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Gargoyles

The Phoenix Gate

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ANSWERS 2002-01 (Jan)

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Alex Katsaros writes...

"LIGHTBULB CONTEST"

"Hey, Goliath, how many gargoyles does it take to screw in a lightbulb..."

Two. One to hang from the ceiling, the other to make him angry!

Greg responds...

Okay, it goes into the contest. Thanks for playing. Results will come when I get to the end of September submissions.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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Galvatron writes...

Did you have plans to introduce more gargoyle characters into the manhattan clan besides Katana, Nashville, Taichi, Coldstone and Coldfire since if there isn't new blood then the clan is going to die in the second or third generation or they're going to resort to incest which usually is very bad for a species?

Greg responds...

Incest isn't a major concern. We don't have too many characters who are related by blood.

But yes, I was over time.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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Siren writes...

I read through about the reasons why Gargoyles was booted out. And I certainly understand them 100%. No company is going to keep making something that isn't giving them a good profit, it's bad for buisness. I've seen a lot of Disney animated shows. At least one episode from everyone since the Disney Afternoon. Disney Afternoon I thought was great. Ducktales, Talespin, Rescue Rangers, even Marsupilami (spelling might be wrong, but can ya blame me?). Gargoyles is by far my favorite show. Now I am not a big fan of anime. I do like some, for instance, Princess Mononoke is just about my favorite movie. The animation was the best I've seen since Gargoyles and the story was excellent. Also well cast for the American dubbed version. Mononoke was the number one movie of all time in Japan, till Titanic knocked it down a spot. Never did I hear of such a thing. An animated movie is number one in a country and knocked all the classics down. Though I think it deserved that spot...even more so then Titanic. Which got me thinking about the difference between the two cultures. Americans seem to think animation is intended for kids. There certainly have been break throughs, but majority of those breakthroughs, were made in Japan. The Japanese seemed to tap into something in animation that Americans have failed to. It's not the form of the movie it is the story. I also think Japanese have more pride in the animated movies, seeing them more as artwork then as kiddie shows which is why they can work so hard at it AND the PUBLIC appreciates it. You and the rest of the Gargoyle crew worked so hard and made the best animated tv show in my mind. I just guess the American public wasn't ready for it. They aren't to that mature point to say animation isn't just kiddie flicks and cute fuzzy animals. They can have deep feelings and emotions as much as any actor. You have at least 2 people behind each character. The animator and the voice. I know there are many other animators of the characters, but I think you know what I mean. I am sorry that the majority ruled this time and they didn't appreciate it or bother to give it a chance or whatever. I still have that hope it will be back in one form or another. Maybe one day it will be it's time to be the next Batman or Superman. They started out slowly too and look at them now. One never knows.

After all that, was wondering, "Do you know how well Gargoyles did in Japan?"

Greg responds...

I'm not sure Gargoyles EVER aired in Japan. Does anyone know different?

Siren, thanks for the kind words. I'd quibble with some of it. You make it sound like the public never embraced Gargoyles, and that's not quite true. We were still a solid hit. We simply were not a home run.

Also, I don't believe that either Superman or Batman 'started out slowly'. They were both homeruns nearly from the moment they hit the stands. Revelations.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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Galvatron writes...

Last question from the galactic view would the Space-Spawn occupation of Earth and it eventual rebellion be an important event in the intergalactic war?

Greg responds...

Not initially.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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matt writes...

when was the Gargoyle Minority Protection Act signed? if you won't tell the exact year can you tell if it was within 10 years or so of 2198 or was it in Elisa's lifetime or somewhere in between?

Greg responds...

I'm not saying right now.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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Galvatron writes...

1.You've said that there was someone prior to the archmage who joined together the grimorum, phoenix gate and eye of odin so when did this happen?
2.How did he integrate the grimorum into it? I know he didn't swallow it.
3.What did he do with the power?

Greg responds...

1. Not saying.

2. That was only necessary for our Archmage because he was entering Avalon.

3. Entertaining stuff, I tell you.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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matt writes...

matt writes...
is the Labyrinth that the clones and mutates live in really a labyrinth? it didn't seem too much like a maze whenever we would see it in the series, and lots of characters went down there and didn't get lost or anything.

Greg responds...

It's mostly just a name. But there are tons of corridors, tunnels, etc. Some of them hidden, like the one where Fang found the old Cyberbiotics weapons cache. So you could get lost and you could call it a maze.

And honestly, matt, doesn't this question seem a bit nit-picky?

recorded on 09-11-01

___________________________________

ok, i'll admit that sometimes i DO nitpick at things, but generally my questions do have a point. since you asked i'll tell you that i asked this cuz i really did want to know if it was an actual labyrinth or just a name. and now knowing that its just a name mostly doesn't bother me or anything. i just like to know the little details alot of times. its not nit-picking, its just being complete and precise, i guess.

Greg responds...

Ehh, you may have caught me in a bad mood. There was a point where everyone seemed to be submitting questions with the intent of making me look foolish in some way. My apologies.

As for the Labyrinth, we largely stuck to two or three main areas. But the implication was that between the old subway tunnels and the cyberbiotics build-outs, that the place was fairly maze-like. You looked at my answer and concluded it was just a name. But --and now I'm being nit-picky -- that wasn't my answer. It was mostly just a name. But it was accurate as well.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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LSZ writes...

By 2198, how much of New Olympian history is known to human scholars?

Greg responds...

It's been years since I read it...

I think his historical and mythological background work is VERY helpful. I loved it.

But his interpretations of the plays seem very one-dimensional to me. In particular, he regards Hamlet as ambitious. He seems ONLY to regard Hamlet as ambitious and won't acknowledge that one of the most complex characters in Western Culture might have other aspects to his personality.

Mostly, I'd leave these things for individual readers to judge, but Asimov's name carries so much weight, that I felt a caveat was necessary.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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Todd Jensen writes...

You mentioned that you could only recommend Isaac Asimov's book on Shakespeare (I assume that you mean his Guide to Shakespeare, which I have a copy of) with reservations. I was wondering if you could tell us a little more about those reservations of yours about it.

Greg responds...

Boy, I must have been really touchy on September 10th.

Let me just say, it's weird to be looking at these questions, asked early in the morning of 9/11, clearly before the events of the day. (Or at least before people became aware of those events.) Puts everything into perspective, you know.

Anyway, Merlin and Oberon have a thorny relationship to say the least. I can't really answer your question in any more detail at this time. I half regret revealing that Oberon was M's dad.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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Todd Jensen writes...

You've mentioned earlier that Merlin isn't considered one of "Oberon's Children" (by which I mean the Third Race, rather than Oberon's biological offspring). I recently began wondering over the reason for that, i.e., what reasons Oberon has for not classifying him as such.

The only other "halflings" we know of in the Gargoyles Universe at present are Fox and Alex, and we know what criteria Oberon had for deciding whether they could be considered "Children of Oberon" or not. He viewed Fox as human rather than Third Race because she had shown no sign of manifesting any magic (at least, at the time of "The Gathering Part One") and Alex as Third Race because he still had the potential of developing magic.

Now, moving back to Merlin; he clearly did learn how to use magic, so obviously Oberon used a different criterion for classifying him as human rather than "Oberon's Children" than he did with Fox. So my question is, what is this different criterion?

(And don't worry; this isn't one of those "trying to trip you up questions" that you mentioned being unhappy with recently. I'm just genuinely curious about this).

Greg responds...

Boy, I must have been really touchy on September 10th.

Let me just say, it's weird to be looking at these questions, asked early in the morning of 9/11, clearly before the events of the day. (Or at least before people became aware of those events.) Puts everything into perspective, you know.

Anyway, Merlin and Oberon have a thorny relationship to say the least. I can't really answer your question in any more detail at this time. I half regret revealing that Oberon was M's dad.

Response recorded on January 23, 2002

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puck<40> writes...

You know that comment one of those peepers made about Oberon's children and fear of death etc? I found it very very interesting. It makes me wonder just a little about Puck. Now I know your not him... But considering most of the gargoyles characters share a little of your own opinion...

1) Do you think Puck had any sort of 'rude awakening' mortality feeling in City of Stone since he almost shattered? I'm sure Xanatos would've probably mentioned it.

2) Or... do you think Puck is more of a "what happens happens" type of person? (one of the reasons he didn't really care too too much in "The Price" about his hand)

3) Personally I think that he's one of those 'always out to experience new things' type of persons, and mayyyybe at first it would just been like. "Le meeps! For a second there I was almost not able to have fun." And when mayyyybe Oberon limited his powers, himself to the mortal form, and exiled he might've been. "uh oh, this really isn't too good... nuts".

Of course! Maybe it doesn't actually hit him, until 2198 when Alex vanishes and he has no outlet to turn back into Puck. In essence leaving him in a possibly permanent mortal form. Because up until then, he always had a sense of immortality to him.

4) Do you think in 2198 if Owen, always being one step ahead of everything (even Xanatos and Oberon both in "The Gathering", a none too easy feat)... actually has doubts about rescuing Alexander? Or a thought go across his mind that he may never be the Puck again? Especially if its uncertain if Alex is alive?

5) Do ya think Puck prides himself on being called "the" Puck? One single word, but emphasizing as much title as "Lord" does to Oberon, for the enjoyment of things he does himself.

Well anywhos. =) just some questions on personality of my favorite trickster. wheeeee!

Greg responds...

1. Perhaps. But Xanatos may not have mentioned it. And Puck as Owen may be quite wired as Owen, which would tend to smooth out any internal crisis.

2. Well, the hand is a different issue. Owen can afford to lose something like that (particularly before Gathering, Part II) because he knows he's Puck and can get it back at any time he feels like it.

3. I think there's truth in everything you're saying.

4. I don't think he has any doubts about rescuing Alex, who he helped raise from infancy. His own self-interest undoubtedly crosses his mind. That happens to all of us, I think. But I think he genuinely loves Alex as something akin to a son. Or at least a favorite nephew.

5. Probably.

Response recorded on January 22, 2002

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Monzo writes...

All Batman (animated) questions:

1.What are your favorite episodes in "Batman: The Animated Series"?

2.a)What do think of the episodes in "The New Adventures Of Batman And Robin" compared to TAS?

2.b)What do you think of the change from Robin to Nightwing and the arrival of Robin II?

2.c)What do you think of the design (look, costume, voice cast, etc) changes in mostly all the characters compared to the 'TAS'?

3.What do you think of the episodes in "Batman Beyond" compared to the two previous series?

4.a)Have you seen any Batman animated movies "Mask of the Phantasm", "Sub-Zero", "World's Finest" and "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker"?

4.b)Any favorites among them? What's your opinion?

5.What do you think of Harley Quinn (I think she was first introduced in the Batman universe through the animated series)?

6.What do think of Mark Hamill's performance as the Joker?

Greg responds...

1. God, it's been SO long. And there were so many in those first 65, particularly after Alan Burnette took over as Producer. It was great stuff though. And I loved Mask of the Phantasm.

2a. I don't think I saw any of those.

2b. Didn't see how they handled it. Never loved it so much in the comics.

2c. See above. I didn't see them.

3. I've only seen a few Batman Beyond. And while I think it's well-made I don't quite love it. I guess the new Batman reminds me too much of Spider-Man. I like Spider-Man, but I don't really want to see Batman acting like Spider-Man.

4a. I've seen the first and the uncut version of the last.

b. I liked them both, actually. But Mask blew me away.

5. She's fun.

6. Amazing.

Response recorded on January 22, 2002

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The Cat writes...

Hey Greg,

Just out of curiousity(I hope to what ever god/dess that I spelled that right.) I was wondering why Sevarius did gene splicing to make the Mutates? I watched this thing on one of the educational channels and it said that humans have little bits of DNA from every animal in their DNA codes. So, why didn't Sevarius just activate the exsting genes in them? Or, did he by that gene splicing?

Well off to homework, "yeah".

Greg responds...

Sigh.

Anyone with a scientific background want to field this? Come up with an explanation that justifies what we put into the show?

Be my guest.

Response recorded on January 22, 2002

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matt writes...

on Fox and David Xanatos's Marriage certificate/license, who signed as witnesses to their marriage? i mean, traditionally its the Best Man and Maid of Honor, but we can see why that wouldn't work...
did Owen sign it? did Petros?

also, i apologize if this was asked before, but, was Halcyon Renard or Anastasia invited to the wedding? if so, why didn't they come?

Greg responds...

1. Owen, probably.

2. I think not. Partially, because Fox was semi-estranged from her father at least. But MOSTLY because of the instructions Xanatos got from himself. Neither Fox or Xanatos are sentimental enough (at least not that they'd admit) to risk having either of Fox's parents there, when potentially they might interfere.

Response recorded on January 22, 2002

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Todd Jensen writes...

The posting of the FAQ (thanks, Bishansky and JEB!) and your comments on them (including the "Weird Macbeth" part) prompted a question about this unmade two-parter from me.

We know that you had planned the following casting choices for this episode:

Macbeth as himself (or, more accurately, as his Shakespearean counterpart).
Demona as Lady Macbeth (the role that she was hatched to play :)
Goliath as Macduff
Elisa as Lady Macduff

Do you remember any of the other casting decisions for this story (i.e., who was to play Duncan, Malcolm, Banquo, Fleance, the Porter, etc.)?

Greg responds...

Hudson was Duncan, I believe.

The rest I don't remember off-hand, largely because I don't think I had done much casting. It never got past the premise stage, unfortunately. It was the one story that I wanted to do that upper-management wouldn't approve. Even then, they were willing to approve it for a single episode. But I felt I couldn't do it justice in 22 minutes. So in essence, I'm the one who kiboshed it.

That really says something about the creative freedom we were given on the show. 66 episodes. And only one semi-rejected premise.

Response recorded on January 22, 2002

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Sheryl writes...

In the questons I keep hearing about this Gargoyle movie, but I have not herd about it anywhere else. Is there a reason? Or is it just because my T.V stinkin isn't working rite now?

Greg responds...

Last time I checked, which was right before the Gathering last June, Touchstone was still hoping to develop a live-action movie based (maybe only loosely based) on the TV series. At that time, they still did not have a screenplay that they were happy with. I'll try to remember to call them again soon.

Response recorded on January 19, 2002

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Bruno writes...

Hi, Greg,

Some little questions about TimeDancer:

1a-When does Brooklin finds Mary and Finela, in old Scotland?

1b-They timedance together to which year in 20th century?

2-When does Xanatos and Demona first met?

3-How old are Katana, Nashville, Tachi and Fu-dog, rigth after the Timedance?

4-A tricky question: If the Phoenix Gate is out of control, why is it always popping in front of Brooklin?

Thanks.

Greg responds...

1a. You mean what year? Late 995 or early 996.

1b. I'm not saying.

2. By 1993.

3. Katana is Biologically 40.
Nash is 19 (bilologically 10).
Tachi is an egg.

4. Why indeed?

Response recorded on January 18, 2002

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Jim R. writes...

LIGHTBULB CONTEST

"How many gargoyles does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"

A team of Disney writers, artists, animators, as well as one great executive producer to make sure it gets done.

I'm not sucking up, am I?

Greg responds...

Maybe just a little.

Okay, on file 'til I someday get to the end of September. Maybe in 2198, at this rate.

Response recorded on January 16, 2002

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Todd Jensen writes...

A question about the Master Matrix Computer. When somebody asked you who made it, you replied (I'm quoting from memory here) "Nobody exactly created it. It evolved."

That description of its origins got me wondering if the Master Matrix is something other than mechanical/non-organic, since the notion that it "evolved" and that nobody exactly "created" it certainly doesn't sound quite like the origins of a conventional machine. (In fact, "evolved" makes it sound almost alive, in a sense). This question is a little difficult to ask, admittedly, since I'm trying very hard to avoid the "no-ideas" clause, but is the Master Matrix entirely or mainly a machine, or is it something much more unusual than that?

Greg responds...

Both.

Response recorded on January 16, 2002

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Aris Katsaris writes...

Do Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and Neverland exist in the gargoyles universe? (I think their copyright has expired and they've become public domain, btw)

If so, did you have any plans for them which were more specific than "Eventually, everything."? ;-)

Greg responds...

I'd have to WELL CONFIRM the public domainyness of the property before I would dare to answer this question in print.

Response recorded on January 16, 2002

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Entity writes...

Hi Greg,

1. Where do you suppose Macbeth acquired the Will-O-The-Wisp he used in "Pendragon"? b. Had he had it in his possession for long?

2. Are they still around in some abundancy, or was the one Macbeth had a definite rarity?

3. They don't seem to be sentient, but they do as they are instructed, and possess sensory abilities, right? Do they possess cognitive abilities as well?

4. Where did the Will-O-The-Wisp evolve from, Earth or Avalon (acknowledging that the two are linked)?

5. If the answer to No. 4 is Earth, what caused the Third Race to assume Avalon? b. If the answer to No. 4 is Avalon, were the Will-O-The-Wisps able to then go in between Avalon and Earth?

6. Did the Will-O-The-Wisps possess any kind of community?

7. We know the Third Race is the youngest, but what about the Will-O-The-Wisps? Do they predate gargoyles?

Thank ya.

Greg responds...

1. There's a story in that, I'm sure.

2. Relatively rare. But not unique.

3. Everything's relative, right?

4. Probably Avalon. (But I think you have some prepostion confusion in there.

5. Yes, clearly. Since the only one you ever saw wasn't on Avalon.

6. You need to view them as the magical equivalents of what humans call animals (when they aren't including themselves). In that context, many animal species have communities of a sort.

7. Maybe. Probably. Haven't thought about it.

Response recorded on January 16, 2002

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Shan writes...

Matt asked re: "Leader of the Pack":

2. what does "snakes to a nest" mean anyway? from what i know of snakes, they all abandon their eggs completly or stay with their eggs until they hatch.

Greg responded:

2. Ask the writer. I was just the producer.

Shan contributes:

When I hear this phrase, "like snakes to a nest," it makes me think of snakes rushing to the nests of *other animals* to eat their eggs. There are some types of snakes that prefer only the eggs of other animals -- at least according to my Microsoft Encarta (R).

This sounds like a Southern (United States) phrase, but I'm not sure. My mother's from south-eastern Alabama, and I know they have do have some unusual turns of phrase in that part of the country.

The problem with this interpretation is that it gets muddled by the context, since Lex is theorizing that the Pack will return to familiar haunts. Which leads to the way Matt read Lex's comment (i.e. about snakes' own nests), which might have been the opposite of the writer's intentions. Since the Pack members can definitely be equated with "snakes" I can see how one would get Matt's reading.

Steve Perry's the writer, Michael Reaves Story Edited this episode. I confess I don't know too much on the non-professional background of either person, so I've got no clue where either person would have picked up that phrase.

Just thought I'd share my thoughts. Doesn't change the story any, but possibly of interest...

Greg responds...

Yeah. I took it the way Matt did, being ignorant of the behavior of snakes. Maybe snakes behaved differently in medieval Scotland?

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Response recorded on January 16, 2002

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Scott Iskow writes...

How old was Fox when her parents divorced?

Greg responds...

25

Response recorded on January 15, 2002

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Richie Rich writes...

HEY, I'm back...and I came back with some milk to wash that cookie down. Santa came early to my house, but I wrestled the cookies away from him to give to you, he's getting big anyway. Mrs. Clause agrees with me. But afterwards Santa and I made up and had a cookie snack together. He told me that you've been a good little boy, Greg, and he's going to give you a big present in December for such great work you've been doing on this web site. He thinks that since you take time out of your valuable schedule to talk to complete strangers is a very noble idea. He's told me to tell you that. He sends his best and can't wait until December rolls around. HO HO HO.

Greg responds...

Which Santa?

Response recorded on January 15, 2002

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Richie Rich writes...

wuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz up, Greg! Just writting to tell ya that this site is da bomb! You have your hands full with a lot of questions here, some quite philosophical, if I'm reading them right. You're DA MAN!!!!! Keep of the great work and maybe sometime I'll give you a cookie for such great work. SEE Ya!!

Greg responds...

Uh... bye. Thanks.

Response recorded on January 15, 2002


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