'Harley Quinn' Episode 2: 'A High Bar' explores the villainous social dynamics of a Gotham City break-up
Let's get this joke out of the way as soon as possible — the first episode of 'Harley Quinn' did indeed set 'A High Bar', and the second episode of the DC animated series clears it with style.
While the first episode gave us a glimpse at the show’s take on Batman’s many villains in Harley’s year at Arkham, the second episode gives us a closer look at the social dynamics of Gotham’s worst. Break-ups are hard, and having all your friends be supervillains does not make it any easier.
Last episode saw Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) end her relationship with the Joker (Alan Tudyk). Now living comfortably in a greenhouse with Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) and Frank, the Plant (JB Smoove).
She finds putting the past behind her a little hard, however, when the Joker appears on live TV, blowing up guest star Howie Mendel to make sure the world gets that the Joker broke up with Harley, not the other way around.
It’s an act of sheer pettiness that prompts one of Harley’s own - to crash a Legion of Doom party to show the Joker how well she’s doing. Sadly, the ‘party’ she crashes is a Bat Mitzvah for the Penguin’s nephew.
The villains of Gotham are essentially recast as work colleagues at an awkward social gathering. Nobody’s entirely comfortable, everyone jumps on office gossip, and the loudest, most obnoxious voice is somehow the one in charge. Bane (James Adomian, doing his best impression of Tom Hardy’s Bane) is a hilariously petulant villain, a sulky incompetent continually bullied by the Joker.
The Penguin (Wayne Knight) takes the night off from villainy, instead stepping into the role of wealthy Jewish uncle. The Joker’s always been a villain, but that he’s a jerk somehow makes things so much worse.
He embodies every terrible office boor with the shamelessness of a true villain, right up to non-apologies for offensiveness - “I’m the Joker! I was joking.” The episode even features D-list villain Kite Man (Matt Oberg), filling in for underachievers with inexplicable overconfidence everywhere.
Kite Man takes self-assuredness to hilarious new heights (hell yeah) as he tries to hit on Poison Ivy, though he manages to slightly redeem himself by the episode’s end.
Ivy proves to be one of the show’s strongest assets. She is Harley’s most supportive friend and the oft-ignored voice of reason for Harley’s increasingly crazy plans. Her dryness and general fatigue with the world gives the show’s high-energy humor a little contrast.
She’s also one of Gotham’s most powerful villains, and it’s nice to see the show giving her some recognition for that, as she keeps Harley Quinn protected.
The show keeps to its adult rating with its violence and swearing, but perhaps the most uncomfortable and hilarious scene was Harley taunting a 13-year-old would-be murdered for his lack of experience with the opposite sex. The show just about toes the line of inappropriate humor, and it’s very obviously having as much fun as it can in the process.
This is the second episode to gratifyingly call out the Joker for what a terrible person he is (murder, mayhem and destruction notwithstanding). Harley even manages to get the bullied Bane to stand up for himself, and it’s surprising how uplifting a moment it is.
The events of the evening do not dissuade Harley from her ultimate goal of joining the Legion of Doom, much to Ivy’s frustration. Harley may have broken up with the Joker, but it seems she is not quite ready to cut him out of her life.
The next episode of 'Harley Quinn' airs December 13 on DC Universe.