Matt writes...

Hey, I'm a big fan of the Gargoyles and I've been reading 'The Gargoyles Saga' Gargoyles. It's really cool. I was wondering what comments on the series would be?

I really like Goliath and Elisa together.

becky writes...

dear greg,
i love th gargoyles show and i've been watching on sunday on disney's sneak peek on toon disney. the only proble is they shut it off. our cable operator doesn't carry toon disney so i have no hope of seeing it ever again. please help! i really love watching gargoyles.

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

Ahh man. Todd pointed out the Demona/Lady Macbeth connection before I did.

Since I'd rather not repeat everything he said, I'll just say that "Long Way to Morning" was a great episode.

Oh by the way, I'm glad the Archmage did return. I like evil sorcerors, even if some are cliched. And David Warner is one of my favorite voice-actors. He was great as Ras al'Ghul in Batman, and Alpha in MiB. Thanks for bringing him back to "Gargoyles". It's just too bad that we didn't get "Dark Ages".

Ambrosia writes...

Hey Greg!
This is another response to a ramble on another beautiful ep!

Like Erin said, it's not supposed to happen. The brother of our heroine isn't supposed to be in the employ of the Bad Guy. The thing that interested me most was that scene with the different reactions between the trio. Broadway and Brooklyn's lines beg some thought… Derek should trust you… but trust doesn't mean much without honesty. In a kid's show, there is usually a very clear definition between Good and Bad, but Brooklyn is subtly saying that she hasn't been entirely honest with her brother. I love my trio. Oops, there's three. And poor Lex who carries a grudge as long as any other gargoyle is inching out the Six trying to start hunting the Pack down. Great personality work. These aren't Huey Duey and Louie.

Again, the Good and Bad thing going on with Xanatos. He's supposed to be the antagonist, but he just acts so… suave! One might mistake him for a great guy… I guess Derek did.

The scene with Fox? I think the beams of light from heaven surrounding her enraptured face as she pictures "David" gave it away. :) When I first saw it, I for some reason thought that Fox was infatuated with Xanatos, but didn't know it was mutual. Silly me.

Thanks!

Andrew Warren writes...

In regards to "Her Brother's Keeper."

Great episode for Xanatos. The convuluted plan demands respect, but I was even more impressed with how his whole team worked together. While Elisa is bickering with her brother, Xanantos, Fox, and Owen are working together seamlessly to call the tune. Even Jackal and Hyena seem to be playing at sibling rivalry rather than suffering from it.

And, yes, it was obvious Fox had a thing for Xanatos here. Also that she was already pretty close to him. Not only is there that whole "brilliant man" line, but she also calls him David. Not many people in the series are on a first name basis with the guy.

The coyote diamond would be a great clue later on in the series. Was this conscious forshadowing for "Leader of the Pack" or "Cloud Fathers?" I'd guess almost certainly the former and perhaps the latter as well.

Andrew Warren writes...

A response to your ramble on "Long Way to Morning."

When I first saw this episode I was enthralled. Hudson has an easy competence about him that reminds me of my father, so I was happy to see him get his time in the sun, or out of it as the case may be. I truly enjoyed watching him be alternately crafty and amazingly physical. That spinning leap with the sword was one of my favorite moves in the series.

Unfortunately, this was an episode that didn't age well. After "City of Stone" Hudson's line about age and waiting really didn't mesh with Demona's background. I'd guess the back story hadn't been filled in when "Long Way to Morning" was written, but it still strikes me as a continuity glitch.

Todd Jensen writes...

This is sort of a brief reply to your reply to my comments on "Awakening Part One".

The "friend" conversation was the point where I decided that I liked the gargoyles - in the sense of species. (I'd already decided that I liked the series when the "Scotland - 994 A.D" segment got underway).

BECKY writes...

HI! I'VE RECENTLY GOTTEN INTO GARGOYLES AND I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE SNEEK PEEK OF TOON DISNEY THAT DISNEY SHOWS BECAUSE IT HAS THE GARGOYLES SHOW. BUT THEY'VE STOPPED SHOWING IT AND OUR CABLE OPERATER DOESN'T HAVE TOON DISNEY SO I HAVE NO WAY OF EVER SEEING THE SHOW AGAIN. I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR WEBSITES WITH SUMMARIES OF THE EPISODES BUT THERE AREN'T VERY MANY WHEN A WEBSITE DOES HAVE THEM. CAN YOU HELP?

Matthew writes...

Hi I have to find some pictures and information on Gargoiles and I was wondering if you could please send me some info at perks57@hotmail.com
Thanks

Todd Jensen writes...

A comment on Pyro X's "Gummi Bears" question.

I actually saw a slight similarity between the two series myself, but more in terms of the overall situation of the title characters. Both Gummi Bears and Gargoyles were portrayed as non-human sentient beings who once lived alongside humans, until that came to an end through human hostility (in the Gummis' case, driving most of them overseas, in the Gargoyles' case, destroying most of their clans), leaving only a few scattered communities/clans left, which would only gradually begin reconnecting with each other and recovering what was lost.

(I might add that I recall the presence in the latter part of the series of some Gummmis from the Barbic Woods who were portrayed as particularly suspicious and unsympathetic towards humans, and can easily imagine many gargoyles in the Gargoyles Universe having a similar attitude).

Todd Jensen writes...

A sort of "ramble-reply" to "Long Way Till Morning".

I'll have to confess that the only part of my "first time I saw it" response to this episode that I now remember (other than my delight at another medieval sequence - the 984 scenes in this case) was that I initially believed that Prince Malcolm would actually succumb to the Archmage's poisoned dart, and that this was how he'd died. (It was obvious that he must have died at some point before the 994 events in "Awakening", naturally, since Katharine's ruling Wyvern by then). So the fact that, in the succeeding flashbacks in this episode after the initial one, he does live in the end, surprised me.

I certainly agree with you on the Katharine-and-Malcolm scenes; I'd also felt on my own before reading that ramble that Malcolm was unwittingly planting the seeds of bigotry in his daughter when he used the gargoyles as a means of frightening her to be good. (Kind of reminds me of something I'd read once in either "Dear Abby" or "Ann Landers" about a policeman protesting the way that a few parents use police as "bogeymen" to scare their children into being good similarly). Indeed, Prince Malcolm's judgement really does come across in this episode as a bit on the poor side beyond Katharine; he's overly confident about the Archmage no longer being a threat, while Hudson correctly recognizes that the sorcerer could return for revenge - and indeed, the Archmage does.

Demona's ambitious streak in the 984 scene reminds me a bit of Lady Macbeth similarly urging Macbeth to dispose of Duncan in Shakespeare's play - which, when you stop to think over her future, is rather appropriate. (Indeed, in "Sanctuary", Demona actually becomes "Lady Macbeth" in a literal sense - and if you ask me, she fits the Shakespearean character far better than Gruoch ever did).

I must admit that I've always had a certain fondness for Hudson, and he certainly comes across as a sympathetic figure here. One can't help but admire his dogged persistence in keeping Goliath safe from Demona in the present day. He may think of himself as all washed up, but he still does his duty in protecting Goliath against a very determined adversary.

Two scenes I particularly like in this episode, both near the end: the sight of Demona slowly approaching through the graveyard in the distance, and the bit where she emerges from behind the stone angel - both positively creepy.

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

I read your rambles on the episodes of Gargs so far, and here are some of my comments.

I was definetly surprised by the clan losing the castle in "Enter Macbeth", it seemed improbable that masssive changes would happen like that. I liked how "Gargoyles" did things like that. I was constantly pleasantly surprised.

Another point in "Enter Macbeth" I'd like to comment on is that I think it's good that Macbeth was not wearing exo-armor. It shows how skilled a warrior he is.

The Edge is one of my favorites. Xanatos is so cool in it. I did think the exo-frame was a robot. You fooled me. Another reason i want to see the show back is so I can see whether or not I know all your tricks.

Can't wait to read your other rambles.

Aris Katsaris writes...

A brief thought on the Edge.

I was indeed quite surprised when the red robot was revealed as Xanatos... I had thought it was just an very advanced robot, possibly a recurring character, but I never thought it was Xanatos himself...

And ofcourse in 'Leader of the Pack' you used that eralier episode to your advantage... Now *everyone* expected Coyote to be Xanatos, and noone expected him to be a very advanced robot... Very intentional, I suppose?

Weirdly enough, though quite a bit older than Erin, I also felt a bit nervous in the Statue of Liberty battle... I tend to do that when in TV monuments/antiquities are casually endangered... A bit silly perhaps, but there you have it... :-)

Chris writes...

No question this time, just a comment.

Love the show, I love the animation and how well drawn everything is, I also like the originality of the show, the storyline is awesome, and very well thought out.
"Hunter's Moon" is my favorite episode, I love the battle scene between the gargoyles and the hunters inside the cathedral. And then it gets canceled, what the HECK were they thinking? Were they unaware of the show's popularity?
And on top of that I don't have Toon Disney! Oh the agony!
Looking forward to the movie though.....well anyway, just wanted to say thank you for such an excellent show, I can't say that enough, and i'll continue to hope to God that the show comes back.

Andrew Warren writes...

Here's a response to your rambles on the episodes.

I will never forget the first time I saw Enter Macbeth. I had just returned from a Winter Break in which my brother had introduced me to this fascinating new series. That first Friday in January I gathered as many friends as I could and we crammed into a friend's dorm room to watch. We were enthralled. For months afterward we quoted "Bzzzt . . . Ow" and "Actually, yes." Even Bronx's myterious ability to rescue Brooklyn and Lexington somehow played positively with us. Watching the show became a minor ritual for us, indicating that the weekend had truly begun. We even went so far as to rent Akakening when the show was preempted by a local sporting event. good times indeed.

And a nod at the continuity. I loved the Steel Clan battle in the Edge. The Gargs are sublimely self confident as they wade in, only to be forced to concede that their foes are a lot tougher than they used ro be. Courtesy of Xanatos' security cameras watching Macbeth demonstrate proper techniques for Gargoyle hunting, of course.

Wing writes...

Aboot the Digimon scheduling> What I meant to say about it was that it has two runnings. One where it goes from beginning to end continuously. This is good for first time viewers and viewers that may have missed an episode. Then, it has another running (sort of) where they can show new episodes without having to run through however many episodes there are first. Plus there's advance warning about the airing of new episodes. I just thought that was an effective airing method. I wanted to share. Sharing is good. I should stop before I go Barney on you.

Blaise writes...

THE EDGE

This is always a fun episode for me to watch just because of Xanatos. To me this seems very much to be his episode. Agreed, the fact that he didn't penalize Owen for having beaten him at sparing was very refreshing (and totally in-character for him, I thought). The scene between him and Goliath is priceless. Usually in "animated action/adventure shows" it is the villain who blows his top and rants while the hero remains cool. Here, just the opposite occurs. It's very nice to see the villain not falling prey to the usual pitfalls and cliches.
And no, when I first saw this I didn't think that Xanatos and the Red Steel Clan were one and the same. When the "robot" began ascertaining the status of his comrades, my siblings and I (we were all watching this episode together) remarked that Xanatos had apparently created a robot that could think. Then our jaws hit the floor when we came to the Tag at the end.
The cliff-hanger of Act I did have less of an impact on me because I knew the thief was Steel Clan, but I still did wonder what Elisa might do, and how she'd explain herself out of it.
Matt left me intrigued. Not so much from his little spiel on the Illuminati, but from the fact that he DID make a good point about partners (you already gave the quote). One would almost expect his type of character to be an idiotic bumbler and/or a complete jerk--comedy relief. I'm glad he wasn't just a one-note character, but actually got to grow and develop along with everyone else.
I also enjoy the scenes of the clan adjusting to their new home. Goliath reading Dostoyevsky (however the heck you spell that). I haven't read any of his works yet, but maybe when the mood takes me.... (Considering what Goliath ruminated on while reading the book--Xanatos, the castle, and so forth--I think I can guess the title of the book).
And of course, SUPERB animation.

VF writes...

My two young daughters prompted me to watch "Gargoyles," and now I'm hooked, too--just for different reasons. Hmm, then again, maybe not for different reasons. ...

I think it's great that you incorporated elements of Shakespeare, Arthurian legend, etc. (My kids really impressed their preschool teacher when they started name-dropping Shakespearean characters left and right.)

And I am especially impressed with how you and your colleagues were able to make me care so much about animated characters--a definite tribute to the quality of the storytelling and characterization is my guess. The romantic in me just loves the careful development of the Goliath/Elisa relationship. Subtle-but-emotion-filled glances, touches and comments (sometimes even unbeknownst to the characters themselves) make it all the more romantic and all the more regrettable that there are no more episodes to see it play out further.

My question relates to "Hunter's Moon, Part III." How does Goliath internalize his failure to save Elisa since he had promised that he would always be there for her (I think in "The Gathering")? Now, granted, I don't think Elisa would ever expect ANYONE to always be there to save her (although it's a nice and loving concept she can appreciate). But I think Goliath expects it of himself and would have a difficult time, at some point, accepting that he was not able to save her (not to mention that he was in part responsible for causing her to fall, albeit accidentally) and would not be able to just put that behind him.

Of course, I'm the first to cheer when their relationship does move to the next level with the kiss and all (and later in "The Journey" with the mutual statement that neither of them regrets their chosen path). The earlier "Hunter's Moon" scenes involving Jason, as well as the revelation that Elisa is OK after all, certainly provide the two with plenty of compelling motivation to more openly acknowledge how they feel about each other. But still, I can't help feeling Goliath's characterization would not allow him to simply consider all that happened while he was caught up in seeking vengeance as a lesson learned and move on. Your thoughts? (And thank you.)

Lexy writes...

Hey again:)

Episode Ten..The Edge..man..one of my faves. The animations was AWSOME. *gets all girly* AND they drew Lex's face just perfect!! Not to angular, not to large. His eyes were great, and his head shape was perfect! Ooooh And I just LOVE the sceens between him and Broadway. When the show a quick shot of Broadway helping Lex out of the ruble. Broadway is talking to Goliath saying something like, "But why? I thought they..blablabla. Lex gives Broadway this really fast smile. I just love that moment. They really are good friends. *stops being girly* OK anyway

I think it was pretty obvious that it was David the whole time..but I didnt really care much. It was still cool to see him and G-man duke it out. I loved when David said, "I'd fire you if you did." That was the best.

As you mentioned, the whole robot/Goliath thing was rather annoying. I did find myself saying, "well duh" during it. It is too bad. But we know you had good intentions ;) Sometimes the animation gets away from ya.

The shots of the Trio on and around Lady L. were excellent. The animation was just..stunning..gee have I said enough about the animation in this ep? Well. I loved it. I suppose I should shut up now:) see ya!

Todd Jensen writes...

A sort of "ramble-response" on "The Edge".

The revelation at the end that that "red Steel Clan robot" was really Xanatos in "gargoyle-armor" certainly did surprise me when I first saw the episode; up until the end, I had thought that it was just a more improved Steel Clan robot with some proper artificial intelligence programmed into it so that it would know when would be a sensible time to retreat. But it certainly did make sense, particularly in the context of Xanatos's explanation at the end (which did indeed nicely fit in with his judo match with Owen at the beginning).

I definitely sat up and took attention at the inclusion of a jewel named "the Eye of Odin", being a big Norse mythology fan, but I must confess that I never suspected that it was literally that until I saw "Eye of the Storm".

One of my favorite parts of this episode remains the exchange between Goliath and Xanatos at Castle Wyvern, which I feel so effectively captures their respective characters; Goliath's passionate nature, Xanatos's calmness and arrogance. (His "You're taking this way too personally!" line has to count as the ultimate chutzpah).

Thanks for the filling in a bit about Travis Marshall, by the way. (He seems to have gotten promoted near the end of the series, by the way; in "The Gathering" and "The Journey", he's been advanced to anchorman, and even serves as moderator in the debate between Macbeth and Margot).

Jeffrey Chow writes...

Not a question but a comment. I had thought that this show was just a kids show. I was proven wrong. The complex plot lines, the mix of magic, medieval history, Shakespearean characters, old English myth. It was great. I am only sorry I didn't video tape the series and that I didn't have a chance to see them sequentially.
Just some Kudos to the creators and people responsible for the series.

LSZ writes...

If Goliath ripped off Macbeth's leg with Macbeth's full consent and agreement, and beat Demona to death with it, would that count as Macbeth killing Demona?

Ambrosia writes...

Ah, The Edge…
I just adore that scene where Owen and Xanatos are sparring. The first time I saw that episode though, I thought it was laughable: Owen Burnett in a gi, his glasses and electronic organizer set aside so he can be beat on by his employer. I was quite surprised when he actually won. I looked at Owen a lot differently from that point on. He is, as Demona likes to say, "A force to be reckoned with."
I'm afraid I did guess that the red robot was Xanatos. Still, the part at the end where he removes the helmet is wonderfully dramatic.
It's been a long time, so I don't remember for absolute sure, but I think, since the museum was so dark, I thought it *was* Goliath stealing the Eye. You're right, it seems obvious, but after that scene with him roaring at the news report and the whole clan looking at him in that, "uh oh, he's lost it," kind of way, I thought he was enraged enough to do it.
About Munch's "The Scream" (and this is straight from my art history text): it's in Nasjonalgalleriet, Oslo. Don't ask me where exactly that is… but it's not in Manhattan. Sorry.
Absolutely amazing that the Emir was mentioned this early in the series but wouldn't physically appear for another season or so. Were you planning the Avalon eps in that much detail, that much ahead?
I *love* Travis Marshall. He always seems to tell it the way it is… whether it's against public opinion or not.
I'm with Erin. I was on the edge of my seat in the battle scene, seeing this ep for the first time, not as much because of the danger and action, but because I was sure someone was going to damage Lady Liberty. Why did Xanatos choose her as their battle field anyway? Goliath had said before that he probably didn't want anymore damage done to his city…
Thanks, Greg. We love ya!

Phil writes...

He Greg,

Last week I posted a treatise on the current status of Disney TV Animation. I just learned that Disney/Pixar is working on an animated series called "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command." So much for my stagnation theory.

No question, just comment.
Thanks

Kalara of Athiria writes...

Mr. Weisman,

I would just like to say Sir. that you and the team at Disney did a fine job when you created Gargoyles. It was a great show with indepth characters and interesting plots. Each time I watched a episode I always looked forward to the next episode.