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Harley Quinn Season 2, Episode 12 Review

So, after getting some actually helpful advice from the Joker of all people, Harley Quinn made up her mind about Ivy. She’s not going to give up on her love for Ivy or their friendship. However, Dr. Psycho continued to be a royal pain as he manages to mind-control Ivy and orders her to fight Harley to the death in a deadly lover’s quarrel. Man, that is evil.

Lover’s Quarrel Does Heavy Lifting

Some people think that the season finale to a show is going to have to carry the most weight. However, in my experience, it’s the second-to-last episode that’s most important. It’s the one that has to tie together all the plot threads together for a clean finale. And “Lover’s Quarrel” delivers in the most epic, and hilarious, fashion.

Firstly, there’s the fact that this episode sees the DC Trinity of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman fighting as one. Whenever they’re all on screen, things are going to be badass. The Parademons and Harley’s friends are no match for them. At least, until Psycho sics Ivy’s love potion on them. After that, they’re useless.

Do you know who’s not useless in this episode, though? Syrus Borgman! In a surprise twist, it turns out Sy survived as a digital program. And after transferring himself onto the Internet (I think), he teaches Kiteman how to build a device that will cancel out Psycho’s powers. If he’s now a computer program, then that could make him a way bigger help to Harley in future seasons.

The Heart of the Show

Speaking of Harley, it’s her relationship with Ivy that remains the heart of the episode. I daresay, it’s the heart of the show as a whole. Despite Psycho’s mind-control forcing Harley to fight her best friend, she chooses to gamble on their love for each other. Which leads us to the next big kiss of the season!

It’s a common cliche in fiction: an act of true love to save the person you care the most about. I’ve seen it done to death in countless stories. And yet, I never seem to get tired of it in the end. What makes this moment even more important is that Kiteman already tried this tactic on Ivy, only for it to fail. The evidence is clear: Ivy doesn’t love Kiteman as much as she thinks she does. And after kicking Psycho’s butt and sending Darkseid home (impressed with her ruthlessness), Harley makes her offer a second time.

But then, just to be a jerk, Psycho reveals what Harley and Ivy did at her bachelorette party. To everyone in Gotham!

Whatever happens in the finale next week, it’s going to be crazy. I can’t wait to see it. And then, I’m cancelling my subscription to DC Universe and switching to HBO Max. That’s where its at!

I Give “Lover’s Quarrel” a 4/5

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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

So, it may be because I’ve been really busy now that I’m back at work, but I just couldn’t get into this week’s episode of Harley Quinn. Last week, we saw Harley Quinn try to bury her feelings for Ivy by doubling down on being a villain. However, that ended as well as I thought. Steven Universe Future taught me that it’s not healthy to bury your emotions in denial. Just when Harley’s about to confess to Ivy, though, she sees how happy she is Kite Man and can’t go through with it. As a result, this episode sees Harley try to pull the “I want my beloved to be happy” trope and support Ivy. But Star vs. The Forces of Evil also taught me that bottling up your feelings can lead to heartache. And it can also lead to this, apparently!

So, to give this context: Harley takes Ivy, Catwoman, Mrs. Freeze, and some girl named Jennifer to Themiscyra for a bachelorette party. Ever since Wonder Woman got trapped in that storybook, they’ve turned into a woman only resort. And Harley’s trying too hard to be supportive of Ivy, only for them to get drunk. And that’s how they end up like this. TWICE.

On the one hand, I’m happy that society’s reached the point when we can openly show same-sex couples in animation. On the other, this just makes the unresolved feelings even worse for Harley and Ivy. Which is sad, because Ivy helped Harley finally rid herself of the Joker and get her life together. They’re best friends, and the bond they have is undeniable. And being in love with your best friend is one of the best things that can happen to a person.

Harley does manage to confess to Ivy and says that they could make their own life together: going around the world, helping women who were in the same situation Harley was. But Ivy, sadly, can’t trust her best friend with her heart. She wants, or at least think she wants, the stability that Kite Man provides. So, Harley just got dumped, breaking her heart.

This is especially sad because we’ve seen how much good Harley and Ivy can do together. And I mean genuine good. Turns out, some super villainess called Eris brainwashed the Queen of the Amazons and was going to have her sell it to Lex Luthor and turn it into a tourist trap. However, Harley and Ivy’s girl squad stopped them. It’s a missed opportunity, if you ask me, though. It would be cool to see what Themiscyra would be like if it went commercial.

The King Shark Story

While this is going on, lovable giant King Shark has to reckon with his past when a talking crustacean comes looking for him at Kite Man’s bachelor party. His dad, the Shark God, calls him home so he can get married and stop a war. All I can remember, though, is this song that parodies Disney’s “Under the Sea”, but talking about how ocean dwellers can go to the bathroom wherever they want. Instant turn-off! Remember the South Park episode about this stuff? I hate it!

This B-Plot was a snooze fest for me, though it didn’t have to be. At first, it looks like King Shark stands up to his dad and walks out on the arranged marriage. Then, five minutes later, we find out he caved anyway. He says he’s going to date people, regardless, but I just didn’t like that decision. I don’t think it’s a good idea to listen to your parents when they make selfish decisions like this.

So, yeah, I didn’t like this episode that much. The season has four episodes left, so I hope it can find its footing. Otherwise, I may stop watching come Season three.

I Give “Bachelorette” a 2/5

Stray Observations

• So, so much for Mrs. Freeze becoming a villain to get revenge on Harley. Instead, she finds a new boyfriend. Another wasted opportunity. But it’s still funny.

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