Harley Quinn: Animation’s Most Binge-Able Adventure

Read Time:4 Minute, 6 Second

TV SERIES REVIEW
Harley Quinn – Season 04
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Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 10, 20+ minute episodes
Creator(s): Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Dean Lorey
Cast: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Alan Tudyk, Christopher Meloni, Ron Funches, JB Smoove, Tony Hale, and others
Where To Watch: season 4 premieres July 27, 2023, on Max

RAVING REVIEW: HARLEY QUINN is still my favorite adult animated series… ever. I don’t say this lightly, as I love SOUTH PARK, RICK AND MORTY, and even classics like DRAWN TOGETHER. So I don’t say that without much thought, but this series brings something others haven’t. They’ve taken an established character that was well known and turned her up to eleven. We all thought, and maybe even assumed, that this is Harley's life behind the scenes, but there’s something special about seeing that unhinged reality unedited.

So a quick recap (seriously, binge the first three seasons; this is probably the most binge-able show ever.) The DC Universe's animated series, HARLEY QUINN, takes us on an exhilarating journey with its most lively and unpredictable lead. Voiced perfectly by Kaley Cuoco, Harley Quinn embarks on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery following a chaotic breakup with Joker, a character Alan Tudyk expertly portrays. Harley forms a motley crew of DC's lesser-known characters, with the enigmatic Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) at her side, ready to turn the underworld of Gotham City on its head.

The series is a wonderful mix of veteran voice actors' talents, including Christopher Meloni, Ron Funches, JB Smoove, and Tony Hale, adding depth and charm. Harley Quinn's audacious spirit and ever-changing dynamics are in the spotlight as she navigates the complex relationships and power structures within the DC Universe. The fourth season puts Harley and Poison Ivy's tumultuous bond front and center while wrestling with evolving ambitions and shifting loyalties.

The new season sees Harley joining the ranks of the Batfamily and Poison Ivy commanding the Legion of Doom. The narrative juggles individual character arcs with shared experiences. Season 4 keeps the pace high with its distinctive blend of adult humor and an enthralling storyline.

The narrative picks up at a pivotal point in Harley and Ivy's relationship and follows their over-the-top world, all while keeping up with their day-to-day lives. Harley embraces her new role with fervor, bolstered by Batgirl (Briana Cuoco), but finds resistance in Nightwing (Harvey Guillén) and Robin (Jacob Tremblay). In contrast, despite being endorsed by the shrewd Lex Luthor (Giancarlo Esposito), Ivy finds her newfound power as the Legion’s leader under siege. These roles strain their bond, adding uncertainty to how the season will play out.

The fourth season shifts focus from the firm bond between Harley and Ivy established in the previous seasons to their evolution in the world of heroism. Harley battles her criminal tendencies as she pledges to fight crime, yet adjusting to the Bat Family's non-lethal methods is challenging. The series portrays a heightened version of her character from the DC Animated Universe, spotlighting her moral quandaries. This is what HARLEY QUINN has done, and done well since day one, and they’ve taken this very one-dimensional character (from her origins) and given her cart blanche to be herself.

In the fourth season of HARLEY QUINN, the Bat Family's presence expands. Guided by Batgirl, Harley's evolution into a bona fide hero continues. Harley and Ivy’s relationship evolves, and the characters get their time in the spotlight allowing the series to develop again. I can’t wait to see how Harley and the gang’s adventures continue, and I’m more than ready for season 5!

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[photo courtesy of MAX]

MY SAG-AFTRA/WGA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals' extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I'm steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

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