This review was made possible by 10 episodes of Season 3 of HBO Max’s Harley Quinn provided by WarnerMedia. Watch the third season of Harley Quinn on HBO Max on Saturday, July 28th. New episodes will air weekly.
Harl-Ivy is back! Harley Quinn is back for Season 3 on HBO Max, filling our brains with raunchy humor and gore once again. Gotham is in a power vacuum after the events of Season 2, and alongside it Harley and Ivy are beginning to sprout as the new hottest couple in town (pun completely intended). What heists and plans do they have going on this time with King Shark, Clayface, and Frank? Read along and I’ll give you my non-spoiler thoughts on all 10 episodes of this season.
The Headaches and Arguments of a New Relationship
Let’s start off with what I consider the main arc of this season, Harley and Ivy’s new relationship. The season picks up two weeks after the season 2 finale, where Ivy left Kite Man at the altar to run away with Harley. So a relationship this early on between two of Gotham’s biggest villains is bound to have it’s issues, and issues there are.
If you have seen the first two seasons, you know both characters well. Ivy is a recluse, an introvert, who loves her plants and wants nothing to do with drama in Gotham. Harley, on the other hand,d is an over-the-top psychopath who tends to be extra about everything, including murder and kidnappings. You see where there could be some clashes in a budding relationship?
I would say every episode features some form of development for them, for better and for worse, but it is easily the strongest part of this season. If you came out of last season wanting more Harl-Ivy, you will not be disappointed.
The Shining Stars of Gotham
Onto the next strongest part of this season, and everyone’s favorite supporting characters, the gang. King Shark, Clayface, Frank, and a special character return in a great way to keep them around for more of the show.
They do this season what they’ve always done best, be hilarious and extra, but always come through for emotional support for Harley and Ivy when needed. A makeshift family of ragtag villains who need each other in this universe’s quickly changing landscape. Clayface is still pursuing his passion of being a movie star, and King Shark is still, well, eating people and talking about his two genitalia, a lot.
Frank gets a very suprising and powerful development this season. I will say that again, a powerful development. I will leave that there for you to ponder on.
Background and Cameos Galore
And of course, I cannot forget one of my favorite parts of this entire show, the use of villain and hero cameos. If you’re like me, I consistently pause the show and point out obscure DC characters they throw in as background characters. There is an absurd amount of them this season, plus a cameo from James Gunn?
Keep an eye out in episodes 3 and 4 for some great characters, if you have the comic knowledge, you will be delighted.
Nightwing, Nightwing, and More Nightwing
This is gonna be my favorite part of this article to write. Dick Grayson is my favorite DC character of all time, and boy did they not disappoint me with him in this season. His role is much bigger than expected, and I loved every second of it.
They play into him wanting to be his own person quite a bit, trying to detach himself from Batman and the old Robin mantle he held eight years prior. Him and Barbara tie together nicely this season, and overall the entire Bat-Family has an arc of their own, unexpected and not used for gags as usual, but lovely to watch to say the least.
The Future is Bright
As of right now, Harley Quinn has not been renewed for a season 4, but I am begging WB to greenlight it. This show could easily go for two or three more seasons. The entire cast shines bright, and it makes for a heartfelt journey of love, plants, and blood.
We want more, and we need more.
‘Harley Quinn’ Season 3 – Final Thoughts
Harley Quinn Season 3 is easily the best season yet. The brilliant cast plays on their strengths heavily, and the introductions of new characters, new developments, and more set-ups for the future of the show, solidifies it as one of the best superhero shows of all time.
Harley Quinn Season 3, Episodes 1-3 stream exclusively on HBO Max on July 28th. New episodes air weekly on HBO Max.
