Harley Quinn season 3 is right around the corner, which means Harley and Ivy’s relationship can finally flourish onscreen – but this season has three big hurdles for them to overcome in order to prosper. The finale of season 2 saw Poison Ivy leaving her fiancé Kite Man at the altar to chance a relationship with Harley, as she proved she can be selfless. Their romance will face many hurdles this upcoming season, but only three major ones.
Season 2 of Harley Quinn aired back in 2020 on DC Universe. Unfortunately, DC Universe faced a restructuring that caused Harley Quinn’s animated solo series to be held in limbo until it was rehomed on HBO Max. While the series was renewed for a third season in 2020, it took two years for season 3 to finally get a release date. The official teaser for Harley Quinn season 3 recently dropped and revealed that it will start airing on July 28.
Related: Why Harley Quinn’s Solo Series Is Her Perfect DC Future
The teaser trailer doesn’t reveal much in regards to Harley and Ivy’s relationship in Harley Quinn season 3 other than what could have been assumed during season 2’s run. Now that Poison Ivy is willing to try making things work despite Harley’s unpredictability, and with the Kite Man dilemma dealt with, the romance between them might develop more smoothly. However, both Ivy and Harley retain individual issues that could make or break their relationship. In the trailer, the Joker is seen on stage with two individuals dressed in Harley Quinn’s classic costume. It isn’t a stretch to assume he isn’t done involving himself in Harley’s life for personal gain as last season proved he hasn’t moved on from being a villain. That hurdle paired with Poison Ivy’s lingering commitment issues is only part of the three substantial problems Harley and Ivy’s romance will face in season 3.
The Joker Threatens Harley Quinn’s Relationship With Poison Ivy
The character arc Joker went through in season 2 will probably come into play in Harley Quinn season 3. He discovered he could stay with Bethany and enjoy a suburban lifestyle while keeping his villain persona intact. Harley Quinn co-head writer and executive producer Justin Halpern revealed that the Joker will have a stand-alone episode like Batman did in season 2 and be depicted in a way he’s never been seen before. While the details of Joker’s involvement in Harley Quinn season 3 are vague, a stand-alone episode gives him more room to scheme against Harley. Since he’s back to being evil, he’s bound to run into Harley in their line of work and weaponize their old toxic relationship to exploit her. Harley has moved on from Joker, but it’s unknown if she’s able to shake off the entirety of his influence. If she is manipulated by him again, her relationship with Ivy will be stirred up since one of Ivy’s biggest concerns is that Harley can’t change and will always return to his side.
Poison Ivy Leaving Kite Man Isn’t Entirely Good News For Harley Quinn
In response to her romantic feelings for Harley, Ivy finally moves on from her relationship with Kite Man in Harley Quinn’s season 2 finale. While this decision becomes the first stepping stone toward Harley and Ivy’s blossoming romance, it may not bode well for their future together. Kite Man and Ivy had their fair share of problems while dating but her choice to marry him served as a well-rounded character arc as it proved she could overcome her commitment issues. Leaving Kite Man at the altar reverses this arc and implies her trouble committing may still be present. With Harley’s obsessive personality, she might try to progress their new relationship too fast for Ivy to handle so soon after breaking off her engagement. That being said, Ivy was afraid of having her heart broken by Harley but chooses to commit to her in the end regardless. This may prove their romance’s stability.
The Mad Hatter Could Test Ivy & Harley’s Romance In Season 3
Justin Halpern confirmed more than Joker’s standalone episode for Harley Quinn season 3. The popular Batman villain the Mad Hatter will be making an appearance this season. With further confirmation that Harley Quinn will bring back the surreal mind jumping plot device, a question arises of whether or not the Hatter will impact Harley and Ivy’s relationship. The Mad Hatter is a brilliant “neurotechnician” and can control the minds of anyone subject to his technology. If he instigates a situation where Harley and her crew need to jump into someone’s mind, it could unearth underlying issues in her romance with Ivy that neither of them is willing to address.
Related: DC’s Harley Quinn Shows Even Legion Of Doom Hates Sexists
In Harley Quinn season 1 episode 5 “Being Harley Quinn” Doctor Psycho helps the crew enter Harley’s mind to cure her paralysis. This scene offers context to Harley’s character by unveiling her background and traumatic upbringing. Season 3 is going to be diving more into Poison Ivy’s backstory, so if the crew enters Ivy’s mind this season, the source of her commitment issues could be unveiled. If the Mad Hatter is at the helm instead of Doctor Psycho, he could manipulate what the crew sees in Ivy’s mind and damage Harley’s perspective of their relationship. He will likely play a part in testing their relationship negatively but these mind jumps could also end up reaffirming their love for each other by offering them a platform to open up.
One of the most anticipated elements of Harley Quinn season 3 is the relationship between Ivy and Harley since their romance has mostly been restricted to DC Comics. The animated series is an action-packed comedy but with an occasional focus on deeper themes that will genuinely dramatize Ivy and Harley’s new relationship. Only Harley Quinn season 3 will answer if Harley and Ivy’s romance can withstand these major hurdles.
Next: Harley Quinn Season 3 Perfectly Mocks DC’s Batman Sex Rule Controversy
Harley Quinn season 3 will debut on HBO Max on July 28, 2022.
