background.

Then when we learn of his real motivation, the payback Barney had been plotting for so long, that the potential for a great shout out became even more clear. Not only was he scheming and plotting and whiteboarding, but the man even wore a lab coat. A Lab Coat. And then, he put on goggles.

You’d think it would be a great shout out. The return of a beloved Joss Whedon character  … such an unexpected homage not seen since Rick Castle donned a brown coat in a Halloween themed episode of Castle. But … alas … it was not to be. What could have been an epic nod turned out only to be a small wink. No Dr. Horrible score, and a costume that only referenced the character instead of fully evoking it … an opportunity squarely lost.

Our loss, boys and girls.

Notes & Quotes

• “Marshall and I have been together 15 years, and the only debate we’ve had about Tommy Boy is whether it’s ‘Awesome’ or ‘Super-Awesome.’ That’s love, bitch.” – Lily
• “The downside to having giant Japanese anime eyes is that they’re easy to read … and yours are screaming ‘What about my trip to Spain, deadbeat?” – Ted
  “OK, Ted, the downside to having a woman’s mouth is your feminine pout gives away your true feelings. And yours are saying ‘Oh, Zoey, why can’t I be on top just this once?’” – Lily
  “Hey, we take turns … sometimes.” – Ted
• And Lily, it’s called “cheeseburger pizza,” and there’s nothing wrong with it, especially with bacon.
• Did everyone like the bit with Lily and Ted and the Port Authority Police? I liked it, but figured it would either work or fall falt.
• Robin sure had Barney wrapped up with the clock story … more evidence, if you needed it, that they’re totally made for each other.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Apr 11, 2011 @ 21:03 EST5EDT