[7.5/10] I liked this one quite a bit! I tend to like episodes of T.V. shows in general where all the characters’ motivations are clear and conflict in ways beyond pure good/evil. Sure, Candidate Doyle is a bad guy, but he has a particular goal, to become mayor, and his scheme to rile up New Yorkers against the gargoyles as a campaign tactic, and make himself into a hero for “saving” little Alex makes sense in that context. Is his false flag operation a little out there? Sure, but what isn’t on Gargoyles?
To the same end, I like how this one plays up the different forms of devotion to Alex shown by Lexington, Xanatos, and Fox. Lexington has particular affection for the kid, and so is willing to sacrifice himself in order to gain Alex’s safe return. Fox just wants her baby back, and so is willing to throw Lexington and all the other Gargoyles under the bus, not to mention accede to the demands of kidnappers, in order to get him back. And Xanatos, ever the long term planner, doesn’t just want to stop this kidnapping; he wants to ensure they don’t incentivize any other kidnappings in the future.
The results are an interesting tapestry of choices from everyone involved. It’s a little convenient that Lexington is able to piece everything together based solely on Doyle's helicopter, and Elisa, Goliath, and Hudson go ransacking Doyle’s office on pretty thin evidence. But it all works out. There’s drama and wholesomeness from Xanatos publicly exposing Doyle and Lexington saving the day in front of a hostile public, earning at least a modicum of respect.
I know this season isn’t well-loved by the fans, but I do like the throughline we’ve seen so far of our heroes having to navigate the public’s negative reaction to them. Maybe it’s just living through a time when a blowhard came to power by vilifying outsiders, but there’s some extra resonance in the here and now that makes the efforts to humanize the Gargoyles and show that they don’t fit stereotypes of them as monsters all the more striking.
Overall, this is a nice outing for Lexington bolstered by some strong conflicts in the different players’ M.O.s.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2021-08-27T19:28:31Z
[7.5/10] I liked this one quite a bit! I tend to like episodes of T.V. shows in general where all the characters’ motivations are clear and conflict in ways beyond pure good/evil. Sure, Candidate Doyle is a bad guy, but he has a particular goal, to become mayor, and his scheme to rile up New Yorkers against the gargoyles as a campaign tactic, and make himself into a hero for “saving” little Alex makes sense in that context. Is his false flag operation a little out there? Sure, but what isn’t on Gargoyles?
To the same end, I like how this one plays up the different forms of devotion to Alex shown by Lexington, Xanatos, and Fox. Lexington has particular affection for the kid, and so is willing to sacrifice himself in order to gain Alex’s safe return. Fox just wants her baby back, and so is willing to throw Lexington and all the other Gargoyles under the bus, not to mention accede to the demands of kidnappers, in order to get him back. And Xanatos, ever the long term planner, doesn’t just want to stop this kidnapping; he wants to ensure they don’t incentivize any other kidnappings in the future.
The results are an interesting tapestry of choices from everyone involved. It’s a little convenient that Lexington is able to piece everything together based solely on Doyle's helicopter, and Elisa, Goliath, and Hudson go ransacking Doyle’s office on pretty thin evidence. But it all works out. There’s drama and wholesomeness from Xanatos publicly exposing Doyle and Lexington saving the day in front of a hostile public, earning at least a modicum of respect.
I know this season isn’t well-loved by the fans, but I do like the throughline we’ve seen so far of our heroes having to navigate the public’s negative reaction to them. Maybe it’s just living through a time when a blowhard came to power by vilifying outsiders, but there’s some extra resonance in the here and now that makes the efforts to humanize the Gargoyles and show that they don’t fit stereotypes of them as monsters all the more striking.
Overall, this is a nice outing for Lexington bolstered by some strong conflicts in the different players’ M.O.s.