This week’s episode is one fans have been waiting for ever since the San Diego Comic Con last July as it introduces the Clown Prince of Crime’s main squeeze Harley Quinn.
In "Two of a Kind" the world of The Batman is introduced to a new character in Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a daytime talk show host who happens to have a degree in psychology (that she got online). After an incident involving an appearance by Bruce Wayne, her TV show is canceled, and Quinzel is tossed out and made a laughing stock. Sensing her vulnerability, The Joker wastes no time in grooming her as his new partner in crime, as they wreak havoc throughout the city and encounter The Batman who tries to talk Dr. Quinzel out of her new found life of crime.
Personally, I have been waiting for this episode for awhile. Since the original introduction of Harley Quinn in Batman: The Animated Series I have been a big fan of the character (I even want to name my daughter Harley if I ever have one), and hoped they’d introduce her into Batman’s latest animated incarnation at some point...I finally got my wish.
Although her origin is slightly altered (she’s now a talk show host rather than a psychologist at Arkham) the basis of Harley is still there. The biggest change I saw is in the fact that there is almost no difference in her personality when she’s Dr. Harleen Quinzel than when she’s Harley Quinn. I found this to be a bit disappointing because I always found her origin to be fascinating. Here you’ve got a brilliant psychologist who takes on The Joker as a patient. After months and months of listening to his horror stories about his childhood the doctor begins to feel pitty for him. After being beaten nearly to death and imprisoned once again at the hands of The Batman, Dr. Quinzel decides to spring The Joker and takes on the new mantle of “Harley Quinn.” I always loved seeing her downward spiral going from The Joker’s psychologist, to his almost obsessive love slave.
The episode itself is good if you can get past the new spin on Harley. For those wondering about her voice that was originally brilliantly done by Arleen Sorkin worry not as Hynden Walch (Starfire from Teen Titans) does an almost spot on job of recreating her voice for the new series. The character is almost exactly as she was in the original series (except for the above example) and of course how could we have Harley Quinn without her saying some of her classic phrases such as “puddin,” or "Mista J"? Those are all in the episode as well.
Overall "Two of a Kind" does a decent job of introducing one of my favorite characters to the world of The Batman. Harley’s new design works great, especially with the overexaggerated features such as her eyes and jester cap, and her mannerisms are spot on as the episode progresses. I’m sure some people will trash the episode because it takes a slightly new approach to the character, but keep in mind that the episode was written by Harley’s creator Paul Dini, and who better to introduce her to a new audience than the man who originally gave her life? I’m really hoping we see more of Harley in season 5.