‘Harley Quinn’ Season 3 Is Here! Let The Eat, Bang, Kill, Tour Begin!
Harley Quinn may have started as just another one of Joker's goons in Batman the Animated Series, but she has quickly achieved the status of pop culture icon. She has come a long way from the hopelessly loving, victim of abuse into a strong, independent, femme fatale. Her growth has resonated with fans and casual audiences alike. Her animated series has now taken that journey and applied it to the small screen with great success. Now on its third season, Harley Quinn the Animated Series continues to impress with heartfelt tales, intense action, and laugh-out-loud comedy.
Fans were overjoyed to hear that HBO Max would not be releasing just one, nor two, but three episodes for the premiere. The first episode kicks off as audiences watch Harley and Ivy celebrate their new love on their “Eat, Bang, Kill Tour,” return to Gotham to reunite with their friends, and help Ivy finally fulfill her dream of terraforming the city. This episode does an amazing job of setting up both the plot and tone for the season. We watch as Ivy and Harley have trouble enjoying each other's interests, but try to be there for one another regardless. Harley even goes as far as to kidnap AMANDA WALLER after she insults Ivy! The romantic tension from last season made this premiere highly satisfying, yet worrisome. Fans finally get to see the two’s relationship fleshed out on screen with this episode. However, it may lay the seeds of tragedy to come.
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Meanwhile, the Bat Family is now complete with the return of Dick Grayson (a.k.a Nightwing) to Gotham City. Nightwing returns with an edginess that even Batman comments on his former Robin being far too intense. The chemistry between the characters here is fantastic as Nightwing tries too hard to gain the respect of the rest while Robin constantly makes fun of him, Batgirl is just enjoying the ride, and Batman struggles to wrangle them all while fighting crime. The second episode is reminiscent of Batman the Brave and the Bold, yet aged up for the audience. HBO Max is set to release a new animated series for the caped crusader, but this version is so great that one can’t help but yearn for more. Luckily, teasers leading up to this season showed that the Bat Family will play a key role as Harley teams up with them to stop Ivy’s plot.
As the third episode rolls, the plot veers off to a side story that will ultimately connect to the main plot. Harley is beyond excited to attend a villain’s award ceremony where she and Ivy have been nominated as Best Couple, but Ivy could care less. This series has shown crumbling and toxic relationships, but this season appears to be leaning towards the struggles of a relationship beyond the honeymoon phase. It is surprising that such a goofy show can take the time to get as real as it does and still pull it off. In classic television fashion, they both learn their lesson to respect each other’s interests and that outside validation is not what makes a relationship. The main point of tension in the episode is Ivy dealing Kite-Man after she left him at the altar for Harley. He seems to be doing great and gushes about his new girlfriend. Ivy is caught in the middle of her past and her future, all the while wanting to focus on herself and her plans. These moments are where the show truly shines. Beyond the whimsy, these parodies of characters feel like the real people who watch them.
The side plots deliver just as much as the main characters and their stories. Viewers will be shocked to see James Gunn playing himself this season as he works on a Thomas Wayne biopic film that Clayface so desperately wants to be a part of. So much so that he gets a new job as the director’s chair when he fails his audition. King Shark has not had as many major moments, but the rest of the season remains. The best side character thus far is Bane who stole the hearts of fans in previous seasons. His journey of mental health and rebuilding is both hilarious and sad. You want to laugh when a bank teller reads him all of his ridiculous charges to his bank account, then you want to cry as he has an inner monologue about his struggles with depression. This show always utilizes its side characters well, making them as interesting and enjoyable as the main characters, and this season is no exception.
If the quality of this season continues, Harley Quinn the Animated Series may just have its best season yet. Every little piece of the previous two seasons has led to this point. While there is a dread lingering over Harley and Ivy’s relationship, it only makes the viewing all that much more enticing. This show has gone beyond a tongue-in-cheek parody of the famous characters interwoven with an original story, to crafting a world that stands on its own while paving the way to becoming one of the crown jewels in DC’s animated library.
Harley Quinn the Animated Series is now streaming on HBO Max.
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