Greg responds...

There's always a chance. I don't have any real control over the movie, but I can all but guarantee that Big Daddy won't be in it. I certainly wouldn't recommend his inclusion. Sorry.

Greg responds...

1. Maybe. He definitely had at least one kid before that: Merlin. Oh, and by the way, Oberon's mother is Queen Mab. (No one's asked me that in a while. I hope it doesn't screw up TGS too much. I've been skipping over any comment room posts about TGS, but I couldn't help noticing the Queen Mab name coming up. And I assume Merlin's in Pendragon. I've hinted at this stuff before of course, so I'm curious... Did everyone guess this? Did anyone?)
2. They were considered to be trustworthy and doggedly responsible.

Greg responds...

No. As I myself have said before, Broadway did come up with the nickname, but by the time of "Turf" he had ALREADY realized that Angela didn't like it. He had already dropped it. The others hadn't caught on and kept using it. I'm not saying Broadway's perfect, and he certainly isn't psychic. He's just more sensitive and attuned to who people really are. He's a good judge of character. Better than Brooklyn, Lex or Goliath, even. Angela, Elisa and Hudson are pretty good at this too, but the best judge of character in the series is probably Bronx.

Greg responds...

BAD GUYS was a spin-off series which I developed at Disney. It would have been set in the same "universe" and featured characters already introduced in the GARGOYLES series, specifically Robyn "The Hunter" Canmore, Dingo, Matrix, Fang and Yama. These five would have formed a team of expendable "bad guys" who were given a choice between prison and working on the dirty missions no one else could handle. We actually made a short leica reel as a demonstration piece. But Disney cancelled the project just before the reel was completed. I finished the job on my own and showed it to everyone at the GATHERING in NYC this past summer.

Greg responds...

Apropos of nothing, I saw the moon last night. Hunter's Moon. Gorgeous.
Scary Yellow thing. Pretty cool, huh? Now, on to your questions.
1. Maybe. They're working on it.
2. Peripherally. Officially, I'm a co-producer, but that doesn't seem to mean much.
3. Yes.
4. I think I've mentioned that requests for employment (tongue in cheek or not) aren't appropriate for this forum. But to answer your question, I have no reason to believe that I'll have any real influence on casting. Frankly, my one serious goal for this project is to try and convince them to hire Keith David to play Goliath.
5. There is no number five.
6. Not as far as I know.

Greg responds...

1. No.
2. No.
3. I'm not going to make novel-length responses in this format.
4. Maybe.
5. The association is legal. Not all their activities are.

Greg responds...

I no longer worked at Disney by the time it was decided, but it didn't come as a shock. In fact, the shock was that they did a third season at all. If Disney hadn't purchased ABC and suddenly required a quick fix influx of material for ABC's Saturday morning, I'm quite sure they would have stopped producing Gargoyles after the standard 65 episodes. At the time, I was trying to convince them otherwise. Trying to convince them to let me do a spin-off, that would carry the series forward but represent another batter at the plate. Another chance for the big commercial homerun they wanted (and didn't get from GARGOYLES). They didn't go for that. Since then, I've been trying to work with fans to help keep the flame alive. I've also been trying to kibbitz a bit on the live-action movie in the hopes that that will renew interest in bringing the series back. I can't think of anything else to do.

Greg responds...

1. They could. Not naturally, but maybe through science or sorcery, or maybe via something a lot less exotic. I'm not going to say now.
2. Lack of life. :)
3. Yes. But I'm not saying anymore.
4. It depends on when I get to tell his last story.
5. You didn't really think I'd answer this one, did you?
6. Maybe.
7. Cool.
8. Average as of now? Less than 400, I'd say.

Greg responds...

She's human and, no, you haven't met her yet.

Greg responds...

Yes. Katana.

Greg responds...

I'm not going to answer that one at this time. Sorry.

Greg responds...

Yes and Yes. (And it's KATHARINE and MALCOLM. See above.)

Greg responds...

Constantine III overthrew Kenneth II. The tyrant Constantine was later overthrown by Kenneth III (the sun of Duff) with help from his cousin Maol Chalvim (the son of Kenneth II). Maol Chalvim later betrays Kenneth III and becomes High King. Maol has three daughters, all of whom he marries off strategically. Each daughter has a son, thus Maol has three grandsons (Duncan, Macbeth and Thorfinn) and three potential heirs. In "City of Stone", I had originally planned to include Thorfinn, but I just didn't have the extra screentime to fit in his part of the story.

MacDuff was not the son of King Duff but I'm sure he was related. He might have been a grandson, or a cousin or grandnephew or something.

This seems like as good a time as any to continue the story:

"Once upon a time there were three brothers..." PART THREE

Five years have passed since Duff was crowned High King of Scotland at Scone.
The year is 967 and the kingdom is at peace. But for how long? Duff is 55 years old. He has many, many daughters, but no sons. Word comes from Ireland: Indulf is dead. But Culen is not. Culen seems to get along well with the Irish. It is -- well -- an uncomfortable situation.

An heir must be chosen. And in Scotland in 967, a daughter will not suffice. Duff turns to his thirty-five year old brother Kenneth. Kenneth is strong, faithful. Kenneth also has a five year old son, Maol Chalvim, so succession will be secured into the next generation. Little Prince Maol is told that someday he will be king. Little Prince Maol is quite pleased.

And what of the third brother? Prince Malcolm is thirteen years old. And life for him has improved immeasurably since that frightening day when he was buried alive in Edinburgh Castle. He's been to every corner of Scotland with his brothers. He's seen sorcerers and gargoyles and maybe even a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster. Katharine, his mother, is honored throughout the land for her intelligence and bravery; in many ways, she is the de facto Queen of the realm. His two royal half-brothers welcome him at every council meeting and even take the time to personally coach him on his swordsmanship.
Frankly, in the Dark Ages, it just doesn't get any better than this.

Which of course means, that it can't last.

Malcolm is riding along the western shores admiring the sunset. By his side, as usual, is his best friend Robbie. Corporal Robert is 21 years old, and has grown into a true bull of a man, complete with a new bushy mustache and a commission in the King's Guard. Malcolm is looking out to sea at the falling sun, but Robbie directs his attention to a cliff a few hundred yards distant. As the sun sinks into the water, the rocks on the cliff seem to move, to flex, to grow. A great collective roar echoes down the coastline. Malcolm's eyes go wide; Robbie laughs. It's a gargoyle rookery, he explains. They're waking from stone.

"Have you been there?" Malcolm asks.

"Aye," Robbie responds. "Even talked with the head of the monsters' clan. I liked him. He's a warrior. You should meet him."

"What's his name?"

"Hasn't got one. None of them do. They're not like the Gargoyles in Scone or Loch Ness. They're rougher. Harder."

"Good peasant stock like you."

"Aye."

"Then lead the way."

They ride on. The moon rises over the hills: a small crescent, a pitiful thing. Nevertheless, its light catches something out in the water. Many somethings. Ships. A fleet.

Both boys see them in the same moment. And in that moment, both boys truly become men. They don't have to talk. They turn their horses in unison and ride off at a full gallop. They'll exchange horses at camp and keep riding.
The King must be told. Invasion.

At the court, there is celebration. Duff's wife has just given birth to her ninth child. But this one is different. This one has a penis. This one will someday be a King. Little Prince Maol is confused by this. He's going to be the King, he knows. But everyone else couldn't be happier, including Duff's brother Kenneth. Kenneth immediately relinquishes his role as heir to the throne. And swears to serve the infant prince until his dying day. Duff is deeply moved and names the boy Kenneth, after his brother and best friend.

Then the shouting starts. Malcolm and Robert burst into the room. Within the hour, the King and his brothers are riding west at the head of an army.
A small army. There has been no warning. There is little time to gather their forces.

Culen, now forty-five years old, leads the Irish troops. He has come, he says, to regain his rightful throne. His armies have swept inland with surprising speed, like a dagger plunged into Scotland's back.

At Gaine, they meet the King's Men.

The first battle is brief and bloody. One would think that God would be on the side of the Scots, but Culen's Irish get the better of it. Duff is wounded in the leg. Nothing serious, but he's carried from the field.
Kenneth fights like a true Thane. Malcolm gets his first taste of combat.
He kills one man. Stands over that man. Wonders if the man's wife has red hair. Corporal Robert uses his shield to block the cudgel aimed at Malcolm's contemplative skull. Robert shoves Malcolm to the ground and kills the attacker. Malcolm stares at his friend. Then nods. Now he understands.
Retreat is sounded. Malcolm picks himself up. He and Robbie fight there way back behind the Scotish lines.

That night, in council, Duff once again names his brother Kenneth as his heir. Kenneth protests: there is a new heir, a new Kenneth. Duff shakes his head. If anything happens to him, the kingdom will need a king, not a wee babe. Kenneth protests: the kingdom will NOT need a new king.

"It might," Duff states. "We're fighting tomorrow."

"You can't walk, Duff!"

"We've ordered a litter. The men need to see their King."

Kenneth, exasperated: "Duff!"

"We've ordered a litter. The men need to see their King." The final word on the subject.

There's fog in the morning. Four huge Guardsmen carry the king on his litter. The battle is joined. Kenneth pushes forward in a berserker rage.
Malcolm flanks him, keeping pace. He kills his second man. His third. His fourth. His.... He realizes consciously that it is time to lose count.
Robert is never far from his friend. NEVER. It's going well. The Scots have rallied. They are going to win.

Suddenly, in the midst of the fighting, one of the King's Guardsmen, the one on the left at the rear, simply steps back and lets go of his burden. Caught off guard, the other three drop the King onto his back. Left-and-Rear draws a dagger, and before anyone can move, before anyone can think to move, he plunges it into Duff's heart.

Left-and-Rear. Nameless. Soon to be quite faceless. What was this man thinking? What was he promised? How did he think he'd survive? We'll never know. He's set upon immediately. Killed. Shredded, practically. But the damage is done. Word spreads like wildfire. The King is dead, betrayed by one of his own. The Scotish line breaks, folds in. Shatters, like a mirror bringing seven years bad luck. (Well, four at least.)

Kenneth, Malcolm, Robert and a handful -- a handful only damnit -- barely escape with their lives. Culen has won. Won the battle. Won the war. Won the kingdom. Allies defect faster than rats off the proverbial sinking ship. Kenneth flees with his extended family down into Northern England. They are not welcomed there, but they are tolerated. Enroute, Malcolm's mother Katharine takes a chill. The chill becomes a fever. The fever, a delirium. And then... she's gone. Malcolm is an orphan.

Frankly, in the Dark Ages, it just doesn't get any worse than this.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Greg responds...

"The Mirror" wasn't anymore rushed than any of our other second season episodes. We were on a very tight schedule in general. We had 10 months to get the first 13 episodes on the air. Then we had 10 months to get the next 52 on the air. We also had to ramp up our staff, since we had only planned on producing six episodes for the second season originally. So time was an issue, although not development time per se. Another issue is that many different artists worked on the show. And although each artist is theoretically working off the same model sheets, their individual styles are bound to shine through a bit. In fact that individualism is probably key to making a character like Puck really come alive in "The Mirror". I haven't noticed a great deal of flux in Puck specifically, at least no more than in, say, Goliath.

Greg responds...

Human.

Greg responds...

It seems you've got the rules straight, but the notion that Alex can only learn so much seems preposterous to me. I'm 34 and constantly learning new things, even new things about things I thought I had wired. Learning is a lifelong process.

Owen is mortal. But everytime Owen becomes Puck to teach Alex something, he kinda resets Owen when he changes back. So Owen's never gonna age all that much. It's a loophole, that allows Owen/Puck to continue to teach and protect Alex as long as Alex lives.

If Owen gets killed (like shot in the back or something) while he's Owen, then both Owen and Puck die. The situational question you ask is tougher to answer, because it depends on what else is going on, how old Alex is at the time, etc.

I don't think Oberon monitors much unless it strikes his fancy. Titania probably plays closer attention.

As to Fox, I think she'd be very interested, up to a point.

Greg responds...

Demona's never been particularly egalitarian. If the question had been posed to her at the time whether she was Leader or Queen, I'm sure she would have said Leader. But I've no doubt, that she acted like a tyrant. I also think the others allowed her to act that way, because the situation was quite desperate, and she was clearly the toughest warrior they had.

Greg responds...

1. Yes. She does have to sleep now, though she gets by on a few hours per day, (I get about five). Doesn't really improve her mental outlook, if you know what I mean.
2. No. The marriage had not been consumated when the bride tried to kill the groom for his money before disappearing without a trace, so getting a unilateral annulment was surprisingly easy. And Demona doesn't get pleasure from a lot these days.

Greg responds...

In a twenty-two minute episode, there isn't much room to depict the daily tasks of a supporting character. But we might have gotten around to it, if there was a story reason. To some extent, I don't know how Owen manages, but there are a lot of people out there with less than two hands, and I'm quite sure that they manage just fine. If we had shown some of the things you mentioned we would have tried to do our homework to make sure we were depicting things with accuracy.

Greg responds...

1. Is this a Post-Journey CHRONICLES question? I had plans that they'd find out. I don't know whether the CHRONICLES staff even thought about it.
2. Guilt, then hate.

Greg responds...

I have already, usually as a way of relating flashbacks, but "Future Tense" was one big Gargoyle nightmare -- even if it was inserted by Puck, and I had a few other thoughts as well.

Greg responds...

It's not a little question, Bryan. This isn't the format for telling a novel- length story. Nice try though. (Feignt right, go left, see if he takes the bait.)

Greg responds...

Damn good question. I think a lot of what you wrote above makes a lot of sense. But I also think that Demona is capable of extinguishing 5 billion lives and only then turning around and realizing that she's destroyed herself. In other words, she's still very dangerous.

Greg responds...

On-going letter writing campaigns wouldn't hurt, but the biggest thing would be to get more and more people to watch the show. Get cable. Watch Gargoyle reruns on USA. Get everyone you know to do the same. If the ratings on the reruns are ridiculously high, then maybe that would give someone the idea to take another pass at new episodes. Do you know any Nielsen Families?

Disney already put some of the episodes out on video.

Greg responds...

Disney would probably sell anything they thought they could make money on, enough money to justify the cost of production. At the moment, I doubt they think they could make enough money by selling scripts or soundtracks.

Greg responds...

Gargoyles have internal biological clocks. Sunlight acts as a psychological trigger, but it's really the internal clock that makes the change. A bright light doesn't affect the clock, nor does it act as a trigger. Avoiding the sun, for example by being indoors at sunrise, might have a slight delaying effect but not more than a few minutes, because the clock triggers the change, not the sun. The clock is simply "set" by the sun.

Greg responds...

No. I saw Mortal Kombat, but not 'til after I had come up with the Katana character. What letters from May?

Greg responds...

1. He's not dead. Ultimately, I planned for him to join the Ultra-Pack.
2a. That was pretty much the team. I'm not saying others might not have come and/or gone, but that's the core.
2b. They were all recruited by the Hunter. The details of the story are my secret for now.
2c. I had a pretty good idea.
3. Heh, heh, heh.
4a. Romeo and Juliet. Sort of.
4b. Yes. Though he wasn't going to be a lead, he was to be a major supporting character.
4c. Which trip?
4d. Uh... maybe?
4e. THE NEW OLYMPIANS
4f. Not close at all. BAD GUYS came the closest.
4g. Taurus would have been one of four leads.
4h. Yes.
4i. They developed it over the centuries.
GENERAL REQUEST: I appreciate that you numbered your questions, but then you proceeded to ask multiple questions under each number. I added the letters for clarity. In the future, if you have multiple questions, please number every question. THANKS.

Greg responds...

Arrogance. His and theirs. (That's the third time I've given the exact same answer to this question.) As to "fault", the immediate blame went to Titania, though what she did was simply the straw that broke Oberon's not-to- impressive patience.

Greg responds...

By my own rules, history can't be changed. I'd strive to minimize the damage to my continuity in a number of ingenious ways, none of which I've figured out yet.

Greg responds...

1) Alexander.
2) I'm not telling.
3) Good question.

Greg responds...

1. "The Mirror" - Puck; "Ill Met by Moonlight" - Oberon, Titania; "Future Tense" - Puck, "The Gathering, Part One" - Oberon, Titania; "The Gathering, Part Two" - Oberon, Titania, Puck; "Possession" - Puck. Of course, that doesn't count episodes where Puck appeared as Owen or Titania as Anastasia (unless Puck or Titania also appeared in the episode as well). Also, Titania appeared in some Goliath Chronicle episode. And no, I don't think any of them are available on home video.
2. As I've stated before, I don't see the point in Disney-bashing. You're mad at the company that put Gargoyles on the air, because you believe they screwed it up down the line. Well, maybe they did, but it's not like they were trying to. I think they deserve some credit for doing the show in the first place. And if you ever want to see new episodes of the show again, I don't think that Disney-bashing is an effective way to make that happen. I think the switch to ABC had less to do with the changes you mentioned, then the turnover in creative staff, the lower budget and the abbreviated schedule.
3. Brent Spiner did Puck. He also does Data. (I think it's an important distinction.) Kate Mulgrew did Titania. She also does Captain Janeway.
Terence Mann did Oberon. He played The Beast on Broadway.
4. I could, but I won't. You could do that yourself. You know what they look like.
5. Ouch.

Greg responds...

When Marty and Bob wrote the first draft outline of "Legion" they had created a scenario that seemed very reminiscent of Shakespeare's OTHELLO. I don't know if they specifically had that in mind, but I assume they did. Because Gargoyles didn't used to use names, the outline was very confusing to read, so I suggested using the names of the corresponding characters from the play to represent the three gargoyles. Othello (later Coldstone), Desdemona (later Coldfire) and Iago (later Coldsteel) were thus identified for script and credit purposes, but the names were never used in dialogue by any of the characters.

Greg responds...

I suppose, but they heal fast, so they don't stay sick very long.

Greg responds...

1. I kibbitzed (as did a number of people). Elen Orson cut the title sequence for the first season. Bob Birchard did the recut for the second season. Both individuals are extremely talented editors. Frank Paur and I supervised. Gary Sperling wrote Keith's narration for the second season title, with a lot of imput from me. And of course, Carl's music makes it.
We tried to get striking images that would punctuate the music and vice versa. We also wanted to show the breadth of the series, and still emphasize key elements like "the origin", the "transformations", gliding, climbing, battle and intrigue.
2. Nothing that caused a crisis. Not that Owen couldn't handle a crisis, thank you very much.
3. Who's stronger Hulk or Thing? There's more to winning than strength, but yeah, I think the Sisters combined might is pretty impressive when they really cut loose. Puck's a tough bird to get in hand though.
4. Thanks for your kind words. A lot of credit should go to Michael Reaves, Brynne Chandler Reaves, Lydia C. Marano and Frank Paur (and a lot of other people) who helped make "CoS" what it was. Glad you liked it.

Greg responds...

Really? Where? I'm not sure what you mean. (Man, are the questions vague today, or did I take dope pills?)

Greg responds...

1. "He" felt Goliath had abandoned the clan. But of course "he" didn't exist. Puck was going for shock value.
2. You mean the Bronze statue of Hudson? Do you mean Matt?
3. "He" didn't need him or care for him. But of course, "he" wasn't Xanatos, he was a computer programmed by Lex. And of course none of them existed. Puck was going for shock value.
4. Armor? I'm not sure what you mean.
5. Thailog Shock Troops. Thailog clones with brain implants to insure obedience.

Greg responds...

1. I've answered this before in detail. Mostly I'm gratified, but I have mixed feelings.
2. I don't see any legal issues, since it's not-for-profit. I don't see any moral concerns either.
3. I'm not sure I understand the question. What kind of impact? It sounds like a good thing.

Greg responds...

You said yourself that there are other gargs that look something like Lex.
Obviously, that cosmetic variation is rarer, but not unheard of. Just like some people have hazel eyes, but most don't. Keep in mind that you haven't seen that many total gargoyles period.

Greg responds...

Maggie had a bus ticket and twenty-two hundred dollars when she left Ohio.
She moved to the big city and checked into a woman's hotel while she looked for an apartment and work. Work was harder to find than she thought, and a cheap apartment in Manhattan is practically an oxymoron. She spent way too much, way too fast, and before she knew it she was on the street. Or something like that. It happens all the time.

Greg responds...

1. I don't think there are any current plans at this time. But I don't work at Disney anymore, so anything's possible.
2. No. Not correct. They had to be out in the mortal world for 1001 years. No one said they had to pose as mortals, though many did. Oberon did a lot of different things over that time.

Greg responds...

I've addressed this (probably ad nauseum) in the comment room. I'm very ambivalent toward fanfiction. On the one hand, it's very gratifying. I've created something that has taken on a life of it's own. That people like enough to invest their time into and create anew. On the other hand, I have a territorial instinct that exhibits a kind of knee-jerk negative reaction to seeing other people controlling the destiny of my characters. (That's the main reason why Goliath Chronicles was so painful for me to watch.) For example, I know that TGS is doing their own TimeDancer spin off. That's very cool, but somebody mentioned (though I don't know if this was the final word) that they're
not naming Brooklyn's son Nashville, because they think the name is silly or because they hate country music or whatever. I can't help resenting that. (I know it's not rational, but I'm trying to be honest about my emotions here.) I haven't explained the Nashville name. I don't intend to explain it yet. Obviously, I have no intention of making Brooklyn into the next Garth Brooks, but I'm not in the mood to go into my reasons yet. But when someone else decides that GREG THE GARGOYLE MASTER made a misstep regarding the name of a character, I bristle. But going back to the first hand, I have to acknowledge that once a thing is created and sent out into the world, it no longer
belongs to the creator, but to the interpretations of those who received it. If a fan believes that Gargoyles were created by fey sorcery, then to that fan they were, no matter what I might say to the contrary in a comment room. Fanfiction is the ultimate example of fans interpretating (and extrapolating upon) what they've seen.

Greg responds...

Well, I don't really agree with your assessment of our second season episodes. Neither "Sanctuary" or even "The Reckoning" really fit your criteria all that well. I think the introduction of Angela has already had an effect on Demona's behaviour. If we ever get more episodes, Demona's character will continue to evolve, but not quickly. Demona has 1000 years of reinforced behaviour to overcome. (A) Destroying humanity and (B) altering the clan to suit her vision of what it should be like are still major goals, and I don't see that changing anymore than I see Xanatos' desire for immortality going away. Is it formulaic to see a determined villain thwarted? I suppose. But "City of Stone" doesn't strike me as a formulaic story, and although one might argue that Demona's role in "Hunter's Moon" was similar to her role in "CoS", I don't think too many people are troubled by the general similarities, when the details and attitudes are so different.

Greg responds...

Pogo, thanks. As you know, I already got that photo from you. As I think I said at the time, you can webify it as long as my daughter is not in the shot.

Greg responds...

Obviously, something else happened to Canmore, or at least one of his sons, after the events depicted in "City of Stone". That would probably explain the shift you describe as well.

Greg responds...

1 & 2. I don't know yet.

Greg responds...

1. I'm not sure I understand the question. But "Gargoyles Protect" is much more than a platitude.
2. They've all got a little of me, or at least a little of what I aspire to. Even the villains have a bit of me in them. But I'm probably more like Vinnie than any of the others. :)
3. I'm not saying.
4. Sort of.
5. 52.

Greg responds...

1. NO. NO. NO. He didn't mistake them for a specific rival alien race.
He just (incorrectly) assumed that they weren't native to Earth. He then jumped to the conclusion that the Space-Spawn had finally sent alien scouts (of a race he wasn't familiar with) to the planet he had been guarding for centuries.
2. Was it a prophecy or a nightmare?
3. You're ignoring an obvious alternative.
4. I've answered this before. Check out the archives for this page.
5. Ask me this again later. I'm willing to answer it, but I don't have those notes handy right now.

Greg responds...

1. 1000 years worth of stuff.
2. Oberon's rules made it tough, until they found a loophole.
3. I'm not telling yet.
4. I don't remember off hand. It's in my notes somewhere.
5. I don't know.
6. Long time ago.
7. The Space-Spawn.
8. Again, I'd have to dig it out of my copious notes.
9. They developed it.

Greg responds...

I think he certainly was using her from the outset. He quickly learned of her link to Macbeth and figured out a way to capitalize on it that involved Demona dying. "Betrayal" isn't a strong enough word.