Harley Quinn – S2 Ep13 – The Runaway Bridesmaid Review

Directors: Tom De Rosier and Juan Jose Meza-Leon

Writer: Sarah Peters

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Matt Oberg, Ron Funches, Christopher Meloni, J. B. Smoove, Alan Tudyk, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Andrew Daly, Mary Holland, Sanaa Lathan, Jonah Platt, Jim Rash

Feels Like An Episode For Shakespeare

“The Runaway Bridesmaid”… wow. We had a lot of lead up to this episode; highs and lows throughout Harley Quinn season two, as everything culminates on the big day. With Harley in Arkham Asylum, trying to work things out, and Ivy prepares for her wedding to Kite Man, there’s so much to discuss. Let’s dig in.

A Rose By Any Other Name

Harley’s locked in Arkham, after the chaos that wrecked Gotham. She’s fully down on herself as Ivy’s wedding day grows closer. Even when King Shark, Frank, and Clayface come to pick her up, saying that Ivy wants her there, Harley says no. Ivy, on the other hand, is dealing with the aftermath of everything that had happened between her and Harley being broadcast by Dr. Psycho. Kite Man’s not handling things well, which is to be expected. Ivy does her best to repair things, by getting their dream venue… but Harley’s learned that Gordon’s planning to take down all the villains in attendance. What will happen when everything crashes down, and the decision about how to move forward comes down to Kite Man?

Would Smell As Sweet

The entire Harley Quinn team has given us cohesive and relatable stories this season, with each episode building on the characters and their lives. “The Runaway Bridesmaid” is an excellent jewel in the crown that is this show. The scene that touched me the most was where Kite Man makes the decision for Ivy that she can’t. It’s a situation that resonated with me, as I’ve also been fortunate enough to have had someone care enough to do the same for me. That’s one of the things that makes this show so good. Each week my colleagues and I discuss the episodes and the writing, along with the humor and emotion that, of course, come from a place of passion and heart.

This always makes for an enjoyable experience, even in the uncomfortable raw moments that wrench your heart. The writers have never shied away from the moments that force change, and show all the facets that totally humanize these weird and wonderful characters. This season gave us all of that… and then some. The voice cast has made these characters their own and, honestly, I’m unsure I could ever not hear Kaley Cuoco or Lake Bell as Harley and Ivy, moving forward. The rest of the crew, too.

Conclusion

“The Runaway Bridesmaid” delivered a satisfying conclusion to Harley Quinn Season 2. While, yes, the show’s come to an end, there’s still hope for a Season 3. If I’m totally honest, though, I’d be happy to leave the story where it is. Granted, yes I want more… much, much more, but they’ve closed up all the major plot points, and left everything in a really good place.

There have been moments of laughter and tears, joy, and heartbreak. This season left me crying with emotion as much as with laughter. Kudos. Brava! Thank you to each member of the team who helped bring this beautiful show to life, and here’s to a season 3! I give yet another 10/10, not only for the episode but to the series as a whole!

What are your thoughts for Season 2 fellow viewers? Let us know your most memorable scenes in the comments below, and I will – hopefully – see you next time!

Harley Quinn – S2 Ep12 – Lovers’ Quarrel Review

Directed By: Christina Sotta

Written By: Adam Stein

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, James Adomian, Jason Alexander, Diedrich Bader, Lake Bell, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Matt Oberg, Michael Ironside, Phil LaMarr, Jim Rash, Vanessa Marshall, James Wolk, Alan Tudyk

Thai Or Italian?

As we edge ever closer to the finale for Harley Quinn Season 2, we encounter a “Lovers’ Quarrel”. Last week, in “A Fight Worth Fighting For”, we saw Harley working with the Joker to free the JLA from the Queen of Fables’ storybook, and Ivy being the newest member of Dr. Psychos’ mind control, and finding herself hell-bent on killing Harley.

Let’s jump right in as there is plenty going on in “Lovers’ Quarrel” to discuss.

Sy In The Machine

Ivy’s still under Dr. Psycho’s control as “Lovers’ Quarrel” opens. The diminutive villain may have bitten off more than he can chew, regarding his deal with Darkseid, but he’s being as evil as he can be in the attempts to take Harley down. Not only does he use Ivy’s pheromones on Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman leading to… interesting results, he also uses Ivy against Harley in a showdown to the death, If there’s one thing to be said of this episode, it’s do not underestimate what Dr. Psycho is willing to do to win, at any cost. It remains to be seen if there will be any team left to speak of in the season finale.

She Is Soaring, Majestically

“Lovers’ Quarrel” is one of those episodes that works brilliantly, both on its own, and as a perfect lead up to a finale. We’re used to seeing danger, and cliffhangers that are nail biters, to be sure, but this one does it in a different way. Every relationship we’ve loved in this show is on the table, and what will happen to all of them remains to be seen. The writers have given us stakes of a different kind, and the voice cast has risen to that challenge at every turn.

Harley Quinn is not known for being predictable, so I think it is safe to say that things could go any way this coming Friday, when we witness the finale of Season 2.

Conclusion

I’ve given almost, if not all, of the episodes in this series a 10 out of 10. The reason I do so is because of how engrossing this show is. I see the reactions of friends, colleagues, and family, as every week we wait and ponder on what each episode will bring. How completely and utterly enthralling it is, how each one instantly becomes a favorite.

There are so many reasons to like this show, and it brings a new vision, not only of Harley Quinn, but of every single character it touches on, regardless of how small a role they may have. This episode as well gets a 10 out of 10, and I can’t wait to see what the finale holds for us all.

What were your favorite parts of “Lovers’ Quarrel”? Did they surprise you? Let us know in the comments below, and I’ll see you next review!

Harley Quinn – S2 Ep11 – A Fight Worth Fighting For Review

Director: Tom DeRosier

Writer: Tom Hyndman

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Alan Tudyk, Lake Bell, Diedrich Bader, Tony Hale, James Wolk, J. B. Smoove, Jim Rash, Tom Hollander, Michael Ironside, Vanessa Marshall, Justina Machado, Matt Oberg, Scott Porter

Led By Frank And Chad

“A Fight Worth Fighting For” was a hard episode to wait for, as we were all left with our jaws hanging open after “Dye Hard.” Dr. Psycho has betrayed not only Harley, but the whole crew, and Sy Borgman sacrificed himself to save Harley. The only way out leads Harley to making the hard choice of bringing back Joker, in order to get the JLA back from inside of The Queen Of Fables’ storybook.

As Frank says at the beginning of this episode, this is some heavy s#!+.

Dancing With The Devil In The Pale Moonlight

More Joker – in khakis and living the life of a suburban Step Dad with Bethany (Justina Machado) – Batman comes into the fray finally, and we also see Harley vent out her frustrations on Dr. Psycho for ruining Ivy and Kite-Man’s wedding plans, and things don’t go exactly as planned, leaving us with the worst possible cliff-hanger.

The Sopranos Re-watch

“A Fight Worth Fighting For” gives us a lot to chew on. I truly enjoyed watching. not only Harley, but also the joker, go through lessons about just what relationships and love are really about. Also, ZATANNA! There are so many little things about the episode that come at us hard, but the writers really do justice to this story.

Also, we get more of Michael Ironside as Darkseid which is always great!

Conclusion

“A Fight Worth Fighting For” delivers everything. It’s on par, if not above, series standard. There’s deep character growth, raw emotional issues are drawn to the surface, and the comedy is wonderful. Harley Quinn is absolutely a series that has not let its fanbase down, and as we draw to the close of Season Two, I’m on the edge of my seat.

Harley Quinn – S2 Ep10 – Dye Hard Review

Director: Vinton Heuck

Writer: Jamiesen Borak

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Jason Alexander, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Christopher Meloni, Alan Tudyk, Diedrich Bader, Tom Hollander, Rory Scovel, Jim Rash

Jesus Was Really A Shark

“Dye Hard” gives us the aftermath of the bachelorette party as well as a reunion between the gang and Dr. Psycho. It is one the fans of the series were definitely on pins and needles for. This review will have some spoilers for the previous episode “Bachelorette.”

Down To Clown

Harley’s obviously just a bit heartbroken, after the way things were left between her and Ivy.. She meets up with Sy Borgman, King Shark, and Clayface at the lair, and tries to party it up, but King Shark and Clayface bow out gracefully. Sy ends up having a heart to heart with Harley and, while she hears him, she has the pain to burn off. Hitting a Wayne Tower bar puts her in the wrong place at the wrong time with a now sane(?) Joker, who’s risen up in the bar-tending world.

Meanwhile, Gordon’s babysitting in the auto driven Batwing trying to round up the leftover parademons from recent escapades. Given the bulletproof glass of the Wayne Tower, all Harley sees is them splattering, like bugs on a windshield. What should have been a night of getting over hurt feelings leads to utter chaos.

Heavy Lifting

The series is coming to a close, with only three episodes to go, and if “Dye Hard” is any indication of what’s to come… best to have some tissues handy. The voice cast gives their all in this episode, and not only is it noted, it’s appreciated. These stories are extremely emotional, with feelings that spread farther than just the relationship between Harley and Ivy. They handle them not only respectfully, but in a blatantly raw manner, forcing viewers into the moment for each heartbreaking step that leads us, not to a conclusion, but to growth.

Conclusion

“Dye Hard” sets us directly on the path to what to expect next episode, but if the writers of this series are good at anything, it’s surprising us. They’ve fashioned a tale that has woven in every single character this season.  We must wait as patiently, as we can to see what’s to come of our beloved crew.

This episode is enthralling, action-filled, emotional, and heartbreaking in its tenderness. It absolutely does justice to what this series is all about.  A true jewel in the collection of Harley Quinn: The Animated Series. What was your favorite part of this episode? Let us know in the comments, and I’ll see you for the next review!

 

Harley Quinn – S2 Ep9 – Bachelorette Review

Director: Christina Sotta

Writer: Sarah Peters

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Ron Funches, Matt Oberg, J.B. Smoove, Alan Tudyk, Rachel Dratch, Giancarlo Esposito, Mary Holland, Jameela Jamil, Phil LaMarr, Sanaa Lathan, Phil Sasso

A Rose By Any Other Name

“Bachelorette” came at us at full speed. When we last left Harley and the gang they were setting up for Ivy to get married, having made her decision. This left Harley, still reeling from her own feelings and having to keep them locked inside. The biggest shocker was Dr. Psycho’s exit from the crew.

Destination: Themyscira

In “Bachelorette” the girls are flying high in an invisible plane, in order to get to their Bachelorette party for Ivy at the female-only Themyscira. Harley manages to get not only Nora Freeze and a college buddy of Pam’s named Jennifer to come, but we also get Catwoman joining in on the fun too.

Harley has a clipboard and a mission; to make this the best weekend for Ivy. Harls may have had to strike some fear into the grumpy band of gal pals, but once they find out about Maxie Zeus’s Isle of Chippendale dancers… all bets are off, and so are the clothes.Meanwhile, Kite Man’s having a day out on the ocean with the guys: Clayface, King Shark, and Frank. The band is doing a puzzle when a rogue lobster – named Samson – comes up on deck with one thing on his mind, King Shark. What follows is definitely not Disney, despite the crabs and underwater shenanigans.

More Than Friends

“Bachelorette” is a hard episode to avoid spoiling, as most of what happens is huge news. Suffice it to say that all cards are on the table and that Ivy must make a decision, one that threatens to have ramifications that will ripple throughout Gotham. The voice cast shines in this episode, and it’s quite an emotional roller coaster.

We get new cast members too, with Mary Holland coming in for the voices of Tabitha/Jennifer, and we get Jameela Jamil doing the voice of Eris. Returning actors include Phil Sasso as Maxie Zeus, Sanaa Lathan’s back as Catwoman, and Phil LaMarr, who has done several credits for previous Harley Quinn characters, returns as Samson/Shark God.

Conclusion

Harley has been through a lot this season, but to be fair many of the characters in this show have also faced several trials along the way. “Bachelorette” is a hard one to watch for many reasons; there are several sweet and tender moments portrayed, and the show brings us the real-life issues and emotion that we have come to expect.

While the emotional content is something that elevates this series above many other animated shows, in this case it was difficult. It does, however, give one little patience when waiting for what’s still to come. Overall it was an interesting and well made piece of television.

Seeing the whole plot against Themyscira, plus the whole story with Eris and Hippolyta, was my favorite part. That and seeing a wholly different side to Nora Freeze. I love this show for not backing down from the material they presented.

What was your favorite part of “Bachelorette”? Were there tears or laughter? Let us know in the comments, and I’ll see you for the next review!