The Season 5 premiere of Harley Quinn kicks off with Gotham City in complete disarray. Since the disbanding of the Bat Family and the Joker’s impeachment as mayor after paralyzing Barbara Gordon, the city has plunged into chaos. A flashback reveals the messy breakup of the Gotham City Sirens—Harley, Ivy, Catwoman, and Oracle—during a mission centered around the Heart of Darkness. The mission went awry largely due to Oracle’s deceptive behavior and the team’s internal dysfunction.

In the present, Harley and Ivy have settled into a surprisingly quiet life. They spend their days lounging at home, watching TV, and ordering takeout. This routine gets disrupted when they bump into Riddler and Clock King, now a thriving couple with an active social life. The pair mocks Harley and Ivy for becoming dull homebodies, and this strikes a nerve, particularly with Harley. She begins worrying that their relationship has lost its excitement and charm.

While watching Tawny Young’s TV show, the couple learns about the grand opening of the Superman Museum in Metropolis. Harley, eager to prove they’re still an exciting duo and also craving some recognition from Superman for saving his life in the past, persuades a reluctant Ivy to attend the gala. Upon arriving, they’re immediately struck by how clean, orderly, and overall idyllic Metropolis feels compared to Gotham. Even the people seem happier, healthier, and better-smelling—a stark contrast to the gritty chaos they’re used to.

At the gala, they run into Bruce Wayne, who surprises everyone with his new girlfriend, Lena Luthor—Lex Luthor’s sister and the museum’s primary benefactor. Things take a turn when Metropolis’s newly implemented Automaton Security System detects Harley and Ivy as Gothamites and promptly ejects them from the event. Determined not to be defeated, they disguise themselves as acrobats to sneak back in. Chaos ensues when they attempt to steal Superman’s prized baby blanket, leading to an explosive fight with the high-tech security robots. However, Lena covers up the incident, spinning it as an elaborate part of the evening’s entertainment.

The next day, Lena invites Harley and Ivy to an exclusive lunch on a rooftop she’s rented out entirely. She expresses admiration for their energy, which added a spark to her otherwise monotonous gala. When Ivy critiques the city’s lack of greenery, she showcases her powers by creating a stunning rooftop garden on the spot. Lena, clearly impressed, offers Ivy a role overseeing Metropolis’s Green Initiative—a bold opportunity to transform the chrome-heavy city into a greener, more sustainable place.

Meanwhile, Harley has a heartfelt conversation with Superman. He confesses feeling increasingly irrelevant as the city’s new automated system now handles all crime, making his superheroics unnecessary. Harley gives him a pep talk, encouraging him to prioritize his own happiness. This leads Superman to announce he’s taking a sabbatical with “Clark Kent,” which Harley hilariously misinterprets as Superman having an affair with his own alter ego.

As the episode draws to a close, Harley and Ivy each independently decide they want to stay in Metropolis. For Ivy, the Green Initiative presents an unparalleled chance to achieve her environmental goals through legitimate means rather than through eco-terrorism. Harley, on the other hand, loves how Metropolis views them as more than just villains—they’re seen as individuals capable of doing good and making a difference. The pair has even secured a condo with Bruce Wayne’s help, though the mortgage terms are suspiciously predatory.

However, this new beginning comes with ominous undertones. The final scene reveals that Metropolis’s seemingly flawless security system is under the control of none other than Brainiac. He’s shown monitoring Harley and Ivy’s conversation about moving to the city, clearly displeased with their presence. This twist hints at a much darker side to Metropolis’s perfection and suggests that Brainiac has larger, sinister plans for the city.

The Season 5 premiere sets up several intriguing storylines. Harley and Ivy’s personal arc revolves around adjusting to life in a new city and potentially shifting from being outright villains to more complex, multidimensional characters. Ivy’s new role offers her the chance to legitimize her environmental ambitions, while Harley grapples with their relationship dynamics and how they fit into Metropolis’s ecosystem. Above all, the presence of Brainiac introduces a high-stakes conflict. His control over the city’s security system positions him as a formidable antagonist who maintains order while veiling his true intentions under the guise of progress.

The episode also explores broader themes, cleverly satirizing superhero tropes. Superman’s struggle with obsolescence in a world leaning toward automation mirrors real-world anxieties about technology replacing human roles. The stark contrast between Gotham’s chaos and Metropolis’s strict order creates fertile ground to examine issues of control, freedom, and the cost of utopia.

As always, the writing balances sharp adult humor, clever pop culture references, and genuine emotional depth. Harley and Ivy’s relationship is portrayed with authenticity, capturing the challenges of long-term commitment and the fear of falling into a rut. Their decision to move to Metropolis represents a natural progression for their characters, showcasing their growth and desire for a fresh start. Lena Luthor’s introduction adds an intriguing dynamic, particularly given her family’s history with Superman and her apparent admiration for Harley and Ivy’s chaotic charisma.

The Brainiac twist at the end elevates the stakes. His grip on Metropolis’s automated systems suggests he’s not just an antagonist but also a representation of the dangers of unchecked technological power. This sets up an ideological clash between Brainiac’s vision of a cold, calculated utopia and Ivy’s dream of a greener, more organic city. With Brainiac monitoring their every move, Harley and Ivy’s presence in Metropolis could disrupt the fragile order he’s meticulously crafted, making for an exciting season ahead.

In sum, the premiere delivers everything fans love about Harley Quinn: humor, heart, and high-stakes drama. It effectively sets the stage for a season filled with personal growth, relationship challenges, and battles against larger-than-life threats, all while continuing to explore what it means to be a hero, a villain, and everything in between.

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