NPH and Neil Patrick Harris: The Path of the Unicorn

A couple of years ago, while checking to see what Anthony Anderson was up to on IMDB, I came across a movie title that blew me away: Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. Without knowing anything else about the movie, I knew I had to see it just for having such a great title. Then when I actually saw the film, it somehow managed to be even more ridiculous than its title or its premise. Most notably, the film created the character, NPH, or the fictional, sex and drug crazed version of Neil Patrick Harris, of Doogie Howser, MD and Starship Troopers fame. The character was very popular, and as a result, Neil Patrick Harris was able to get work as a watered down version of the character on How I Met Your Mother. Then, something very interesting happened. Neil Patrick Harris came out of the closet. Many wondered how the actor who played the womanizing NPH and Barney, could possibly be gay? Then most forgot about it and went on with their lives.

I began to wonder if, in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, the fictional NPH would be gay as well. I thought the first film managed to rise above the typical stoner/road comedy cliches and really make a good comedy that explored stereotypes and social issues. To make the fictional NPH gay would take a joke cameo and turn it into a three dimensional character. Upon seeing the sequel last night, I believe the filmmakers have planted a seed in that direction. Here's a little SPOILER ALERT for anyone who cares. After Harold & Kumar encounter NPH in the second film, he eats a good amount of hallunegenic mushrooms. Then, he sees a vision of himself, riding a unicorn, disappearing into a rainbow portal. The NPH on the unicorn says something along the lines of "Follow me if you wish to be truly happy." This makes the NPH driving the car cry and say "I love you." However, instead of following the path of the unicorn NPH, he makes a detour to a brothel, where he has a crazy encounter with a hooker.

Now, could it be that this fictional NPH has been ignoring the path of the unicorn NPH for a long time now, leading him to live his life of sexual and drug excess in denial of his true identity? If there is a third Harold & Kumar film, and Neil Patrick Harris reprises his role of NPH, would he finally merge with the unicorn NPH and be whole and happy? I'm sure I've thought way too hard on the subject, but I think it's a thread worth following.