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Anonymous writes...
Hiya Greg!
I was just wondering what are your current projects?
(as in what are you working on now?)
I hope you can answer my question but if not thats ok!
Thanks fo the shows and ideas!
Bye!
Greg responds...
Can't talk about anything yet. I don't have a go project. I
have done a bit of freelance writing for Men In Black and Disney's
Hercules.
(GDW / 3-20-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hello Greg,
First, Thank you for such a creative, engaging,character-driven
series.
My question is: How did Elisa ever explain Derek/Talon's transformation
to their family? I can't imagine a close-knit family like the Mazas
wouldn't "check in" regularly, especially since most of them have such
dangerous jobs as police officers.If this was written into an episode, please let me
know which one.
Greg responds...
When Elisa brought her parents and sister down to the Labyrinth
to see Derek, she and Derek told them the truth -- minus the Gargoyles'
involvement. This was visually hinted at in the last few seconds of
"The Cage".
(GDW / 3-20-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi. It's really nice of you to answer these questions.
1. Is Owen Burnette an aide-de-camp or is he a major domo.
2. What is Owen Burnette's job title? Thank you.
Greg responds...
1. Both and more.
2. Executive Assistant.
(GDW / 3-20-98)
Anonymous writes...
Mr. Weisman,
Thank you for taking time to answer this. It is a great honor. I just
have one simple question...
Phoebe, Selene and Luna-WHO'S WHO?
Thanks again, and may luck be with you in the future!
Greg responds...
Again? I could give one of my standard "Check the Archives"
responses, but it's just as quick to answer the question, I suppose.
Phoebe - Blonde hair.
Seline - Black hair.
Luna - Silver hair.
(GDW / 3-20-98)
Anonymous writes...
Okay, I know that I already asked some questions but I thought of some
more. I don't mind if you can't answer some things. Thanks again in
advance.
1. I understand that gargoyles mate for life. If so, how would other
clans react to Goliath's relationship with Elisa? (Not counting the
Manhattan Clan).
2. If there are some humans that hate gargoyles, are there gargoyles
that hate humans (not Demona)? For instance, I assume that many humans
would ostracize Elisa for her friendship with the clan. Are there clans
that would ostracize Goliath and company becuase of their friendship?
3. You asked in the archives that we make this a kind of comment
room, too. I was watching my tape and came across "The Mirror." I just wanted to
say that I always liked this episode. As I may have mentioned before
(although you probably don't remember!) I like shows that can make me ponder the
possibilities. I loved Elisa/Goliath's last lines in "The Mirror"
becuase it was the first definite hint that there would be a relationship
between them. I'd suspected all along but I was never quite sure. When I saw
this episode I had lots to think about. Congratulations on a great effort,
even by Gargoyle standards. I guess there's no question here.
4a. Okay, I thought of something else. Why do Gargoyles treat all
hatchlings as their children, instead of a family setting?
4b. Have they always lived this way, or did they change their customs
for some reason?
5. How old was Princess Katharine when Goliath and clan were turned
to stone?
6. How old was Tom (at the same time)?
7. In "The Mirror," Puck said something about Demona "still carrying
a torch" for Goliath. I know people have asked about this before, but I
don't understand completely. What are Demona's feelings for Goliath? (I
don't mind a short answer if this is really long).
7b. Is she really aware of these feelings, or does she just deny
them?
Okay, I guess that's enough now. I'll probably be back later.
Thanks!!
Greg responds...
1. Clan by clan, gargoyle by gargoyle, I imagine the reactions
would differ greatly. Though it isn't hard to figure that most would
have a knee-jerk negative reaction to the romance.
2. It's hard for a clan to ostracize you from a great distance.
But yeah, I'm sure there are gargoyles out there who hate humans. They
have reason.
3. That's o.k. I appreciate the comment. "The Mirror" is one
of my all time favorite episodes as well. Everything just seemed to
come together in that one.
4a & b. It is a family setting, but it is a large communal
family. It's considered bad taste to take pride in one's biological
children specifically, since every member of the clan is responsible for
helping to raise every child. Perhaps this is the result of the high
Gargoyle mortality rate. Perhaps it's instinctive.
5. She was eighteen in 994.
6. Eight.
7. Her feelings are confused and unresolved. Goliath has some
closure (with a few loose ends). Demona does not.
7b. Denial. Big time denial.
(GDW / 3-20-98)
Anonymous writes...
I have a question related to the Magus. In the Avalon 3 parter, King
Arthur was awakened from his sleep. According to legend, King Arthur was
mortally wounded and that's the reason why he was sent to Avalon (whether this
is true or not in the Gargoyles continuincy, well, only you can tell us
for sure). So King Arthur's sleep was like a rejuvination, a lazarus
chamber of sorts.
When the Magus "died", he told Katharine that he was very tired. If
the chamber had any magic left in it, couldn't it heal the Magus's
pain/wounds that were inflicted while fighting the Weird Sisters? In my mind, it
makes sense that if the chamber worked for King Arthur and still have magic
in it (and since it's part of Avalon, it probably would) then it can do the
same for the Magus. Is anything that I've said true or is the Magus dead
and that's the end period?
Greg responds...
What you say does make a certain amount of sense. But the Magus is
dead. I strongly believe that war has costs. The Magus' life was the
cost of that war.
(GDW / 3-19-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg! Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
1) You said in an earlier response that Avalon is part of the earth but cannot be
reached in a three-demensional manner. Does the same concept go for "New Olympia"?
Or is it just a place no human discovered? Or none of the above???
2) I was also wondering if Oberon knows about the New Olympians?
3) Do the New Olympians know about Oberon?(Sorry if someone already asked 2 and 3!)
4) Why did it take Maggie a long time to get used to/trust the gargoyles? It didn't
take a long time for her to get used to Xanatos. Thanks again for answering
all our questions!!!
Greg responds...
1) No. New Olympus (Olympus, not Olympia) is protected by a
shielding device that projects an illusion that has masked its
location. But the Island does have a physical location on our Earth
plane, as Elisa and the Gargoyles discovered while aboard the skiff.
2) I don't know. Possibly.
3) They know of them, I'd think.
4) Maggie had trouble adjusting to strangeness in her life. Xanatos
was human. That made him familiar. The Gargoyles seemed like
monsters to her. She had a lot to learn, obviously.
(GDW / 3-19-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hey again Greg. Just another question I'd like answering,
thanks for taking the time to do it. I'd just like to know,
if you can't change the past does that mean that the future
can't be changed either? Is everyones future written? Are
their destinies inevitable?
Thanks.
Greg responds...
Check the archives for a more complete response. But the short answer
is that the future's only written if you know what that future is.
And even then, you're only limited by the correct tidbits that you
know. If the information is mistaken, no problem. If there's a way
to work around the tentpoles of your knowledge (as Goliath did in
"M.I.A.") then all you need is smarts, luck and pluck to defy the cast
of that future if not the facts of it.
(GDW / 3-19-98)
Anonymous writes...
I hope I'm correct in saying that Brooklyn's first trip with the
Phoenix gate was to 997(correct me if I'm wrong).
(1)Is it any of a coincidence that the year Brooklyn went back is the
year Constantine's was killed?
(2)On a side note who did kill Constantine(III I do believe), in your
books? Some people say Malcome did it. Others say Kenneth did it. So who
was it?
(3)What inspired you to go into writing(I you haven't answered this
one before)?
Greg responds...
1. Coincidence or destiny. You decide.
2. In my books?
3. Always wanted to be a storyteller. I love stories. Wanted to be
a writer at least since 2nd grade. I did have a number of teachers,
starting with my 2nd Grade teacher SANDY VOYNE who encouraged me a
great deal. I also had two parents who were very supportive.
(GDW / 3-19-98)
Anonymous writes...
This idle Web surfer was attracted to _Gargoyles_ by its incredible
fandom! I stumbled on some fanfic and fan art that was so memorable, I just
knew the show that inspired them had to be something special. Then I found
plot lists, quotes, and screen captures, and now I'm hunting for tapes and
rerun air dates. Wow. This is GREAT STUFF. So I guess this is a double
compliment: To you, first of all, for creating a story that has me eager for more
after a mere glimpse; and to all Gargfans everywhere, for having made a fan
of someone who still hasn't seen a second of the actual show! (This,
however, is a sore lack I intend to remedy very soon.)Now, on to my question:
How are gargoyle wings structured under the skin? Are they batlike,
pterodactyllike, birdlike (I apologize if that's dumb, but I don't
recall what the bones of a bird's wing look like), or something entirely other?
Greg responds...
Thanks for the compliments. (I think they're the first I've received
from someone who hasn't seen the show.) As to gargoyle wings, they
seem to vary greatly. There may not be one answer to that question.
(GDW / 3-19-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hey Greg,
1. Are gargoyle warm-blooded? Their tollerance to weather would
suggest it.
2. Female gargoyles appear to have the same exterior sexual organs as
humans, do they take care of their young in the same way (ie do they
breast feed)
3. Do gargoyles believe in a god? If so who or what?
4. If Demona had a child would it turn into a human during the day
and a gargoyle at night (ie would Pucks spell affect it after it has
hatched)?
4a. How would that work anyway? At night Demona would hae a
developing avian-like egg and at night a human fetus?
5.Demona has been alive for more than 1000 years, does she have any
offspring other than Angela? If so who?
6. When asked if Fox would be alive in 2158 you said no comment, why?
You already told us that Xanatos, a far more important character, would be
dead. Why not tell us about Fox? And by Fox do you mean Fox (Reynard)
Xanatos or Alexander Fox Xanatos? So my question is this: Will a male Fox of a
female Fox be alive in 2158? Ifso which one?
7. What is your favorite play of Shakespeare?
8. Oh and that Dreamworks movie I askedg about was called Prince of
Egypt. I think I said son of Egypt.
Greg responds...
1. I guess so. Is there a third category?
2. Yes. Collectively.
3. Check the archives for a more complete answer. Their beliefs are
both simple and complex. Animistic, pantheistic and yet, ultimately,
monotheistic. But they don't personify their god the way we tend to.
Their god, no surprise, has no name. He/She/It cannot be limited or
defined by a mortal word.
4. I doubt it. A lot would depend on the identity of the biological
father, and, I suppose, what form Demona was in at the time of birth.
Keep in mind, Demona doesn't give herself lightly. And as a gargoyle,
she's only fertile once every twenty years. So this whole discussion
is largely moot.
4a. I suppose their could be a magical "pocket" within her womb.
It's possible that the "baby" wouldn't change with Demona. I really
don't know yet. It's also possible that she'd miscarry, because the
spell didn't account for a pregnancy. Maybe she would need Puck's
help. And Puck is largely unavailable, unless he can use this bit of
magical OB to teach Alex a lesson. Frankly, this is a lesson that I
believe Alex is a little young to learn.
5. No. She doesn't.
6. No comment.
7. Wow. That's a tough one. My favorite character is definitely
Edmund from KING LEAR. But I love so many of the plays. Some of my
favorites are influenced by great productions I've seen. (HENRY V, A
WINTER'S TALE, ROMEO & JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, RICHARD III,
HENRY IV, PART ONE, TWELFTH NIGHT.) Some of them I love because I've
got my own ideas for them. (HENRY IV, PART ONE, KING LEAR, ROMEO &
JULIET, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, MACBETH,
TEMPEST, HAMLET, LOVE'S LABOURS LOST.) PERICLES and A MIDSUMMER
NIGHT'S DREAM literally turn me on. (I'm sure you didn't want to
know that.) Others simply fascinate me because of the connections
between them. (KING LEAR and CYMBELINE, for example). There are many
I just like a lot (OTHELLO, for example). Others that I find
problematic (TAMING OF THE SHREW, A MERCHANT OF VENICE). Others I've
never seen and can't imagine how they'd work (TIMON OF ATHENS).
Sorry, I just can't decide.
8. Yeah, I know. (GDW / 3-19-98)
Anonymous writes...
Just one question I found myself thinking of. When you did "City of
Stone", what was the response of the production team to a version of the
Macbeth story that made Macbeth into a sympathetic figure and Duncan into a
villainous tyrant? Were a lot of the people who worked on it
surprised at the role-reversal from Shakespeare's play in the story? (For my own
part, I had read a fair amount about the historical Macbeth before "Gargoyles"
ever came out, so I wasn't particularly taken aback, but I was curious as to how
the people who worked with you on that story - which I very much liked, by
the way - took it).
Greg responds...
John Rhys-Davies expressed some surprise. Called me
"revisionist" as I recall. I explained that the traditional legend that
Shakespeare followed was in fact revisionist, and that we were hewing
closer to the "historical truth". Once he heard that, he got very
enthusiastic about it. Generally, John loved playing all the history
stuff. I didn't get much response from the rest of the crew on this
point. Most were aware of the research that Monique and Tuppence had
done. It all seemed to fit our series so well, it was like kismet.
(GDW / 3-17-98)
Anonymous writes...
Okay, a few quick ones: 1)In "legion" Coldstone says "There is only
one other I have missed more..." Was he talking about Desdemona? If their
in the same head, couldn't they see eachother like in later eps? 2) I've
noticed that the Magus looks a lot like Puck (white hair, blue eyes,
facial structure)and in many shots he has small points to his ears. Noy only
that, but he was able to tap into Avalon magic, which as I understand it one
needs fey blood to use. mmm...okay
I'll come right out and say it. Does Puck have any kids (living or
dead) and do they include the Magus? 3) Another Magus Q; In the USA cut of
Awakening, they put back in the little scene where the Magus is
flipping through the Grimorum. What was he looking for, and does have anything
to do with the spell he casts on the gargoyles? 4) In connection, it appears
to be the Magus that rides out to the Viking cave. Was he in on the attack,
and if so, why? That's all for now, good luck on the mag!
Greg responds...
1) He was talking about Desdemona, but he wasn't yet aware that
she shared bodyspace with him.
2) Puck may have kids, but the Magus isn't one of them. He's
fully human.
3) He was looking for a spell to neutralyze what he perceived
to be the gargoyle threat. He bookmarked the page with the spell. The
counterspell was on the facing page. So when Hakon opened the book, it
naturally opened to the bookmark. Hakon started ripping pages,
beginnning with the counterspell page.
4) No. That was the Captain. Not the Magus. (GDW / 3-17-98)
Anonymous writes...
Did any gargoyle (besides Demona) study under the Archmage that the
fans might know? Thanks.
Greg responds...
Nope.
(GDW / 3-17-98)
Anonymous writes...
(1) I believe you mentioned that, because of other obligations,
Patrick Stewart was unable to contribute his talents to Gargoyles. Had he
done so, though, which part would he have played? Someone during the first two
seasons (like Mace Malone), or someone we haven't met yet (like Mr.
Duval, or the Director)?
(2) In my earlier post, asking whether more "Western" deities, like
Jesus or Buddha (Mohammed being a prophet) were also Children of Oberon, I
didn't mean to imply that the show was condescending toward those that were
so represented, and I apologize. I guess this one wasn't a question.
Thanks a lot for being such a mensch and putting up with all our
obsessive nitpicking. Of course, we wouldn't be doing all this brooding if you
hadn't come up with such creative, compelling stories in the first place. So
maybe you deserve it, after all ;)
Greg responds...
1) That's not what I said. We couldn't meet his agent's
standard price for voice over work. We discussed asking Jonathan or
Marina to make a personal appeal to Patrick directly, but we decided
that that would be an unfair request. We briefly considered Mr. Stewart
for at least three parts. All three were eventually cast with great
people. I have no regrets. Two of the characters were originally
introduced in the first season. One was intoduced in the second.
Frankly, I think at least two of the three are obvious. So let's start
a contest. The first person to name (by posting here at ASK GREG) the
three parts that we considered Patrick Stewart for will win... well, a
lot of personal satisfaction and gloating privelidges. No credit for
partial answers, and I won't be giving hints. Enter as often as you
want.
2) No apologies necessary. I didn't take offense. But it's
nice to have someone point out unconcious biases occasionally.
(GDW / 3-17-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I just
have three morbid questions ;) -
1) In "Long Way To Morning", when the Archmage falls in the chasm
there is a thud sound, as of a body hitting the floor of the chasm. Yet in
"Avalon" the future Archmage saves him and there is a distinct lack of a thud.
What gives?
2) How was evil Lexington able to destroy Demona in "Future Tense" if
she's immortal? Is there a limit to the immortality?
3) Macbeth and Demona's pain seems to affect the other less the
farther away from each other they are (like in "Avalon", Demona says they need to
put some distance between them). Is there is a distance beyond which if
one of them was attacked or killed the other wouldn't be affected?
Thanks for your time!
Greg responds...
1) I don't recall the thud, but it might have been the result
of a rock or something hitting the soft dirt. It wasn't the Archmage.
2) It was all an illusion of Puck's.
3) Killed, no. They are destined to die at each other's hands.
But yes, the pain thing decreases the farther apart they are.
(GDW / 3-17-98)
Anonymous writes...
Heh heh. Oh, I forgot my number two on the last message. So here it
is.
#2) Oberons wording was that Puck was eternally banished from Avalon.
Since his wording wasn't something like "Eternal protector of
Alexander"
would Puck eventually be able to get his powers back? Thanx.
Greg responds...
2) He hasn't lost his powers. And Puck is a Trickster. But a trick
involves more than just ignoring specific intent. See POSESSION for an
example of the Puck at work under his restrictions.
(GDW / 3-16-98)
Anonymous writes...
Mr. Greg Wiesman. Its an honor if you get to read this. I first have a
couple questions. *makes a scroll appear from thin air* Okay what have
we here.....
1) Where do you get your references to the almighty Trickster Puck?
Or more specifically can you list your sources of material if you've indeed
found any? (besides Midsummers and Pooks Hill)
3) According to past references I've found, Puck was the biological
offspring of Oberon and a Maiden. Is this also true in the Gargoyles
universe?
4) Oh yes. Does Puck know more than he lets on too? We all know he's
actually very mischievous, but he always seems to be in the middle of
everything.
5) Is there any way to contact you besides this infernal message board
where if you say something wrong you might not even get heard?.... and in
continuity with your one worded answers.
6) How would we get in touch?
7)a)Can you tell us your loyal followers how Demona first met
Puck/Owen (not sure which) b)Will you with this response?
And last but not least.
8) a)What characters shall be in the Gargoyles movie? Is it just
going to be the basic plot of say the episodes Awakening?
Well thats about it. And if you can in ANY way contact me about
references of Puck, please do so. Anyone in fact who reads this. My E-mails
Puck40@aol.com or RobinGoodfellow@Mailcity.com
Greg responds...
1) Mostly, I got him from Midsummers and a lot of books about that
play. I don't recall reading any specific independent source.
2) You didn't ask a #2.
3) No.
4) He'd have to, since he lets on to so little. But honestly, I 'm not
sure what you mean.
5) Generally, no. Keep in mind, I'm intentionally isolating myself to
protect myself legally. Sorry, but I really don't feel I have any other
choice. "If you say something wrong" I don't want to be exposed to it,
because I don't want to see you across a courtroom five years down the
road. (And don't tell me that wouldn't happen, because though it may be
true with you, I can't begin to try and evaluate who it might or might
not apply to. Disney's already been sued twice over Gargoyles. I don't
need any more hassles.) As to the one word answers, that depends on how
rushed I am and on how free I feel with information. It's not like I'm
doing it by accident. Having said all that, I occassionally stop by the
COMMENT ROOM, and on even rarer occasions, I stop by the CHAT ROOM. I
also hope to attend this summer's GATHERING in NYC, if we can work out
the details. Maybe I'll talk to you there.
6) See above.
7) Not now.
8) I have almost no info on the Gargoyles Movie. Last I was told
(literally months ago) the movie would feature Goliath and Elisa. I
don't know the story, and I don't know if they've even got a script.
(GDW / 3-16-98)
Anonymous writes...
dOne or two quick questions, after "The Gathering" is Owen allowed to set
foot on Avalon? I know that Puck is not, but does that restriction apply to
both personas?
Greg responds...
I don't think Oberon makes those kind of subtle distinctions.
Puck, i.e. Owen, might consider it a loophole and attempt it (whereas
Puck as himself is magically restrained from even the attempt), but if
he got caught, I'd hate to be in his shoes. (GDW / 3-16-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg. I saw an episode of the Men In Black cartoon written by you
yesterday (11.10.98) (hopefully, it WAS you and not someone by the
same name) and I'm glad we can see you get into other stuff while Gargs is
on the backburner. So that's the topic of my questions..
1) What other shows did you write for? (including previous eps of MiB
if any)
2) Are you planning to write more eps of MiB or any other show for
that matter?
3) How DID you get to write for MiB anyway? Do they just take scripts
from anyone who wants to write them, or is it because Frank Paur was the
director, or what?
4) I know you're not supposed to read fanfic or stuff with other ideas
and suggestions in it, so do you go to pages that have only stuff from the
shows? Like screenshots, episode synopsis, and so on.
That's all I can think of for now.
Greg responds...
1. I wrote one Men in Black for its first season. I just finished
another for its second. I've also written an episode of Disney's
Hercules series. Before that, I wrote and produced on Gargoyles and
Goliath Chronicles. Before that I was an executive. I story edited
the last four DuckTales episodes. A long time before that, before I
was really in the industry, I co-wrote an episode of Jem & The
Holograms. Mostly, in those days, I wrote and edited comic books.
2. See above.
3. My agent helped get me the first job, but mostly it comes from the
long-standing relationship I have with Duane Capizzi, the
Producer/Story Editor on that show. Duane and I worked together on
Gummi Bears, Talespin, Darkwing Duck and especially on the wonderful
but ill-fated original development for BONKERS. Frank didn't know I
was writing the script until after I had gotten the gig, but he really
did well by it in board.
4. I don't surf that much. I've seen a few pages, here and there.
(GDW / 3-4-98)
Anonymous writes...
Is Desdemona directly related to Brooklyn?
Greg responds...
Not that I know of.
(GDW / 3-4-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi,
1. Any new news on the Gargoyle movie?
2. You said that by the time Future Tense took place Xanatos would be
dead. This, I take it, means Xanatos will not become immortal, right? (darn)
3. Future Tense takes place in the year 2158 (right?) was there any
reason why you chose this date (significance?)?
4. Who or what is/are the Angels? What is the name of the force they
fight against?
5. Elisa's sister goes to Arizona State (their football team sucks.
Huskers #1) besides the events in Cloud Fathersis there any reason for
this choice?
6. Do you watch College football? Who is your favorite team? (Sorry
about this question but I'm hyped about Nebraska's National Championship and
the fact that I got an A in chemistry)
7. What was Xanatos' mother's name, what year did she die?
8. What country did Xanatos' father come from?
Greg responds...
1. No. At the moment, they're not returning my phone calls. Maybe
they're busy.
2. In my opinion, his character is dependent on his mortality. Just
as Goliath's is dependent on his Gargoylity, and Elisa's dependent on
her humanity.
3. Yes.
4. Huh?
5. I knew I wanted her at a Southwest school (reflecting her father's
heritage) and picked the state of Arizona at semi-random in "Deadly
Force," the first episode in which Beth is mentioned. I was probably
influenced by the mystery novels of Tony Hillerman. I think either
Lydia or Brynne must have chosen Flagstaff as the actual location for
the campus.
6. These days I almost never watch college football. If I do, I root
for STANFORD first, UCLA second and USC third. After that, I lose
interest. I'm really more of a Major League Baseball type of guy.
7. Ask me some other time.
8. Greece.
(GDW / 3-4-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi, Greg!
1) Does Servarius know that Demona is Dominique Destine?
2) What does the title "The Reckoning" mean?
3) Who are Titania's parents?
4) Who are Puck's parents?
5) Who was ruler before Mab (Oberon's mom)?
6) What impact, if any, did Demona have on Xanatos' decision to awaken
Goliath and the clan?
Greg responds...
1. Maybe. Working with Thailog and Demona during that whole "The
Reckoning" period, he might have found out. Maybe.
2. Look it up in a dictionary. It's pretty self-explanatory. A
final calling to accounts so to speak.
3. Don't know yet.
4. Not saying now.
5. Don't know if there was a ruler before Mab.
6. She told him her story and how the Gargoyles EN FORCE would be of
use to him.
(GDW / 3-4-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hello, Mr. Weisman. Thank you again for this opportunity.
Before I begin with my questions, I'd just like to mention that
I saw the episode of MiB you'd written, and I thought it was quite good,
definitely one of the better episodes so far. Now, on to the questions...
1) What is Brendan's last name?
2) What is Taro's full name?
3) What is the name of Nokkar's alien race?
4) Is there a 'official' name for Xanatos's lightweight exoframe
(the one in
"Eye Of The Beholder" and "Double Jeopardy")?
5) After 'TimeDancer,' what would've been done with the Phoenix
Gate?
6) What are the names of some of the other alien races involved
in Nokkar's people's war with the SpaceSpawn?
7) In the Gargoyles universe, who created the Phoenix Gate?
8) What was the intergalactic war begun over?
9) Are Boudicca and Bronx related?
10) Would we have possibly seen the Sasquatch, Yeti, Bigfoot, or
the like in the series?
11) Would New Olympus be known to the human world in 2158?
12) In the Gargoyles universe, who created the Cauldron of Life?
13) In the Gargoyles universe, who created the Eye of Odin?
14) During TimeDancer, would there have been journeys to
prehistoric times, or the future beyond 2158?
15) After TimeDancer, would Brooklyn and family have stayed in
New York with the Manhattan Clan?
Well, I think that's already enough. Thanks again!
Greg responds...
1. I don't know yet.
2. Ditto.
3. Double ditto.
4. Lightweight Exo-frame?
5. Eventually it would have started its journey from scratch --
part of an unending loop.
6. Don't know yet.
7. I did.
8. Don't know yet.
9. They may be distant cousins.
10. Yeti for sure. The others... eventually, probably.
11. Yes.
12. Michael Reaves, I think.
13. Patrick Gilmore, then of Disney Interactive, I think. (I
know, I know, I'm being a smartass. It's Odin's eye. His parents, I
guess.)
14. Not the future beyond 2158. But sure, we'd have to do some
dinosaur action.
15. Yep. (GDW / 2-23-98)
Anonymous writes...
Sorry, I have a few more questions...
1) What would have prompted Queen Mab to return?
2) Is Vinnie's last name Barbarino or Gregarino? I've heard both
used.
3) Was the spell on Goliath (from "Temptation") removed, or
circumvented? If it was only circumvented, could it be activated again somehow?
Greg responds...
1) Escape.
2) Vinnie Barbarino is a character from "WELCOME BACK, KOTTER."
Gregarino is a joke name I came up with. At the moment, Vinnie has no
official last name, though I might go with Gregarino if I couldn't
come up with something I liked better.
3) It was circumvented, which means that it could in theory be
reactivated. But not easily. (GDW / 2-23-98)
Anonymous writes...
Oh, yeah, on more thing. Who is your favorite, all time,
bestest of the best, you just think he/she/it ROCKS, character? Your favorite
of the fave? And why? :P Thank you!
Greg responds...
Check the archives. I've answered this in detail.
(GDW / 2-23-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hello, Mr. Weisman!!!! One thing has been bugging me.
a)...Is the Isle of Avalon the only place where Fey/Fae call their
homeland...or are there any other places...the Isle of Avalon acts as a
person, If Avalon felt that its current Lord was going put it(the Isle) in
Jeopardy or the earth, do you think it will give him more power to do so...or like teach
him..Do you see what i am getting at...does Avalon have a right to say what
should or shouldnt be done...Or does it always even through the dreadest
times have to listen to her(Avalon) so-called Lord??? Im sorry if this is
confusing...its just that I am intrigued by this isle!
b) if you made a series spin-off would one be off Avalon
and its contents? ThanX!
Greg responds...
Avalon is HOME. Homebase. But obviously some of Oberon's
Children have their own local set-ups.
I never said Avalon was a person, per se. It's not that
objective a concept.
I believe Avalon works better in small doses, so there was no
specific Avalon spin-off planned.
(GDW / 2-23-98)
Anonymous writes...
1. Will there be anymore Gargoyle cartoons?
2. And if so when?
3. If not, why?
4. If there will be any new seasons will they feature my
main favorite character, Puck? (I really want some more Gargoyle cartoons,
please.)
Greg responds...
1. I hope so, but...
2. ...None are currently planned.
3. Disney doesn't see the profit in it, I guess.
4. Puck would have his appearances.
(And I'd like more too, please.)
(GDW / 2-23-98)
Anonymous writes...
Dear Greg,
First let me say right off the bat, thank you for helping to
create what I believe is one of the best shows ever to hit TV! :) You can
tell that to ANYONE else involved in making Gargoyles, too.
All of you deserve a giant KUDOS for your hard work! Okay, now
onto the questions!
1. Gargoyles is now out of production, right? So, technically,
aren't you out from under contract and could therefore read fanfic? Just
curious... don't worry, I have asked no questions regaurding any stories
that have been posted! :)
2. Were there any plans to expand the relationship between Puck
and "the royalty" (Oberon and/or Titania) into something more than a Lord
and servant relationship? This seems to be something many Garg fans
ponder...
3. How did the idea to use Shakespeare characters come to be?
4. Why was only first season released on video?
5. Were there any plans to devise a way to get Puck back his
powers and rights to Avalon?
6. Were any of the visions generated in "Future Tense" going to
be brought into the plot a little at a time?
7. Have you figured out that I am a HUGE Puck fan yet? :)
Okay, I think that's it! Thanks for taking the time to read and
respond to this! Best wishes!
Greg responds...
Thanks.
1. I've explained this a LOT. My contract with Disney was
NEVER what precluded me from reading fanfic. I don't read fanfic in
order to protect MYSELF from frivolous legal suits.
2. I'm not sure what you mean.
3. I love Shakespeare. Macbeth seemed ideal. The rest
followed suit.
4. The videos didn't sell enough to encourage the Home Video
division to release the second season.
5. Nope. I like his predicament.
6. Some already have been. Others never would. Others might.
7. Uh, sure.
(GDW / 2-23-98)
Anonymous writes...
Heya, Greg! I'm 14 and started watching your show in 6th grade. My first
thought: Hey, this show rocks! It beats Power Rangers! (I've hated that
show with a vengeance since I was like 9 years old). Gargoyles has this
whole family theme that's really heartwarming but doesn't have a mushy
feeling that is real sickening. Okay, here's the questions:
1) How old is Puck, both numeroligically and in human years? (If you don't
know exactly, can you give me a close estimate?)
2) I got confused over the whole Coldstone eps. Who is that bad guy,
Coldsteel? Was he originally a gargoyle killed in the Wyvern
massacre?
3) who are these Desdemona and Iago everyone's talking about in this
archive?
4) Was Lex supposed to have a girl by show's end?
5) I dunno if this is a little sacriligious tying the little guy down,
but ever considered anyone for Puck/Owen? (Sorry, just had to ask that).
What was his own social life like in the past? (I know that must be a
little broad since he must be ancient by now, but gimmesome main pointers,
pleasey?)
6) Is Puck even remotely sad about the whole permanent exile and
stripping of his powers? He doesn't show it. Then again, I guess after losing
his magical rights, he wouldn't want to lose face by breaking down in
front of Daddy O.
7) Aren't cars, planes, helicopters, ect, ect made of iron, along with
tons of modern day technological stuff? So how come Anatstasia and
especially Owen don't seem to looked all that fazed whenever they're around
something that's made of iron (i.e. Owen near limo, piloting chopper...).
8) Is it true there's a Gargoyle's movie coming out? Do you have
anything to do with it?
9) How'd you guys come up with the gargoyles idea? It's so original.
Were you all just sitting around and all of a sudden POOF or did you get an
idea and then sell it to Disney, or Buena Vista, or whatever (y'know, all
this legal stuff is confusing)?
10) Will Oberon ever consider lightening or lifting Puck's sentence?
*looking hopeful*
11) Are Fox and Alexander Xanatos immortal (or at least have longer
lifespans by a few centuries) because they're of Fey blood?
12) What happens to Puck after he's done training Alexander and after
Xanatos dies? He's not technically under contract, then, right? So
what happens to him?
13) Did Titania know (or at least get a good idea) that Oberon would
give Puck the boot in the Gathering eps? She didn't look all that shocked
when Oberon passed the sentence.
14) What'd she whisper in Fox's ear at the end of the Gathering
anyway?!?
15) Why was Oberon so darn strict in the Gathering? He exiled Puck
and took away his right to do magic. Why was he so ... harsh?
That's all the Q's I got for now. I'll write back if I think of
something :) Thanks for your time, almighty Greg!
Greg responds...
Hey, Aerie. Good to know we had at least one fan who was within the
target age group.
1) He's pretty old. Over five hundred years at least. Honestly,
though, I'm not sure.
2) Yep. A rival for Coldfire's affections, who tried to get
Coldstone out of the way by tricking him into a fight with Goliath.
3) Desdemona is another name for Coldfire. Iago is another name for
Coldsteel. They were never used in the body of the show, but we used
them in the credits to identify the actors who supplied their voices.
4) By which show's end?
5) I had and have plans for Owen and Puck. Not gonna reveal them
here though.
6) Yes. As you may have noticed, he tried to protest, but it was
clearly futile, so he reverted to the ever-stoic Owen.
7) In human form, iron's no more dangerous to them then it is to us.
Besides, it doesn't give off radiation or anything.
8) It's true there's a film in development. I'm officially attached
as a co-producer, but I haven't had much luck getting info about the film, let
alone contributing to it.
9) I worked for Disney. Someone came up with the idea to do a show
about Gargoyles and my team and I ran with it. (It's more complex than
that. Involves Gummi Bears and lots of other stuff. Check the archives for
a more complete answer.)
10) Anything's possible. Oberon isn't exactly Mr. Consistency.
11) Maybe. Maybe not.
12) Damn good question.
13) I'd say she had a premonition or at least a healthy dose of
intuition.
14) What do you think she whispered?
15) He felt abused and betrayed. Considering his orignal intentions,
I think everyone got off easy. (GDW / 2-10-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg For some reason, I really related to the Magus, and was wondering
some things about him! In a former question, someone asked if Magus was
Magus real name, to which you replied "No" I was wondering what it is, and
myabe if you could supply some backround about him, that hasn't been given
before, like his name, some stories about his schooling in the art of magic,
why he didnt try and find another teacher etc maybe some stories about him
when he was going to King Kenneth's land with the princess or some stories
about adventures on the island On another note, How did Tom cast the spell
to return from Avalon? He, to the best of my knowledge, ad no training in
magic, and there was no conduit, like Magus' Grimoum, or source like Avalon,
for him to draw off of. If Magus lost his magic, surely Tom wouldnt have
had any. Also, if Magus knew that he could tap Avalon for power, why didnt
he try before, to a lesser extent so he could wield it properly? Did Magus
have any of Oberons childrens blood in him? ( like his greandfather or
father was 1/2 or something)? I ask this because the Wierd Sisters, in
Avalon part 1 after Magus told them to stand aside,told him he should have
known better than that, like he should have known Avalon was closed off, and
especially that he shouldnt have brought human magic to the island. Also,
Avalon aided him in defeating one of her own children, but perhaps that was
because Oberon didnt want them there yet? Or was it because he was partly of
avalon? If you wouldnt mind. instead of trying to answer my question into
Magus' history, if you wouldnt mind making a txt file into a story of sorts
that would be more than appreciated. Im a big fan of the series, and was
thourghly dissapointed with its cancellation Thanks for your time!
Greg responds...
In the future, please number your questions.
The Magus is one of my favorites too. But this isn't the forum for me to
deliver a novel-length response on his history. And I'm definitely not
making any text files. Keep in mind, this is a Q&A location. I get paid
to write stories. (I know that doesn't sound very altruistic, but neither is
requesting me to do a lot of work without compensation.)
Tom had centuries to learn one or two simple spells from the Magus that would
allow him to travel back and forth from Avalon.
The Magus may have tried using Avalon's magic before as an experiment here or
there, but he generally met with little success. Fortunately, there was no
crisis to require a greater need (or effort) until the Archmage showed up.
The Magus is fully human. (GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Please don't answer some of the questions that would reveal way too much
about the Gargoyles universe, if you tell us everything, there will be
little interest left in the show. Instead, maybey you could drop clues
that only somone clever intelligent and observant could figure out.
Thanx, Jon
Greg responds...
Most of the time that's what I try to do. But like a lottery, I think it
keeps things exciting if occasionally and out of the blue I reveal a tidbit
of knowledge. For example, there's no way anyone could have guessed that
Brooklyn's son's name was Nashville. So at some point I either reveal it or
not. Now, revealing the reason behind the name isn't the same thing. But
someone clever, intelligent and observant could probably figure it out.
(GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hello again, I was watching the show today (I'm proud to say I have every
one with the exception of TGC on tape :) and I came up with a batch of new
Q's: 1a) In "Ill met by Moonlight" Titania says to Oberon "we'll reduce your
strength to that of a child's" or something like that. Does a fay's power
increase until adulthood and stop, or does a fay become more powerful over
time? 1b) or, does power run in the family, passed down through the
generations? Is Oberon one of the most powerful just because, or is he from
a royal line? 2) Will Puck be around in the Future Tense timeline or will
Owen (and therefore Puck) be dead by then? You said in the archives that
Owen "resets" whenever Pucks changes back into him, so will Owen eventually
grow old and die because of Oberon's restriction, or will he always look the
same because he becomes Puck to teach Alexander? 3) Speaking of Future
Tense...why does Goliath care if Puck gives the gate to Oberon? After all,
the gate came from Avalon originally anyway, so what's wrong with Oberon
having it? Does Goliath just hate Oberon or was he pissed that Puck used
subtrefuge to try and get it? 4) Another Future Tense Q...when the Talon
soldiers come through the city, they smash a woman's cart and we see her
holding a photo of Chavez. Is this woman her daughter? Curious minds want
to know... 5) One more Future Tense, is it a coincidence that Alexander is
wearing Coyote's armor, or was it just a cool design the art people reused?
6)and completely unrelated, is Demona's headpiece fashioned after Goliath's
brow horns, sort of a token from their happier days, or does it match
whatever horns she may have underneath? Does she even have brow spines? If
both parents did, you'd think Angela would have them too, but she doesn't.
7)One more. In several episodes the major underlying theme seems to be the
corrupting power of the big city (Bushido, Mark of the Panther, maybe Dracon
as a character?). This was probably intentional, but I was just curious
what your views on this theme were. Well that's all for now, thank you and
everyone else who worked on Gargoyles for such a wonderful show! Though I
know you can't read the fanfic, TGS is wonderful, and I think its because
you managed in only 66 episodes to create an entire universe for our
imaginations to explore. I don't think words can express our gratitude, so
I'll just say thank you, for everything!
Greg responds...
1a. Like most people, our abilities mature. Sometimes they continue to
mature. Sometimes they don't.
1b. That's not an either or scenario. Both.
2. Owen has a supporting role in 2158. Puck doesn't appear at all. You
can probably guess why.
3. We're mixing our future tenses here. Above, I assumed you were
discussing the proposed spin-off series. Here you seem to be talking
about the episode of the original series. Anyway, the Gate
is dangerous, and from Goliath's point of view, he'd rather no one used it.
4. Well, the whole thing is an illusion, but within the illusion, yes, that
was Maria's daughter. A little touch I threw in to add pathos, and help the
audience identify with an otherwise incidental character.
5. It's not Coyote's armor, though I see the thematic similarities, which
only makes sense.
6. Demona has some horns, similar to her tiara, though not exact.
7. I think your stretching, particularly by including Dracon. Both Dracon
and Elisa are New Yorkers born and bred. Doesn't prove anything. As to
Bushido, well sure the villain went off to the Big City, but we made a
point of saying that he had trouble learning the lessons of Bushido before
he ever left. And in Panther, Tea isn't corrupted by the big city at all.
She decides to go there and Fara gets her cursed because he wants her to
stick close to home. Again, the "Big City" is a neutral element. I don't
think life in a city is inherently more corrupt than out of one. Of course,
I grew up in Los Angeles, and I'm raising my kids here, so maybe I have to
think that. Anyway, I don't buy your logic on this one. (GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Just thought of one more: Is the clocktower a real NY building?
Greg responds...
Nope. Though there are some that look similar. (GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hello!! I have quite a few questions, so please bear with me. (If at all
possible!!) Last time my qusetions got scrapped, so I'll omit any that I
think caused a problem (1) Does Oberon's law of noninterference in human
affairs physically prevent the fae from interfering, or do they only risk
Oberon's wrath as a punishment? (2) "Where" is Avalon ? i.e. could it be
placed on a map? (3) Are gargoyle clans extended families or are they
communities of gargoyle who choose to live together (or both)? (4) How does
Coldsteel heal itself ? (5) As the coldtrio are in mechanical bodies, are
they physically immortal, (i.e. can they die of old age)? (6) If the bodies
of the coldtrio were destroyed, could they be brought back "on-line?" (7)
What are the biological ages of the clone clan? (8) Why do some of the
clones have structural differences, such as Hollywood's huge fangs and
underbite? (9)In City of Stone, the Wyrd Sisters said that MacBeth and
Demona share "pain and anguish", does this include emotional pain and
heartache? (10)Why was Elisa's mother in Nigeria? (11)Are Jade and
Turquesa still on Avalon? (12) If the answer to No. 11 was yes, then where
do they live? (13)How did Mace Malone learn abouth the Illuminatti? (14)
Why was Jack Dane in the Witness Protection Program? (15) Would Lex
eventually have a mate/ (Any background info is appreciated!!) Thanks for
your time. Sorry if I repeated any questions already asked!!
Greg responds...
1. Both.
2. Depends on who made the map.
3. Both. I'm getting deja vu here. Are you sure your questions got
scrapped? I feel like I've answered all of these. Check the archives,
please.
4 - 15. Yeah, I've definitely answered these. Check out the archives, or
else maybe you were impatient, re-asking questions before we had a chance to
post the answers. (GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
How old is the oldest fey, I don't need specific years, you can round it to
the nearest hundred or so?
Greg responds...
Old.(GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Dear Mr. Weisman, First of all, I'd like to thank you sooooo much for
taking your time to answer questions for all your fans! Gargoyles is a great
show, and opens up many new areas of imagination. I just have a couple of
questions. I'm sorry if they've been asked before! :) 1. In another
question, I heard someone mention Neil Gaiman. He is one of my absolute
favorite authors! Are you familiar with his works? 2. I've heard a bunch of
things about someone named Mab. Who exactly is she, just to clarify it? 3.
I don't know if you've answered this before, but who would be your favorite
character? Thank you so much! It's really great that you and Gorebash have
set this thing up!
Greg responds...
1. I read Sandman.
2. Read Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET. Mercutio has a whole monologue about
Queen Mab. That's where I learned about her. In the Gargoyles Universe, she
is also Oberon's mother. At least she is in my mind.
3. See the archives.
(GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
I just found out a couple of weeks ago that Gargoyles is not cancled on the
USA ACTION EXTREME TEAM! Its on at 7:00 in the morning. can you belive
that?
Greg responds...
Uh, sure, why not?
(GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg! Once again, thanks for taking the time to answer the questions of
a humble fan. I have three this time, numbered for your convenience :)
1) How long was Oberon the ruler of the fey (after Mab ceased to be ruler)
before he imposed the thousand year banishment? 2) I know you sort of
answered this one, but I will rephrase it. The question is: who is naught?
Is he just ment to be an "anybody" among the children, or did you have more
plans for him? 3) At what point in the series did Xanatos learn of
Owen's true identity? If he found out right at the beginning, why did he
not ask for Pucks help with some of the jams he got in? Pride? Again,
thank you for answering my questions, and thank you in a broader sense for
the Gargoyles themselves. Rarly has a show had the depth and maturity to
impress me the way Gargoyles did. Kudos to you.
Greg responds...
1. I haven't worked that out yet.
2. Plans. Plans. Plans.
3. Before you met him. And he couldn't get Puck's help, he had traded that
opportunity for a lifetime of service from Owen. So he didn't ask until the
Gathering, when the stakes were so high and things seemed so grim that he
felt he HAD to ask. And Owen said no. But then he changed his mind.
(GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
O Wise Creator of the greatest show on the planet-- Could you tell my
whether or not gargoyles eat? Broadway does, yet he is overweight. No one
else ever eats! Is it neccesary for gargoyles to eat, or even physically
comfortable?
Greg responds...
Yes, Gargoyles do eat, but as a supplement to their solar energy absorbtion.
(GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
A few questions that I forgot to ask: 1. Was Bronx part of the original
comedy development, or was he added in after you decided to switch to the
serious action-drama concept, like Goliath? 2. Does Titania know about
Oberon being Merlin's father? After all, Merlin was born long before the
"Great Divorce" (with apologies to C. S. Lewis) of 995, by traditional
Arthurian chronology. 3. In the Gargoyles universe, just how accurate is
Malory's account of King Arthur's reign? Did Sir Thomas get it pretty much
right, or did he "goof it up" the way that Shakespeare did with Macbeth's
story? 4. You said in your last response that you're currently reading
Christopher Marlowe's plays. How do you think that he compares with
Shakespeare? (The only Marlowe play that I've read is "Dr. Faustus", but I
think that it's quite good, especially the end where Faustus is horrifiedly
aware that in a few minutes, Mephistopheles and Co. are going to drag him
off to eternal torment and that there's nothing that he can do to stop the
progression of the clock towards that moment). 5. Was Owen's line about
out-Vogeling Vogel in "The Gathering Part II" inspired by Hamlet's line
about out-Heroding Herod in his famous speech to the Players? 6. In "A
Lighthouse in the Sea of Time", Macbeth says that Merlin's magic was
"stronger than anything, except the human heart." Was that "human heart"
bit an allusion to Lancelot and Guinevere's love (the traditional cause of
Camelot's downfall)?
Greg responds...
1. Bronx was a later addition.
2. I'm sure she knew. I'm not sure he knew she knew.
3. I'd hardly say Shakespeare goofed up. Same with Malory. But I think the
seeds of truth in Malory may not always have grown in the same direction as
in our series. Have to take it case by case.
4. I haven't finished reading his complete plays yet. Faustus is episodic
but impressive. Tamburlaine is very episodic, but certainly has some great
moments. That's all I've read so far. I just started THE JEW OF MALTA. Ask
me again later.
5. Hmmm. Maybe subconsciously, although I think you're giving us too much
credit this time.
6. Among other human hearts, yes.(GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi, Greg. Thanks for taking time to answer our questions. 1)
Approximately when did Puck reveal himself to Xanatos? 2) When did Xanatos
meet Demona? 3) When/How did Fox and Xanatos meet? 4) If "The Reckoning"
had been a 2-parter what else would have happened? 5) Is Hudson half-human?
He's the only gargoyle with facial hair and his coloring is almost human.
Thanks again!
Greg responds...
1. Before you met either character.
2. Before you met either character. (Or at least before you met Demona in
the 20th century.)
3. Same answer.
4. Good question. I can't answer that with absolute certainty, but I don't
think much more would have been added from the standpoint of PLOT POINTS. I
just think we would have had more room to deal with Angela and Demona, with
Thailog, with each of the clones and our characters' responses to them.
5. No, of course not. And he's not the only gargoyle with facial hair.
What makes you think the others don't shave? :) (GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg, sorry to bother you again, but after watching the Avalon eps again,
something is bothering me. I realize that you created a paradox with the
archmage living, but he had to survive the first time to get the talismans
so he could save himself. (Im sorry if that isnt to clear, and if you like
Ill try and clear it up in the future) I'm interested in temporal
mechanics, and that has been bugging me for years. ( Basically I want to
know how the Archmage survived the first time so he could create the
paradox) Thanks for your time!
Greg responds...
I've discussed this a lot recently, both here and in the comment room. The
Archmage survives BECAUSE his future self saved him, which allowed him to
live and age so that he could come back and save his younger self. It's a
loop. Like the Revolution at SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN. (GDW/1-27-98)
MORE RAMBLINGS ON TIME TRAVEL AND FREE WILL:
Hey, Gary (and everyone)... You asked me further questions about time. The
answers all come down to Point of View. You didn't comment on the
"religious" aspects of my comments, but frankly, they seem unavoidable.
PoV. To Goliath, in the 1990s, the past seems fixed. The present and
future, not. To Goliath in 1940, the past and present seem fixed, and the
future seems fixed for a few decades, and then past the mid-nineties, not.
To Greg Weisman, in his capacity as god of the Gargoyle Universe, the past,
present and future seem fixed.
But what does this mean? It means we are bound by what we know and nothing
more. What does "fixed" mean? Goliath realizes that Griff can't return to
his clan in the forties, because he didn't return in the forties. But that
doesn't mean Goliath cannot affect their mutual futures, by bopping Griff
forward to the nineties.
Greg Weisman knows that something big happens in the year 2158. But he
doesn't yet know all the results of that. For that matter, Greg has a lot of
knowledge about what happened in 984. But what exactly happened between 984
and 994? I've got a basic idea, but there's room for movement. There are
facts I can't dodge, therefore facts that my characters can't dodge. But
that doesn't remove their free will.
Pre-destination does not NEGATE free will, unless the character abdicates
free will in the mistaken belief that he or she has none. And even then, the
"act" of abdication is a choice, an act of free will.
One other note: the Gettysburgh Address in my previous example could be
called a "time circle". Unbroken. No beginning or end. The Archmage is not
a circle, but a loop in a straight line. Think of a roller coaster. It goes
along straight for 100 yards. Then it begins a loop-de-loop. We travel up
and backwards and around and then the track flattens out again at the eighty
yard mark. For twenty yards the tracks run side by side, or put another
way, since the track is unbroken, lengths of the ONE track run side by side.
Then one length, "the younger length," heads back into the loop, while the
other "mature" length continues forward on the straight flat track.
Hope this helps. (GDW/1-27-98)
Anonymous writes...
How did Wyvern Hill get its name?
Greg responds...
Good question. The answer's pretty self-evident.
Yes, that's a hint.
(GDW/1-26-98)
Anonymous writes...
Why did you put Eliza as a love intrest for goliath instead of demona?
eliza and goliath now thats disgusting, but i still love the show!
Greg responds...
Well, Evelyn, I think you're in the minority on that one. But basically, we
had a Beauty and the Beast motif in mind from the beginning. (GDW/1-26-98)
Anonymous writes...
What episode did anibus appear in?
Greg responds...
Anubis appeared in "Grief."
(GDW/1-26-98)
Anonymous writes...
In "Avalon Part 2", I noticed that when it showed the young Princess
Katherine and Magus playing with the baby gargoyles (baby Angela and
Gabriel, it was daylight and not nighttime. Was that a mess-up? If it was,
it was a very big one!
Greg responds...
I've answered this before. It's not daylight. The moon is bright in Avalon
when it's full, and they were all framed by the moon and torchlight.
And, yes, of course, we messed up a bit, but since I've got the above
explanation, I'm gonna stick with it and pretend we didn't mess up at all.
At any rate, please don't think we didn't notice that the lighting in the
scene was too bright. We did but we couldn't fix it before it aired.
(GDW/1-26-98)
Here's a rambling:
There's been a little debate in the comment room, regarding the Archmage
time travel loop, time travel in general, and the subject of free will in
the Gargoyles universe. I posted my two cents, but thought I should include
it here too, in case anyone missed it:
Oh, I'm probably going to regret this, but...
Gary, Gary, Gary> Yep. There is a loop. And you're comparison to the
classic "Kill your own grandfather" chestnut doesn't parallel.
I could show you this pretty easy on a diagram, but it's a little more
complicated in type. But let me give it a shot.
The grandfather thing is a "non-working" paradox. The timestream short
circuits. [No cheating, now. No "Well, it turns out the man I always
thought of as my grandfather wasn't really my biological grandfather" and no
"He had sex with my grandmother just before I killed him." None of that.] I
go back in time to kill my grandfather. He dies. My father's never born.
I'm never born, therefore I don't exist to go back in time to kill my
grandfather. Since I don't exist, my grandfather never dies. So my father
is born, and, subsequently, so am I, allowing me to go back in time to kill
my grandfather. And so on, and so on, and so on... It iterates without
fusing. Again, short circuit.
Compare another chestnut that I made up a few years ago. I am a historian.
My specialty is Abraham Lincoln. I travel back in time and meet him just
before he's scheduled to give the Gettysburgh Address. To my horror, I
discover that he's got writer's block. The most famous speech a president
ever gave, and Abe can't think of what to write. I panic. And "write" the
speech for him. Of course I didn't compose it. I simply write down the
Gettysburgh Address from memory. Abe loves it. Gives the speech. Reporters
transcribe it. Historians put it in history books. I study it and go back
in time. Time flows unbroken. It is a "working" paradox. A paradox that
doesn't short circuit the time stream. Now it raises a HUGE question? Who
composed the Address? Not Abe, he got it from me. Not me, I got if from a
history book. Not the historians or the reporters, they got it from Abe.
The answer is it was born with the timestream, created by God or the Big Bang
or whatever. It is mysterious. But it works.
The best example of a working paradox story I've ever read is Robert
Heinlein's "All You Zombies". It's a brilliant, subversive little piece of
work.
The Archmage (and/or the M.I.A.) loop has much more in common with the
Gettysburgh chestnut than the Grandfather chestnut. It is a working
paradox. Simpler even than Gettysburgh. You are the Archmage. Once upon a
time, you were a kid. Then you grew up to be a man, and you wind up falling
into a chasm. You're rescued by a "STRANGER" who looks something like you,
but not quite. The "Stranger" mentors you and gives you power and actually
changes you so that you look more like the stranger than like your old self.
Then the "stranger" sends you back in time to that point where you rescue
your old self. Now to that old immature version of you, you seem like "the
stranger". You mentor the old you, you give him power. Then you send him
back to effect the rescue. It's a loop, because you don't go back again.
You continue forward until Goliath does you in. There's a beginning and an
end and a loop in the middle. It IS a paradox. But it's a working paradox.
There's no short circuit. Time flows. THERE IS A BIG QUESTION! Where did
the Archmage get the idea to save himself. Well, he knows to do it because
his old self was a "witness" to the rescue. His old self was the rescuee.
But where did the IDEA come from? Again, a quirk of the timestream.
Many people have asked me why I made this the time travel rule in Gargoyles.
It's a very conservative approach. You can't change history. Period. Sure
we may not know the whole story. But what happened, happened. We can't
change it. That's the rule as I established it in "Vows," and as we stuck
with throughout the series. Why? Time travel is all theoretical. I could
have chosen any rule I wanted. I could have chosen no rules. Why did I
chose this rigid approach? Basically, cuz I thought it was MORE fun. I hate
feeling cheated at the end of stories. Time travel stories are easily
subject to this abuse. So many great Star Trek episodes full of time travel,
wind up wimping out in the end. Cheating. Using non-working paradoxes or
breaking any semblence of rules they've already established. I always felt
ripped off. I didn't want that for Gargoyles. Also it presents our
characters with a greater challenge. Griff vanished in WWII. Goliath goes
back in time to change it. AND HE CAN'T!!!!!! So he has to find another way
to solve the problem. It also explains why our guys just don't go back and
fix things so that the Wyvern Massacre never happened. Once you open a a can
of worms, you're stuck with a lot of worms (or worse, you pretend they aren't
there). That seemed lousy to me, so I made it clear that once an event is
absolutely known, you can't dodge it. Only work within it's frame. It's all
a matter of opinion, but that seemed like MORE fun to me.
And now...DAH DAH DAH. Predestination vs. Free will. This is an ancient
argument. God is omniscient. He knows what Eve is going to do. So she had
no free will, right? Well, most theologians would say she does. Eve is
created with free will by God. She doesn't have to take that apple. Cain
doesn't have to kill Abel. Sure, God knows that Eve is gonna take it, that
Cain is going to kill, but he doesn't impose that knowledge or his authority
on either Eve or Cain. (He's God. He can make those subtle distinctions in
his creations.) The fact that Mom tells you not to eat the cookies and
nevertheless knows you're going to, doesn't mean that you have no free will.
You could surprise Mom and skip 'em. Now you can't surprise God. He's God.
So he knows ahead of time what you're going to do. But it's still your
choice. Nothing touched your free will.
Now, I'll admit, that at times in Gargoyles, that distinction seems less
clear. I'm the main (though not the only) god of the Gargoyles Universe.
(At least I used to be.) But, obviously, I'm not GOD, and I don't have his
subtle powers of creation. But I tried. I suppose it's tough to figure how
the Archmage could choose not to save himself. But I think the key is that
he wouldn't want to choose anything other than what he did. So his free will
isn't touched. Griff chooses to fight in the Battle of Britain. He chooses
to risk his life. He doesn't know about Phoenix Gates or time travel. But
he knows the risks of war. He doesn't make it home for forty years. Maybe
that's a consequence he couldn't predict, but it's better than dieing. His
free will isn't missing from the equation just because the time stream (or
God or whatever you believe in) knows that he's not coming back even before
he departs. In GONE WITH THE WIND, Rhett Butler doesn't join the Confederate
Army until he knows the Confederacy is doomed. HE KNOWS. But that doesn't
effect his free will. We all make decisions. Maybe someone out there knows
the results. God. Or a psychic palm reader living in Petaluma. Or your
Uncle Ralph, who did the exact same thing when he was your age. But the fact
that someone else know, whether we know they know or not, does not effect our
free will.
Anyway, that's my two cents. (GDW/1-26-98)
Anonymous writes...
I've never really been a huge fan of fantasy myself, just wasn't that type
of guy. The only two people who have ever done fantasy that I really got
into are you Greg, and Neil Gaiman. I was wondering if there was a
possiblity of you two colabirating on a project of some sort.
Greg responds...
I doubt it. I've never met Neil, and God knows he doesn't need me to tell
his stories. Also we work in different media, and though we are both
interested in many of the same themes and topics, I think we have very
different approaches, very different tones, very different voices. I once
used his character of Death in an issue of CAPTAIN ATOM. I tried to be
respectful, but I heard through the DC Comics grapevine that he didn't care
for the appearance, though I never talked to him about it personally. But
Neil, if you're out there, I'd be willing to give it a shot.
(GDW/1-15-98)
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