Im 5 episodes in and Im starting to see why I haven't heard a lot of chatter online about Harley Quinn S3. This season just feels like a step down. I think the inherent flaw in this show is that, in a vacuum, its just not that funny or clever. The first couple seasons smartly had an actual plot. Some kind of object story momentum to hang the quips and gags off of. Especially the first season being focused on Harley trying to reach super villain status. That was fun.
The grip of Harley Quinn as a series has been the gags and deconstruction of established characters. Batman being a bit less reverential, Gordon being a drunken loser, King shark being adorably warm-hearted, Bane being utterly ridiculous, etc. You do a plot and then you make people laugh at the references and digs at DC proper.
This season sees all that sorted out. Harley and Poison Ivy are a couple. Thats it. Thats whole plot. Theres a kind of plot a couple episodes in where Ivy is so bored that Harley convinces her to do "plants take over the world" terrorist scheme, but neither character is fully invested in it. Its not "happening" in each episode. Its more a sitcom in format.
Most of the season so far sees Harley literally do nothing but irritate and cause problems for Ivy, not even dramatically. I mean get in her way, eat chips too loud, break lab stuff. Ivy makes a hard right turn as a character I dont really recognize. In the first season Ivy is a respected supervillain with her own life who grudgingly helps Harley with her schemes. This season sees Ivy suddenly lose all agency and become codependent on Harley, toxically. Literally mirroring Harleys origin with the Joker.
I keep watching because I keep thinking a reckoning will be becoming where shes gets tired of Harleys shit, but I suspect the writers think this is working fine the way it is and dont see the irony.
However, with new WB management going scorched earth atm I think its more likely this is the last season. I hope it at least ends on a high note.