Even though the latest Harley Quinn episode isn’t what we have come to expect of the animated series, in addition to giving us insight into the title character’s family background, the episode addresses a few questions left over from the previous instalment.

Image Credit: IMDb.com

Harley Quinn’s (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) backstory, as seen in Bensonhurst, is hilariously ridiculous. As DC Comics aficionados will pick up from this episode, not that you would need to every comic published, this backstory is all brand new.

Showrunners have obviously been given a certain degree of creative licence to deviate from established DC Comics canon.

There is no denying writers have put a great deal of thought into creating a new family history. It’s fun and completely barmy.

When thinking of Harley, for many people, it’s difficult to not immediately think of her association with the Joker (Alan Tudyk).

Whilst we often hear people reference her as being the Joker’s girlfriend, we rarely see the reverse mentioned. When was the last time you heard the Joker being referenced as being Harley’s boyfriend? It’s typically Harley that is being referred to as being the object in that former relationship.

Although Harley’s origin story as a villain is closely tied to the Joker, the same doesn’t have to be true of her story post-Joker. Kicking that jerk to the curb is the best thing she ever did. She doesn’t need a man to define her. Stepping out from under the Joker’s shadow, as we saw in previous episodes, helps fans rediscover the character as an individual.

Some of the series’ best moments come when showrunners address the more everyday aspects of Harley’ life. Her friendships, dreams, hopes, and desires speak to the person she wants to be moving forward rather than the toxicity of her old identity.