The newest episode of Harley Quinn has brought some surprise twists and storylines. So far, Season Five has entertained audiences with new characters, humor, and chaotic stories. Its biggest highlights include the introduction of unique and beloved DC Comics characters. The ever-growing list of fan favorites includes Floronic Man, Brainiac, and Lena Luthor. This latest installment is no different and presents a renowned villain from 2003’s Teen Titans. Care to discover who this character is and what they brought to Harley Quinn?
Recounting Season Five So Far
The fifth season begins with Harley and Ivy now retired. With Gotham City in ruins, they leave in favor of the pristine Metropolis. They stay after Bruce Wayne’s new girlfriend, Lena Luthor, offers Ivy a job. She starts the new day and encounters her ex-lover, Professor Jason Woodrue. Their time together ends with Ivy accidentally mutating him into a plant-human hybrid. Harley babysits King Shark’s kids at a luxurious private club during that time.
Jason, now Floronic Man, torments Ivy and attempts to kill her within the Green. Harley saves Ivy at the last second before Brainiac abducts them. Clayface simultaneously takes over the Daily Planet after his show receives a bad review. Upon meeting Harley, Brainiac deduces her as the sole prevention in Metropolis’ perfection. He attempts to eliminate her, but Lena intervenes, thus revealing her partnership with him. Brainiac returns the couple home and wipes their memories so they’re none the wiser.
A Harley Quinn Murder Mystery
Big Pasta Dinner, the new Harley Quinn episode, starts with Harley anxiously cleaning the apartment. She’s trying to keep her mind off her nightmares about a skull looming over her. King Shark’s son Shaun unexpectedly arrives to hang out and demolishes their bathroom. Harley contacts Bruce, the building’s owner, to fix it, but she needs to talk to Alfred. She, Ivy, Frank, and Shaun later attend a pasta dinner party hosted by Bruce. Damian, Lois Lane, Joker, and Joker’s stepdaughter Sophia are with him.
Dinner grew tense when Bruce mentions Dick Grayson, who passed away some time ago. The lights momentarily go out to reveal Alfred dead and Harley holding the murder weapon. Harley, Ivy, and Shaun run before Bruce reveals to everyone else that Alfred is faking. Harley tries to confront the supposed killer, but a man in black attacks her. The mystery man manages to incapacitate her and the guests and reveals himself as Dick. Before he can kill Harley, Bruce talks him down, and they reunite as a family.
Dressed as the Macaroni, Alfred appears and ruins the happy moment. He reveals he orchestrated everything for revenge against Harley, Ivy, Joker, and Bruce. After seeing his plan fail, he doses himself with Bane’s steroidal venom and attacks. The group manages to de-power and defeat him, and the police take Alfred away. Lois approaches Harley afterward and asks for her assistance in an investigation. Together, they will determine why they and other Metropolian citizens dream about a skull.
The Revenge of Red X
This latest episode pays tribute to the animated show Teen Titans from 2003. It showcases the return of Dick Grayson as the infamous Red X. To elaborate, Red X debuted in Teen Titans as the one-time persona of Robin. He established the alter-ego to get close to the team’s arch-nemesis, Slade. He hangs up the mantle in the end, but it’s stolen in a later episode. The new Red X becomes an enemy of the Titans and a circumstantial ally.
In Harley Quinn, Red X arrives to enact his revenge against Harley. He wanted to make her pay for unintentionally killing him last season. Dick initially tried to frame her for Alfred’s death which was an act. When that plan failed, he resorted to outright murder and almost succeeded. It took a heartfelt talk with Bruce to snap him out of his murderous mindset.
The surprise twist was Dick/Red X was to be a tool for Alfred’s revenge. Alfred wanted him to kill Joker, Harley, and Ivy for their actions from previous seasons. He also desired vengeance against Bruce for being unappreciative and abandoning him in prison. And like Dick, Alfred decided to kill his quarry when his first plan fell through. The only difference is he didn’t give up after Bruce tried making amends with him.
Homage to Another Teen Titans Team
This installment contains a small reference to an alternate Teen Titans. It involves Damian and his relationship with fellow Titan, Raven. This episode reveals the pair have been dating for an unknown time. This aspect pertains to the Damian and Raven characters from the DC Animated Movie Universe. In that reality, they’re teammates and become lovers throughout the film series. The only difference is the Harley Quinn iterations sadly break up, which Damian takes hard.
Final Thoughts
After tallying all points, I give this Harley Quinn episode a 9.5. The 0.5 reduction from a perfect 10 stems from a few minimal issues. It seemed like Red X’s antagonist arc ended far too soon. He could’ve received a prominent role this season as Harley’s arch-enemy before revealing himself. The ending also felt random, with Alfred revealing himself as the true villain. His turn to villainy probably would have worked better if there were subtle hints.
However, many good qualities easily outweigh the negatives. The jokes were chuckle-worthy, the action was exciting, and it set up future stories. Harley finally has a purpose for this season, and Bruce displays further emotional growth. Of course, Red X being featured drives the ratings up. This episode was a pleasant and fun addition worthy of its high score. I’ll be back to cover the next installment of Harley Quinn.
