Warning: This recap contains major spoilers for Season 5, Episode 3 of Harley Quinn.
In the latest installment of Harley Quinn Season 5, Episode 3, the complex character of Poison Ivy confronts profound issues from her past, aided by none other than Harley. After the shocking events of the previous episode, where Ivy believed she had eliminated her ex, Jason Woodrue, this chapter unfolds a much darker reality that resurfaces to haunt her. Moreover, by the episode’s conclusion, this Gotham power duo finds themselves grappling with a far greater adversary than the newly formed Floronic Man.
Unveiled in Episode 2, Jason Woodrue undergoes a transformation into The Floronic Man, a character reminiscent of Ivy herself, combining botanical and human traits. As Ivy struggles to suppress her resurfacing trauma, she faces the emergency that demands Harley’s intervention. Below, we present a detailed recap, an analysis of the episode’s ending, and a dive into notable Easter eggs and references from this gripping episode.
Recap of Harley Quinn Season 5, Episode 3
The Emergence of the “Floronic Man”
- The episode kicks off with Clayface’s captivating one-man show titled “Pearl Harbor”in Metropolis, drawing negative reviews from The Daily Planet that compel him to seek out the paper’s editor.
- Back at the laboratory, it becomes evident that Ivy’s supposedly deadly actions against Woodrue were ineffective as he now exists as The Floronic Man.
- Ivy is jolted awake from a nightmare involving Woodrue, only to be confronted by Harley, who is upset about Ivy’s omission of the truth regarding Woodrue’s supposed death.
- Clayface demands a retraction from Perry White, the editor, who advises him to pen a glowing review himself.
- Ivy attempts to present her ideas for the Metropolis Green Initiative but is plagued by visions of Woodrue that cut her presentation short.
- Feeling rattled, Ivy enters The Green, maintaining emotional distance from Harley.
- There, she encounters bleeding plants and ultimately confronts the Floronic Man, who reveals that he seeks revenge against Ivy.
- A chaotic battle ensues between Poison Ivy and the Floronic Man within The Green, with Woodrue expressing his singular desire to eliminate Ivy.
- Clayface reaches out to Bane for assistance in crafting his much-desired, sensational review while simultaneously posing as Perry White at The Daily Planet.
- Harley alerts Frank to Ivy’s dire situation, prompting him to assist within The Green.
- Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen engage in conversation with Clayface (disguised as Perry) regarding UFO sightings, while Clayface overlooks their inquiries.
- Ultimately, Frank distracts the Floronic Man while Harley scours the lab and finally locates Woodrue’s physical form, employing a power saw to effectively dismantle him.
- Following the intense confrontation, Ivy confesses to Harley that she should have shared her past struggles rather than attempting to hide them.
- The episode concludes with Harley and Ivy being ensnared by drones and transported into a laser cage, where Brainiac deliberates on their fate with his pet monkey, Koko.
Ending Explained: Ivy and Harley’s Showdown with Woodrue
Confrontation Within The Green
Ivy’s initial denial about Woodrue’s existence leads her to seek solace in The Green, viewing it as a way to regain mental clarity. However, the Floronic Man is lurking within, and their confrontation soon escalates. Ivy struggles against his overwhelming force, endangered by the flora under his command. Meanwhile, Harley acts quickly, calling upon Frank to assist and distract Woodrue to protect Ivy.
In the physical realm, Harley’s determination leads her to discover the Floronic Man’s actual body. With decisive action, she uses a power saw to terminate him, successfully severing his connection to The Green and rescuing Ivy in the process. The joint efforts of Frank and Harley restore Ivy, who later acknowledges she should have addressed her past traumas openly.
Aftermath: Harley and Ivy’s Captivity
Trapped by Brainiac
Tragically, the conclusion of Episode 3 does not offer a happy ending for Harley and Ivy. Instead, they find themselves ensnared within a laser cage, surrounded by drones. This confinement likely occurs aboard Brainiac’s massive spacecraft, currently hovering above Metropolis as he aims to impose a stringent definition of perfection on the city.
As established earlier in Season 5, Harley and Ivy’s very existence has disrupted Brainiac’s plans, dropping his perfection metric from 99% to 86%.Thus, it has become imperative for him to resolve this issue, likening his strategy to the infamous act of shrinking and bottling cities, reminiscent of his past actions with the Kryptonian city, Kandor, in the comics.
Easter Eggs and References from Harley Quinn Season 5, Episode 3
Notable Easter Eggs
- Posters for Past Works: Clayface’s history is referenced through posters showcasing his Las Vegas residency and a Thomas Wayne biopic directed by James Gunn.
- The Green Encounter: Ivy’s combat against the Floronic Man takes place in The Green, an elemental force representing all plant life across the multiverse, where Floronic Man was once an avatar.
- Harley’s Contacts: Harley’s contact list conspicuously features various DC villains, including notable names like Calendar Man, Captain Cold, and Cheetah.
- Koko’s Origins: Koko, Brainiac’s pet alien monkey, first appeared in 1958’s Action Comics #242, an addition that enriches the narrative.
- Clayface’s Iconic Headlines: The credits reveal amusing headlines that celebrate Clayface’s acting talents, highlighting the antics of both Clayface and Bane in skewing The Daily Planet’s reputation.
New episodes of Harley Quinn Season 5 are released every Thursday on Max.
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