The Psychology Behind The Suicide Squad: Harley Quinn - Therapist Reacts!

[@evaserration6223]

Margot Robbie totally understands Harley. She even said 'Don't give her a solo movie, Harley needs friends'.

[@panda_invention1810]

😔

[@Anzy.99]

and she doesn't have a solo movie :,)

[@gabrielesegapeli4053]

@@Anzy.99 I really hope one of the spin offs Gunn is working on is a Harley movie / show (also because he's admittedly one of his favorite comic book characters). There is still so much to be told, like her relationship with her family or a new relationship (be it with Poison Ivy or someone else).

[@visualartsbyjr2464]

Harley doesn’t know that anyone is coming to save her. That’s why I love her breakout scene. She saves herself.

[@AmosTheTalented]

Absolutely! She is perfectly competent and content with saving herself, a trait she learned when she was with the Joker, who never actually cared for her. The allegory of the spoiled surprise party is an excellent summation of her emotions.

[@hanssolo3238]

I found a nice touch on Harley caring about the people she’s gotten to know for a while is when she reacted to Boomerang getting killed and when she was talking to Bloodsport about the files at the end and how Flag would’ve wanted them released. In fact, I think Rick Flag would have a great video of his own on this channel.

[@saracohle]

I hope she does a video on Flag. The scene with him hugging Harley while still not letting go of his gun is such a fun yet solid image of just how deep his protector roots go. Also, Rick being the guy to shake your hand when you join the squad has to be nice. He’s the friendly face that does care, unlike Waller.

[@Nick-xp6cr]

She also dived to save Polka Dot Man from the explosion, and she tried to pull some of the piranhas from King Shark’s body.

[@stabajo]

I know this scene isn't in the video. But I loved the montage when she escapes and kills all the soldiers and how it changes from our POV (Showing blood, gore, etc) to her POV (The flowers, the cartoon birds, etc). I think it was a perfect way to showcase the way Harley views the world (especially killing). For us (the viewers) and characters around Harley we're witnessing something horrible, a murder spree, people getting their throats slit, stabbed in the head, shot; and we see the blood flying out of them, we hear their screams. But Harley sees these as a dainty, feminine, beautiful thing. With all the cartoon birds and flowers it looked kind of like a Disney movie or a kids movie, again showing her childish side, but also her crazy, murderous side.

[@Dirili]

It's fascinating that Georgia skips over that elephant in the room.

[@rottensquid]

@@Dirili It's been discussed a lot elsewhere. This channel always has its own perspective.

[@gabrielesegapeli4053]

Flowers instead of blood always make me sad: it's as if Harley is trying to censor the violence she is committing, a bit like Polka-Dot Man does when he kills people by imagining them to be his mother.

[@DSavage17]

A good moment for Harley is her trying aid King Shark with removing the jellyfish monsters, once they attacked the beloved Nanaue, with the fact that she had barely any interaction with him.

[@sloganwade4994]

She also saves Abner from the explosion. All because they were willing to do the same for her.

[@sacodepapas488]

I wonder how much awareness Harley has of her development considering she is a psychologist.

[@seanwilliams7655]

Probably not much. I'd imagine it's kind of like the series. She can still analyze other people, but her own psychosis is a blind spot. It's probably too painful to really look inside.

[@blackoverblueskies6221]

@@seanwilliams7655 in the Harley Quinn animated series she sometimes talks to a picture of herself in a psychologist environment and asses her issues. Its actually pretty funny.

[@gawainethefirst]

Harley is/was a Psychiatrist. The difference is psychologists study psychology, psychiatrists do all that but also treat patients.

[@msk-qp6fn]

I think she is aware enough. But being able to fix it is another story.

[@overlordswapi594]

one of the most lovely details is that Boomerang and Harley consider each other friends, with even them having nicknames "boomer" and "Hals" and it's sad to see how Harley sees Boomerang die, as she screams out for him , and he just smiles and shrugs like "it's ok Hals"

[@gabrielesegapeli4053]

Boomer's smile is proof that this film is made even bigger by the details. The moment he smiles that bitter smile and shrugs his shoulders it almost seems to mean "well, what do I have to tell you: we are the puppets of the government, every day some of us die, and today it is my turn." And it's an alienating scene considering that on the helicopter ride Boomer taunted the new recruits by saying they would die right away.

[@JurassicLion2049]

What I love about the DC films with Harley Quinn is how she always proves her worth. She’s always underestimated as just a psycho, just a criminal, just a psychiatrist, but she’s always ready & able to get herself out of danger.

[@JuiceOhio108]

My favorite part of hers was when she managed to save three members of her team in a matter of seconds. When polka dot man's actions cause one of the bombs to explode early, she pushed him out of the way of the blast, then when the roof caved in and water filled the room, she swam up to king shark to pull off some of the killer fish, and then she pulled up Bloodsport who was dangling off the side of the building. That she could have yelled at polka dot man for his reckless action, she could have laughed at king shark for getting attacked by fish. But her reaction was, help my teammates. And I really loved that about her

[@nataliejanicka2457]

My favourite Harley scene is actually in 'Birds of Prey' where she convinces Black Canary, The Huntress and Renee Montoya to fight alongside her and risk their lives, even though they barely know each other. It's such an underrated movie, and it's a shame cause it really dives deep down into Harley and her relationships with other people.

[@vicmontana6164]

I’ve heard people complain about the inconsistency of Harley’s portrayal in the first Suicide Squad, in Birds of Prey, and now in this film, but I don’t really see it as a bad thing. In my experience, people who feel broken will often try on different personas on their road to healing. Of course I could be wrong here, but I think that the healthiest people are on a lifelong journey of becoming.

[@elin111]

And given that Harley in 2016 Suicide Squad was godawful her being completely different from that version is an improvement in every possible way.

[@deadpoolvega]

I noticed that but didn't saw people explaining it with details

[@DiegoMartinezCoria]

"It was just a Thursday." Thank you for encapsulating my experience.

[@Robert-ht7om]

I love Harley's reaction to the team trying to rescue her even though she was able to save herself she acknowledge/appreciates what the others were trying to do which was trying to rescue a friend/teammate, not some damsel in distress, any other movie around this time would of had the female character go off on some rant about how she doesn't need any help.

[@rottensquid]

This is a delightful reading. I didn't see the whole thing with her latching onto the javelin as her desperation for some kind of greater purpose, but it's so clear. The whole Milton thing made me realize she's a little (or more than a little) ADHD, and has trouble hanging onto all the details. I relate.

[@rodan8293]

I really wanted to see you go over the scene where captain boomerang died. Other than Rick flag the only person she really cared about and knew was boomer and seeing her call out to him before he died was kinda sad but also sweet.

[@tvbnine793]

I'm bummed they killed Boomerang so soon. The only decent Jai Courtney performance

[@JurassicLion2049]

@@tvbnine793 I and other film fans have given Jai so much crap over the years when really he was just in bad films with bad directors. The first Suicide Squad kind of included. But I liked the guy as Boomerang even so cause he felt like a quirky little character.

[@tvbnine793]

@@JurassicLion2049 I actually like the 2016 Suicide Squad film despite all the backlash it's received over the years, I've met people who trash it but still admit that he was actually good as Boomerang

[@gabrielesegapeli4053]

@@tvbnine793 It was essential to convey the sense of "anyone can die". On balance we all expected Team A members would be in no time (they weren't in the trailers and looked like unlikely dudes), but Savant and Boomer are introduced as potential protagonists and that makes for a truly shocking start. That said, I love the way he dies, giving Harley a bitter smile and shrugging, as if he thinks "well, it's my turn."

[@stwbmc98]

I think the “personalized plates” bit may have been a reference to the first Suicide Squad. Joker had a license plate that said “HAHAHA”. Harley has come to see the Joker as awful in every way, even the little things.

[@GeorgiaDow]

brilliant of course =)

[@feng9436]

and she says 'you're joshing' instead of 'you're joking'

[@Xone9]

By that logic I'm assuming Joker also mismatched black clothing and coughed without covering his mouth.

[@mixplit74]

@@Xone9 I wouldn't put even those horrors beyond Leto's Joker

[@ABagelLeftOnTheRoadside]

@@feng9436 aw...

[@swordracer]

With the rules explanation scene I feel like “ooh candy” “Harley! No!” Sums it up nicely

[@gabrielesegapeli4053]

I think the scene that perfectly represents what Harley is is the one where she kills soldiers by seeing flowers instead of their blood. It's a scene where Harley acts out of pure instinct killing anyone who comes within reach as if it were normal and at the same time it's a bizarre and cartoonish scene because she sees birds, flowers and other funny things. Yet the fact that she is censoring the blood of her victims in her head, as if deep down she feels partially guilty for what she is doing, makes it all the more sad and makes it clear that she is deeply broken in her psyche.

[@MarvelX42]

Meow. Just about anything that Margot does as Harley is great. She is the perfect person to play her.

[@tvbnine793]

I was afraid that she was going to join the prince guy and become the main antagonist for the rest of the film but she 180ed and shot him and I clapped in the theater XD

[@blackoverblueskies6221]

Every character has so much depth. Once again, another great video.

[@macovet]

Harley Quinn is my most favorite fictional character ever. I wanna be like her, besides the psychopath/criminal part lol

[@asgarion9938]

I think it's always important to note there's an extremely thin line between resilience and being so broken into pieces that nothing can make a dent into you

[@msk-qp6fn]

Flag treats Harley like a Maltese that can be so sweet but aggressive, and I appreciate him for that.

[@wilhelmhedin8845]

She had a fucking breakthrough. She's NEVER had that before. Her character development is so damn beautiful in this movie.

[@shuvodev7888]

I absolutely enjoyed the series on suicide squad members. Will you do for other superhero movies too like Gurdians of the galaxy or Avengers? Would you do same kind series on anime characters like from A Scilent Voice or Attack on Titans?

[@jonwright6472]

I felt like I finally met Harley Quinn with this movie. Sure, I liked "Birds of Prey," but I feel like James Gunn's movie understands who she is as well as her journey in an almost casual fashion so every nuance and beat is authentic and not just played for laughs. She's not dumb- when Polka Dot Man accidentally sets off the charges early, she yells, "no!" because his emotions cloud his judgment in that case. Do you think she can tell the difference between fiction (i.e. animation) and reality? I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Amanda Waller. What would you guess she's been through to make her the way she is?

[@rottensquid]

This movie was her chance to regress, to find a replacement for the Joker, and go through another horrible trainwreck of a relationship again. It may be weird, but it reminded me of Don Draper marrying his secretary in Mad Men season 4, making all the same mistakes, expecting a different outcome. But I was so impressed with her when Harley caught herself going back down that road, and did the healthy thing. I think Birds of Prey explores a different side of her. In that one, she confronts the consequences of her actions, and sorts out the difference between the crap the world hands her, and the crap she brings on herself. I think both were great, standout stories. Also, BoP had that cuckoo-bananas rollerskating action sequence.

[@jappperon7012]

i go with the scientist motto" if it works but looks stupid, its not stupid" she actually did the hanging scene herself no wires or help. i think you would get a fun analysis of "Brittle bones nicky" the line "if it cost me my life id save my only friend" by Rare americans.

[@BigFresh37]

Touch upon her friendship with Rick Flagg too :)

[@damianstarks3338]

One of my favorite female characters in the dc comics universe. Also love your analysis of this character in this movie.

[@jimmymadethis]

You should do HQ in Birds of Pray ,

[@hechoenmex0593]

I loved this. Thank you!

[@Psiberzerker]

Harley is tricky for a therapist, because she's a Psychologist, so she speaks our language, she's a liar that has no desire to get better, and she's the narrator. So, you have to take her word for everything. The Erotomanic delusion is obvious, but my theory is she affects chaos, because her alter ego (Dr. Quinzelle) is so Organized. To a fault, she felt trapped in her choices, then in Archam she ironically found Freedom. Freedom from herself, in helping Joker to escape, she felt like she escaped herself. Which is why she affects disorganized anti-social behavior (Like lack of Impulse Control) as Harley Quinn, but it's basically all an act. She got some of this M.O. from Joker, her mentor, but they both conceal complex and flexible plans by appearing to have no plan at all. For example, she goes on a rampage with a bloop gun, but she thought to load it with smoke grenades that matched her hair. She aimed them precisely so that when she revealed herself, the smoke clouds accented her makeup. She planned it down to that minute detail, for Appearances.

[@Psiberzerker]

You're the first person I've seen so far that picked up on everyone's childishness. Not just Harley, though she's the star, and steals the show, but the boys are played like 8 year olds, dressing up, and playing superhero. All of them are, Rick Flag to a lesser degree. He's the oldest, the baby sitter, and he has to be the grownup in several situations, but the rest of the Squad are played like a bunch of hebephrenics.

[@Psiberzerker]

Harley's also a nightmare for a torturer. If you absolutely have to get reliable information out of her? With Pain Compliance. Right, good luck with that. You might chose to look at it as "Strength," while I chose to look at it as Experience. Whatever tortures, and psychological ploys you try, you're going to have to come up with something The Joker didn't.

[@paulahutton8266]

Great insight, as always Georgia.

[@brandonpayne2877]

Have you ever heard of Stargirl the TV show? I think it would be a good show to do reactions to because some of the main characters are dealing with issues that relate to their parents. The most recent episode dealt with a teenager whose dealing with PTSD for killing someone for the first time. There is some pretty heavy stuff. It only has two seasons.

[@lengendofthecrane9992]

Even a psychopathic killer with an insane amount of physical strength understands a fundamental rule: you don't fuck with kids.

[@RealDrumPyles]

Yeah those were my fav scenes as well 😊 glad you made so many videos on this movie since it was pretty great ☺️ anyway maybe some of the new season of sex education would be good for this? It's pretty popular right now people would watch. The mom is a therapist and so is the main character in a way

[@honeybunnyhanni1931]

What I love about the torture scene is that the guys torturing her don't seem to know shit about Harley Quinn. There are other media where Harley shows up in which she'd tell you how much she likes electro shocks. In the animated movie Batman: Assault on Arkham she literally says "Oh I love electro shocks! It's a shiatsu massage for your brain!"

[@hitherfetcher]

And you just know they are *really* fond of ECT at Arkham...

[@charlesderosas5577]

My favorite was the general's reaction to "69" comment 🤣🤣

[@adekunletaiwo1342]

Break down the complex psychology of Weasel

[@goji3755]

I would love to see you break down Llamas With Hats: The Complete series. Particularly the later episodes...

[@haroldstrickland6126]

I like how a psychotherapist is analyzing a character who was also a psychotherapist. I've struggled to like Harley over the decades. I thought she was cool when she was introduced in the Batman animated series as a "gun moll" to the Joker. But I rewatched some of those episodes a few years ago, and hadn't realized how toxic they're relationship was. They're both just feeding into this cycle of abuse and violence, and while it was cartoon violence often meant for humor, there was an innate cruelty to it as well. She was eventually brought into the mainstream comics as a regular character, but spent some time on the short-lived Birds of Prey TV series, where she was one of the main villains of the show. But in recent years, because of her growing popularity, she's made the transition from unrepentant villain to anti-hero to full-blown good guy. She also spent some time as a goddess, I believe. I don't know if they're going to replicate that transition in the movies, but I feel like the scene where she kills the dictator guy is her first real effort to force herself onto a different path. I had really grown bored with Margot Robbie as Harley until that moment. I still prefer the Kaley Cuoco animated version, but now I'm interested in the movie version again.

[@ARuiz-eu3hk]

We also got to remember that the girl Harely is insane still. So there's that.

[@R30-d3u]

I would love it if you reacted to some of the deleted scenes. Specially the one focusing on Polkadot man

[@mafernandez90]

Could you do a video on the characters from Reservation Dogs or the Haunting of Hill House? Both shows go a great job on show the effects of grief

[@gfan84]

I would love for you to do a Therapist Reacts to Elijah Price for the movie Unbreakable. It's a great performance from Samuel L. Jackson and a very fascinating character.

[@KingreX32]

I'm gonna second this one and include Glass as well.

[@deadpoolvega]

Hey you could do it with her version on the first suicide squad and on birds of prey

[@ilaikarel2473]

Of course, another great video. Next up is rick flag💗🙏🏽

[@GeorgiaDow]

Oh yes it is =) you called it

[@classicslover]

Staggeringly insightful character analysis yet again, Georgia! You've made me feel warm feelings towards Harley Quinn! And yet...THAT is always my problem. I know what a healthy relationship looks like...BUT...I let myself get warm feelings for the damaged Harleys in this world...hoping that a relationship with them can turn into something healthy. But no. Or I get warm feelings for the self-involved princess/rich/pretty girl thinking maybe they will change. But no. OR...her family has racist tendencies. They say you don't marry the family, you marry the girl...but I beg to differ. It's usually a package deal. Thinking I'll hire you to pick one for me!!!! No? (sighs) Okay. I'll do it myself.

[@GeorgiaDow]

Happy you liked it and yes relationships are so complex

[@classicslover]

@@GeorgiaDow Agreed. So then, I CAN hire you to find a good one for me! ...No? (sighs) Okay...I'll do it myself, but under protest.

[@godswillwariya9082]

@@GeorgiaDow my. Name. Is. Godswill. Wariya. And. I. Love. Harley Quinn. Too. She's. So. Strong. Like. A. Goddess. And. My. Hero.👍👍👍❤️❤️

[@romeoiiihidalgo9516]

First Comment!!! {no legit I was the first one commenting on this video} by the love you Georgia hope you do great

[@WhiteDarkness3113]

i hope you do a Therapist Reacts to anime characters (for me it would be Izuku Midoriya, Naoto Hachioji, the guild of Fairy Tail, Ilulu etcs...)

[@souleater1277]

A therapist reviewing a Psychiatrists?. Feels like a clash of worlds.

[@zieeeeeee1630]

Could you react to Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)? Please?

[@TheRealRedAce]

If I saw myself how my parents and teachers saw me I'd be an ink blot. I stopped caring what they thought a LONG time ago.

[@PlaceForAnEcho]

This is great. Can you review the Harley Quinn animated series? It’s very well written. The personalized license plate-you die reminded me of the good place. Cause people who have them are apparently going to hell. Ooooo can you psychoanalyze The Flight Attendant? Easily 1 of the best shows I’ve watched in 5 years.

[@uchiha_murilo3148]

oh, the heart on the cheek and the hair, love it

[@GeorgiaDow]

thanks for noticing

[@elin111]

Harley Quinn in 2016 Suicide Squad was obnoxious and impossible to like. Harley Quinn in this movie is so much better.

[@amralyn6103]

Thank you for this channel ! This is top quality content ! (Please do the Weasel ! I beg you ! Just for fun ^^ )

[@GeorgiaDow]

Oh i just might .... for giggles

[@elin111]

@@GeorgiaDow Maybe a Lightning Round for minor characters that don't have much screentime but still a noteworthy moment?

[@lilithpetite]

can you react to the deleted scene in wich the thinker tries to manipulate polka dotman please

[@louiswebtser]

Day 1 of suggestions to react to Negan and Rick Grimes dynamic in The Walking Dead

[@JurassicLion2049]

We see you Dr Dow with those Harley pigtails ;)

[@Elli_Hamato_Todoroki]

Harley is my favourite DC villain

[@darkcash1029]

Favorite villain Harley Quinn

[@msk-qp6fn]

You know, I think Harley, at least Margot Robbie's version of Harley, would be a fun friend that I wouldn't mind hanging out with if she was not so used to and fine with killing people.

[@jparbiter1972]

should touch on birds of prey and the first suicide squad.

[@nebula95]

Can you do a video about Cruella?

[@kxnziediqs]

I love Harley so much don’t get me wrong but she does not needa be the lead because it kinda turns wrong

[@patrickwheeler-zp6xy]

if the joker was just a little bit smarter he would break the 4th wall

[@jimquinn799]

Actually I don't think I need a purpose. Remember when I said I don't think there is a god some religious folk got very upset at me. They asked "Then what is your purpose?" I asked I don't think I need one but if I change my mind I'll give myself one. That just aggregated them that much more:) kind of liked their reaction to be honest... If I do have a purpose it just might be to live a Purposeless life. Which strikes me as a contradiction. Butt a funny one.

[@panda_invention1810]

5:04 😭

[@panda_invention1810]

7:24 oh, look... she is inside one eyed star... which sees itself... how suprising 😪 -liTerAlly- 😒

[@panda_invention1810]

8:02 😔

[@panda_invention1810]

0:50 😒

[@panda_invention1810]

1:29 it is sad to think... there might be some people out there... who cannot differentiate between a woman in a red dress... with her make up on... at the back seat of a limo... and a group of assasins... following some orders from a screen... inside a red room... 🙄

[@panda_invention1810]

5:27 🤧

[@grantknowles6336]

a much better Harley than 'birds of prey''

[@godswillwariya9082]

Dear. Georgia. Dow. Harley. Quinn. I. She. Is. God. Sent. From. Heaven. Full. Of. Joy. Spirit. I'm. Glad. She. Dump. Joker. He. Was. A. Bully. To. Her

[@s-wo8781]

Can you react to Persona 5 Royal?

[@mr.plushmanthegamer3171]

Coool

[@brianstocks8049]

love the black heart

[@GeorgiaDow]

thanks

[@Spectre2434]

❤❤❤

[@juniper3955]

Does anyone else get the vibe that Harley might be neurodivergent?

[@pejig.598]

um obviously 😭

[@Rosabella.Thorne7]

It's literally the very obvious part of her character

[@htaylor9677]

Best girl 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈👭👭👭❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@skylerconn8082]

i gotta completely disagree harley is actually insane and out of touch with reallity on top of being a victem of extreme gaslighting and manipulative abuse and severe delisional world veiws