I have taken ample opportunities to criticize Suicide Squad Isekai on the many factors it lacked ever since the series first premiered. However, the latest episode chose to throw all of that out the window and bring back exactly what I loved about the first episode but with increased intensity. This was by far the best episode of the season.
It had all the elements that helped the series gain a following in the first episode and built up on it to make sure the villains that fans know and love. I had my fair share of complaints about its pacing and the fact that for a series that kept the antagonists turned anti-heroes in the forefront, there isn’t enough darkness to bring out their twisted ideologies.
Suicide Squad Isekai Takes a Massive Turn
Calling episode 7 the best episode of Suicide Squad Isekai so far would not be an understatement. There have been an unfortunate amount of episodes in the series that have lacked any captivating presence. However, the latest episode chooses to bring out the twisted minds of the protagonists. It has the blood, the horror, and the backstory of the main couple, Harley Quinn and the Joker. As seen in the previous episode, the Thinker and the rest of them had infiltrated the gateway into their own world, sabotaging the status of the bombs.
Upon seeing Katana in the picture, they begin formulating a plan, augmenting the idea of divide and conquer. King Shark, Harley, Peacemaker, and Clayface go into their own path while Rick Flag and Deadshot await their signal to strike. While at first, it strikes as an attempt to divert their attention to capture an elf, it quickly escalates into battle after battle of pure brilliance. Joker seems to be a passive part of the series at this point, reappearing again and again, influencing the squad and their decisions.
The first half focuses on Peacemaker capturing an elf, using intimidation tactics to get information. His methods are nowhere near kind and the blood is a stark reminder of who actually has the reigns of the series. Controlling a uni-mind through torture is something bizarrely horrid but also perfectly characteristic of them.
Twisted is the Mind That Fears Nothing
Clayface disguises himself as the Thinker to distract Katana, who seems to be acting as a leader. On the other hand, Harley gains the perfect opportunity to find and corner the Thinker, whose cap is her real target. The episode took everything that made each of the squad members unique and powerful and utilized it to take over the enemy’s base. Nanaue’s affinity with water, Peacemaker’s intimidation, Deadshot’s aim, Clayface’s abilities, Rick Flag’s spirit, Harley’s twisted mind, and Joker’s presence in it.
Each of these elements makes them powerful not just separately but more so together. As Harley makes her way to the Thinker, he is easy to underestimate her. In a fight that is captivating to watch, she purposefully gets hit in the head so as to make sure he cannot predict her moves and read her mind. His pride is wounded by her attempts to cloud his judgment, and the Thinker takes things up a notch and dives into Harley’s mind. His biggest mistake.
Upon meeting Harleen Quinzel, the Thinker assumes to have a grip on the situation and is able to target her from within. We get to see a flashback of the most iconic Harley-Joker scene where the latter has her by the neck, dangling above the acid tub. However, just as the Thinker begins to relish that idea, the scene changes. It is no longer Harleen who risks the fall but himself as the pair laughs menacingly.
It is the presentation, the absolute showcase of how far gone this universe’s Harley really is. She and Joker almost function as one. His trust in her and hers in him, they go hand in hand with their toxicity that fans have been both repelled and appalled by. I, myself have always enjoyed watching Harley and Poison Ivy together but this specific pair has my interest the same. Just as the Joker drops him into the acidic wake, the structure that surrounds the gateway also starts breaking, incidentally having defeated the Thinker.
Katana Meets the Unlikely Duo of Clayface and Harley
As the structure falls, Harley finds herself facing Katana with the Thinker’s head in one hand and Clayface’s limp body in another. As they both get into a heated fight, she calls for Clayface to get into action and not be defeated just because water is present around him. What he does next is perhaps one of the most iconic moments of the series. Using his shifting abilities, he transforms into a sword, helping Harley with a weapon after Katana once again rids her of her bat.
The fight sequence that comes about because of it makes the episode even better than it already was. It is only when she gets cornered by everyone else that Katana decides to flee the scene. If the series continues to maintain what it had with the 7th episode, it could certainly change many minds that stood disappointed early on.
Rating: 9/10
Suicide Squad Isekai is available to watch on Max.
