Harley Quinn debuts new episodes on Fridays via the DC Universe streaming platform in North America. International air dates are yet to be confirmed.
Synopsis
Harley gets an invite to the Legion of Doom’s prospective members party, but Ivy discovers it’s her Lex Luthor (GIANCARLO ESPOSITO) is really after.
Review
We’re rapidly nearing the half-way point in the first season of Harley Quinn and the show is now teetering on the edge of narrative greatness.
Once again we find ourselves in an episode heavily rooted in the overall narrative of the season, rather than facing down another pure obstacle-of-the-week storyline.
This week Harley (Kaley Cuoco) and the gang are invited to a prospective members party by the Legion of Doom and it’s the moment Harley has been waiting for. It also gives the writers chance to toy with the idea of Harley getting what she wants for once.
The episode cold opens in the middle of an underwater caper in Atlantis. It’s a refreshing change to see the team mid-heist rather than repeat the scenario whereby each episode opens as the team returns to their base. I wonder if, as the team continues to succeed, we’ll gradually see more of this. The more successful they are, the more we see and vice versa.
I’ve talked in past reviews about the series needing more interaction between Harley and DC’s heroes, particularly as her crew becomes more successful. Low-and-behold this episode features two appearances by Aquaman (Chris Diamantopoulos). He’s played more classically for laughs than his bro-dude persona that we’re now accustomed to on the big screen but he slots in to the world of Harley Quinn with ease. More of this please DC!
The character development in this episode does, however, come at a price. “L.O.D.R.S.V.P.” challenges the relationship between Harley and Ivy (Lake Bell) and marks a big shift in the status quo of the show.
When Ivy discovers that Lex (Giancarlo Esposito) really only wants her for the Legion of Doom she tries to convince Harley to head home. It turns out the Legion has invited Harley over 100 times and turned to inviting Harley as a way to get her attention.
Ivy spends the rest of the episode torn between her loyalty to her friend and seeing her believe she has finally achieved what she has been seeking to do all season. It adds a layer of drama to the episode particularly as it all comes to a head in the third act.
As Ivy tries to tell Harley the truth it inevitably comes across like jealousy as Harley is blinded by her own perceived success. It drives a clear wedge between the pair and means that going in to next week the villainous-dynamic-duo is no more.
Harley Quinn continues to focus on developing very real, dramatic relationships between its hyper-realist narrative and it continues to be one of the series’ strongest points.
Verdict
“L.O.D.R.S.V.P.” is what I would call “classic” Harley Quinn. It’s got a brilliant mix of comedy, violence and character which helps push the serialised narrative forwards without compromise.
7/10
Harley Quinn stars Kaley Cuoco as the voice of Harley, and she’ll be joined by Lake Bell, Alan Tudyk, Ron Funches, JB Smoove, Jason Alexander, Wanda Sykes, Giancarlo Esposito, Natalie Morales, Jim Rash, Diedrich Bader, Tony Hale and Chris Meloni.
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