Note: Spoiler-free review.
I think I'm one of three millennial Americans alive who doesn't have a Netflix account.
Now, I could easily get access to it from others, but streaming services have never been my thing. The only show I've ever successfully binged on a service was the early goings of House of Cards, but that was brought on from the boredom of being a college student in mostly gen-ed classes.
Call me basic, but I prefer getting home from work and flipping through the channels until I find something interesting, which for me is either news or sports. But, it did occur to me that I need to start broadening my horizons. Endless reruns of Friends and The Office on the dial will do that to you.
Like I fear for most of my inner thoughts, it seemed like Facebook was listening, as I began to become inundated with ads for Netflix, Hulu and the like. The one service I did plunk my money down for was the DC Universe service, being a DC kid growing up as opposed to Marvel. I've seen enough of the MCU for three lifetimes, so why not check out what's on the other side?
I'm glad I did, although this doesn't mean I like Facebook reading my thoughts. The service has some interesting, more in-depth offerings than its' Marvel counterparts on Disney Plus. I know several shows are coming to the Disney service in the MCU vein, but like I said, I've seen enough of that. 50% wit and 50% cringe in a sterilized, micro-managed package does not do it for me like it did in 2014. It's grown a little tiring.
The highlight of the DC Universe service is anything but sterilized and tiring. Harley Quinn, an animated series about the wacky criminal underground of Gotham, is the most unique television/streaming experience I've seen since the heyday of Breaking Bad. I can't believe I'm saying that either, but it's true!
Quinn's writing staff, including Tom Hyndman and Jess Dweck, have carved a brand of Sorkinese dialogue that doesn't come off as pretentious as its namesake. It doesn't go for laugh-out-loud comedy (mostly), but feeds tiny hits of dopamine throughout the 23 minutes. These hits are with witty character quips and fun interactions that play out like a live comic mixed with the best of American sitcom. It's a great blend of insanity and legitimate humanity.
The insanity comes from the titular character, with Kaley Cuoco nailing the part of Quinn. No, she doesn't have the accent, I get it. When I say she nailed the part, she nailed it for this show's universe and its' version of the Batman villain. The loud, in-over-her-head style of Cuoco's speech is both funny and charming, a classic sitcom stereotype made into something more. Her cursing, and that of the cast (which there is a ton of, spoiler) never comes off forced. These characters are painted as a younger group, probably in their late 20s or early 30s, so of course they're going to swear.
Boundaries are clearly thrown by the wayside here, too, giving the show a reason to demand your attention. You never know when Aquaman will appear and make a "yo momma" joke, when the group will make fun of the ill-fated Suicide Squad marketing push, or when real-life events will be skewered. The mocking of The Wendy Williams Show with Tawny is brilliant, and the venue plays host to one of the show's best scenes, the climax of Episode 4.
The humanity comes from Quinn's supporting cast. Much like how the MCU successfully shone the spotlight on B-and-C-list characters, the rogue's gallery in this show is handled with equal care. Each member of Quinn's crew is a character turned up to 11, such as the woman-hating Dr. Psycho and over-the-top thespian Clayface (my personal favorite character). But, in the souped-up humor of the group's gore-riddled adventures, there is a human center. Most of the show's cast comes off as someone you probably know in real life.
Female audiences can relate to the bond between Quinn and Poison Ivy, while male audiences can appreciate and empathize with the head-over-heels idiocy of Kite-Man. There truly is something for everyone here.
After polishing off the first eight episodes, I now have to wait four more days for the newest installment. It's gonna be a long four days.
Seriously, though, I cannot recommend this show highly enough. It does comics justice, comedy justice, and embraces the sitcom formula with its' own twisted vision.
P.S. There is one show that compares, the more scientific Rick & Morty, but I feel Quinn is the sharper of the two products. At least thus far.