Joker's Mayoral Campaign And Harley's Dangerous Game- 'Harley Quinn' Season 3 Episodes 6 And 7 Review
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From Joker’s mayoral campaign to Harley’s dangerous games, the last two episodes of Harley Quinn are arguably the best two episodes of the season up to this point. Giving fresh spins to old characters and laying the seeds for familiar stories, there is little here to be disappointed in. Join us as we take a deep dive into the toxic vats of Harley Quinn: The Animated Series episodes 6 and 7.
Joker v Board of Education
From the very beginning, it is clear that episode 6 will be different from what we have gotten before. Joker runs from his archnemesis Batman in a dream only for the face under the cowl to be revealed as Debbie, the Clown Prince of Crime’s latest and greatest foe. This is followed by the “opening credits” of Joker’s episode, which surely elicit laughter of shock and excitement. Joker has remained a side character throughout the series, but this episode truly fleshes out his new life in a way that viewers didn’t realize they needed.
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If anyone had ever dared mention that Joker would become a suburban, stay-at-home dad prior to this series, DC fans would’ve rioted in the streets. This episode proves that the ridiculous connotation of one of DC’s most famous villains settling down is exactly the fresh take that the character needed. Seeing Joker channel his chaotic energy into benefitting his family is an absolute joy ride. Rather than fighting the forces of good, Joker is now fighting the forces of Debbie and the school board as they keep his children out of classes that could enrich their Hispanic heritage. Upon finding out that the issue of whether or not his children can attend goes all the way up to the mayor’s office and that his stepson is being bullied for his name, Benicio, he decides to throw his hat in the ring for Gotham’s highest office.
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Meanwhile, Gordon thinks he is a sure-fire win after the death of Gotham’s current mayor. Once Joker announces his candidacy and promises progressive reform, the taste of victory is short-lived. He is the flip side of the coin in the episode, serving as a perfect foil to Joker’s story. Whereas Joker is willing to put everything on the line for his family, Gordon goes as far as to reject Barbara for Two-Face (his campaign manager) after she gives him the ultimatum. Watching Gordon so desperate for power that he turns away his own daughter is just as fresh of a take as this version of the Joker. Only when he sees Dent takes Joker’s stepson hostage does he realize the error of his ways and that he is unfit for the office. Joker even has to talk him out of killing Two-Face! Who would have ever thought that a scene like that would exist in DC?
The episode does a fantastic job of paying homage to other iterations and storylines. Joker drops the “We live in a society” line, his campaign parade is a direct reference to 1989 Batman, and the plot of a reformed Joker running for mayor is very similar to the comic Batman: White Night. Every piece of this episode culminates in one of the best Joker stories to hit the small screen, but the true beauty comes from the heart of the story. Joker is truly a great stepfather and husband. Even when he loses sight of what’s important, being caught up in the glamor and excitement of his political career, he does not hesitate at the possibility of throwing it all away just to save his stepson. It is strange to see the Joker be so full of love in such contrast to the way he treated Harley at the beginning of the show and throughout the characters’ history together on page and screen. It is refreshing to a fresh take on one of comics’ oldest villains, leaving viewers wanting a spin-off of Joker’s life as a family man.
Harley And Babs Battle It Out
While the Joker episode was a fun distraction, the next episode returned viewers to the main plot at full speed. Harley and Ivy now know that Bruce Wayne was the one that stole Frank. After Catwoman receives an invitation from a heartbroken Bruce to attend his gala, Harley springs into action with a plan to kidnap the billionaire playboy. Of course, the plan goes awry as a Harley plan always does, but the way she goes about it is too fun to miss.
Harley has been tethered to Ivy since the beginning of the season, so seeing her go off on her own again is as exciting as it is nail-biting. She has no backup and no safety net in case things go wrong. Just a couple of rolls of duct tape and a dream. From the moment she reaches the gala, chaos ensues. She actually beats up an elderly woman and steals her harp in order to sneak in. The plan is almost immediately foiled by Batgirl who is hurt by the fact that Harley has been dodging all of her text messages. The two argue and fist fight, only to be kidnapped by the Mad Hatter.
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Harley makes it very clear to the Mad Hatter that she is not there to stop him and is a bonafide villain just as he is which earns her freedom. However, her conscience gets the best of her and she goes back to save Batgirl. The chemistry between Harley and Batgirl is phenomenal. Their personalities are so similar, yet so far apart. It leads to some great arguments in the episode and even better team-ups. This blossoming friendship can only lead one to wonder whether or not there will be a Birds of Prey focus in a future season of the show. For now, even though Harley cannot stand Batgirl, she can’t help but feel for her. The way she taunts Harley and consistently claims that Harley is a better person than she lets on is a great dynamic that leads to Harley murdering Mad Hatter just to prove a point that she is worse than Batgirl thinks.
While Harley is busy battling her demons, King Shark finally receives his side story. After his father dies, King Shark must travel to the kingdom and pass on the royal duties to his brother Nanaue at the funeral. Although a funeral isn’t typically a laughing matter, it is hard not to giggle at the jokes he and his brother make about their father as people pay their respects, the giant Shark Jesus that hangs in the hall above the coffin, and the fact that his brother is wearing their father as a scarf. Everything is smooth sailing until Nanaue reveals that he is selling the kingdom to Ocean Master. King Shark pleads with him, but his brother refuses to back down. Things get violent in the end, and King Shark battles his brother in a surprisingly emotional battle, which ends in Nanaue’s death and no sale of the kingdom.
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For once, Harley’s plan goes accordingly and ends with Bruce Wayne held hostage by Ivy and Harley. Whereas the last few episodes felt like entertaining distractions, this episode gets right to the point and propels the story forward with full momentum. At this moment it is hard to say what will happen next. Whatever comes next will surely excite fans and only continue to build up another extraordinary season of the Harley Quinn: The Animated Series.
Be sure to tune in every Thursday on HBO Max for the latest episode.
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