"Three Birds and a Baby" 1.4 - Original Airdate: 10/30/02
  
Written by David H Goodman & Julie Hess
Directed by Craig Zisk
Guest Stars:
Riley Smith as Adult "Guy"
Michael Welch as Teenaged "Guy"
Bobby Edner as Kid "Guy"
Kevin Rankin as Dr. Lewis Melfin
Brody Hutzler as Mercenary
Co-Starring:
Matthew Josten as 4 Year Old "Guy"
Richard Stobie as 70 Year Old "Guy"
Rachel Koda as Woman
Brad Bufanda as Tough Kid
Victor Bevine as 40 Year Old "Guy"
I had mixed feelings about "Three Birds and a Baby". It seemed to be too ambitious an episode to do so early in Birds of Prey's run.
I did like the scenes with Harley though, and I'm enjoying her gradual build-up as the series main villain. I just hope we don't see too much of her scheming behind the scenes, constantly getting foiled by the Huntess though. Maybe if she was the villain behind the villain every fourth or fifth episode it would keep her in the spotlight, and give her some downtime preventing her from becoming overused. At this point though it's great seeing her, I just hope they don't have her show up too often, barring scenes with her and Helena at the office.
I liked Dinah's connection with the teenaged Guy. What better way to connect with a troubled teen, than with another troubled teen. I'm glad they threw that in.
I enjoyed seeing Alfred, but I hope they start giving him more to do than just showing up and drinking tea.
And how about that continuity? I liked that Reese and Huntress talked about last week, when he had her at gunpoint. It adds a touch of realism to the show, and gives off the feeling that we really are following peoples lives week after week.
What irked me was the fact that Harley wanted children, but only children that had a three day life-span. I'll think we'll just chalk it up to the fact that Harley is quite mad. I liked the mention of the fact that she and Joker were unable to have children. It speaks volumes of their relationship, rather than just saying that she and Joker were involved.
I didn't care for the forced softening of Huntress in her scenes with Guy. Most of them seemed forced, but a couple of them worked, and when they did they were very good.
I would have expected more of a reaction from Barbara when Guy killed the doctor. I wonder if that was cut, or just omitted all together.
Anyway, this was probably the weakest episode so far, but it still had it's moments. I can't wait for next week though, when the Black Canary shows up.
WB Summary for "Three Birds and a Baby"
"When Helena (Ashley Scott) rescues an abandoned baby boy and brings him back to the Clocktower, Barbara (Dina Meyer) and Dinah (Rachel Skarsten) try to help, but to everyone�s surprise, the baby, Elliott, is only happy when Helena is holding him. Even more surprising is the fact that Elliott wakes up from his nap as a walking, talking 5-year-old and is soon a teenager (guest star Riley Smith). Now in a race against time, the Birds of Prey discover that Elliot is programmed to live his entire life in three days, and to kill the first person he attaches to, putting Helena in grave danger. Shemar Moore, Ian Abercrombie and Mia Sara also star. Craig Zisk directed the episode written by David H. Goodman & Julie Hess"
TV Guide Summary for "Three Birds and a Baby"
"Helena rescues an infant from murderous thugs, and brings the orphan to Barbara and Dinah at the lair. The three unlikely baby-sitters soon learn that he is no ordinary child: Each time the metahuman falls asleep, he ages several years. The superheroines work against the clock to save his life, however, Harley Quinn has other plans for the erstwhile little boy. Harley: Mia Sara. Helena: Ashley Scott. Reese: Shemar Moore."
Comicology for "Three Birds and a Baby"
In the comics, and the animated "Batman" series (1992-1999), Harley and the Joker were romantically linked. Their desire to have children was shown in the "Mad Love" comic book, and the "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker" direct to video film (2000).
Alfred's biting sense of humor, as evident in this episode, comes directly from the comics. Despite being a gentleman's gentleman, Alfred still found it in himself to poke fun at the absurdity of being Batman's butler.
Ratings for "Pilot"
10/30/02 - 4.0/6
104 out of 134 programs for that week, 5th in it's timeslot (out of 6)
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