Warning: This article contains spoilers for Harley Quinn Season 5, Episode 7.Harley Quinnseason 5’s latest episode features the aftermath of one of the show’s most shocking events. While we have seen quite a few characters die, it is hard for the show to kill major players from Harley and Poison Ivy’s crew. On top of that, I was never expecting the show to end the life of one of the characters who was created forHarley Quinn. That is why I was shocked to see Frank die from several cuts inHarley Quinnseason 5, episode 6.

While the previous episode of theanimated DC serieswas entertaining and had a climactic ending, it wasn’t one of the strongest hours of the season. Based on that, episode 7 is a step up. When last week’s episode ofHarley Quinnseason 5 ended, I was left with a few questions. While the identity of Frank’s killer was at the top of the list, I was also very interested to see if the play would have any lasting effect on Brainiac, which episode 7 reveals to be the case.

Red X walking towards Harley with a knife in Harley Quinn season 5

Frank’s Funeral Ends With A New Arrival

Frankette Is An Adorable & Deadly New Addition To The Show

First up is the Frank of it all. The character was easily one of the funniest in the animated series. I was afraid his death meant we would never get any new Frank moments, so I was pleasantly surprised when episode 7 opened with Frank’s funeral. While that could have been a grim event, the fact that Frank left a long video to walk everyone through the many steps of his funeral was hilarious. Most of the jokes landed, and there was a major reveal that Frank’s spirit would carry on.

Ivy has a mission, and that must end with the death of Frank’s murderer.

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Made out of Frank and Ivy’s DNA is Frankette. The baby plant is adorable, and the dynamic that stemmed from giving Ivy a new child when she was not done mourning/avenging her son was quite interesting. While I thought Ivy would instantly adopt that new child and cherish her, she did not want to focus on Frankette early on. Ivy has a mission and that must end with the death of Frank’s murderer. I mentioned in last week’s review that all signs pointed to Brainiac, though I’m not sure that’s accurate.

Harley Quinn Season 5, Episode 5 Review: I Was Surprised By How Much I Enjoyed Seeing Bruce Wayne & The Joker As Friends In A Murder Mystery

Harley Quinn season 5 takes Gotham to Metropolis in a Batman-heavy episode that puts a fresh spin on some of the show’s longest-running characters.

I love that we can still get moments with Frank through the Green, and Ivy has a fun interaction with him there. When she exits the Green, Ivy becomes super protective of Frankette. There are quite a few sweet moments between the two that make me feel like I’m going to love that relationship moving forward. However, episode 7 also reminded me that not everything is played for laughs inHarley Quinn, and season 5 takes a dark turn yet again for Ivy. Only now it is Frankette who has been abducted.

Brainiac Is Not Harley Quinn Season 5’s True Villain

Superman’s City Faces Another DC Threat

One of the main reasons why I was so excited aboutHarley Quinnseason 5 was the change from Gotham to Metropolis and all the new scenarios that could follow. That included Brainiac,one of Superman’s most chilling foes from the comicsand one who has not had his time to shine on the big screen. I thoughtHarley Quinncould do right by the villain, and while that has come to pass, albeit in a different way than I expected, Brainiac not being the true main villain of season 5 is a move that has me divided.

Lena is a bona fide bad guy, and there is reason for concern over the final episodes of season 5.

While I was always suspicious of Lena because of the simple fact that she is a Luthor, episode 7 confirmed she is the main villain ofHarley Quinnseason 5. She takes over Brainiac’s ship, kidnaps Frankette, and makes Brainiac really small before trapping him like he did cities. Lena is a bona fide bad guy, and there is reason for concern in the final episodes of season 5. She managed to save Metropolis from Brainiac’s attempt to destroy the city, only to take over and rule it like she always wanted.

I think she is a worthy villain, and the fact she killed Frank and made Harley agree to a deal that took away Frankette shows how terrifying she is. However, I expected that to be Brainiac’s role. While I am a fan of the more comedic take on the character, I hope Brainiac plays a more active role in the final episodes. Otherwise, I’ll be somewhat disappointed. Still, Lena manages to deal a devastating blow that pulls Harley and Ivy apart when they need to be together to defeat her, setting up some dark final episodes.

New episodes ofHarley Quinnseason 5 stream on Max each Thursday.

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn is a 2019 animated series focusing on the titular character’s evolution after severing ties with the Joker. As she seeks to establish herself as an independent force in Gotham City’s criminal underworld, the film explores her journey toward becoming Gotham’s criminal Queenpin.