1x08 L.O.D.R.S.V.P

[7.7/10] What I love about Harley Quinn is that it’s an irreverent, oftentimes raunchy show, with tongue-in-cheek riffs on the lot of the D.C. Universe, but at its core, there’s some really solid character-based storytelling.

To the point, the dilemma for Poison Ivy here is truly well-crafted. She knows that the Legion of Doom is only inviting Harley into the fold in order to get her, and even though she doesn't want to participate in this backwards boys’ club, Ivy doesn’t want to rob Harley of her dream. It’s a legitimately tough position to be in! Does she stick with her principles and reject the Legion’s offer, even knowing that it will crush Harley to be denied her dream, or does she go along with all of this in the name of Harley’s happiness, knowing that her best friend’s achievement will be founded on a lie, something that could make things even worse down the road?

There’s no easy answers, which is often a sign of good writing. The choice to have Ivy tell Harley the truth, figuring that honesty is the best policy at the end of the day, is a strong one, especially as Ivy is plainly willing to go to great lengths to reassure her best friend (hilariously, right down to wearing matching “YASSS KWEEN” outfits) that what they have is better than anything the Legion could offer.

Until it’s destroyed. Lex Luthor is an evil mastermind after all. Clancy Brown’s Luthor from Superman: The Animated Series will always be the definitive version of the character for me, but I can’t pretend my conception of Lex isn’t influenced by the chessmaster version of Luthor from Young Justice from Greg Weisman and company, or his spiritual predecessor from another Weisman show, David Xanatos from Gargoyles. Xanatos in particular was a master at setting things up so that even when he seemed to lose, he won.

That's what it feels like for Harley Quinn’s version of Lex (voiced by a perfectly cast Giancarlo Esposito). Maybe I’m over doing this, but it seems like he perfectly set this scenario up to drive a wedge between Harley and Ivy, sever Harley from the support system that spurred her independence, and return Harley to being under the thumb of Joker. Playing on the tension in their relationship is sharp villainsmanship.

And sadly, it works. Harley feeling undermined in one of her biggest moment, Ivy feeling unappreciated after all she did to get Harley there, the sense that even if Ivy is an ally, she’s not “part of the crew” all comes spilling out in one of those fights that is natural in the moment but that both sides regret. Harley and Ivy’s friendship has been the backbone of the show to date. Seeing it tested and strained like this, with both sides regretful of what happened but too dug in to relent, is softly heartbreaking. This isn’t a terribly sentimental show so far, but there’s a realness to the relationship between Ivy and Harley, so when they’re broken apart, you feel it. This is good stuff from a show that, beneath all the lewd humor and zany comedy, has a surprisingly sound understanding of its character dynamics and storytelling.

Of course, the rude humor and hilarious set pieces are still in force! A Legion of Doom shindig is a great setting for comedy, from Bane threatening some chicken satay, to King SHakr arguing with some guppies, to Aquaman grousing about how all water isn’t the same. There’s also some particularly good line-reads here. I loved Esposito’s reaction to the other L.o.D. there’s in a protracted legal battle with, and Tony Hale/Dr. Psycho’s dry reaction to Clyface saying he has no idea what it’s like to be a giant hideous blob was the funniest moment in the episode. Plus, Kite Man as a caterer is a lovely little addition to bring the laughs.

I’m a little colder on the B-story. Sy isn’t my favorite character in the aries, and him Jane Eyre-ing his tentacle-transformed sister in the mall doesn’t do much for me. But I do like it as an inspiration for Harley to realize that letting wedges build up for too long without reaching out only hurts both sides. So it has a purpose.

Overall though, sound writing, funny stuff as usual, and the biggest change in the status quo yet makes this another superb episode from this season.