PART ONE: THE HENCHWENCH

Joker's Favour

The first appearance of Harley ever, she's here because a stripper character was needed for the Testimonial Scene.

At this point, nothing more to the JokerxHarley relationship had been developed or considered. She was there to serve a single purpose and was presented as a classic henchwench in order to do so.

As such, the dynamic and interaction between her and Joker is far more Boss/lackey than romantic, although Harley plays the part of the moll well, cheering and hooting for Joker and being the unquestioning voice of support and encouragement.

It is interesting to note that even here, Harley is set up as an active and informed participant in what she is doing - "what a shame, a sweet little thing like [me], led astray by bad companions!" she says to Batman, before going at him with a knife. Disarming her, the Dark Knight sardonically replies: "Right. Tell me another." Accidental, but it ties in very well with how the relationship later develops.

Joker actively engages with Harley as his audience though, asking her direct questions and permitting her to ask him questions - not really behaviour he usually engages in with his henches. Notably, he also hands Harley the bomb-medal to pin to the Commissioner. It's highly dubious Joker would allow a mere lackey such a critical part to play in such devastating crime.

Despite this, when you placing this within the later established canon, Joker here is utilising Harley's usefulness, but is quite distant from her. She seems to 'exist' for him far more than most others do, but the level of interaction is not on the same level as later episodes.

 

The Laughing Fish

The relationship has progressed a little bit here, though the idea that Harley is obsessed with Joker is still not fully realised.

She is even more Gracie to his George, playing her part in the scheme to perfection, the element of theatricality and sass Joker's boorish goons cannot provide. However, it still seems more Boss/lackey - although there is an extra element of flirtation and when Joker introduces her to Francis at the copyright offices, he gives her a flourish and she sidles close by him.

It is also worth noting that against his henchmen, Harley gets a proper introduction. Joker normally pays little to no attention to his henchmen, and in this ep has completely forgotten their names. Here Harley has the esteemed position of being *memorable* to someone who is so utterly narcissistic and egotistical he believes he can copyright fish!

Of course, there is the first use of the pet name 'Puddin'' in this ep too, with Harley mourning the supposedly shark-eaten Joker.

Here we see once again Harley is aware of what's going on in the relationship as Bullock says: "C'mon - he was a demented, abusive, psychotic maniac", to which Harley replies: "Yeah - I'm really gonna miss him!"

Again, within canon, Joker is still quite distant from Harley but aware of her attachment to him - she's useful and he's taking advantage of it, and indeed, poking a bit of fun at her feelings for him.

   

Almost Got 'Im

Here we really see the Joker/Harley team in action, as short as their segment together is.

They've really got a golden comedy act going and Joker evidently knows it and wants to use it to full advantage. There is even a look of satisfied pride on his face as he steps back for Harley to demonstrate the use of the Laugh-O-Meter. He shares the spotlight with her to a degree in this part, which is interesting behaviour from such an incorrigible egomaniac.

No more of the romantic aspect is touched upon, although Harley kow-tows Joker and Joker entrusts Catwoman to Harley's watch.

Here Joker seems to be warming up a little more to his devoted moll, certainly all of his interaction with her in this ep is positive and warm.



To finish part one up, I'll simply say one thing: Does Joker acknowledge Harley and his relationship with her, even at this early stage? Well, I find it hard to believe he'd allow anyone to share so much of his spotlight otherwise. In each of these episodes Harley has been given a specific, scripted, part to play and they're key ones. They work off each other and with each other. He's aware they've got a good act going, that's for sure.