A Lover’s Quarrel Defines the Penultimate Episode

Harley Quinn Season 2, Episode 12 Review

So, after getting some actually helpful advice from the Joker of all people, Harley Quinn made up her mind about Ivy. She’s not going to give up on her love for Ivy or their friendship. However, Dr. Psycho continued to be a royal pain as he manages to mind-control Ivy and orders her to fight Harley to the death in a deadly lover’s quarrel. Man, that is evil.

Lover’s Quarrel Does Heavy Lifting

Some people think that the season finale to a show is going to have to carry the most weight. However, in my experience, it’s the second-to-last episode that’s most important. It’s the one that has to tie together all the plot threads together for a clean finale. And “Lover’s Quarrel” delivers in the most epic, and hilarious, fashion.

Firstly, there’s the fact that this episode sees the DC Trinity of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman fighting as one. Whenever they’re all on screen, things are going to be badass. The Parademons and Harley’s friends are no match for them. At least, until Psycho sics Ivy’s love potion on them. After that, they’re useless.

Do you know who’s not useless in this episode, though? Syrus Borgman! In a surprise twist, it turns out Sy survived as a digital program. And after transferring himself onto the Internet (I think), he teaches Kiteman how to build a device that will cancel out Psycho’s powers. If he’s now a computer program, then that could make him a way bigger help to Harley in future seasons.

The Heart of the Show

Speaking of Harley, it’s her relationship with Ivy that remains the heart of the episode. I daresay, it’s the heart of the show as a whole. Despite Psycho’s mind-control forcing Harley to fight her best friend, she chooses to gamble on their love for each other. Which leads us to the next big kiss of the season!

It’s a common cliche in fiction: an act of true love to save the person you care the most about. I’ve seen it done to death in countless stories. And yet, I never seem to get tired of it in the end. What makes this moment even more important is that Kiteman already tried this tactic on Ivy, only for it to fail. The evidence is clear: Ivy doesn’t love Kiteman as much as she thinks she does. And after kicking Psycho’s butt and sending Darkseid home (impressed with her ruthlessness), Harley makes her offer a second time.

But then, just to be a jerk, Psycho reveals what Harley and Ivy did at her bachelorette party. To everyone in Gotham!

Whatever happens in the finale next week, it’s going to be crazy. I can’t wait to see it. And then, I’m cancelling my subscription to DC Universe and switching to HBO Max. That’s where its at!

I Give “Lover’s Quarrel” a 4/5

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