Harley Quinn – S1 Ep13 – The Final Joke Review

Director: Brandon McKinney

Writer: Tom Hyndman

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Jason Alexander, Diedrich Bader, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Christopher Meloni, Alan Tudyk, Matt Oberg, J.B. Smoove, Rahul Kohli

**Spoiler Warning**

Our Lovely Rose

With a solemn heart, since this is the finale, let’s play no games. “The Final Joke” starts off with a quick recap of last episode’s climactic scene, in which Poison ivy is killed right before Harley and the gang’s eyes by the villain behind the whole plot, Joker. As expected, Harley goes fully into revenge mode, but is stopped by the gang who question her plan. Everything finally comes together with Harley joining forces with Batman.

Harley soon realizes just why the Joker wants her alive and the Joker is languishing in the fact that having everything he seems to have ever wanted isn’t bringing him the joy he feels he should have. As the face-off that fans have been waiting for looms, it remains to be seen whether Gotham will be left standing and who the victor will be.

Unmasked

All of this season the voice actors and the animators have given us all they’ve got. This is a series that’s definitely for adult fans, and it’s been a joy to watch. The series has given us consistently good stories and has always been an action-packed, comedy filled, thrill ride. “The Final Joke” is no different as the human element always finds a way into the show. We get a stunning few examples in this episode and my favorite is honestly in two parts, seeing the love between Kite Man and Ivy, as well as seeing Harley stripped of everything, yet still having the utmost faith in herself.

Conclusion

I went into this series expecting a comedy show full of foul language and adult situations. We did get all of that in droves, but we also received action, depth, and relatable characters that hit home and did justice to their counterparts. I have loved every bit of Harley Quinn The Animated Series and “The Final Joke” gave us a closing, as well as intriguing prospects on just where we go from here.

Harley Quinn – S1 Ep12 – Devil’s Snare Review

Director: Juan Jose Meza-Leon

Writer: Jane Becker

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Jason Alexander, Diedrich Bader, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Christopher Meloni, Alan Tudyk, Vanessa Marshall, Matt Oberg, Wanda Sykes, James Wolk

No Tanks!

“Devil’s Snare” gives us a doozy of a situation. After Harley and the gang failed to stop Scarecrow’s plan, Ms Quinn and Ivy inform the crew that things have indeed gone sideways in the best way possible, by running towards them…screaming! All ready? Let’s go!

Nice Save J@9#o££ League

In “Devil’s Snare” we get answers to many questions left over from previous episodes. As the series rages towards a close for Season 1, we get to see just who the mastermind is to the plan playing out. Gotham, however, may not survive the fallout as everything begins to unravel. All secrets are coming out into the open and with this action-packed episode, you’d best not blink. We get not only out normal action and comedy, but this cliffhanger episode before the finale gives us our first taste of tears. Definitely have tissues ready to go for this heart-wrenching episode.

Harley and Ivy struggle to fend off tree monsters and have to deal with heroes and villains alike. It Seems that the trees are just a distraction and the gang finds that out the hard way. The gang has definitely bitten off more than they can chew, and everything they’ve worked so hard for seems to be unravelling, as the first strike goes to the villains. It remains to be seen whether the gang will pull out a win this time…

Aw, He’s Just A Kid

As we head to the final episode, it’s great to see everything coming together. “Devil’s Snare” gives us yet another perfect combo of both voice acting and animation. This series has perfectly given us relatable, real versions of beloved characters in a funny and delightful way. It’s going to be sad to say goodbye to the gang, even if only for a small amount of time. However, I am glad that Ivy and Kite Man are finally coming clean with everyone, even if Harley is the last to figure it all out.

Conclusion

“Devil’s Snare” had a lot going on and packed quite a punch. Laughter and tears aside, it leaves us patiently waiting for what’s still to come.

Harley Quinn – S1 Ep11 – Harley Quinn Highway Review

Director: Vinton Heuck

Writer: Adam Stein

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Jason Alexander, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Matt Oberg, J.B. Smoove, Alan Tudyk, Rory Scovel, Jim Rash, Rahul Kohli

Escape Plan: Ivy

Today we ride the “Harley Quinn Highway“, we also get to see whether or not Ivy will survive the Scarecrow’s dastardly plan, and whether she and Harley can make up after such a huge blow to their friendship. Are you all caught up? Then let’s put our helmets on and dive in!

Pretzel Wrapped Weenies

“Harley Quinn Highway” starts with Frank and Harley doing recon on the buildings where Ivy’s being held. It quickly becomes clear that things have been revved up security-wise and that they two will not be enough to free her, they need to get the crew back together. Ivy learns just what Scarecrow’s plan is, just in time for him to deliver a potentially devastating blow.

Bite Your Tongue

There are so many great things to see in “Harley Quinn Highway”, some of them can be summed up in one phrase: Pop Culture. There are so many references in this episode that it’s like a gleeful game of I Spy, or Where’s Waldo. Whether hidden or fully in your face, each lands perfectly and gives us a great laugh. The highway itself is quite possibly my favorite part of this episode, if only for the Rainbow Road (Mario Kart) vibes it gives off. I love the way that they’ve crafted it, as it’s very similar to Harley Quinn as a person.

Conclusion

With only two episodes left in the first season of Harley Quinn animated series, things are looking dire for Harls and her crew. We’ll have to wait and see just what’s coming, and whether the gang can put aside their differences long enough to face it and survive. That’s how the cookie usually crumbles though, isn’t it? It all comes down to these final moments where we will see just what the character of these villains is.

Harley Quinn – S1 Ep10 – Bensonhurst Review

Writer: Laura Moran

Director: Colin Heck, Ben Jones, Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Jason Alexander, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, J. B. Smoove, Charlie Adler, James Adomian, Rory Scovel, Susie Essman, Sean Giambrone

Caffeine Is My Reckoning

“Bensonhurst” continues what began in the previous episode, “A Seat At The Table“, which is very welcome, as it ended with one heck of a cliffhanger. My expectations for the follow – up were very high indeed, so let’s find out what happened to Harley and the gang!

There’s No Place Like Home

After a fight with literally all of her crew, Harley finds herself at L.O.D. lost and sad. After talking to her inner Harleen, she decides that home is indeed where the heart is, so makes her way to her Mom’s. In the beginning, it seems to be all lollipops and rainbows, but Harley soon realizes that all is definitely not what it seems, specifically when she has to deal with her Daddy Issues. Meanwhile, Ivy is in the fight of her life as she learns who had the audacity to not only kidnap her, but plans to do a lot more besides!

With Frank branching out to try and save the day, Harley’s dealing with targets on her back and no help… there are a lot of lives on the line.  The suspense definitely ramps up as we watch our favorite characters face the most perilous of situations. Who will come out of this unscathed is for you, the viewer, to find out!

Sure Pack Of Winners

“Bensonhurst” was quite an interesting watch, presenting us with a different version of Harley’s family. It’s fascinating to see everything come together as the episode flows. As always the voice cast is phenomenal and the new appearances of Charlie Adler, Susie Essman, and Rory Scovel all bring brilliant new delights to the table. The episode is high paced and definitely delivers a rush, as we watch how everything ends for this part of the arc.

Conclusion

We get deeper insight into the characters of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy: On one hand, we get to see more about Harley’s past and what makes up this version of her character. With Poison Ivy we get to see more about her power and about her personality. Each episode is an amazing glimpse into the world as Harley sees it and “Bensonhurst” is another of the many interesting stops along the way.

As the series draws closer to its finale, each and every episode has been fighting for the top spot on my favorites list. If we take a look at Harley Quinn with those eyes, we have to expect the quality to remain high in the remaining episodes.

Harley Quinn – S1 Ep9 – A Seat At The Table Review

Written By: Jordan Weiss

Directed By: Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, J. B. Smoove, Alan Tudyk, James Adomian, Diedrich Bader, Rahul Kohli, Giancarlo Esposito, Tisha Campbell-Martin

Congratulations! You’re Doomed

“A Seat At The Table” is here and it gives us what Harley wanted most. As a member of the Legion Of Doom, Harley faces the one person who can take her down… Joker. The thing is, he isn’t acting as she expected and this is throwing her off her game. With her crew relying on her help, as well as Ivy expecting her to keep her word… a lot rides on her shoulders this episode. Whether she will she make the right choices remains to be seen.

Shattered

Has Harley found herself truly alone? “A Seat At The Table” truly gives viewers a heady mix of both serious and hilarious. Bane, voiced by James Adomian, gives us some really great moments with his vendetta against Todd, the cashier at a local smoothie bar. It’s hard not to feel bad for Harley in this one as even Batman takes pity on her. The Harley/Joker battle has been building, of course in other mediums, through this season – with Harley fighting tooth and nail for him to see her as an equal – it remains to be seen if she’ll be able to stand strong on the rebound of her actions.

Conclusion

This episode has been one of the best parts of the whole series because it’s delivered on all the moments and stories that led up to it. Yes, there have been jokes and puns, but there have also been relatable moments, which is what has always been the main draw for Harley Quinn herself, and all her supporting characters. Everything has been in sync and has unfolded with more impact, episode by episode.