Harley Quinn S3 Premiere Breakdown

Harlivy

How are we all feeling after that amazing comeback? Let’s dig into everything with this Harley Quinn S3 Premiere Breakdown When I told you all Harlivy are back with a literal bang I wasn’t lying! For a second they had me fooled with that opening sex scene and then had me immediately combust with laughter once revealed it was porn stars acting out everyone’s fantasies – don’t lie, we know you want to. Honestly, I saw it as a shoutout to all those role players out there. “Adult film actresses Kylie Kryptonite and Britney Bionic!?” and “The Drilling Joke” had me deceased. 

The first three episodes are PACKED with so much and thankfully I’ve been given the space to unload it with you all. First five minutes and we already have a reference to The Harley Quinn Eat. BANG! Kill. Tour comics, a Ben Affleck dig, and a reference to how you must wear a bra in the presence of the Queen – this show really goes hard and fast. There is even a nod to the 60’s Batman, flying out the classic themes when Ivy exclaims: “To the jet!”. Something for everyone!

The town has lost faith in the GCPD and Commissioner Gordon – much like how we see in Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour – he is hellbent on bringing down Harlivy. Fortunate for them; the city has turned the other cheek and enjoys them as a couple chanting #TeamHarlivy –  it kind of reminded me how #FreePunchline became a thing in comics.

The biggest thing that stood out to me was how eager Harley is to return the favor for Ivy – helping her discover herself and achieve her forgotten goals. Ivy is notorious for wanting to turn the world into a natural paradise – starting with the city. I couldn’t help but see similarities to the Batman: Harley and Ivy book by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. 

Harley is all go to isolate in the forest up until the bugs and plants start giving her a rash. In the show we see her crack without communication with the outside world. Not blaming her – after all she has built or more so, burned down the city for herself to rebuild it in her own image. She pushes through, making sacrifices – Sometimes you take a single hit so you can grow together.

Amanda Waller and the Suicide Squad making an appearance was something I was looking forward to: “You think you can kidnap me without consequences? Suicide Squad season anyone? I mean that line-up video was a trailer for a spin-off in itself. They even used the comic logo!  I’m sold.

Try as Harley might she fails to mellow out with the green and cracks, admitting her faults. I have to thank the team for giving us quickly resolved conflicts that don’t leave us hanging until the next episode for a disagreement to become resolved. It’s handled in a mature manner. I also would like to point out how gentle Ivy is with Harley despite her maybe being the reason Iden burned to the ground. She accepts Harley’s flaws and doesn’t react in a harmful way. Instead, she admits to herself they don’t have to do everything together, and they come to the conclusion of working side by side to make it right. 

My favorite thing about the entire episode and judging from the other fans’ responses –  is Ivy calling Harley peanut. You’ve no idea how loud I squealed. We know she has called her this nickname for years throughout comics. To have it come into the show was so very special to me and I’m sure many other Harlivy fans. Overall, setting up the season to be fun-filled and equally as unpredictable as charming, much like our beloved Harley Quinn. 

There’s No Ivy in Team

Episode Two is possibly one of my favorite episodes of the season. “There’s No Ivy In Team ” shows us the Bat-Family and Harllivy experiencing an escape room. It’s exhilarating watching all these iconic characters interact in a not-so-serious setting. We got Gotham University run by the Riddler in the last season. Now Final Destination type real-life murderous escape rooms. Nightwing is particularly hilarious in this episode. The “I’m going to kill myself”, from him was unexpected and explosive – he is above all my favorite spoof this season.

Batman’s monologue about everyone making Batman movies and having him relive his trauma is completely self-aware of the fact that Batman is timeless and will forever be re-done maybe too many times. Not to mention – comedy gold listening to him pop off while Damien just sighs with boredom. 

Harley is doing really well expressing her feelings here rather than reacting to them: “No one expects you to be perfect, we always have your back. Even if you screw up.” For me was such a powerful line coming from Harley. To tell someone she loves, the very same words she needed growing up; never receiving it from her parents or Joker. She understood how Ivy may have been feeling and gave her validation.

The 83rd Annual Villy Awards

Leading into episode three; a personal favorite of showrunner Patrick Schumacker and myself included; the idea of Gotham’s rogue gallery getting together once a year to act civil and dish out awards will always be exciting to me  – I look forward to the Villain Of The Year comics annually like many of us do. Now we get to see it played out in R-rated animation! 

Once again Harlivy provides support for one another despite Harley losing sight for a hot minute; I can’t blame her. These awards were the one time in the year when people celebrated her relationship choices (despite votes being bought, she believed it was won fair and square).

In the end, both she and Ivy realize they both don’t care what happens so long as they’re together. It’s nice to have this show be a safe pocket among other media to let Harley and Ivy explore their relationship together and not apart. Be sure to check out our recent podcast with Patrick Schumacker and our very own Dan where they get into all the fun details about the show!