Harley Quinn is on an urgent mission: rescue Robin (aka Baby Bat) from a gang of criminals, take down anyone who tries to stop her, and argue that no, having a PhD does not automatically make you a supervillain... right?
Tropes:
- Badass in Distress: The episode starts with Robin being outnumbered and kidnapped, then placed in a cell while tied to a chair.
- Big "NO!": Batman's reaction to Robin almost getting out of having to go to school.
- The Bus Came Back: The fantabulous Dr. Harleen Quinzel returns after not being seen since "Branching Out".
- The Cameo: A lot of Batman's rogues get mentioned or shown via an Imagine Spot, although none of them actually appear.
- Friend to All Children: Harley might not be the best role model for children, but she does all she can to help the Bats rescue Robin and makes it clear that she believes every child should get an education.
- He Will Come for Me: Robin isn't worried about being outnumbered and stuck in a cell, confident that Red Robin and Spoiler will arrive pretty soon to get him out. He's startled when Harley Quinn beats them to it.
- Mood Whiplash: The episode starts out fairly seriously, with Robin being kidnapped and Harley, Red Robin, Spoiler, and Batman coming to save him... then it turns into a discussion about whether or not getting a doctorate makes you susceptible to super-villainy.
- Monster Clown: The villains' masks and facial makeup mildly suggest clowns (one has a red nose and another has colorful eye patches). They have no compunctions about locking up a kid.
- Morally Ambiguous Doctorate: The main joke is debating the idea that doctorate degrees are at all related to supervillainy. Harley insists that education is important but can't come up with any educated Gothamites who aren't villains (or ex-villains, anyway). Tim even wonders if higher education could be a gathering point for anti-social people to learn new things that will allow them to harm others.
- The Nicknamer: Harley clearly has a knack for nicknames, calling Robin "little buddy" and "Baby Bat". She also refers to her girlfriend, Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy as "Pammy".
- Not Helping Your Case: Harley insists education benefits people, but Damian points out that her first example, Ivy, used to be an eco-terrorist. She sticks her foot in her mouth even further when she cites Dr. Crane/Scarecrow as her second example. In fact, she can't come up with any non-supervillain examples.
- Smug Smiler:
- Damian smiles smugly as Harley tries unsuccessfully to convince him that education is positive...and cites people who have used that education to make Gotham even more of a Wretched Hive.
- Harley, in turn, has a smug grin when Batman says that, yes, Damian still needs to get a formal education like everyone else in the family.
