Todd Jensen writes...

Thanks for the Wind Ceremony ramble, Greg. It struck me as another fine example of one of the best qualities of "Gargoyles" (in my opinion): the care that went into creating the gargoyles as an actual race with their own customs and way of life.

Blaise (repost by Aris) writes...

RE: Thrill of the Hunt

When I first saw this I was still getting used to the characters myself, so most of the impact this ep had on me came in later viewings.

What I did like in my first viewing was the Pack itself. They were very interesting antagonists to me for some reason. Possibly it was because they were human and managed to give the gargoyles a hard time there for a while. Also, the Xanatos Tag. I almost missed that the first time I watched the show. I thought it was over when the gargoyles went to sleep, so I went to get a drink or snack or something. Then I came back and there's Xanatos talking about how "the test was most...informative [smirk]". I was completely blown away by this (and gained even more respect for how dangerous Xanatos could be). I also remember liking the fact that Xanatos's ownership of the castle was addressed and not swept under the rug. It was refreashing to have previous events being referred to and having an effect on the present.

In later viewings, I found even more things to like. My favorite part in the whole episode is when Goliath and Lex have the advantage. After seeing the Pack mercilessly come after them, I got kind of a vindictive pleasure in having the gargoyles now acting as the silent stalkers. It's kind of like a horror movie almost--only this time you want the "monsters" to win. Come to think of it, I've always gotten a big kick whenever any of the gargoyles were scaring/beating the living tar out of their opponents. I never really thought about how they became "borderline cuddly" as the series progressed. Maybe we all just got familiar with them. But I always liked seeing them cut loose when they did.

As for the whole stunt show--so insanely corny I almost couldn't watch. Great send-up of the P--uh, you-know-whats.

I hadn't given much thought to Wolf's display of brain's or Fox's lapse in judgement until you mentioned them. Fox's is easy to forgive (for reasons you have already stated). Wolf--wow, it surprises me I never noticed it before.

Pointless note: I didn't expect the Pack to appear again after this. I didn't know there were any ideas to bring them back in at any later point, so when Jackal and Hyena showed up about 6 eps later I was surprised (and a bit delighted).

As for the animation, I never saw what the problem with it was. Even after the multiparter, I thought the animation here was still good (at least above the level of quality reached by your average animated show).

Oh, and I agree with you wholeheartedly about television.;-)

Warren writes...

Greg;
I have a five year old niece, and we happened to find Gargoyles on TV. She loved it, [She hadn't seen it for a time] Then out of the Blue she asked me if I could get a Gargoyle for her. I got here one of my stone statues and she replied, "no; a live one."
He he he. Don't I [And the rest of us] wish. She then asked where they come from. I said it's only on TV. She wanted one bad, I could tell. She asked me one more question...
"Where do they come from?"

I replied that it's a TV show. Someone though up the Idea, and another one made it happen. I told her you were part of the puzzel. [Michael and Franks names escapped me at the time] She said one last thing...

"This is da bestest show ever, and I love Gregy." I thought it was cute, even for a five-year-old. My own Daughter said almost the same thing, but she said you were the gratest man in the world. Go figure Kids. I am sure you can relate. :)

Keep up ALL the good work you do, and thanks for ALL you shakespearean insight.

Tam "Goliath" Graystone writes...

Hey! I'm new to this site, but I've loved Gargoyles for years; it's a great show.

I was reading through the newest Q's and found someone named Koba Burnett that had posted on the similarities between a character's name and his uncle's. I can point out a few myself:

1. My Shop teacher's name is Lex Greenewinger
2. I know a kid named Marc Travis Marshall
3. My aunt has a tame fox called Fae
4. My girlfriend's name is Elise
5. My last name is Graystone, and my brother's name is Matthew.

Isn't that cool?

Laura aka 'ad astra' writes...

About continuing the continuity (you asked for opinions, so here's mine)- I am a bit of a trekie.. treker.. whatever, and I believe that model might work. Certain major parts, eps, a movie or two, are not considered cannon. I realize that Trek has never been a model of consistency, but it does prove what a loyal fandom can accept, and that the word can be gotten out to them about it, (and much of it was pre-internet). I have never seen the animated Star Trek, but I heard it was declared 'non-cannon'. Supposedly they had some very good stories, (poor animation, but good stories) but had mixed in other sci-fi authors' universes that created too much potential confusion. Despite its noncannon status, elements from it- a character's name here, some family background there- worked their way into cannon. On the basis of that I think that you can safely ignore TGC [excepting The Journey]. That is what most fans want anyway. If an aspect or two crosses over into cannon it would be recognized as coming from what you had told them of your master plan, or perhaps even just a idea you thought was good. If you want to distinguish between the two, you can even put a blurb of official acknowledgement in the credits. Obviously TGC would not be shown along with the other eps which might ironically make them sought after- but fans are funny that way.

Laura aka 'ad astra' writes...

You had asked for people's opinions about your giving away so much. Here is mine. I too have conflicted feelings about reading of upcoming events. I miss out on the chance of surprise as it happens before my eyes. My first watching experience will be more akin to a second watching after a while. I will remember vaguely what will happen, but not exactly when and where. The surprise will be much less, but the story (as do most Gargoyle related events) will hold as a story [most obvious example- I still find Hunters Moon amazing even though I know of all the shocking events]. That said I think it is worth it to let tidbits fall, even if you end up giving away much more than you intended. It keeps people coming to the Ask Greg page, and in turn keeps up interest in the show. Instead of feeling like interest in a finished thing, it constantly reminds us that the stories are still coming. A little addendum; I like the information that sheds greater light on what we've already seen the best. I had feared that you had given most of that away, but then I came across totally new things My favorite so far being, "Good thing we weren't facing Queens."

koba burnett writes...

dear greg, my last name is burnett, and i have an uncle named owen. they're not at all a like, and we pronounce it "burnet" instead of "bur-nett", but it's a cool coincidence, since i like gargs so much. puck, and owen after him, are my fav char's.

Blaise writes...

REAWAKENING

I really do like this one--maybe just because I have an affinity for cyborgs. At any rate, I was quite glad that we got intro'd to a gargoyle who DID die in the massacre. Yeah, sure he was brought back, but mentally putting that scene in the multi-parter adds another dimension of tragedy to the massacre.
I can more than understand the problem with seeing Xanatos and Demona looking at a monitor one moment, then appearing in Times Square about 3 seconds later. At times like these, I do the only thing I can do: rationalize. I make-believe X and D were in some odd, high-tech, bus-like vehicle (mobile control unit, anyone). It's silly, but it works for me.
Another animation note--in addition to Hudson's sword--when Brooklyn tackles Demona they are below the top cables of the bridge, and before they hit the ground they fall onto and bounce off...the top cables of the bridge. Oh well, the confrontation is still too great for that little bit to ruin.
Oddly enough, I don't mind Elisa's little crack about the size of her car. I actually find it an amusing, sarcastic beat. And yeah, the scarf and gloves are nice.
And of course, there is an abundance of funny lines. In addition to the bit with "Bambi" and Xanatos' fulfillment of a life-long dream ("It's alive! ALIVE!!"), I just love Morgan's little response to Elisa's "There must be something we can do."
Morgan: "I don't think so. Unless you're packing a nuclear weapon." I can see why you keep bringing this guy back--he's a wonderful character.

Coldstone> I was glad Micheal Dorn did a voice on the show. I mean, just listen to the guy! Coldstone himself made for some memorable moments. I noticed that you guys didn't put the "underwater respirator" on him as the memo stipulated. What changed you guys' minds?

The look into Gargoyle culture here was also quite welcome. A nice touch that the gargoyles did not "officially" become crime-fighters until the end of the first season. Kind of more organic and unique than most series that just intro a group of non-human heroes and have them be crime-fighters more or less from day one. And the differences in opinion of the gargoylean proverb between the characters was a nice use of the ep's theme. Goliath's quandry here is quite compelling.

Finally, just one question dealing with the memo. You made mention of a Madame Serena. Who was she?

Blaise writes...

ENTER MACBETH

Despite the animation (which even I must admit is sub-par for what I expected of "Gargoyles") this is one of my favorite episodes to watch. When I saw this, I had long ago seen a (very amatuer) performance of the play (heavily abridged of course--it was done by elementary schoolers). So naturally, the title immediately grabbed my attention. When Macbeth first appeared and spoke, my first thought was, "Is that Sean Connery's voice?" But I was still hooked on this character. His style, his equipment, and the fact that he knew about the gargoyles. The revelation of his connection to Demona--hell, the admission that he named her--just really drew me deeper into the character. And his final fight with Goliath, and the escape from his coat...I was eager for him to return.
I also liked some of the comedy snuck into this ep. Brooklyn's little bit with the electric bars, or his and Lex's reactions when they hear Goliath's roars reverbrating throughout the castle. Just wonderful. And in later viewings, I noticed more of Xanatos' prison life. I mean, look at his cell! The things one can do with some money. There's also his wonderful line in the cafeteria, "Just like mom used to make. If mom was a prison cook." He calls his term there, "a learning experience." What exactly did he learn--not to get caught again?
Then there's Owen. It really blew me away how he handled Hudson and Broadway's attempt to take the Grimorum. Too bad he didn't pay any attention to the party on crutches.
On that note, I cannot tell you how glad I was that you guys put Elisa on crutches. I was getting quite use to the continuity of the series, and I had developed a taste for it. Maybe that's why I wasn't shocked that the gargoyles had to move out of the castle--common-sense (at least from the audience perspective) dictates that they HAD to leave. Not to mention that such an action was in keeping with the feeling I got from the series. Bottom line: It made sense.
I just didn't expect them to end up in a clocktower. Just love the juxtuposition of Xanatos' cheery home-coming with the gargoyles' somber-but-hopeful relocation.

THERE! I think I've recovered my lost ground (and then some).

Blaise writes...

DEADLY FORCE

I missed the first few minutes of this the first time it ran. I came in on Broadway in the movie theatre, but I was able to pick up what was going on. When I did see the first few minutes...I was already impressed with Owen because I had seen him in ENTER MACBETH. Regardless, I still think he ROCKS in how he handles the attack. The way he takes out one of those goons...coolness.
Bruno--didn't notice him the first few times. But when I did, I liked the touch.
And then the end of Act I. When I saw Broadway watching the movie, I figured out what the ep would deal with. When I saw Elisa leave her gun out, I figured that Broadway would play with it and that she would be hurt. I DID NOT expect her to be hurt to the point of unconciousness. I really appreciated the realism in this. Yeah, you couldn't let her die, but at least you had her flat-line.
Dracon and Glasses had some style--Dracon especially in his confrontation with Elisa.
I love Goliath and Broadway's respective rampages. You're right, Broadway indeed presents a fearsome force when angered. That fight at the end...excellent. I, too, notice that the gargoyles seem to have more edge in these early eps, and I like it. I've always enjoyed monstrous heroes of the night, so to speak.
Broadway's reaction to shooting Elisa, and his accepting responsibility for it really speak to me.
Goliath destroying the guns> I've always wondered if, at the back of his mind, Goliath got a small kick out of destroying Xanatos' property. I'm not saying it was his main intent, but maybe sort of a "bonus."
The family Maza and Capt. Chavez were also touches I liked, and I'm glad this wasn't their only appearance. A wonderful cast. And in later viewings, I did recognize Matt as Chavez's driver. Just another thing to smile about.
Yeah, I noticed Goliath's feelings for Elisa here, too. I especially love their last moment together, when Elisa calls his name and he strokes her hair saying, "Shh. Rest now. You are safe." So beautiful.