A Station Eight Fan Web Site

Gargoyles

The Phoenix Gate

Ask Greg Archives

Children of Oberon, The

Archive Index


: « First : « 100 : Displaying #432 - #531 of 541 records. : 100 » : Last » :


Posts Per Page: 1 : 10 : 25 : 50 : 100 : All :


Bookmark Link

JEB writes...

Was the inclusion of the Scroll of Thoth in "Grief" a references to the Conan stories/Cthulhu Mythos?

Greg responds...

Not that I know of. Thoth is an Egyptian diety. We were doing an ep set in Egypt.

Response recorded on June 14, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd JensenAnonymous writes...

In the Gargoyles Universe, the fay are vulnerable to cold iron. Now, the obvious reasons for this are: a) they needed some sort of "kryptonite" to keep them from unbalancing things, and b) it's a traditional part of faerie mythology (and I'd read about that problem of theirs with cold iron long before "Gargoyles" came out, and even used it in an Arthurian fantasy novel that I'm still writing). But, did you ever develop a "within-the-story" rationale for why iron has such a drastic effect upon Oberon's Children?Odin got swallowed by the fenrir wolf in Ragnarvak. Can you tell us how he survived?

Greg responds...

dial-72.max1.ken.cyberlynk.netNot right now.

Response recorded on June 13, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

You've indicated that many of the Greek gods (though not all of them) were "New Olympians" - well, before they became *New* Olympians. Now, the Greek gods were particularly noted for their humanlike appearance, especially in contrast with such cases as the animal-headed gods of ancient Egypt (such as Anubis) or the multi-armed gods of India. They all looked like normal humans (if better-looking, with the exception of Hephaestus), and were depicted thus in classical art.

The New Olympians, on the other hand, nearly all seem to have a not-fully-human appearance, fitting more into the category of the animal/human hybrids such as minotaurs, centaurs, sphinxes, echidnae, and other such beings of the Greek myths. The only one of them that looked human all the way was Proteus in his regular form. So, were the Greek gods of Olympus less anthropomorphic in the Gargoyles Universe than the artistic depictions of them by Phidias and the rest claim? Or are there more "human-appearing" New Olympians out there that we didn't get to see during the episode? (Given that the New Olympians only showed up in one episode of the series, that does seem quite possible, I'll admit; there wouldn't have been that much time to introduce them).

Greg responds...

Jove is very humanesque. And aside from the flaming 'do, so is Helios. And except for the wings, so is Boreas. It's a pretty big mix.

But also, I never said ALL of the Greek gods were pre-New New Olympians. Some of them were Children of Mab.

Response recorded on April 07, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

You'd said that Oberon does have siblings... A brother, a sister or both? And would he/she/they be characters from mythology or original characters?

Btw, do you plan to add any member of the third race which hasn't be seen in Mythology/Shakespeare/literature, but who is fully your own creation?

Greg responds...

I'm certainly not beyond creating original characters. But that would be a second choice. If the goal is to include all that's out there, I've still got a lot of "characters" to cover before I need to start adding my own.

Response recorded on March 26, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

You recently said that you believed that most of the events in Norse mythology took place before Oberon passed his non-intervention edict. Actually, I can't help wondering myself, as something of a Norse mythology buff, how much difference that the edict would have made where the traditional events in the Aesir's lives were concerned, since most of the stories about them don't portray them as interacting with mortals, but rather with their traditional frost giant enemies (especially in the case of Thor) and the frost giants' monster-allies such as the Fenris-wolf and the Midgard Serpent. Odin's the only one of the Norse gods who really struck me as much of a "meddler" in mortal affairs (as in his deciding which side would win a battle, and often having the better warriors lose so that they would go to Valhalla and he could have them in his army come Ragnarok). So would Oberon's Law have really put that much of a cramp in the Aesir's legendary deeds?

Greg responds...

Maybe not. As usual, I'd have to take things case-by-case.

Response recorded on March 22, 2000

Bookmark Link

WereFoX writes...

Greg, did Oberon erase every obvious trace of his presence in New York during the Gathering. I imagine he would show up on a few video surviellance cameras or in real time photos from overhead satellites.

Greg responds...

No. I doubt he bothered.

Response recorded on March 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Donald writes...

In "Ill Met By Moonlight" Oberon mentioned that he too spent the millennium with the mortals. Since I'm sure a question about what he did would be one of those "novel length responses", was anything he did significant with regard to the master plan (i.e. something we would have seen eventually)?

Greg responds...

Yes.

Response recorded on March 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Ya MotHer writes...

Whats the deal with the aging thingy for children of oberon, like gargoyles, it takes them twice as long than a human or something like that. so like how many years would it take for oberons children to grow up to be like a teanager maybe?

Greg responds...

Since they have complete control over their appearance, discussing their "age" is rather moot.

Response recorded on March 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Is there 'prophecy' in the Gargoyles universe? So far all the pieces of prophecy we've seen are either related to time-travel (Archmage, etc), or are ambiguous in nature (Weird Sisters in 'City of Stone', Puck in 'Future Tense').

Were the Weird Sisters (for example) making a true prophecy concerning Macbeth and Duncan, or simply saying something and then manipulating events so that it took place?

And was Puck aware that parts of his 'dream' would indeed take place (other than Alex's name ofcourse which he could have been informed of as Owen)?

Greg responds...

Uh...

Paragraph one, I don't understand.

Paragraph two, both.

Paragraph three, both.

Response recorded on March 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Guardian writes...

If you had enough episodes, would you have eventually have written in The Jewish-Christian God? If so, how would you have explained how Annibus was lord of the dead. (He would be a false god, according to Christians and Jews)

Greg responds...

I honestly don't know. But keep in mind, Anubis never claimed to be a god.

And I'd tend to leave the big G above the fray. He works in mysterious ways after all.

Response recorded on March 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Michael Norton writes...

Is there any logical reason that Owen did not include a giant iron bell in the castle defenses? I know this would have ruined the drama of the battle. But it is hard to accept the fact that it never occured to any of the defenders during the battle with Oberon.

Greg responds...

I'm not sure that the bell solution is that obvious to Owen. I think it was very clever of Titania to come up with something that generally a fae would have little interest in exploring.

And where would Goliath and Angela found a big iron bell?

Response recorded on March 19, 2000

Bookmark Link

Michael Norton writes...

In Walkabout, would Titania have revealed herself and magically intervened if Goliath and Dingo had failed to reason with Matrix?

Greg responds...

What could Titania have done against Matrix?

Response recorded on March 19, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

I started to wonder about the 'Future Tense' episode...

1. What would have happened if Goliath had indeed given Puck the gate? After all he was dreaming the whole thing - would the real-life gate have just disappeared and been taken by Puck or something? Goliath waking up and finding it missing?

2. That thing about Puck not being able to take the gate, he having to be given it - is that again a law of Oberon's or something inherent in the nature of the Gate and/or fae?

3. And if the former, why when in other cases the fae could use just any flimsy excuse to bend Oberon's law, this one was so strictly interpreted that even 'Here you have it, take the gate' wasn't sufficient for Puck to take it?

Greg responds...

1. Goliath would have physically taken the Gate from his pouch, held it out and let go. Puck would appear to take it. All very real. But it didn't happen.

2. It's a law, but I don't know if it's Oberon's law.

3. I'm not sure that their excuses were that flimsy. We always made an effort to bend the laws with a real rationale.

Response recorded on March 19, 2000

Bookmark Link

Ambrosia writes...

I was thinking about the Weird Sisters- I know artistic lisence is used all the time with characters, so I was wondering about these Three... In City of Stone, they come off as gentle guiders in Demona's life and remind Goliath of his own ideals... but in Avalon, they are nearly as bad as Demona in their thirst for vengeance. Though not nearly as violent, they make a pact with a sorceror (something they initially swore they wouldn't do) only in order to have revenge against the Magus and the others. This sounds a little contradictory of their characters. What I was wondering is: which is their real personality? Are they more like the Fates of Greek mythology who spin, measure and cut the thread of mortals' lives, or was their power exaggerated by human myth and, in fact, they're only typical, magical beings like Puck or Odin are? I suppose I'm asking how much power they really have...
I also wanted to say how much I love the show and hope that it'll come back some day... in any form. With the maddening popularity of shows like Mutant Turtles, it's refreshing to have an intelligent series like gargoyles to obsess over!

Greg responds...

The Sisters are complex and have many aspects, not all of which have been revealed or conflated yet.

They're not quite as powerful (and/or powerless) as the mythological fates, but they have that aspect.

There was obvioulsy an ulterior motive to their actions in CITY OF STONE. But there may have also been an ulterior motive to their actions in AVALON as well.

Response recorded on March 18, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

A fresh effort to do the eight Arthurian survivors correctly.

1. King Arthur
2. Merlin
3. The Lady of the Lake
4. Sir Percival
5. Blanchfleur
6. Morgan le Fay
7. Nimue
8. The Green Knight (the one whom Gawain had that encounter with)

Greg responds...

Eight points.

Thank you. Come again.

No, wait! Eight points. Eight out of eight. FINALLY, A WINNER! And Todd, I have to admit, I'm kinda glad it's you, since you've been the most dedicated to exploring the Arthurian angle here in ASK GREG.

As to the speculation of how they survived, well, I was gonna make another contest out of it, but I realized it would violate my NO IDEAS policy, so...

1. King Arthur Pendragon. Slept under a spell in the Hollow Hill.

2. Merlin. Son of Oberon by a mortal woman. Imprisoned in the Crystal Cave.

3. The Lady of the Lake. One of the Oberati.

4. Sir Percival. The Fisher King. Mr. Duval. Founder of the Illuminati. Spends a lot of time in Castle Carbonek, a sort of mini-traveling-Avalon, where time passes differently. Also uses the Holy Grail to maintain his youth, though at a very real physical cost, due to his, shall we say, sins.

5. Lady Blanchefleur. Percival's wife. Queen of Castle Carbonek. She lives there and uses the Grail. The only cost being her estrangement from Percival.

6. Morgana le Fay. A changling in the old-fashioned sense.

7. Nimue. A sorceress with connections to Merlin, the Oberati and Morgana. (Think about it.)

8. The Green Knight. An Oberati.

Anyway, the above revelations are a gift I'm giving all of you on Todd's behalf. Thank him. Todd, to claim your prize, have Gore or DemonaCrzy forward your e-mail address to me.

Response recorded on March 18, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

<Stares> There's quite a little more than the usual kind of questioning over here, isn't there? More of a discussion. Interesting... But rather than the 'shake up' commentary most are talking about, let me add my opinion on something different that was mentioned by Todd -- namely about Oberon (a fay) ruling over gods such as Odin.

On the whole I'd say that I have no problem with it - on the other hand I would have a bit of a problem if a god from a specific pantheon were to rule over all others - it might almost seem to imply that the specific pantheon and culture was more important than that of others. (I'd find it far more difficult to accept a universe where Zeus was superior to Odin for example...) Oberon and Titania from their beginnings in Shakespeare seemed more universal characters than any single mythological one; they were characters seemingly from Britain (Robin Goodfellow for example...) passing through Greece and discussing about events of India...

Greg responds...

I agree. It was one of the reasons that I made Oberon & Titania's skin Blue and Green. I didn't want to imply that white "godlings" ruled the others.

Response recorded on March 17, 2000

Bookmark Link

Vashkoda writes...

Hi Greg! Ditto what Jenna just said. I'm going to try to insert a question in here, tho'. Did the third race create Avalon, or did Avalon create the third race? If this question is hard to answer, could you tell me which appeared first? Thanks!

Greg responds...

It's not quite that cut and dry... One didn't create the other.

Response recorded on March 17, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

One thing that I'm going to confess here, and it's that I'm still feeling somewhat taken aback at the discovery that the mythological gods in the Gargoyles Universe are subject to Oberon, a "mere" faerie king (though don't tell him that I called him that :) In traditional legend, Oberon wasn't a divinity, so seeing him have authority over gods like Odin feels a little strange to me still. It's like seeing an earl giving orders to a king. I know that in the Gargoyles Universe, Oberon does outrank the gods of mythology and that they were really "just" powerful faerie-folk, but it does feel a little odd to me all the same.

Greg responds...

That is... an absolutely SHOCKING confession.

Or not.

Look, I knew it was going to be controversial (relatively speaking). Frank Paur wasn't particularly comfortable with the idea, but I'm a fast talker.

The main motivation was that I wanted the Garg Universe to have a certain cohesion. I wanted it to be rich and expansive, but not completely arbitrary. So after a bit of tease and mystery, we reveal a feudal system.

And Oberon's lack of shall we say, press, didn't bother me. He was the big man behind the scenes. And although he's not exactly Mr. Maturity, I don't think that bothered him.

And of course, he did have at least one spectacular press agent. Guy named Will.

Response recorded on March 17, 2000

Bookmark Link

Jackal's Love writes...

In Grief, the Emir used a spell (the Scroll of Thoth) to become the Avatar (eventually). Since Anubis is a Child of Oberon, are there any spells out there that could turn someone into an avatar for Oberon, Puck, Titania, or any of the other Children? Or, is it possible for someone to force one of the Children to do what Anubis did?
Thanks for your time.

Greg responds...

Sure, it's possible.

Response recorded on March 17, 2000

Bookmark Link

Ambrosia writes...

Hi, Greg!
I was wondering what Oberon did with himself during the thousand-year-long banishment? He obviously wasn't on Avalon because that's where Katherine, Tom, Magus and the eggs were... but he also seemed *completely* naive of the modern world- like when Xanatos or Elisa pulled their respective guns on him- he acted like he'd never seen such things before. Not to mention his comment in The Gathering, "Interesting what these mortals can acheive with their 'science'."

Greg responds...

I think there's a big difference between his reaction to Elisa's gun and Xanatos'. With Elisa, he was reacting to the iron content in the weapon. With Xanatos, he was curious about its futuristic look and nature.

Likewise, I don't think Oberon had had much exposure to force fields. Have you?

I think Oberon was out and about all those years. He knew the modern world. But not everything about it.

Response recorded on March 13, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Have Oberon and Titania ever been worshipped as gods, the same way other members of their race have? Shakespeare implies that Titania atleast was worshipped in India (not to mention that her name seems to imply that she was also worshipped in Ancient Greece and considered a Titan)...

Greg responds...

Yeah, probably. But I haven't worked out their entire (very long) bios. Just pieces here and there.

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Have the fay/gods sought and supported their worship from human, or is it something that just happened, but they never really cared about?

My guess is that it's different from case to case: if so, how about the gods we've seen in the series: Odin, Anubis, Banshee (I believe that Banshee was never "worshipped" exactly under that name, but her alternate form as Cromm Cruach (sp?) was; and -if Todd's correct in his guide- its worship was considered dangerous)

Greg responds...

Case to case, definitely.

And Aris, I apologize, but it's late at night, and I just don't have the energy to run it down for each of those characters right now. Ask me again about them individually and I'll give it a shot.

Sorry.

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Jessica Brimer (shadowrider@blomand.net) writes...

Hi, I'm back with yet another Puck question, sorry I didn't get it in my early post.

1) In "The Gathering" Oberon seemed very upset that Puck didn't come, and even went so far as to go look for him himself instead of sending the Weird Sisters. Is there a reason for this? And would that reason be why he recieved such a harsh punishment?

2) I guess the first question really led to this one, are Titania and/or Oberon, Puck's parents?

Thanks!

Greg responds...

1. Puck was Oberon's personal man-servant. Oberon considered Puck's disobedience a very personal betrayal.

2. No.

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Jessica Brimer (shadowrider@blomand.net) writes...

Hi, this is the first time I've asked a question, so ignore me if I seem to babble a bit.
I'm a big Puck/Owen fan so my questions have to do with him.

1)Seeing as you really never got the chance to use the Puck/Owen thing much, I was wondering if you would have used this angle more later? (Did that make sense?)

2) In the "The Mirror", Demona mentioned that Puck had served the human (I think that was it), now he would serve her. Is this maybe a reference to Puck serving Shakespear?
(I only say Shakespear because thatr's the work he first appeared in right?)

3) I've long believed that Puck and Owen are one in the same. Owen being the tricksters more serious side. However I have also talked to people who thought Puck was a seperate personality from Owen's own and vice versa. Which is true?

4) In "The Gathering" Oberon didn't seem to know Puck was Owen. Is that an indication that Puck had made his "mask" so well even Oberon himself couldn't see through it?

All for now and it's been nice ummm...typing to you?

Greg responds...

1. Yes and yes.

2. No. Xanatos.

3. Both.

4. I suppose. But Oberon wasn't focusing either.

Nice typing back...

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Llewwellyn Gaelfire writes...

Hi Greg

1. Would Oberon's Mirror work for doing the same sorts of magicks as Titania's (specifically the spell Demona used in "The Mirror" to summon Puck)?

2. If yes, then why did not Oberon simply yank Puck back through his mirror in "The Gathering pt1" instead of going after him?

thanks

Greg responds...

1. Yep.

2. Oberon does what he wants.

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Heather N. Allen writes...

Okay, these questions sorta ended up essay form. I hope I didn't make things TOO complicated. (But they're all on one topic: 'The Gathering' episodes.)

*1* In The Gathering, Puck mentions he noticed Titania in human form and thought it looked like fun. Therefore, he created Owen. Obviously he knew about her, but did she know about him? I mean, he didn't reveal himself to anyone but Xanatos. And after being brought to see grandbaby Alex by Owen himself, when Puck is noticeably missing from Avalon, wouldn't she have known right where to look for him if she knew his human guise?

If she DIDN'T know, like didn't sense or anything (the way Oberon senses her once in the Eyrie Building) then that means she didn't reveal herself to Puck. Then how'd HE know ANASTASIA was TITANIA in the first place, if he couldn't sense it?

Did that come anywhere near making sense?

I'm adding this on as an afterthought sparked by Robby in the CR--perhaps it helps out the confusing mess I posted above:

*2* a) What if Titania DID know Puck was Owen, and kept it to herself (seeing that she'd had in mind it was likely the Xanatos family would get to keep Alex anyway). Was this what was mentioned in the infamous 'thing whispered into Fox's ear that made her smile'?

*2* b) If not, what WAS whispered by Titania into Fox's ear that made her smile? {Are you tired of this one yet? Hopefully not as much as the 'Which Weird Sister is which' questions ^_^}

~H\A~

Greg responds...

All right for starters, the GATHERING info Puck gives assumes that he was watching Titania. Followed her at some point and saw her transformation to Anastasia. Then secretly observed Anastasia to find out what the fascination was.

Theoretically, Titania did NOT know. Owen certainly doesn't think she knows. So the question really is, do you believe Titania's implied statement that everything in GATHERING PART TWO went as she planned. That's hardly possible if she didn't know that Puck was available to act as a tutor that Fox and David would implicitly trust. So the question is, who do you believe?

As to the whisper... Well, I won't say what she said, but certainly it was nothing as Prosaic as "Listen, Janine, this all worked because I already knew that Puck was Owen."

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Kar -kwannon@yahoo.com writes...

When Xanatos loses his "guinea pig" aka Hudson in "The Price" why would he allow Owen to test the Cauldron of life for him? Since Owen is Puck, and Puck being a Fey is naturally immortal what does this accomplish? If it worked Owen would be no different or did Owen set out to prove that it did NOT work?

Greg responds...

Owen is human. He can turn back into Puck. But that's his only magical ability. It was a legitimate test. Besides, what did X have to lose?

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

LSZ writes...

Dear Greg, some questions on the Third Race:

1) Of the fae we have actually seen so far on the show, did any appear in their true form?

2) Do they even HAVE a true form?

3) Why do Anansi and Anubis choose the form of a spider and a jackal-headed man as theri favoured appearances? Yes, I know it's because of the mythological background..but why do they like it?

4) How would a nuclear missile affect a fae? Could it do considerable damage?

Greg responds...

1. How would we know?

2. Sure. Uh... Define true...

3. Maybe those are their true forms and they're partial. Actually, I had planned (in THE GATHERING, PART ONE) to show Anansi in a more humanoid form. But we just didn't have the time to design it.

4. Sure.

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

What's the general feeling among the Avalon Gargoyles concerning Oberon and his children's coming to the island? I'd expect there'd be quite a bit of resentment, especially given Magus' death at the hands of the Sisters...

Greg responds...

I think that there's much uneasyness both ways. But I also think the Children like having a few mortals around. And the clan may simply be glad that they have both a roll (i.e. honor guard, i.e. protection) and the support of Oberon.

I tried, in that little scene in GATHERING PART ONE between Oberon and Katharine to indicate that a pleasant detante had been reached.

Response recorded on March 11, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

This is a rather confusing question - even I am not certain I completely understand it... It has to do a bit with characterisation as it applies to the Puck/Owen situation. Obviously Owen is the most serious of the two (understatement of the year :-) But usually when people talk about what another is and feels like, they don't mean only what he *acts* like. So is Owen *really* any different personality-wise to Puck, does Puck's (or any fay's) disguise really influence something more fundamental than their form, influence their thought-processes? Or is Owen's personality nothing more than a role to Puck, (like that of an actor) even if an important one?

In a nutshell, can the Children of Oberon pretty much change their *personalities* as well to some extent when they take different forms, especially as important alter egos as those of Anastasia and Owen?

Greg responds...

FORM is a HUGE influence, I believe. So yes, Puck and Owen are very different. Underneath it all, sure they're the same lovable rogue, don't you agree? But there are fundamental differences. Or else the Puck is a poor showman. When Puck takes on a roll, he lives it. And Owen is his best roll yet.

Now, having said that, generalizing what the Puck can do to the rest of the Children is not wise.

Anastasia had a major influence on Titania, but I think they are more alike than not. Much more alike than Puck and the Owen.

Response recorded on March 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Bud-Clare writes...

You once mentioned that Fox "has half-siblings foster-siblings and step-siblings on her mother's side." Her half- and step-siblings are easy enough, but who are her foster-siblings?

Greg responds...

Well, there's always that Indian Boy from Midsummers for starters.

Gotta be a lot of what we used to call "Changelings" that Titania's taken in over the years.

Response recorded on March 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

Una and Griff, as we know, look very much like a unicorn and a griffon. In your opinion, are there actual unicorns and griffons out there in the Gargoyles Universe, or were the legends about them founded on sightings of London gargoyles of that sort?

Greg responds...

Probably the latter, unless some fae were goofin' on folk.

Response recorded on March 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

You mentioned in your post on Sleipnir this evening (January 12) that it's possible that New Olympus might be filled with all manner of "bizarre beasts" that were the offspring of Oberon's Children by animals. Would these include, not only the half-human/half-animal beings that we actually saw in that episode (such as minotaurs and centaurs) but also the fully-animal creatures of Greek mythology (e.g., Cerberus, the Chimera, the Hydra, the Nemean Lion, etc.)? I'd been wondering for some time now about their role in the Gargoyles Universe.

Greg responds...

I won't be specific about any of these, but yes, the idea is possible.

Response recorded on March 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Tana writes...

Arthurian Survivors:

1. Arthur Pendragon
2. Lady of the Lake
3. Merlin
4. Nimue
5. Galahad
6. Percival
7. Morgana le Fae
8. Lord Oberon

Reason for #8 Um, can we say Loop hole? You said yourself that Oberon is Merlin's father, therefore he's from the Arthurian period. And we can clearly see he's still alive. :)

And YES, I'm a goober.

Greg responds...

Six points. (See my previous answers and forty lashes for you, since you didn't check the archives which long ago ruled out Oberon, Puck, Titania and Mab as contest-answer survivors.)

Response recorded on March 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Tana writes...

Arthurian Survivors:

1. Arthur Pendragon
2. Lady of the Lake
3. Merlin
4. Nimue
5. Galahad
6. Percival
7. Morgana le Fae
8. Queen Maeb

Reason for #8 well, Maeb did figure into some of the Arthurian legends...even in the NBC miniseries "Merlin." And you've talked about possible inclusion of her in the series, that Oberon merely imprissoned her...She's still alive.

Greg responds...

Well, as I mentioned once before, I wasn't counting Mab as particularly Arthurian. Frankly, before the "Merlin" mini-series, I had never encountered that character in an Arthurian context. So yes, Mab survives. But she doesn't count in my book. By the same token, Merlin's father could be considered an "Arthurian Character" and thus Oberon could be considered a survivor too. But that's not the kind of thing I had in mind for the contest.

Having said all that, you scored six.

Thank you. Come again.

Response recorded on March 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Alex Destine writes...

Hello Mr. Weisman,
While searching the archives I found interesting that you would rather accept Thor as dead, but my concern mainly goes toward the character of Loki.
1) Was he in your plans for future Gargoyles stories?
2) Would someone like Loki view Puck as an enemy or an ally in his endless mischive?
Thanks for your time.

Greg responds...

1. I just answered this. (Didn't you look at the questions already posted, before you posted this?)

2. I had a TRICKSTER story planned to feature Anansi, Puck, Raven, Coyote, Alex and Lex. Somehow GOLIATH CHRONICLES turned this into the "Ransom" episode. (Don't ask me how.) Anyway, we'd have seen that Tricksters all have their own POVs. Sometimes their interests converge; sometimes they compete.

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

LSZ writes...

Oberon questions:
1) Was Oberon's overthrowing Mab a simple usurp or skirmish, or a war?
2) Not sure if this counts as a seperate topic, but..who would automatically succeed Oberon if he died? I can understand that naturally they'll be lots of fighting and power struggles, but in theory, who would succeed him?

Greg responds...

1. Very war.

2. Titania.

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

LSZ writes...

Death-Gods again:

1) Who is the most powerful of the Death-gods, not in rank, but sheer raw power.
2) I can understand that Anubis has no longing for power, and wouldn't overthrow anybody..but wouldn't it be possible for a death-god with more ambition than he to overthrow Oberon? Having the power of Death seems pretty nasty.
3) Why would Thoth create a scroll to make anyone the avatar of someone as powerful as Anubis?

Greg responds...

1. What is power to death? (That's not a smart-ass response. My point is the question is unanswerable. It's moot.)

2. Don't underestimate the big O. He beat Mab.

3. Why would we create the Atomic Bomb? It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

LSZ writes...

Hi Greg, first I'd like to say I was always pleased greatly with the portrayal of Anubis, but Odin left just a leetle to be desired. However, some questions on the Norse myths in teh Gargoyles Universe:

1) So Thor is most likely dead. What about Loki?
2) If Ragnarok has come and gone, does this mean Jormungandr and Fenrir are dead too?
3) Hel-is this Death-goddess still (haha) alive?
4) When did Ragnarok occur?

Greg responds...

1. Haven't decided. Probably dead though. I've already got four tricksters, how many do I need?

2. Fenrir? Probably, but you never know. Jormungandr I don't recall. Who's that?

3. Probably alive, yes.

4. Ago.

Sorry, you didn't like Odin. How come?

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

This question's also a Norse mythology one. In the cosmology of the Gargoyles Universe, where do you see Asgard fitting in, since the Aesir are part of it? Do you see it as on Avalon, or as a "home away from Avalon" for Odin and the other Norse gods?

Greg responds...

Home away from home.

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

Kenneth Chisholm writes...

In the beginning of the Gathering Part 1, we see a caped figure just leaving Oberon's throne after paying his respects. I noted he looks a lot like DC Comic's Phantom Stranger I was wondering, is the resemblence was deliberate?

Greg responds...

I doubt it. But I didn't design Nought's look. Actually, the character Frank and I discussed wasn't supposed to have a head. Just a hat -- floating an appropriate distance above Nought's collar.

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

The Gatekeeper writes...

Hi Greg,
If you were to compair drivers licence birthdates, who would be older, Xanatos or Owen? I say drivers licence because if you consider Owen's age as being based on Puck, then he would be several thousand years older, but if you consider Owen's age as his creation date, then he would be at least 15 years younger.
A related question, did Puck match Vogels physical age with Owen as well?

Greg responds...

As to your last question, yes, I would think that initially Puck tried to get as close to Preston as possible without going over, i.e. without making it SO freaky that everyone took DISTURBING notice.

I'd say Owen's driver's license probably lists him as a few years younger than David. But their pretty close.

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

Greg Bishansky writes...

Which of the seven series was Queen Mab supposed to appear in?

Greg responds...

Gargoyles. Maybe TimeDancer, though I had no specific plans for that. Possibly Pendragon too.

But mostly Gargoyles.

Response recorded on March 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Hi, Greg. As you asked I'm posting here some stuff about the triple-goddess Morrigan. Almost all of what I quote comes from Encyclopedia Mythica: http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/

The Morrigan is a celtic war-goddess of revenge, night, magic, prophecy and fertility. Her name translates as either "Great Queen" or "Phantom Queen," and both epithets are entirely appropriate for her. The Morrigan appears as both a single goddess and a trio of goddesses. The other deities who form the trio are Badb ("Crow"), and either Macha (also connotes "Crow") or Nemain ("Frenzy"). The Morrigan frequently appears in the ornithological guise of a hooded crow. She is one of the Tuatha De Danann ("Tribe of the goddess Danu") and she helped defeat the Firbolg at the First Battle of Mag Tuireadh and the Fomorians at the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh.

She also one of the main enemies of Cuchullain, with whom she had a love-hate relationship:

She appeared to the hero and offered her love to him. When he failed to recognize her and rejected her, she told him hat she would hinder him when he was in battle. When Cu Chulainn was eventually killed, she settled on his shoulder in the form of a crow.

She appeared to him on at least four occasions and each time he failed to recognize her.

1.When she appeared to him and declared her love for him.
2.After he had wounded her, she appeared to him as an old hag and he offered his blessings to her, which caused her to be healed.
3.On his way to his final battle, he saw the Washer at the Ford, who declared that she was washing the clothes and arms of Cu Chulainn, who would soon be dead.
4.When he was forced by three hags (the Morrigan in her triple aspect) to break a taboo of eating dogflesh.

Btw, I had said that I couldn't see any difference between the personalities of the Weird Sister - but I forgot to mention that I haven't heard their *original* voices, only translated ones... So if it was something subtle (as I have been convinced it was), it would have been most probably lost in translation...

Greg responds...

I'm sorry you haven't seen or heard the originals. My guess is a lot is lost in the translation... but even more in the acting nuances that Jamie Thomason got out of our cast. (Could you get a hold of tapes through the comment room? Certainly, your English is good enough to understand. At any rate, your ability to write in English as a second language is very VERY impressive to me.)

As to the Morrigan. Reread the above. Who does that sound like to you?

SPOILER WARNING

Why Molly/Banshee of course. Legends merge obviously, but it proved I was on the right track. I had further plans for Cu Chullain & Banshee and for Molly & Rory as a couple. (Think Moonlighting.) I even had a notion of a spin-off featuring them, but it didn't seem viable. I never mentioned it to anyone before this. (It helped that I think Sheena and Scott did such a great job in those roles.)

Response recorded on February 24, 2000

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

In your opinion, what's Titania's attitude towards Merlin? (I hope for Merlin's sake that it's nothing along the lines of Hera's attitude towards Zeus's illegitimate offspring such as Heracles).

Greg responds...

Her attitude when?

Response recorded on February 24, 2000

Bookmark Link

fido writes...

Does Puck wear socks?

Greg responds...

Sometimes.

Response recorded on February 23, 2000

Bookmark Link

Arthur Pendragon ( in webchat ) writes...

Hello Mr. Weisman:
I've enjoyed Gargoyles since the first time I saw it, you did an impresive work whith the story, the plots and subplots interact in a way that every animation ( or not ) series will want. Good Job! ^_^
Well..., I've been reading the "Ask Greg" Archive ( I'm in it, I didn't have much time lately ), and you said that Merlin appeared in "The Gathering". It was recently showed in TV and I looked for him...
Maybe the first person we see that's talking whith Oberon in hte Castle of Avalon could be Merlin, one man whith black beard that just finishes talking whith Oberon and gets out of scene... It's him?
By the way, here in Spain they have only showed the first and second seasons, so I couldn't see TGC ^_^U , I wanted at least see the chapter you did in the 3rd season -_-U
Another cuestion: When Puck worked for Renard and Foxy's mother, what was his phisical apearance? was he like Owen? or he was totally diferent? Vogel started working for Renard before or after Puck's leaving from Cyberbiotics?
All for now

Read you soon! ^_^

If anybody wants to share mail whith me JUNCOR@teleline.es is my adress ^_^.

Greg responds...

No. I'm quite sure I never said that Merlin appeared in "The Gathering." You must have misread it.

Puck worked for Renard as Owen, as established in both "The Gathering, Part Two" and "Outfoxed". Vogel was already employed by Renard, when Owen joined the Cyberbiotics payroll.

And again, though I encourage gargoyles fans to correspond with each other, I'm quite sure that a chat or comment room would be a better place to find an e-pal.

Response recorded on February 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Oberons Child writes...

Hi Greg,
It's good to see that you're answering questions again - just take your time, you'll get through them! I have a question I would like to ask of you, It probably seems stupid, but...

In the episode 'Mark of the panther' (I think that's the name) , when Fara Maku transforms, his Necklace is not 'absorbed' by the magic spell. Was this just to distinguish the two were-panthers, or was there another reason?
See, told ya it was stupid!
Anyway, thanks.

P.S. Am I the only Irish gargoyles fan? If not please mail me at oberons.child@oceanfree.net . I'm dying to meet other fans! Thanks again for your time. Oh, and Have a happy X-Mas!!!!

Greg responds...

I hope there are other Irish fans, but I don't think posting here is the best way to meet them. Try a chat or comment room.

As to your question, I think you need to look at it like Hudson's sword. If the jewelry is regarded mentally as something other than clothing, then it probably doesn't change with the spin of Anansi's spell. Anansi might just like decorative things.

Response recorded on February 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Leong writes...

We've seen that a fae can change a human into a gargoyle, or vice versa..but could a fae change a mortal into one of the Third Race?

Greg responds...

In appearance or reality?

Response recorded on February 17, 2000

Bookmark Link

Lilith writes...

Hey, me again. I didn't think this question tied in with my previous question, so I'm doing the seperate post thing. Happy that someone's playing by the rules? So, here it is:
Would you consider the races mentioned in Tolkien's books (hobbits, dwarves, elves, etc) part of Oberon's Children? Or are they another race entirely?

Greg responds...

I don't think Hobbits are public domain, so they wouldn't have appeared at all.

Elves, as the show states, are clearly a subset and/or a pseudonym for Oberon's children.

Dwarves? I don't know. I suppose some of Oberon's children might pass as dwarves. And there are of course human dwarves, but I don't see them as a separate race.

Who are the etc. that you're referring to?

Response recorded on February 17, 2000

Bookmark Link

Cassandra writes...

Have Oberon and Titania had any children together? I do remember that when Oberon called the rest of the Third Race "his children", he was speaking as a king over his subjects. And if they did, did we see them as characters?

Greg responds...

We have not yet met Oberon and Titania's two children, at least not the two they had together.

Response recorded on February 14, 2000

Bookmark Link

Leong writes...

How much more powerful than Oberin is Mab? Slightly more? Twice as powerful? Or some other quantity?

Greg responds...

I'm not going to quantify that. It's not like they sit around benchpressing by magic to measure this with precision. Suffice to say, she's more powerful in some ways. Less in others.

Response recorded on February 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

In how much detail have you plotted the lifes of Macbeth and Demona in the years between 1057 and 1994? Do you know only some tidbits of their lifes (as for example the one you mentioned that Macbeth knew Shakespeare) or have you plotted them and their movements to some greater extent?

Did Macbeth and Demona meet any time between 1057 and 1995? Or was 'City of Stone' their first meeting after so many centuries? Did they meet the Weird Sisters again?

Greg responds...

The Weird Sisters were watching them, but I think largely with maybe a couple of exceptions, they stayed out of sight.

Macbeth and Demona definitely had a handful of encounters over the centuries.

As for what I've plotted, well, as you said, I have a few tidbits and a sense of the sweep. But, no, I don't have a detailed account in my head of what happened to each character.

Response recorded on February 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Nemi writes...

We all know that Demona hates humans, she sees them as being basicly lower on the food chain to Gargoyles...So what is her attitude towards the Fey?

Greg responds...

Less overtly hostile. But she doesn't much care for them.

Response recorded on February 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Is there a special story behind the flute of Puck that was seen in "Gathering, Part I"? Or the harp seen in "Lighthouse in the Sea of Time"? Were you planning to do stories on either or both of the two?

Greg responds...

I had planned on using the flute in THE GATHERING, PART TWO -- and it's probably a mistake that I didn't. I wanted Puck to use it to temporarily subdue Oberon, but it got away from me somehow.

But yes, the flute definitely interested me, and I would have done something with it eventually.

The harp, I hadn't given any real thought to. But it could probably come into play down the road in Pendragon.

Response recorded on February 09, 2000

Bookmark Link

Blashyrk writes...

In an episode we see Goliath battling Odin, the Norse God. Later in the gathering story line, we see Odin as a Child of Oberon.Does this mean that in the Gargoyles universe, the Gods of the ancient Norse religion are children of Oberon? If so they really messed up on the whole not interfering on human affairs thing, I mean look whats happeneing in Norway now because of belief in Odin.

Greg responds...

What's happening in Norway now because of belief in Odin? You mean right now?

Anyway, yes, Odin and the Asgardians are all of the Children. (Though, of course, they're not literally Oberon's sons and daughters.) As for the Non-interference edict, I think most of Asgardian mythology took place before the edict.

Response recorded on February 03, 2000

Bookmark Link

Excelsior writes...

In "The Price," after Hudson escapes Xanatos's dungeon, Xanatos bitterly comments that he now has no one to test the Cauldron of Life's magic on. Ever the good servant, Owen volunteers and sticks his hand into the cauldron without a second thought.

Now, I know Xanatos isn't the most practical being on Earth, but couldn't he have just dipped one of his little lab animals into the brew, or even one of his lower-level lackeys?

Greg responds...

Owen didn't give him the chance. I think Owen was feeling a little jealous of Xanatos' praise of the Macbeth robot. He dived right in, so to speak.

Of course, both men knew that "Owen" really had nothing to lose by dipping his hand. That's why both had such mild reactions to Owen's hand turning into stone.

Response recorded on February 02, 2000

Bookmark Link

Siren writes...

The Magus and Puck look very similar...are the related is is that pure coincidence?

Greg responds...

I don't think they look very similar.

Response recorded on January 31, 2000

Bookmark Link

Jim writes...

Hello Greg, can you tell me the names of the three 'weird sisters'?

Thanks for your time in advance.

Greg responds...

Again?

Phoebe, Seline, Luna.

Response recorded on January 31, 2000

Bookmark Link

MtMagus writes...

In Norse mythology, Odin traded his eye (as well as a number of other nasty things that happened to him) for knowledge of the Universe which partly came in the form of 2 ravens known as "Thought" and "Memory". The fact that Odin is allowed to recover the eye and the notable absence of the Ravens in his first appearance suggests that he has lost the knowledge that he traded for. If this is true, what happened to the knowledge he received?

Greg responds...

I wouldn't read the myth that way. I don't ever recall the Ravens as being part of the bargain. It seems to me they were his familiars already. Odin was a knowledge junky. He gained a ton of info by sitting atop his perch in Yggdrasil. That led him to Mimir the wise frost giant, who agreed to trade Odin's eye for a drink from his Well of Knowledge. (Am I getting this right? Someone backstop me.)

Anyway, it seems to me that the eye got away from Mimir (Hard to hold onto something after you've been beheaded.) Which means it is fair game for anyone to salvage, whether Xanatos, Fox, the Archmage, Goliath or Odin himself.

Don't read too much into the absense of the Ravens. As always, the list of what we didn't have time to include could fill a set of encyclopedias.

Response recorded on January 31, 2000

Bookmark Link

Siren writes...

Resubmission:
If the show continued, would you might have introduced other mythology characters, such as Pegasus, unicorns, dragons (besides the stone one), etc. If so, would they be considered New Olympians or Fay? And would they speak?

Greg responds...

Everything we did would be decided on a case-by-case basis. There's no way to answer this blanketly.

Response recorded on January 31, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

In the original Irish myths the Banshee's voice was used to foretell rather than cause deaths. I think that would normally make her in your universe one of the fays with magical talents connected to death - a minor death goddess perhaps.

In the episode 'The Hound of Ulster' though, her voice carries a different meaning (as a bringer of death rather than as a foretelling of it) which would not make her necessarily have a greater connection with death than any other fay. However she managed to recognize which one among millions of people was the reincarnation of Cuchullain. Is that a special talent of hers (signifying perhaps that she is indeed a minor death-goddess) or is that a skill that every fay has? Your take on this?

Greg responds...

In my head, the Banshee's cry is a foreteller -- but for GARGOYLES purposes, it was an easy extrapolation to make it a weapon (and general magical tool) as well. We also wanted to get that Barghest notion of the Great Beast's howl, being a similar foreteller and so we simplified things a bit. (Hopefully not too much.)

The notion of the Banshee as a minor death goddess seems accurate to me. But it doesn't put her on Anubis' level. Lots of Children have the ability to bring death.

As for recognizing Rory, well, I think that has less to do with her connection to death than on their personal history. Recognizing him was something she'd go out of her way to do, because he posed a threat to her. (And for other reasons, that she's not even aware of yet.)

Response recorded on January 24, 2000

Bookmark Link

E.J. Kalafarski writes...

Hey Greg, just one question that's been bugging me. Did Puck in any way influence Xanatos's decision to hire Fox as the leader of The Pack? If not, then it's a pretty incredible coincidence that a fey and the daughter of a fey just so happened to come under the employment of the same mortal man. I mean, according to Oberon's law, there shouldn't be too many fae wandering around in Manhatten in the first place, right? I'm assuming something (or someone) led Xanatos to hire (and marry) Fox, which caused Oberon (who was only trying to bring Alexander to Avalon) to run into Puck. If this question has already been answered, I ask you to forgive me :-)

Greg responds...

No, you've got it backwards, sort of. But it's not a coincidence at all, if you've seen "The Gathering, Part Two".

Puck became Owen because he spotted Titania posing as Anastasia. And he went to work for Xanatos because David and Fox interested him. They were already something of a couple before the Pack was formed. (Or at any rate, before "Thrill of the Hunt".)

Response recorded on January 24, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Judging from Sleipnir, as well as the brief appearance of a Pegasus-type animal in 'The Gathering I" and ofcourse from one's of various mythologies... is there a species of non-sentient "fay beasts"? Or is Sleipnir, Pegasus, Fenrir and so on all sentient fays which simply choose animal forms as their 'favourite' ones?

Greg responds...

There may be fauna on Avalon. And the magic of the place may have had some small effect on them. Like sorcerous radiation.

But fauna would not have attended the Gathering. So any seeming beast you saw there, like Anansi for example, is one of the Children in a form of his or her choosing. (If you see a polar bear walking around the palace, the odds are it's Odin.)

Now Slepnir is another story. If the legends are true, then Slepnir's mother was the trickster Loki, and his father was an actual horse. Making Slepnir half-horse and half-fey. (Which might serve to explain his modern transition from eight legs to four.) I haven't decided 100% if that's the route I'm taking in the Gargoyles universe, but the notion is appealing.

And it would suggest that New Olympus is filled with all sorts of bizarre beasts who are the descendents of various unions between the fey and so-called lower animals.

Response recorded on January 12, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Okay, I'm not certain if this question has any meaning where immortal shapeshifters are concerned but here goes:

How many years between a fay's birth and his/her adulthood?

Greg responds...

Depends.

Response recorded on January 10, 2000

Bookmark Link

Natalie Ani Nicolian writes...

Hi there, Greg! I have to take ONE little sentence to say, thanks for creating the show - and for not making me feel like a weirdo in fifth and sixth grade (to the present) for drawing strange, winged creatures and dark, shadowy figures patroling the night skies :) I hope you liked the picture I sent with Noel for you ^-^ Here's my lil' questions that have been BURNING me :)

1) When someone snatches Titania's mirror, and speaks the incantaion that Demona did in "The Mirror", is Puck REQUIRED to appear?

2) If so, supposing someone managed to snatch the Mirror from it's present place in Avalon, and spoke the incantation, would Puck have to appear, with the Spell Oberon cast upon him in effect?

3) In "The Reckoning", when Angela asked Goliath if Demona was dead, did he forget about the whole, Demona can't die unless MacBeth kills her and vice-versa? Or did he genuinely not know if she could survive that bad of an accident?

4) If Gargoyles get their strength to glide from the rays of the sun when they sleep, how can the Guatamalan Gargoyles glide if durring the day they don't sleep and harvest energy?

5) Is it true that if Gargoyles are even chipped durring their daily stone hibernation, they can't wake up?

Thanks for listening to my questions, I hope I'm not being a pain in the butt! ^-^

Greg responds...

1. If they do it right, with all the bells and whistles, so to speak. Of course, Titania's Mirror was destroyed by Demona. But Oberon still has his mirror.

2. Yes, I think so. Particularly if Puck wanted to go.

3 - 5. I'm sorry, but questions on separate topics must be posted separately.

But you're not a pain in the butt.

Response recorded on January 10, 2000

Bookmark Link

Zeliard writes...

Hello Mr. Weisman! The questions are who's what.

1.Is Natsilane a Halfling or a Fay?

2.Is Rory a Halfling or a Fay?

Thanx in advance!

Greg responds...

1. Natsilane is human. Though he's inherited a position (and tools) of power.
2. Rory is also human, though he is a reincarnated soul.

Response recorded on January 07, 2000

Bookmark Link

Jackson writes...

This one came up in the CR today. You've mentioned that their was a "Ragnarok" in the Gargoyles Universe, but we know for a fact that Odin survived it. But he has been the only Asgardian truly noted on the series. So since I remeber reading in the archives that you didn't feel like posting an entire list of Asgardian survivors, how about just Thor? Does Thor still exist, or was he killed in the aforementioned "Ragnarok" or sometime after it?

Greg responds...

I'm leaning toward Thor being dead.

I'd have to come up with a damn good Thor story-idea before I'd want to compete in any way with Marvel's Thor. (A favorite of mine from my youth.) Hell, even Stargate SG-1 uses Thor. He's just been so done.

Response recorded on January 07, 2000

Bookmark Link

Leong writes...

1) Is Anubis the chief Death God or something?
2) What would happen if all the Death Gods were destroyed somehow?
3) Is Osiris also a Death God, or just the Judge of the Dead, since traditionally Anubis is below him.
4) Are all of the Death Gods as careful with their powers as Anubis? In general anyway

Greg responds...

1. "Chief"? No. I guess not.
2. Destroyed? That would release a lot of energy. My guess is someone or something would rise and take their place.
3. Osiris is a Death God. But he's a johnny-come-lately to that role. Anubis is more a part of the fabric of death. Less concerned with "Who's in charge". Osiris brought rank to the table and became the boss. Anubis, I believe is non-plussed about serving, leading, whatever. (I like Anubis.)
4. No.

Response recorded on January 07, 2000

Bookmark Link

Jeff Lenihan writes...

Mr. Weisman,
In "Grief," Anubis states that that which is dead and gone cannot be brought back. Why, then, was Demona able to bring the spirit of Coldstone (and those of Coldfire and Coldsteel) back from the dead? Was Anubis trying to say that he is under some sort of magical restriction similar to Oberon's law of non-interferece that prevents him from bringing back the dead, or something else entirely?

P.S. I wanted to thank you for answering my question regarding Hudson's feelings about Goliath and Elisa. Just to clarify, I didn't mean to imply that Hudson wasn't open-minded. I just remembered that you had stated a long time ago (I think in your rambling about gargs and sex) that you saw Hudson as being the one who would still hold on to the tradition of only taking one mate.

Greg responds...

Anubis had a very strict policy. And he had the integrity to stick to it.

(And thanks for the clarification on Hudson. I just wish you had posted the Hudson P.S. seperately. I'd like to have on-going dialogue as part of ASK GREG. But when you attach a piece of an unrelated discussion to a question on a different topic, it makes archiving all this stuff a disaster.)

Response recorded on January 07, 2000

Bookmark Link

lisa writes...

1.did macbeth or demona ever meet the wierd sisters after 1057?

Greg responds...

The Sisters were watching them. I doubt that Macbeth or Demona would get to see them unless seeing them served the Sisters' purposes.

Response recorded on January 07, 2000

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Does Mab have a 'favourite' form the same way every other fay we've seen does? If so, is that form humanlike (such as Puck, Oberon, Titania, Odin, etc) or something else (like Anansi?)

Greg responds...

All right, let's keep in mind that I'm no artist and that animation is a collaborative medium. I'd be a fool to write myself into a corner before seeing what someone like Greg Guler, for example, might come up with for the character. So don't hold me to anything...

But having said that, I see the multi-formed Mab favoring a basic visual theme and appearing more times than not in a single form. I see that form being basically humanoid -- though maybe with four arms instead of two. And I'm toying with the idea that she favors being three inches tall.

Something about someone who is MORE powerful than Oberon favoring a form that tiny appeals to me.

Is that a big enough hint?

Response recorded on January 06, 2000

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

What would Titania's response be to Renard's death?

Greg responds...

Sadness. Peace.

She'd have been with him, as Anastasia, at the end, along with Fox, Alexander, Vogel and Goliath. I had a story planned for the third season.

Maybe someday...

Response recorded on January 06, 2000

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

Once you stated that as late as 2158 Puck would still be around and stuck as Owen in the mortal world. You also stated that the way Owen avoids the effects of aging is that he basically resets himself whenever he transforms from Puck to Owen. If he is stuck as Owen in 2158, then how does he avoid aging?

Greg responds...

He's stuck starting in 2158. Stuck for a very specific reason. So starting in 2158 he does begin aging normally. Unless the situation changes...

Response recorded on December 30, 1999

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

In HERITAGE, when Raven in Gargoyle form first introduced himself to Goliath and Angela he had five fingers. Later when he again appeared as Gargoyle, he had four fingers. Was this an animation error or was it done on purpose as a sort of hint to Raven's true identity?

Greg responds...

Uh....

A hint. Yeah. That's the ticket.

Response recorded on December 30, 1999

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

A couple of questions about Oberon and Titania's children that you mentioned here a while ago.

1. Are they Third Race members that we've already met, or brand-new characters? (I suspect the latter myself, but I want to make certain).

2. If the latter, would they be traditional figures of legend or literature like their mom and dad (and Grandma Mab, for that matter), or people whom you'd made up?

Greg responds...

1. Brand new, as far as I know.

2. Mostly the former.

Response recorded on December 30, 1999

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

In the archive when asked if the Fey are still on Avalon with Oberon in 2158, you answered "Largely." Besides Owen/Puck, how many other Fey do you figure would be off of Avalon in that time? One? Five? Too many to count?

Greg responds...

Too many to count on one hand. But not a lot.

Response recorded on December 30, 1999

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

At the end of THE GATHERING 2, did Oberon restore Fortress 2 to the air and fix up Central Park so there was no evidence of any battle, or did he leave it in place?

If it wasn't moved, then how did Renard explain why it crashed again? And if people think that yet another flying fortress crashed, why would they be willing to allow it to go up a third time?

Greg responds...

Do you really think Oberon would have bothered?

And who said it went up a third time?

Response recorded on December 30, 1999

Bookmark Link

Durax writes...

You've mentioned in the past that Elisa and some others might wear Odin's Eye. Odin has his eye back however. How does he lose it again?

Greg responds...

When did I mention that?

Response recorded on December 30, 1999

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

1. What would you say is the Fey Population of Avalon in present times?

2. Would the Fey population of Avalon have grown by 2158?

Greg responds...

<Wooh> Airwalker. You sure went to town with the questions on August 7th.

1. I don't know.

2. I guess.

Response recorded on December 30, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Are the Weird Sisters the origin of all the "three-sisters" myths around the world? For example are they the origin for the Fates, the Furies, the Norns, the Morrigan, the Graeae and so on? Or were there other triple deities around as well?

Greg responds...

I hate to give an absolutist answer, but I wasn't planning any other triple sister acts. I had larger plans for the Weird Sisters, that would have included (at minimum) the Fates, Furies and Norns. (I have to plead ignorance re: the Morrigan. Do me a favor, Aris, and post something here about them.)

But it's the Graeae that give me pause. They seem so distinct from the others. Might be New Olympian Territory.

Response recorded on December 29, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

You had mentioned once that Phoebe was the kind one, Selene the harsher one, and Luna the mystical one.

Problem is I didn't see any difference among their personalities. Were you just joking, or did you indeed have plans to differentiate them in this manner?

Greg responds...

I feel I did differentiate them in this manner. I suppose I might have failed, but I don't think so. Listen to their voices, their attitudes.

And if that doesn't work <sigh> than Phoebe has blonde hair, Seline black, Luna silver.

Response recorded on December 29, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

So, (a silly question) who would have won, Odin or the Banshee, if Oberon hadn't stopped the fight? :)

Greg responds...

I'd have to lay odds on Odin, but the Banshee might have gotten lucky.

Response recorded on December 29, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

When did you decide that deities like Odin and Anubis were part of the same race with the 'elves'? Was it part of the original conception of the series or a later thought?

(Btw, I agree with it. In various mythologies the distinction between elves and gods is almost non-existent, so it's very reasonable.)

Greg responds...

Thanks for the support. But the question is harder to answer, because it was gradual. Keep in mind the whole concept of the Third Race (introduced with Puck in THE MIRROR) was a late addition to the concept. I think we came up with it halfway through the writing of the first season.

Including the other gods came during the writing of the second season. I definitely knew I was headed that way. But I do remember Frank and Dennis being surprised when the script for "The Gathering, Part One" included Odin, Anubis and Coyote at Avalon. By then, I was certain that was the correct way to go. But I guess I had forgotten to tell anyone.

Response recorded on December 29, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Asked about whether halflings like Fox, Alex and Merlin age slower, you responded "It depends." On what does it depend?

Greg responds...

On how human they live and believe their lives to be. On training. On appearance. On luck.

Response recorded on October 20, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Did Titania really love Renard, or was he just a game? Around what time did she leave him? And was it before or after he became ill and paralyzed?

Greg responds...

Titania did love him when she married him and for years after. In a way, she probably still loves him. But he was too rigid, too mortal to hold her interests for too long. And I imagine they divorced before he became ill. He didn't blame her departure on his illness, but on his integrity.

Response recorded on October 20, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Some time ago in the S8 room, you had of an idea you'd suddenly got, that the Indian changeling boy Titania and Oberon were fighting over in Midsummer's Night Dream, could actually have been Oberon's son.

If you ever get a chance of doing Gargoyles again, is it reasonable to assume that this idea could enter the story?

Greg responds...

Probably. I'd have to focus on the effect it would have on the larger all-ready planned story, but I think I could make it fit. And one of the fun things about Gargoyles was that new ideas always seemed to glide into place nicely after a bit of brainwork.

So, tentatively, yes.

Response recorded on October 20, 1999

Bookmark Link

Bud-Clare writes...

Do Oberon's Children reproduce in roughly the same way humans do, or in some other terribly interesting way? Um, maybe I should clarify that a bit. For instance, do they have to carry their unborn children for some length of time?

Greg responds...

Depends what form they're in.

Response recorded on October 20, 1999

Bookmark Link

Bud-Clare writes...

Are Puck's parents anyone we would have heard of (i.e. characters from mythology, legends, literature, etc...), or people you made up yourself?

Greg responds...

Not ready to tell right now. Sorry.

Response recorded on October 11, 1999

Bookmark Link

Ceira writes...

Dear Mr. Weisman,

This may sound like a stupid question to you, but I figured that if anyone could answer my question, it'd be you. A friend of mine and I are kinda having and arguement about eyes. Mainly Puck and Demona's. She says Puck's are blue and Demona's gray. I say Puck's are grey and Demona's black. What color are Puck's and Demona's eyes?

Sincerely,
Ceira

Greg responds...

Ceira, for once I'm not trying to give a smart-ass response. Here's the thing. I don't remember and I'm color-blind. So even if I pulled out the videos and looked, the odds are about fifty-fifty as to whether I'd be able to tell.

Sorry.

Response recorded on October 11, 1999

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

Does it haunt Goliath that he could kill Lexington so easily for being a traitor in FUTURE TENSE when he couldn't do the same to Demona in a similier situation?

(I know that he knows now that it was all just a Puck created illusion that he disposed of, but at the time he really thought it was Lexington.)

Greg responds...

I'm not sure he was conscious of a desire or intent to kill. (Which is not the same as denying he had one.) Technically, I think we're talking voluntary manslaughter.

But to answer your question, I think that Goliath -- being a straightforward guy, with enough real tragedy on his plate -- would not be too inclined to dwell on actions that he was driven to by a fantasy world perversly designed to drive him to absolute despair.

Response recorded on September 21, 1999

Bookmark Link

Airwalker writes...

I once asked "Now that Renard knows the truth about Anastasia, has it changed anything in terms of his feelings for her" to which you replied "What exactly does he know?"

So he doesn't know that Anastasia is Titania? Why not? I mean, why would Xanatos and Fox keep him in the dark about that if they already informed him about Oberon?

Wasn't he curious as to why Oberon was after Alex?

Greg responds...

This question gave me a headache. It's full of assumptions. I didn't say he didn't know that Anastasia is Titania. But is that the same thing as your initial question?

Precision. Precision. Precision.

But cutting through my obfuscation, I think that Renard will go to his grave loving Anastasia. Titania means nothing to him. That doesn't mean he doesn't know.

Response recorded on September 05, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

I have to admit I have not understood the death-god thing and the events of 'Grief' in their entirety.

1. While Anubis was captured, was noone able to die in the whole world, or only around Egypt?
2. If the former, how come, since there are other death-gods than Anubis? Were they also powerless while Anubis was captive?
3. If Anubis had remained captive, or even more so if Jackal had remained his avatar, how would the other death-gods have reacted to the situation?

Greg responds...

1. Whole world.

2. Powerless, no. But the spell put DEATH itself in stasis. Leading to...

3. I think you would have seen something cataclysmic from the other Death-Gods. Can you picture Odin, for example, just sitting back?

Thank God, Avalon sent our four heroes to Giza.

Response recorded on August 24, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

A short question once again on the topic of the New Olympians... You said that they are the offspring of humans and members of the Third race - but the other such halflings we've seen (Fox, Alex and almost certainly Merlin) are human-looking. Am I correct in assuming that the appearance of each of the original non-human looking NOs was such because of their fay parent's appearance (at the time of the conception)?

Greg responds...

Yeah, either that, or you had some of the children mating with some non-sentients.

Hey, it happens...

Response recorded on August 24, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

Has the norse mythological Ragnarok occurred in the Gargoyles Universe? That Odin is still around would make one think that it hasn't, but one can never be sure that the rumours of his death weren't an exaggeration... (sorry for the cliche!) If it has occurred which other norse deities, supposedly dead, could still be around?

Greg responds...

A Ragnarok occurred. But not necessarily THE Ragnarok.

And you didn't really think I'd publish a list of surviving Asgardians did you?

And no, we're not starting another contest... YET.

Response recorded on August 23, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

There has been a thought concerning the character you named "Naught" that this is actually a pun on your behalf (Since Naught means nothing) and that you meant you didn't actually have plans concerning him. I'm asking you just to be sure: Did you have plans for "Naught" or was he supposed to be just a random fay with no real importance?

And was his strange clothing (modern suit, very old fashioned cape) deliberate?

Greg responds...

All things are true.

Response recorded on August 23, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

It has been noticed by the residents of the S8 comment room that the gender of Ariel in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' only appears as 'he' in a stage direction and is not referred at all within the main text itself. When you included Ariel, what would his/her gender be?

For that matter, may we assume that Shakespeare was inaccurate in portraying Prospero as abandoning his magic?

Greg responds...

Ariel's gender... Don't feel like revealing that now. Sorry.

Shakespeare wasn't wrong. But Prospero found reason to start again.

Response recorded on August 23, 1999

Bookmark Link

Tas Burrfoot writes...

1. I'm a bit confused about the Gathering. It seems to me that Oberon just wants to see his children after 1001 years of exile. So how long do they all stay there? What do they do (activites to keep them occupied, I mean)? How do they live together? I'm sure there are others like Banshee and Odin who fight constantly. How does Oberon maintain order between all these powerful fey?

1a. Which brings me to my next question: Do fey need sleep? Or food, for that matter?

2. Did the fey all make their home on Avalon before their exile? (that is, did they make their homes in the real world after or before the exile?)

2a. Will the fey go back to their homes in the real world after the Gathering? I find it hard to believe that all of these magical beings would stay on one relatively small island.

Thanks for answering all our questions,

Tas Burrfoot

Greg responds...

1. How long? Until Oberon decides to restore freedom of movement.

What do they do? I'm sure there's a lot of gaming of all kinds. Contests, competitions: athletic, mental, magical, etc. A lot of parties. Much fornication.

I'm sure there's a lot of fighting, both organized and otherwise, but Oberon has the Sisters to help him maintain order. Plus Titania, himself and quite a few other policing agents.

1a. Sleep & dreams -- yes. But not as much as you or I.

Food -- Well, every living thing needs fuel of some kind.

2. Many maintained multiple residences.

2a. Avalon is as big as it needs to be, I think. But I think that there would be a lot more back and forth if Oberon weren't insisting on banishments and Gatherings.

Response recorded on August 22, 1999

Bookmark Link

Jenna writes...

Hello there, Greg--was wondering two things.

First-- How did the Childern of Oberon come into existance?

Second--Why did Golith tell Elisa that Thailog was his son in the ep "Double Jeapordy". Did he do it out of concern for him or guilt?

Greg responds...

1. Incubated magic. Evolution. God. CHOOSE YOUR POISON.

Sorry, as per the new rules, you'll have to resubmit question #2. I hope you do. (Though if you watch the episode again, you won't need to.)

Response recorded on August 22, 1999

Bookmark Link

Aris Katsaris writes...

What would Oberon and Titania's son and daughter (thanks for providing that tidbit by the way!) feel about their half-siblings, Fox and Merlin? Indifference, annoyance, affection?

Greg responds...

Aris, I luv ya guy, but you ask HUGE questions as if they can be answered with a single word like "Indifference".

How does A relate to B?

How does A relate to Fox?

How does A relate to Merlin?

How does B relate to Fox?

How does B relate to Merlin?

And that assumes that A & B even know about Fox and Merlin. That A & B are even among the living?

When questions are that huge, I tend to give no useful information at all.

Maybe you've noticed.

Response recorded on August 22, 1999


: « First : « 100 : Displaying #432 - #531 of 541 records. : 100 » : Last » :