The Joker's Favor (or Favour, if you spell things correct SORRY AMERICA!!) is the 22nd episode of season one of Batman: The Animated Series. It debuted in 1992 and is famous for bringing the fan favourite character Harley Quinn to life.
It's also a very well written episode - like well, the entire series - and features an interesting premise.
What happens if, on one of the worst days of your life, when you think that nothing else could possibly go wrong... you happen to cuss out the Joker?
Well, that's what happens to the first character we see - Charlie Collins. He didn't get a raise, his kid needs braces, he hates his wife's meatloaf.... oh, it's the end of the world! He nearly gets run down by some police and then Batman during his commute home - possibly related to the news broadcast about an escapee that Charlie had already moaned about.
I'm not sure what he was whinging about - if the police came up to me or an ambulance or a fire engine did and they were clearly in a hurry due to an emergency, I'd happily move out of their way. Hell, Charlie has the room to move even in a gridlock but still bitches and moans about it.
Another car cuts Charlie off while overtaking and Charlie snaps, aggressively driving up to overtake and calling the driver a clown...
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| Whoopsie! |
What follows is the Joker hilariously passive aggressively merging behind Charlie, over dramatically indicating and waving, and high beaming him. Charlie realises who he's just harassed and tries to play it cool instead of apologising. Joker finds this amusing, I find Charlie's lack of attention to the road disturbing.
Anyway, Charlie freaks out and takes the next exit while the Joker follows him. Charlie's car conks out and he flees on foot, not realising the Joker is behind him. Joker gives him his two cents, literally, and follows up with a lecture on freeway manners. Charlie begs for his life, offering anything. The Joker accepts, saying that he will expect a favour from Charlie in the future.
This doesn't happen until about two years later when Commissioner Gordon is going to be honoured for his dedication to the Gotham Police force. He's not happy about it but Batman appears as his shadowy cheerleader but bails as Gordon asks him a direct question.
Joker is also aware of the shindig - he's chilling in his hideout with two goon characters and one hench wench. I think it's important to note that despite Harley Quinn's characterisation as a domestic abuse figure, that her character works really well with the Joker in this episode.
She alone answers his questions and then claps and whistles for Mr J when he announces his plans to 'honour' the commissioner. Joker laps this up, and why wouldn't he? Man's got an ego the size of Ego from Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2! Joker's other goons are reading comics and ignoring him.
She also does his hair - no easy feat considering the way he flails around all the time.
Joker calls up Charlie who had changed his name to Don Wallace and moved home. Joker advises him to hop on the next flight to Gotham to help him with his favour.
Harley is shown in disguise as a chauffeur to ensure Charlie gets to his destination.
Joker welcomes him with a fond hug before laying out his plans. He's just to open a door.
The Joker: Okay, Chaz. When Harley knocks on the door three times, you open it.
Charlie Collins: And...?
The Joker: That's it!
Charlie Collins: Wait. That's the favor? You called me here just to open a door?
The Joker: Well, look at the size of that cake, man! She can't open the door and push it in all at once. Think!
Now at the cop gala, Bruce Wayne again bails on Gordon once a direct question is asked of him.
Charlie sneaks around the inventions hall and rigs up a makeshift bat signal.
Harley knocks three times and is let in by Charlie. She beats up the cat calling Bullock and sings a sweet dedication to Gordon.
Harley Quinn: Here's to Gotham's Commissioner G. You lock up the weirdos, the crooks, and the geeks. You're a hero to all the boys in blue. But this time, baby, the joke's on you!
Gas comes pouring out from items around the room, paralysing all the guests. Harley is shown giving Charlie (who has been glued to the door handle) a gas mask. Part of the plan, or just her niceness showing through?
Joker pops out of the cake and all hell breaks loose.
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| This is my reaction to cake too. |
They plant a bomb on Gordon and make a break for it, leaving Charlie to his fate. Batman, of course has arrived on the scene and throws the bomb away, destroying Joker's get away van. Charlie has been let free by Batman, and he catches up to the Joker, and seemingly snaps again - becoming violent and threatening and maybe a bit crazy.
So in Harley Quinn's first appearance, we see her in a variety of roles. First, in her now iconic bodysuit next to the Joker, in disguise as a chauffeur and a police officer. We see her cute, capering side, then a crueler side where she happily leaves Charlie and the other cops to their fate. She's also sneaky - trying to trick Batman by misleading him and then trying to stab him. She's not the usual villian, there are no over reactions to her defeat ("I'll get you next time Gadget!") or the loss of the getaway vehicle. When Joker states that now Charlie is of no use to him anymore and he'll have to get a new hobby. Harley quips nonchalantly that she's heard macrame is nice.
She is the epitome of what her character should be, but at this time in the show she was only really meant to be a bit part character. She breathes so much life into this small accomplice role that it's no wonder that they kept her on and evolved her into Harley Quinn.
Then of course, she de-volved into her .... whatever you can collectively call the shite that came out with and after the new 52.
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| "I've got a skin condition and can't blend in with everyone else." Picks the least amount of clothing to cover her skin with #HardlyQuinnLogic |
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Play nice or play dead! Harley Quinn's rules!