Before
I begin this seven-part analysis, I'll just preface it with a couple of points:
The Joker/Harley relationship underwent a very clear evolution in the
DCAU world. However, the reasons for this are unknown and could be anyone
of the following:
- A natural, subconscious progression on the part of the varying writers
as others besides Paul Dini contributed their own elements and Dini himself
refined his ideas on the characters and their relationship
- A conscious attempt to tone down and soften it either because of potential
disapproval or because the creative team themselves were uncomfortable with
its more abusive aspects (especially as Harley became a favourite character
of many)
- A conscious effort to develop and expand on the relationship and emotionally
further both characters, particularly The Joker and how he came to have an
emotional attachment to Harley
Whatever the reason/s, the relationship definitely changed over the years,
becoming more and more complex, multi-layered and interactive.
Initially Harley was a one-off character, a homage to the 'henchwenches'
of the old 60s Batman series. Paul Dini kept on using her and then the team
began playing with the idea of Harley being really obsessed with Joker, and
developing it from there.
Therefore the earlier episodes of B:TAS show us quite a different dynamic,
enough that it ultimately really adds to the character progression and the
way they relate to each other.
As such, what we actually see with Joker and Harley's relationship is
quite unusual for a kids' animated series: a long-term, naturally developing
relationship between two major villains. It gives the relationship an even
greater sense of authenticity and makes it quite unique in the world of
cartoons and comic books, not least because of its abusive elements and
Dominant/submissive dynamics.
Although the relationship with its accompanying 'Mad Love' background
was not established from the get-go, nonetheless the canon eventually tells
us Harley is around because she's Joker's obsessed ex-doctor. So even though
the first few episodes don't indicate this obsession as clearly as some of
the later episodes do, we have to assume she's already madly, passionately
in love.
So what we see most in the evolution of this relationship is how Joker
himself comes to be an active participant in it, and how his feelings over
time very clearly grow - from seeing Harley as a useful lackey and adoring
minion to regarding her as his girlfriend and partner. That this back story
wasn't provided until further down the line actually makes for an even more
realistic progression in the relationship from the perspective of Joker's
own investment in it, so it ends up working all the more.
This article is an episode-by-episode analysis of how the relationship
evolved over time. If you're unfamiliar with BDSM and D/s, power-exchange
relationships, Wikipedia has some pretty good info on the subject.
