HARLEY QUINN Season Premiere Recap: (S05E01) The Big Apricot

Melody McCune

A closeup of Harlivy in the official key art for Harley Quinn Season 5, featuring the couple smiling as they walk through Metropolis.

Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 1, “The Big Apricot,” sees our Harlivy make the move to Metropolis. Why? Because Gotham is swiftly going down the toilet. Plus, trying to steal Superman’s most prized possession in plain view of an audience really injects vim and vigor into their relationship. “The Big Apricot” is a solid season opener for DC’s zany, heartwarming adult animated comedy. This change of scenery will certainly give the series a much-needed jolt of electricity. 

RELATED: Read our recap of the Harley Quinn Season 4 finale, “Killer’s Block”

Harley Quinn, “The Big Apricot” 

We open on a Gotham in abject chaos. Harley (Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy (Lake Bell) stroll through its apocalyptic-esque streets, discussing what they’re having for dinner. A giant rat rips the bagel out of Harley’s hand. She’s unfazed by this. They remark how Gotham has gone to sh*t since the Bat family disbanded and Joker was impeached for what he did to Barbara Gordon. Oh, and the Gotham City Sirens? Let’s revisit that, shall we? 

We flashback to one year earlier, when Harley, Ivy, Catwoman (Cherise Boothe) and Barbara, aka Oracle (Briana Cuoco), investigate Enchantress. Barbara communicates with the others as they navigate the sewers in search of her. Ivy believes they’re there because Enchantress is poisoning the water supply. However, Barbara insists they’re there to discover the whereabouts of Nightwing’s stolen body. Catwoman has different plans, though.

Heart of Darkness

The trio spots Enchantress (Katie Rich) on her bed. She’s wearing the Heart of Darkness, a priceless necklace that houses a demon. Catwoman wants to steal it. Suddenly, Enchantress wakes, summoning her skeletons to fight the Sirens. Harley’s thrilled to kick some skelly ass. However, Barbara’s irate, as is Ivy. This is one of several times Catwoman has lured them into a dangerous situation under pretenses. Barbara and Catwoman quit. Catwoman snags Enchantress’s necklace on the way out. 

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Later, Harley and Ivy run into The Riddler (Jim Rash) and Clock King (James Adomian). Ivy remarks on their matching tracksuits under her breath — while wearing matching tracksuits with Harley. Riddler claims he would invite Harlivy for a double date, but our lovebirds are homebodies. They seldom leave Catwoman’s swanky penthouse. Perhaps there’s trouble brewing in paradise? Clock King makes clock-related puns, as one does when one’s face is a clock. 

That evening, Harley and Ivy watch Tawny (Tisha Campbell) interview Lois Lane (Natalie Morales). They learn that she’s hosting the grand opening of the Superman Museum in Metropolis, the event of the season. Harley proposes they attend. That’ll show Riddler and Clock King. 

A Trip to Metropolis 

Upon arrival in Metropolis, our Gotham gals note that it surprisingly doesn’t reek of piss. They’re dressed to the nines. Inside the museum, we see significant artifacts relevant to Superman’s life, from newspaper articles to a mini Fortress of Solitude to his various supersuits. Ivy suggests they keep to themselves, especially since they didn’t receive a formal invitation and don’t know anybody. However, Bruce Wayne (Diedrich Bader) appears with Lena Luthor (Aisha Tyler) on his arm. Apparently, Bruce rebuilt Wayne Enterprises in Metropolis. 

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Lois speaks to the crowd, followed by Lena, who our gals realize is the sister of Lex Luthor. She has more hair, of course. Harley hopes to get a much-coveted “Thank you” from Supe himself after she saved his life.

Meanwhile, Superman poses with Krypto as Lena gives a breakdown of the evening’s festivities. Cirque du Supes will perform an aerial show before unveiling Superman’s most prized possession, which sits in a metal case high up in the air, out of reach from sticky fingers. Little do they know that Harley’s fingers are sticky, and she’s adept at gymnastics. 

A closeup of Harlivy in the official key art for Harley Quinn Season 5, featuring the couple smiling as they walk through Metropolis.
Harley Quinn Season 5

No Longer Needed 

Suddenly, Jimmy Olsen (Drew Massey) starts choking. One of the automaton sentries posted about the museum saves his life. Jimmy explains to Superman that his bowtie got stuck in the door, causing him to choke. Superman looks dejected as he realizes Metropolis no longer needs him. After the automaton sentry frees Jimmy, it gives him a mint, which Harley promptly steals. Said sentry gives Harley and Ivy the boot. 

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As our gals lay on a luxurious mattress outside, they formulate a plan to steal Superman’s prized possession. They knock out the Cirque du Supes and don their costumes. Harley and Ivy sneak inside the gala and ascend toward the metal case, using the aerial ribbons to put on a show for the attendees. They believe this is a Cirque du Supes performance. 

Unfortunately, Harlivy encounters several automaton sentries protecting Superman’s prized possession. Our gals take them out, one by one, adding a dash of excitement to the proceedings. Bruce wonders aloud if he should lend a hand, but Lena laughs, asking how he’d do such a thing. She doesn’t know he’s Batman.

Gotham Gals 

Jimmy snaps photos of Harley and Ivy as they gracefully leap through the air and kick sentry butt. After returning to the ground, Lena takes the case from Harley’s hands. She pulls out this prized possession — the cape Superman was wrapped in when he arrived on Earth. Ivy is turned on by the adrenaline rush of it all. Neither woman has felt this good in a year. 

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Ivy tries to lead Harley back to their hotel room for sexy fun times, but Harley has to get something off her chest first. She took Riddler and Clock King’s words to heart. Are they in a rut? After all, they haven’t done anything exciting in a year. Ivy reassures Harley that lounging at home with her is exciting. Well, and so is the next scene. 

After they have sex in their hotel room, Harley picks up a gift basket from Lena, complete with an invite to Tavern Over the Green for lunch. There, we see Lena has rented out the restaurant for the three of them. Harley and Ivy notice the Heart of Darkness necklace around Lena’s neck, which she bought from Catwoman. Ivy and Lena chat about the greenery (and lack thereof) in Metropolis. Ivy has ideas about how to make the city more green. 

Tavern Over the Green 

Then, Ivy offers a real, tangible example, using her powers to cover Tavern Over the Green with plants and vines. She even creates a tree, which sits atop the restaurant. It’s beautiful. Suddenly, one of the plants knocks the Heart of Darkness from Lena’s neck. It smashes on the floor, promptly releasing the demon within, Eclipso (Adomian). Thankfully, Harley decapitates Eclipso with her trusty bat, covering Lena in the demon’s blood. 

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Superman flies into view, and he’s ready for action. However, Harley has already taken care of the threat. Superman hangs his head in disappointment. Harley tells Ivy and Lena she’ll take one for the team and give Supes a pep talk. Harley reveals her plan to rob a bank to Superman, but he knows she can’t follow through with it. The automaton sentries ensure Metropolis is crime-free. He’s no longer needed to save the day. 

Harley glances at the reflective surface behind her, which reveals Harley as a psychiatrist. She tells Supes that he’s stuck. It’s time for Superman’s own Eat, Pray, Love journey. Perhaps a trip into space will clear the mental cobwebs and provide clarity? Superman remarks that Harley has saved him twice before flying away, off on a journey of self-discovery. She still didn’t get that “Thank you,” though. Before he departs, though, he jokes that he plans to take Clark Kent with him. The joke goes over Harley’s head. 

Promotional art for Harley Quinn Season 5, featuring Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn embracing and laughing on a cosmic background with the text "Harley Quinn Season 5" written in neon pink cursive above their heads.
Harley Quinn Season 5

Make the Move 

Later, Harley and Ivy admire the view from Tavern Over the Green before returning to Gotham. They gossip about Superman cheating on Lois Lane with Clark Kent. If they only knew. Harley admits she purchased a crappy condo from Bruce in Metropolis so they can stay. Initially, Ivy isn’t thrilled about the irresponsible financial move, but she’s happy to be anywhere Harley is. They kiss. Our Gotham gals are moving to the Big Apricot, baby. 

RELATED: Read our Harley Quinn recaps

Meanwhile, the automaton sentries zap away Ivy’s greenery inside and outside the restaurant. We see someone observing Metropolis from afar. They zero in on Harlivy. A “Perfection Meter” states that Metropolis is 99 percent perfect until it spots Harlivy. Then, it drops to 86 percent. Brainiac (Stephen Fry) remarks that this situation is a “mess.” Uh-oh. 

Harley Quinn drops new episodes every Thursday on Max

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Melody McCune
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