Safe and Gentle Nightmare Beasts

I remember the idea of Disney's Gargoyles always appealed to me when I was a kid. But I always only saw scattered episodes which I found to be unsatisfying. I always thought, "I must be seeing the off-weeks, I must be missing the really good episodes." The theme was cool, as were the designs and concept, and who could fault Keith David's performance as Goliath? I finally checked out the first couple episodes yesterday, 27 years later, and I realised they were probably all off-episodes. The show just simply isn't that good.

Maybe it's inevitable. A Disney animated afternoon series about mediaeval creatures of the night is almost bound to have some tonal disconnect. The first episode, set in tenth century Scotland, seems like it wants to be in the world of Macbeth but with everyone swinging their swords around and not hitting anyone the only tragedy is how nerfed it all is.

The writers, Michael Reaves and Eric Luke, make a decent stab at giving the show some complex drama in the first story arc. Goliath and the other Gargoyles must protect a castle and its humans even though many of the humans despise them. Motivations are a little too vague, though. Why do the Gargoyles have to protect the castle and the humans? I think the humans protect the Gargoyle rookery while the Gargoyles are turned to stone during the day but this isn't actually stated. The Gargoyles are disappointingly weak. They seem to have super strength but they're as vulnerable to edged weapons as humans and their wings only let them glide, not truly fly. It's a wonder they managed to live as long as they did. When the time jumps to modern day, they're fortunate to encounter only enemies whose aim is worse than stormtroopers.

Goliath is always worried about civilian casualties and playing nice. It's all pretty weak. Still, the theme song is cool and the animation isn't bad.

Gargoyles is available on Disney+.

Twitter Sonnet #1475

The clever moon collects a score of maps.
Required lessons bloom to plastic cans.
The sugar tree produces gooey saps.
The music's made of iron pots and pans.
Comedic eggs were walking well ahead.
The comet dart accounts for seven hues.
Avoid the near and far inviting bed.
The elder scene reserves the younger blues.
In recent files ribbon clutched the cord.
Refurbished hats adorn the sacred wall.
For twenty points you took the magic sword.
An extra eye would buy a crystal ball.
The tiny ribbons last beyond the mind.
The precious things forgot we yet may find.