REVIEW: ‘Harley Quinn’ Season 5 Episode 7 — “Frankette”

Following a significant upset, Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 7 must deal with the fallout of Frank’s murder. However, Ivy’s (Lake Bell) revenge doesn’t go as planned. Instead, Harley (Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy are on shaky ground at the end of “Frankette” due to Lena Luthor’s (Aisha Tyler) plotting and an unexpected rift threatening to tear them apart. However, despite all of the unfolding drama, the episode doesn’t necessarily earn the note it ends on. The writing is rushed as it tries to set viewers up for the next big hurdle in the pair’s relationship.

Part of this shakiness is mainly due to Ivy’s character. Her characterization fluctuates between extremes. She’s either chill and easygoing or enraged and hot-tempered. There’s no in-between, but these levels of extremes can make for a frustratingly inconsistent character, even when her motivations are understandable. Ivy spends most of Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 7 in a fit of grief due to the loss of Frank (J.B. Smoove). That loss is punctuated by his last will, which sees him essentially producing a child from his grave plot, a girl plant named ‘Frankette.’

The last part is a hilarious way to keep Frank involved, but it is another reminder of Frank to Ivy, who is consumed by her need for revenge. Ivy refuses to slow down and consider her options, taking the bait when Lena arrives and allowing her and Harley access to Brainiac’s (Stephen Fry) ship. They find him immediately in a depressive state as he rewatches the musical from Episode 6. He breaks the fourth wall once again, speaking to a mysterious “them,” which Harley takes as a sign of him losing his sense of reality. Because of this, she shows a modicum of sympathy for him.

As Brainiac’s apathy leads him to destroy Metropolis, Harley and Ivy t realize he isn’t guilty of killing Frank. Through footage of the musical, they learn that it was Lena who murdered Frank as a means to incentivize Harley and Ivy. Ivy leaves to kill Lena, which puts Harley in charge of saving Metropolis. For a moment, it feels like this will go the way that so many near-apocalyptic fates Harley Quinn has dealt with in the past. Harley is surprisingly heroic. Ivy has an emotional realization (she cares for Frankette and will go out of her way to save her), and the city they’re currently in, Gotham or Metropolis, is a little worse for wear but not buried.

Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 7 plays with our expectations. 

While those beats happen, Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 7 ends with a pivot, threatening the most substantial, most consistent element of the series — Harley and Ivy’s relationship. Harley has to beg Lena for help, promising her anything as long as she saves Ivy from the destruction Brainiac put into action. In return, Lena steals Frankette because she knows it will tear the couple apart, and they’re strongest together. It’s been a while since Ivy and Harley have had any real relationship strife, but that hasn’t rendered the series rote or boring. Their romance strengthens the series like it strengthens each other.

The episode ends with Ivy blaming Harley and the two arguing because of it. It’s frustrating because we know what Harley saw and that, without Lena’s help, Ivy and Frankette would’ve undoubtedly died. The fight makes sense simply coming from Ivy’s current headspace, but it takes some liberties in their communication skills to make it stick. Ivy goes through many ups and downs in the episode, from dealing with Frank’s death to accepting her new role as Frankette’s guardian. But the fight and her blaming Harley feel a little too forced, as if the writers were desperate for internal conflict.

Despite this, Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 7 has plenty of charm. The animation flourishes in a playful song and dance number when Harley distracts Brainiac. Brainiac’s characterization continues to impress as he is written with far more depth than being strictly villainous, highlighted when he questions Lena’s plan to hurt Harley and Ivy. Bane as a babysitter is an easy laugh, especially when he’s forced to interact with Shawn, a Season 5 highlight. It’s just the main plot and the ending note that sour the episode.

Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 7 allows for some strong character-driven moments, as frustrating as they are, until an unfortunately forced ending. With Harley and Ivy’s relationship strained, the series threatens its own heart. As Lena takes control of Brainac’s ship, the series moves into its season endgame with a new significant and unexpected threat. It’s just too bad they didn’t merge the storylines easily.

Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 7 is out now on Max, formerly HBO Max.

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