Gargoyles Season 1 [DVD]

-This is a review for Gargoyles: The Complete First Season (2-disc Special 10th Anniversary Edition)-In 1994, the Walt Disney studio took a risk on an unusually dark premise for an animated television series. Little did they know that it would become a critically acclaimed epic. Over a decade after it's cancellation, the series has a devoted cult following. The series was exceptionally well written and the animation surpassed just about every other animated series on TV at the time. But what really made Gargoyles stand out was its mythological, philosophical, psychological and social depth. The stories utilized everything from Shakespearean melodrama to science fiction, from medieval folklore to organized crime. It was also very progressive in a sociopolitical sense. It took a stand against all forms of prejudice and bigotry, and even featured an episode devoted to the dangers of handguns.The story involves a clan of gargoyles, creatures who are stone by day but flesh and blood warriors by night. The gargoyles are betrayed by the humans they once protected and are frozen in an enchanted sleep for a thousand years. An egotistical and corrupt billionaire awakens them in modern day Manhattan. There they must learn to adapt to a drastically different world where those they protect fear them and those that offer them their support only seek to control them.The series had an amazing cast of voices to bring to life an even more amazing cast of characters, including:Goliath- voiced by Keith DavidThe noble leader of the gargoyle clan and a fearsome yet just warriorHudson- voiced by Ed AsnerThe venerable former leader of the clan, and Goliath's most trusted friend and allyBrooklyn- voiced by Jeff BennettThe most courageous of the younger gargoyles, Brooklyn proves himself to be a natural leaderLexington- voiced by Thom Adcox HernandezThe most scientifically minded of the clan, Lexington often helps the others to understand technologyBroadway- voiced by Bill FagerbakkeThe portly and somewhat naïve gargoyle who looks for the best in everyoneBronx- voiced by Frank WelkerThe gargoyles' dog like pet, fearsome yet friendly and always loyalDemona- voiced by Marina SirtisGoliath's former lover and second in command, now his most vicious enemyElisa Maza- voiced by Salli RichardsonA New York City detective who may be the only human that the gargoyles can trustXanatos- voiced by Jonathan FrakesThe billionaire responsible for awakening the gargoyles and the most deceptive of all their adversariesOwen Burnett- voiced by Jeff BennettXanatos' enigmatic and ambiguous right-hand man who holds an astonishing secretPrincess Katharine- voiced by Kath SoucieAt first prejudiced against the gargoyles, the princess later championed them for their righteousness and braveryThe Magus- voiced by Jeff BennettThe brash wizard who cast the spell on the gargoyles and later raised the hatchlingsHakon- voiced by Clancy BrownThe cruel Viking leader responsible for slaughtering the gargoyle clan in 994 A.D.Macbeth- voiced by John Rhys-DaviesAn immortal warrior king who may or may not be the gargoyles' foeColdstone- voiced by Michael DornFormerly a friend of Goliath, now a reanimated monster under Xanatos' controlThe PackA group of mercenaries given their own TV show, The Pack are a force to be reckoned withThe Steel ClanXanatos' robotic army created to keep the gargoyles in his control or destroy them if neededThe thirteen Season One episodes included in this 2-disc set are:1. Awakening: Part OneThe saga begins as Goliath and his clan repels a Viking attack in the year 994 A.D. and are betrayed by those they protect.2. Awakening: Part TwoThe gargoyles are frozen in an enchanted sleep and then awakened a thousand years later by Xanatos.3. Awakening: Part ThreeThe gargoyles meet and befriend Elisa Maza, explore the city and learn about the contemporary world.4. Awakening: Part FourGoliath and Elisa build a relationship, Demona returns and Xanatos sends the gargoyles on a mission.5. Awakening: Part FiveThe gargoyles complete their mission and the truth is revealed about Xanatos' and Demona's treachery.6. The Thrill of the HuntLexington thinks he's found the perfect allies in The Pack, but instead he learns not to trust what he sees on television.7. TemptationDemona tries to seduce Brooklyn into accepting her twisted worldview and her all-consuming hatred of mankind.8. Deadly ForceBroadway accidentally shoots Elisa while the rest of the gargoyles hunt down those they believe to be her assailants.9. Enter MacbethMacbeth attacks the gargoyles believing them to be in league with Demona, his former friend and greatest enemy.10. The EdgeXanatos proves himself to be a brilliant manipulator while he strategically controls all those around him.11. The Long Way to MorningDemona tracks down Goliath and Hudson, while Hudson reminisces about the old days when he was leader.12. Her Brother's KeeperXanatos chooses Elisa's younger brother as his latest recruit and Elisa tries to warn him of Xanatos' intentions.13. ReawakeningThrough science and magic, Xanatos and Demona resurrect a dead gargoyle and trick him into fighting Goliath.Though Gargoyles only lasted for a few years it managed to spawn a spin-off series (Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles) and its impact on outcast teens and adults today is as strong as when it first aired. Gargoyles wasn't just a flash in the pan trend like many of today's cartoons. It's an intelligent and provocative masterpiece that shows that even if you're different that you can still be accepted, and more importantly that we can help to create a better world by having faith in one another.Also recommended:Gargoyles: Season Two, Vol. 1

After 76 reviews, I'm sure the reader has taken note of many of the high points of "Gargoyles", including the strength of its animation, the talent of its voice actors, and the surprising composure of its plot arcs. So I will simply ramble on impact the show had on me personally.More than any teacher I ever had, the show inspired me to embark on an educational voyage investigating everything from the literature of Shakespeare to the history of the Mayan empire to comparative anatomy, in search of what the "reality" of the fantasy universe of Gargoyles must have been.Yes, I found it *that* compelling. Parents, let this be a lesson to you: there is no better way to engage your child (or yourself!) in learning than to pique their interest in an original manner- and there are few things that balance magic, science, true history, and world-wide myth as well as "Gargoyles" does.As to why I found such inspiration...There are shades of grey that most "children's" shows refuse to recognize- rather than glossing over feelings like hatred and grief, the show's characters attempted to help one another cope. Good guys were capable of making the wrong choice for the wrong reasons; the main antagonist, a man primarily motivated by greed and a lust for power, never fell into the typical villain's obsession with revenge- he considered it a "sucker's game". David Xanatos never did anything underhanded just for the sake of being evil; there was always solid reasoning behind his actions.Gargoyles as a species were born (or hatched, rather) with an instinctual need to protect. Even betrayed from their allies- and within their own ranks, for humans do not hold a patent on treachery or perfidy- and the resulting death of most of their clan, the handful who were bespelled in 994 immediately adopted Manhattan as their new protectorate when they awoke from the enchantment. (A city whose reaction to the gargoyles when their presence was revealed was a far cry from hailing them as heroes for their noble actions.)Goliath's clan only wanted to be accepted for who and what they were- a desire that one need not have wings or a tail to sympathize with. I believe it was this simple underlying theme that is the reason why ten years later it remains so meaningful to so many. The show spoke volumes to those in the audience who felt the same way- misunderstood, unappreciated, unwelcome...disliked for not fitting the image of what society expects of its population when all they wished to do was serve that society with their abilities.Above all the show sent the message that no matter what the odds, or how difficult the road, you had to stay true to your own purpose. From Gargoyles, I took away a reaffirmation of the belief that no matter how one's sculpture, or drawing, or writing -whatever you do that you feel defines you - is received by society, you shouldn't stop doing it. No matter what obstacles you face, you have to keep persevering because your reason d'etre is as vital to you as the air you breathe- and to give it up would be just deadly.*Interested in the online fandom for Gargoyles, or perhaps in checking out the show's yearly convention? Here are a couple good places to start.[...][...][...]