True, but I don’t see any room for that which wouldn’t require having her upstage at least Hammer. There’s not much time left in the blog format to actually spend time on her character. You can’t just add a minute of characterization–you have to change the plot structure so that it makes sense for us to find out more about who she is, while maintaining the conceit that she’s more an ideal than an actual person to Dr. Horrible, and more a prize than a person to Hammer.
I genuinely think the only way to do it would be to reduce Hammer’s role, and make the story be about Penny and Billy, with Hammer being the side character.
The series was written for the internet, in part as a response to an on-going writer’s strike that was paralyzing network TV, so if they’d wanted more time to expand Penny’s character, they could have taken it. It’s not like they were constrained by writing around commercial breaks or anything.
I don’t know that I’d characterize Penny almost realizing that Captain Hammer is a jerk, but dying before she could do anything about it, as development. She doesn’t change as a person, she just learns more about a person, and then starts reacting to that knowledge in a way you’d expect her to react given her characterization up to that point.
I also don’t get why Penny would get criticism. The story is about making fun of and criticizing two weirdo self-important men. Dr Horrible is horrible but trying to reach beyond himself, but he’s a juvenile idiot who can’t figure that out, and when that fails he lashes out at, well, everyone because of his own flaw. Hammer is, well, just Hammer: a doofus who thinks he’s great because he thinks he’s great. Penny is an innocent who encounters these two weirdos and reacts. She’s us.
But having it be a typical episode length means it’s easier for it to be shown on TV at a later date. I mean, it’s unlikely to be a coincidence that the length perfectly fits TV schedules.
Dr Hammer doesn’t develop much either, he just gets found out. Dr Horrible is the only one who really develops as a character, and it is his blog, after all.
Has it ever been shown on TV? I don’t believe it has been in the US. At least, not in a major way. The wikipedia for the show mentions that it was intended to be released online, then through iTunes, and then a DVD release, but doesn’t mention anything about broadcast or commercial television.
I think he was surprised as anyone to find out what a giant wuss he was when it came to feeling pain, but in general, you’re correct - but the whole point of the character is that he’s very shallow. It’s important to the plot that he be shallow - it’s a big part of what makes him a crappy person. Penny is not intended to be shallow, she’s just underwritten.
Another alternative is the long-running podcast “Welcome to Night Vale”, it’s set in a fictional desert town where all conspiracy theories are true, and eldritch abominations (like the City Council, Station Management, Hooded Figures, a Vague, yet Menacing Government Agency) are considered commonplace
it’s an extremely multilayered podcast that almost requires multiple re-listens, as what seemed to be throwaway jokes and references, actually factor into the story and plot…
it’s a brilliant podcast, just make sure to stay away from the Dog Park…
A friendly desert community where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep.
Welcome to Night Vale.
Hello, listeners. To start things off, I’ve been asked to read this brief notice:
The City Council announces the opening of a new Dog Park at the corner of Earl and Somerset, near the Ralph’s.
They would like to remind everyone that dogs are not allowed in the Dog Park.
People are not allowed in the Dog Park.
It is possible you will see Hooded Figures in the Dog Park.
Do not approach them.
Do not approach the Dog Park.
The fence is electrified and highly dangerous.
Try not to look at the Dog Park, and especially do not look for any period of time at the Hooded Figures.
If you do get into WTNV, there are 160 episodes to listen to, so far, it’s still going strong, it gets a little “weak” around Season 4 but recovers nicely
Transcript from the episode released two weeks ago;