This has exceptional brilliance. We get a flashforward (?) of Harley Quinn. Harvey Dent becomes Two Face. Cops turn into vigilantes. Robin is seen, but which Robin is he? There is pessimism, uncertainty, obfuscation and prevarication. The Joker does a relentless litany of pernicious manipulation. The Joker has a notorious reputation and is truly terrible. Things are difficult and fraught. There is callous behaviour and things get profoundly disturbing. The Joker does intentional, wilful and repeated cold manipulation.
Penguin is seen. Dr Quinzel is damaged by the high stakes, high inensity relationship. Dent cracks up and his name is ruined. Did the writer mock the telling of Joker's origin story? Harley crosses a line. Joker is dragging Harley into the abyss with him. She never questions his motives.
Best Lines:
“Those people you meet and think, wouldn't things be so much better if they were dead? Those people whose very presence turns things sour.”
“They imagine savage things.”
“Later in life, in dark times, my mind would go back to this conversation.”
“This is Gotham, after all, and here things have a way of escalating.”
“Served, protected and bled for this city.”
“The last psychiatrist to do research here was Jonathan Crane and...well let's just say that didn't end well.”
“Not my first murderer ranting behind glass.”
“The man dresses as a bat and fights crime. I don't think he's overly interested in being psychoanalyzed is what I'm saying.”
“Easy to give up on.”
“Two of them failed and wrote books about it anyway!”
“What fascinating mental issues you have.”
“Harley...Quinn. Heh...I like that...”