[7.1/10] I like the theme of this one, but not really the plotting. More than one character has to do “the right thing,” even when it’s not easy or convenient, because justice and righteousness demands it. For Elisa, that means putting herself in harm’s way to protect Goliath and the other gargoyles from Demona, MacBeth, and Coldstone. For Coldstone himself, it means turning away from the gilded cage where he can enjoy a “measure of peace” with the love of his life, in order to reclaim his body and protect his rookery brothers. Both of these decisions require sacrifice in the name of greater good, and I like that as a throughline for the episode.
But man do I have issues with the MacBeth/Demona business. We just got through a major arc that explained their conflict and gave each of them major, if temporary breakthroughs in their feelings on it. Now they’re just working together, like nothing happened, experiencing the psychic pain link that wasn’t apparent until now. The show at least has the good sense to note the strangeness of this in dialogue, taking a similar approach to why people in Central Park can’t see their hostage situation in Belvedere Castle. The answer isn’t satisfying though.
It turns out that the Weird sisters are controlling them, for reasons that aren’t immediately apparent. Ostensibly, they want to collect three major items (the Grimorum, the time travel seal, and the eye of odin) and use the villains as patsies to do it. But having characters act out of character and just pop up again after disappearing, with your only explanation being “God-like beings had it happen for mysterious, not-yet-revealed reasons” gets old really fast. Characters’ motivations matter. “They were under a spell” and “Who knows what these mysterious beings desire?” doesn’t cut it for very long.
Still the character work with Elisa and Coldstone carries the day. It’s nice to see both pushed to their limits and still striving to protect Goliath and company. (Even if Goliath seems like a dolt for falling into the trap despite warnings from Lexington and others to be careful.) The character work is the strongest part of Gargoyles so far, and it boosts episodes that otherwise leave something to be desired.
Overall, not the best follow-up to one of the show’s best stretches, but one that still has its moment.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2021-07-12T22:44:51Z
[7.1/10] I like the theme of this one, but not really the plotting. More than one character has to do “the right thing,” even when it’s not easy or convenient, because justice and righteousness demands it. For Elisa, that means putting herself in harm’s way to protect Goliath and the other gargoyles from Demona, MacBeth, and Coldstone. For Coldstone himself, it means turning away from the gilded cage where he can enjoy a “measure of peace” with the love of his life, in order to reclaim his body and protect his rookery brothers. Both of these decisions require sacrifice in the name of greater good, and I like that as a throughline for the episode.
But man do I have issues with the MacBeth/Demona business. We just got through a major arc that explained their conflict and gave each of them major, if temporary breakthroughs in their feelings on it. Now they’re just working together, like nothing happened, experiencing the psychic pain link that wasn’t apparent until now. The show at least has the good sense to note the strangeness of this in dialogue, taking a similar approach to why people in Central Park can’t see their hostage situation in Belvedere Castle. The answer isn’t satisfying though.
It turns out that the Weird sisters are controlling them, for reasons that aren’t immediately apparent. Ostensibly, they want to collect three major items (the Grimorum, the time travel seal, and the eye of odin) and use the villains as patsies to do it. But having characters act out of character and just pop up again after disappearing, with your only explanation being “God-like beings had it happen for mysterious, not-yet-revealed reasons” gets old really fast. Characters’ motivations matter. “They were under a spell” and “Who knows what these mysterious beings desire?” doesn’t cut it for very long.
Still the character work with Elisa and Coldstone carries the day. It’s nice to see both pushed to their limits and still striving to protect Goliath and company. (Even if Goliath seems like a dolt for falling into the trap despite warnings from Lexington and others to be careful.) The character work is the strongest part of Gargoyles so far, and it boosts episodes that otherwise leave something to be desired.
Overall, not the best follow-up to one of the show’s best stretches, but one that still has its moment.