Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ couples in the comic book world, and their relationship takes center stage in HBO’s Harley Quinn. These are their ten best episodes. After Harley Quinn was introduced in Batman: The Animated Series, she became the girlfriend and trusty sidekick of the Joker. However, their relationship is unbearably abusive and not all romantic, in retrospect.
Luckily, they have found a new romantic partner for Harley Quinn, who shifts between playing villain, anti-villain, and anti-hero. In both DC Comics, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have become the ultimate match. They balance each other out perfectly. However, they didn’t make their onscreen debut as a couple until HBO’s animated TV show Harley Quinn, which focuses on the titular main character’s life and relationships after the Joker. If you can’t get enough of Harley and Ivy, these are the best 10 episodes to rewatch while waiting for Harley Quinn season 6.
“L.O.D.R.S.V.P.”
Season 1, Episode 8
Some of the best Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy episodes happen before the two get together. “L.O.D.R.S.V.P.” is the outcome of an arc that started at the end of season 2. Harley gets invited to the Legion of Doom. However, Ivy doubts the intentions of the men-dominated organization. This episode challenges Harley and Ivy.
Ivy’s overprotectiveness towards Harley shows a softer, more vulnerable side of the character. However, she also has to accept that Harley has her own goals. Meanwhile, Harley is so wrapped up in her own world that she doesn’t realize Ivy has been her biggest supporter. The rift forces them to grow in ways that will help their romance down the line.
“Harley Quinn Highway”
Season 1, Episode 11
Throughout the first half of Harley Quinn season 1, Harley and Ivy’s friendship is one-sided. Ivy almost always shows up for Harley, while Harley rarely returns the favor. This makes “Harley Quinn Highway” an impactful moment. Our titular main character does something truly selfless. She enters Ivy’s mindcape to save her, not knowing what fears she will face.
What’s more, Harley faces a difficult realization. Ivy might have a tough exterior, but she fears Harley’s abandonment. When confronted, she explains, “You wanna know what my biggest fear is? Finally, allowing myself to count on someone and then having them ditch me.” Knowing this harsh truth, Harley Quinn sets out to become a more present and reliable person in Poison Ivy’s life.
“All The Best Inmates Have Daddy Issues”
Season 2, Episode 6
“All The Best Inmates Have Daddy Issues” could easily be seen purely as a Harley Quinn and Joker episode, as the thesis question: can people change? It shows flashbacks of Harleen Quinzel’s first day at Arkham Asylum and her early moments with Joker. However, the episode is worth watching for Harley and Ivy fans, as it lays the foundation for the couple.
Harleen shows Ivy compassion when no one else will, treating her as worthy. In fact, she gives Ivy a plant, knowing that Ivy could use it to kill her. She believes the best in Poison Ivy, and Ivy repays her kindness by saving Harleen’s life twice. These moments lay the groundwork for their friendship in HBO’s Harley Quinn and, later, for their romance.
“There’s No Place To Go But Down”
Season 2, Episode 7
HBO’s Harley Quinn pays off a season and a half of build-up in “There’s No Place to Go But Down.” Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s first onscreen kiss should go down in history as one of the best first kisses on TV. Although it felt like forever to get to this point, it was so well written and animated that it was worth the wait.
The episode also served as a turning point for the couple. Harley realizes she loves Ivy and would do anything for her, including sacrificing her own life. Harley can be a very selfish character, so the fact that she would die for Ivy says a lot. Plus, the “aha” moment is the first step towards their epic romance.
“Bachelorette”
Season 2, Episode 9
To prove the kiss was a heat-of-the-moment impulse, Harley spends the episode trying to make Ivy’s bachelorette party perfect. Unexpectedly, the two end up in bed together twice. The first time, they agree to pretend like it never happened. The second time, Harley can’t push her feelings aside anymore. She confesses her love and asks Ivy to pick her.
This is one of the first moments in Harley Quinn where it feels like the title character is being entirely vulnerable. She has no guards up and doesn’t try to joke things off. Ivy has a good reason to feel skeptical of Harley’s confession after everything they’ve been through. However, the moment, forgive the pun, plants a seed in her mind that grows until the season finale.
“Something Borrowed, Something Green”
Season 2, Episode 13
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are one of the most beloved LGBTQ+ couples in comic book history, and “Something Borrowed, Something Green” finally puts them in an onscreen romantic relationship. The episode might start with Ivy going all in on her wedding to Kite Man, but it ends with her and Harley riding off into the sunset together.
What’s more, the story shows off how Harley has grown as a character since her breakup with the Joker. Harley overcomes her selfish impulses, putting Poison Ivy’s wants and needs first. She considers sabotaging the wedding for a moment, but she decides to support Ivy’s marriage, even if it breaks her heart. Ivy deserves to have a partner this selfless and caring.
“The 83rd Annual Villy Awards”
Season 3, Episode 3
In “The 83rd Annual Villy Awards,” HBO’s Harley Quinn shows us that Harley and Ivy might have both changed a lot, but they still have their problems. Harley Quinn goes all-in on winning Best Couple because her relationship with Joker has defined her for so long. She wants to prove that she can find a healthy, loving relationship with someone else. Meanwhile, Ivy attends the event even though she finds crowds extremely anxiety-provoking.
Throughout the episode, Harley ignores Ivy’s anxiety, and Ivy dismisses the thing Harley cares about. They both fail to show up for each other in the way that their partner needs. Luckily, they come to see each other’s perspectives and resolve their conflict in a mature way.
“A Thief, A Mole, An Orgy”
Season 3 Episode 4
Throughout Harley Quinn, the title character is often the one at fault for Harley and Ivy’s relationship problems. She has a lot to work on. However, “A Thief, A Mole, An Orgy” shows how Ivy also contributes to their problems, too.
Ivy gets annoyed at Harley and her crew, but fails to communicate this to Harley and outright lies to spare her partner’s feelings. Later, Ivy lies by omission about her past relationship with Catwoman, this time out of embarrassment. Ivy’s fatal flaw is her inability to communicate and be vulnerable. Luckily, the ending shows her opening up in a new way.
“The Horse & The Sparrow”
Season 3, Episode 10
By the end of Harley Quinn season 3, it was pretty clear that, professionally, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are headed in different directions. Their shared love of villainy is one of the foundations of their relationship, so it really tests them when Ivy realizes that Harley doesn’t want that anymore. She clearly wants to try being on the heroes’ side.
The diverging paths might put stress on their relationship, but “The Horse & The Sparrow” shows that they mean it when they say they’re committed to each other. Harley and Ivy agree that they can be on opposite sides of the fight without ruining anything. Of course, they don’t put this to the test until season 4, but the fact that they’re willing to try says a lot.
Killer’s Block
Season 4, Episode 10
Harley and Ivy spend very little time together in season 4 because HBO’s Harley Quinn puts them on different paths. Ivy is working with the Legion, and Harley is working with the Bat family. However, neither of them is satisfied. “Killer’s Block” allows them to voice their frustrations to each other. They feel like they can’t achieve their goals no matter how hard they try.
After talking with one another, they realize they need to stop playing by the rules if they want to succeed. They each quit their respective teams. Harley Quinn season 4’s ending not only ends with them choosing to work together again, but sets up the Sirens, a beloved team from the comics with even more Sapphic characters.
- Release Date
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November 29, 2019
- Network
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DC Universe, HBO Max, Max
- Showrunner
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Dean Lorey, Chrissy Pietrosh, Jessica Goldstein
- Directors
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Juan Jose Meza-Leon, Vinton Heuck, Joonki Park, Cecilia Aranovich, Ben Jones, Colin Heck, Tom De Rosier, Brandon McKinney, Frank Marino, Mike Milo, Matt Garofalo, Christina Sotta, Michael Moloney
- Writers
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Tom Hyndman, Sarah Nevada Smith, Jamiesen Borak, Ava Tramer, Connie Shin, Jess Dweck, Jane Becker, Laura Moran, Sabrina Jalees, Jordan Weiss, Jimmy Mosqueda, Rachel Pegram
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Lake Bell
Poison Ivy (voice)