We’re back with Jim and Rob as DCTV has finally come back!! Albeit just Batwoman at the moment but there’s lots to talk about just on that show! we also look forward to what’s on the horizon on TV and we also just a bit about the DC animated universe!
Tag: Gotham
So its back to comics this week for Jim and Michael, they revisit Batman Cacophony written by Kevin Smith and give you their thoughts on his version of a Batman story. Michael has been reading the OG Young Justice run and Jim talks about his impressions on the original Doom Patrol run and even took some time to read some Future State stuff, its all going on in this weeks ep, so have a listen now!
Looking back a decade on, it is quite clear that DC intended to take some creative risks when launching the New 52. The comic book industry has gone through universal reboots, but there was a sense that this time it was in fact, different. Suddenly Grant Morrison was headlining Action Comics, Justice League was given a big blockbuster start, and over in the Batman corner of the DC Universe, the reins were handed over to Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel. A bold move, considering Snyder had only done one other Batman story at this point (with Dick Grayson in the cowl, not Bruce), and Tony S. Daniel when not collaborating with another writer, has decidedly mixed results. Still, the fanbase was primed for the creative teams on most of the books, especially once it was announced that Greg Capullo would be joining Scott Snyder on Batman.
Batman: The Court of Owls was the first arc of the second volume of the Batman. Snyder and Capullo set out to tell a dark, mysterious and treacherous story of intrigue that would have the Dark Knight Detective questioning not only the motives of his new foe(s), but also just how much he thinks he knows Gotham City’s history… which of course also describes eighty percent or more of Batman stories published in the past eighty years. A digression…
That is not to say this is a terrible storyline. It does have its moments, and it is certainly served well by Greg Capullo’s more than capable hand in the art department, but the story ultimate buckles under its own weight. Eleven issues if you read just the main story, considerably more if you get bogged down by the sub-story “Night of the Owls” partway through this epic. While for the most part paced well within individual issues, this entire “epic” could have easily been told with fewer issues; half as few, if you include the ancillary titles. The reveal at the end of the story comes across as cliched, and a plot point if memory serves, is never even really explored again, by his creator, or any others. And considering the character the cliched plot point refers to is now dead, it may never get addressed again.
If the reader takes it as a separate parts of a whole, the storyline did give us a new foe in both the Court of Owls itself as well as their Talon foot soldiers. Those concepts have considerable legs, having been used in both animated media, and allegedly for the upcoming Gotham Knights game. Even if Scott Snyder’s story telling suffers, his concepts and ideas do not. During the most ridiculous moments, Batman still seems badass or incredibly cool, but reading it a second time years on, you begin to realize you fell for the hype a bit…
Unfortunately, Snyder still suffers under his own success and hubris with subsequent stories. If you wish to read him at his best, you should pick up a copy of Batman: Black Mirror. That is not to suggest this is a terrible storyline; there are worse, and at least one better.
Collects: Batman: (Vol. 2) 1-11
Directors: Tom De Rosier and Juan Jose Meza-Leon
Writer: Sarah Peters
Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Matt Oberg, Ron Funches, Christopher Meloni, J. B. Smoove, Alan Tudyk, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Andrew Daly, Mary Holland, Sanaa Lathan, Jonah Platt, Jim Rash
Feels Like An Episode For Shakespeare
“The Runaway Bridesmaid”… wow. We had a lot of lead up to this episode; highs and lows throughout Harley Quinn season two, as everything culminates on the big day. With Harley in Arkham Asylum, trying to work things out, and Ivy prepares for her wedding to Kite Man, there’s so much to discuss. Let’s dig in.
A Rose By Any Other Name
Harley’s locked in Arkham, after the chaos that wrecked Gotham. She’s fully down on herself as Ivy’s wedding day grows closer. Even when King Shark, Frank, and Clayface come to pick her up, saying that Ivy wants her there, Harley says no. Ivy, on the other hand, is dealing with the aftermath of everything that had happened between her and Harley being broadcast by Dr. Psycho. Kite Man’s not handling things well, which is to be expected. Ivy does her best to repair things, by getting their dream venue… but Harley’s learned that Gordon’s planning to take down all the villains in attendance. What will happen when everything crashes down, and the decision about how to move forward comes down to Kite Man?
Would Smell As Sweet
The entire Harley Quinn team has given us cohesive and relatable stories this season, with each episode building on the characters and their lives. “The Runaway Bridesmaid” is an excellent jewel in the crown that is this show. The scene that touched me the most was where Kite Man makes the decision for Ivy that she can’t. It’s a situation that resonated with me, as I’ve also been fortunate enough to have had someone care enough to do the same for me. That’s one of the things that makes this show so good. Each week my colleagues and I discuss the episodes and the writing, along with the humor and emotion that, of course, come from a place of passion and heart.
This always makes for an enjoyable experience, even in the uncomfortable raw moments that wrench your heart. The writers have never shied away from the moments that force change, and show all the facets that totally humanize these weird and wonderful characters. This season gave us all of that… and then some. The voice cast has made these characters their own and, honestly, I’m unsure I could ever not hear Kaley Cuoco or Lake Bell as Harley and Ivy, moving forward. The rest of the crew, too.
Conclusion
“The Runaway Bridesmaid” delivered a satisfying conclusion to Harley Quinn Season 2. While, yes, the show’s come to an end, there’s still hope for a Season 3. If I’m totally honest, though, I’d be happy to leave the story where it is. Granted, yes I want more… much, much more, but they’ve closed up all the major plot points, and left everything in a really good place.
There have been moments of laughter and tears, joy, and heartbreak. This season left me crying with emotion as much as with laughter. Kudos. Brava! Thank you to each member of the team who helped bring this beautiful show to life, and here’s to a season 3! I give yet another 10/10, not only for the episode but to the series as a whole!
What are your thoughts for Season 2 fellow viewers? Let us know your most memorable scenes in the comments below, and I will – hopefully – see you next time!
Directed By: Christina Sotta
Written By: Adam Stein
Starring: Kaley Cuoco, James Adomian, Jason Alexander, Diedrich Bader, Lake Bell, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Matt Oberg, Michael Ironside, Phil LaMarr, Jim Rash, Vanessa Marshall, James Wolk, Alan Tudyk
Thai Or Italian?
As we edge ever closer to the finale for Harley Quinn Season 2, we encounter a “Lovers’ Quarrel”. Last week, in “A Fight Worth Fighting For”, we saw Harley working with the Joker to free the JLA from the Queen of Fables’ storybook, and Ivy being the newest member of Dr. Psychos’ mind control, and finding herself hell-bent on killing Harley.
Let’s jump right in as there is plenty going on in “Lovers’ Quarrel” to discuss.
Sy In The Machine
Ivy’s still under Dr. Psycho’s control as “Lovers’ Quarrel” opens. The diminutive villain may have bitten off more than he can chew, regarding his deal with Darkseid, but he’s being as evil as he can be in the attempts to take Harley down. Not only does he use Ivy’s pheromones on Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman leading to… interesting results, he also uses Ivy against Harley in a showdown to the death, If there’s one thing to be said of this episode, it’s do not underestimate what Dr. Psycho is willing to do to win, at any cost. It remains to be seen if there will be any team left to speak of in the season finale.
She Is Soaring, Majestically
“Lovers’ Quarrel” is one of those episodes that works brilliantly, both on its own, and as a perfect lead up to a finale. We’re used to seeing danger, and cliffhangers that are nail biters, to be sure, but this one does it in a different way. Every relationship we’ve loved in this show is on the table, and what will happen to all of them remains to be seen. The writers have given us stakes of a different kind, and the voice cast has risen to that challenge at every turn.
Harley Quinn is not known for being predictable, so I think it is safe to say that things could go any way this coming Friday, when we witness the finale of Season 2.
Conclusion
I’ve given almost, if not all, of the episodes in this series a 10 out of 10. The reason I do so is because of how engrossing this show is. I see the reactions of friends, colleagues, and family, as every week we wait and ponder on what each episode will bring. How completely and utterly enthralling it is, how each one instantly becomes a favorite.
There are so many reasons to like this show, and it brings a new vision, not only of Harley Quinn, but of every single character it touches on, regardless of how small a role they may have. This episode as well gets a 10 out of 10, and I can’t wait to see what the finale holds for us all.
What were your favorite parts of “Lovers’ Quarrel”? Did they surprise you? Let us know in the comments below, and I’ll see you next review!
