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Harley Quinn Season 2, Episode 11 Review

Well, folks, we all knew this was coming: Joker’s back! After an entire season of build up, Harley had to turn Joe Kurr back into her psychotic ex in order to find the Justice League and save Gotham from Dr. Psycho. But more importantly, save her friends and come to terms with the fact that she’s not over Ivy! So how does Joker act now that’s been brought back from his living nightmare of being a normal nobody?

Honestly, not much like the Joker. The show could have fallen back on the toxic relationship between Harley and Joker; it would have been so easy! He’s Joker, one of the most evil villains humanity’s dreamt up! But it doesn’t! Instead, it chooses to focus on the Joker coming to terms with his own relationship with Bethany, his girlfriend/the person who found in the rubble of his tower.

For all his hatred of being a normal guy, it turns out Mistah J liked being with Beth and her kids. It was the relationship he never knew he needed in life. So, in a surprising turn of events, he decides to keep it going with Beth even after remembering everything.

Yeah, even Batman’s surprised by this. If it were any other version of the Joker, I’d be suspcicious. But given how this show has that Venture Bros mentality going with treating villainy like a normal job, I’m not surprised. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just like a sitcom problem, but with superheroes and villians. And Joker did say he’s not going to stop being evil. I just hope he doesn’t teach Beth’s kids how to be evil.

Hell of a Cliffhanger

While all of this is going on, the sub-plot sees Ivy try to deal with her feelings for Harley by burying herself in her wedding plans. That, and not caring about what Dr. Psycho’s doing. The more she tries to deny it, though, the more apparent it is to me that she’s in denial. Which leads to her snap and just go after Psycho by herself, putting her under Psycho’s mind control, and then being sent to off Harley. So, not the best move on her part.

Regardless, I think it’s a great idea, from a storytelling standpoint. Not only does it bring multiple plot threads together (the episode, I mean), but it does them in a very organic manner. I mean, even Joker tells Harley that she shouldn’t give up on Ivy just yet. If Joker of all people’s saying that, then I think you should listen to him!

So, I think that this episode may be my favorite of the entire season, with it tying together many of the show’s long-running plot points. From the Harley+Ivy relationship to Batman’s return and the return of the Justice League, there’s a lot going on without feeling like too much.

We now have two episodes left this season, and so far, the finale looks like it’s going to be great! I can’t wait!

I Give “A Fight Worth Fighting For” A 4.8/5. Best Episode of the Season

Stray Observations

• I think the Justice League will need therapy after getting out of that storybook
• Even Darkseid condemns Psycho’s use of the C-Word.

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Harley Quinn Season 2, Episode 10 Review

Well, after last week’s lackluster episode, I’m happy to say that Harley Quinn is finally getting back on its feet. With less than three episodes left in the season, now’s the time to start tying the show’s plot threads together. And man, does Harley do it in style! Grab your best clothes, because it’s time for Harley to do Die Hard. Or in this case, Dye Hard.

I think the joke comes from the fact that Harley dyes part of her hair.

So, last week saw Harley confess to Ivy, only to get turned down. Considering how the Joker turned her against the idea of romance until she realized she loved Ivy, it makes the rejection even worse. So she decides to hit the town and drink away her sorrows. Only for it to bring her right back to the guy she started with, the Joker.

Yeah, Joker (or Joe Kurr, as I’m calling him) is now working at a bar in Wayne Tower, that then gets held hostage by some thugs, forcing Harley to drag Joe as she tries to escape in the air ducts. Hence why it’s called Dye Hard.

As much fun as it’s been seeing Harley find her place in a world without Mistah J, viewers knew it wouldn’t last. Ever since we saw him resurface, we knew that Joker would return one day. As much as Harley tries, she’ll never truly be rid of the Joker. And as this episode makes very clear, Joker is clawing to get to the surface of Joe Kurr’s mind. Memories of his past keep coming to the surface, and Harley has to deal with the consequences.

In fact, Dye Hard ties together the whole theme of the season: Harley having to deal with the consequences of her actions. And there are a lot of consequences that she has to deal with in Dye Hard.

Dr. Psycho and Riddler: Evil Dream Team

I would like to say for the record that I knew Riddler would escape from his hamster wheel before the season was out. That’s one big consequence that Harley has to deal with. And I also knew that Dr. Psycho would take control of the Parademons to conquer Gotham after he rage-quit the Crew. What I didn’t expect was for them to team up.

Dr. Psycho’s been one of my favorite characters on the show. Yeah, he’s an evil, sexist maniac, but the writers make him so much fun to watch. And this episode sees him give voice to the fact that he’s been side-lined all season. In addition, he calls out Harley for having a moral compass and wasting the best chance she had of taking control of Gotham. She could have had it all, but she wasted it. Why? Because deep down, Harley’s not evil.

In fact, given everything she’s done this season, Dye Hard hammers home this one question: why is Harley still trying to be evil anyway? I can imagine that by the end of the season, we’ll see Harley have to choose to cross the threshold into being a hero. First, though, she’s got to deal with her past.

Return of the Joker

After Sy Borg sacrifices himself to help Harley escape, she realizes that the only ones who can stop Psycho are the Justice League, still trapped in the Book of Fables. And Joker’s the only one who knows where it is. So, we know where this is going. Back in the Acid for Joe Kurr.

I have to admit, seeing Joe Kurr get dumped in acid has a dose of irony and tragedy. Irony, because now it’s Harley who’s doing it to him. And tragedy because this means Harley has to bring back the man she hates so much into her life. That, and it ruins Mistah J’ chance at a normal life.

I don’t know how this season will end, but I do know this: it’s going to be crazy! It almost makes the price for DC Universe worth the money. But I’m still not keeping it after its done.

I Give “Dye Hard” a 4.5/5. Best episode of the Season so far.

Bonus points for reference to Heath Ledger’s “Pencil Trick.”

Also, a cancer ray. Really, Bruce?

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