It’s another low-key week on Harley Quinn, but that doesn’t mean we’re in for any less of a treat. Catwoman introduces us to the titular burglar as we’re given a Poison Ivy-centric episode, in a nice change of pace for the usually frenetic animated show.
To continue her plan of dismantling the Injustice League, Harley needs to take out Mr Freeze – but the only thing hot enough to melt the ice of his castle is Firefly’s plasma flamethrower, currently being stored behind closed doors in Doctor Trap’s museum. Cue trap-based shenanigans as Harley, Ivy, Catwoman, and Kite Man attempt to retrieve the rifle.
Yes that’s right, Kite Man is back, and he’s on better form than ever. Matt Oberg is terrific as the Z-list villain who’s still keen on proposing to Ivy, and joins in on the heist to try and steal her a ring. It’s Kite Man and Ivy who steal the show this time around as Ivy tries to grapple with what she wants from her future, and whether or not she’s settling too soon for too little.
Oberg and Lake Bell’s chemistry is superb, and by the time the episode ends, we find ourselves rooting for Kite Man, underdog though he may be. He’s a sweet guy at heart, and it’s only now that Harley starts to see that – the scene she and Kite Man share where he explains his love for Ivy feels earnest and heartfelt, and it’s a sign of Harley’s growth over the last season that she doesn’t just laugh in his face.
Don’t worry, though: it’s not all soppy love stories this week. Sanaa Lathan is a very welcome presence as Catwoman, who keeps both Harley and Ivy on their toes, and the B-plot of an escaped Riddler makes for some light-hearted hijinks on the side.
There’s no shortage of blood, either: a conversation towards the episode’s end between Harley and Ivy perfectly captures what makes this show so great. The gruesomeness of Ace Chemicals’ board of directors having their faces melted off by industrial waste contrasts beautifully with the tenderness of Harley and Ivy’s relationship – it’s not a balance that’s easy to pull off, but Harley Quinn makes everything look effortless.
HARLEY QUINN continues on E4 on Mondays and is available via ALL4, Amazon, and Apple thereafter.
