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Gargoyles: City Of Stone, Part Two

Reviewed: 09/01/2013

Sadism: The Demona Macbeth Story Part Deux!


Well; Demona has lied to David about a "Drain" spell; and it's a nighttime "Break" spell as we continue onto the tragic and psychopathic story of Demona and now we see how she met Macbeth and helped him in spite of refusing to do so; just to kill Gill despite the fact that Demona brought this on herself when she made Gill bleed. So; how epic can this story still get? Let's rant on shall we...?!

This episode is written and edited by Michael Reaves. Teleplay is done by Brynne Stephens and Lydia C. Marano. Animation is done by Koko Entertainment Limited.


Opening Moment #1: We have the complete recap of part one; starting with the ending shot being at the beginning. Oh; and Gill was still able to bleed in the preview. Lovely!

We begin this one in the skies of NYC AFTER HAPPY HOUR (after dark) as the black helicopter of David Xanatos is nose diving (because Fox is a stone statue natch) as David takes the controls and pulls up on the stick in the passenger side of the helicopter and manages to get it so that it lands on the street in the middle of the intersection. David cuts the promo about walking away from a crash without injury and is grateful that Fox isn't chipped. David gets out and grabs his laser; proclaiming that he is going to have a little talk with that demoness (Might as well call her that now) and we see that this looks like Left Behind the movie; but at least it was expected since it was designed for children despite the howls of fans claiming that it's not. So David walks out and we head to the clock tower as the gargoyles all look at the statue of Eliza. Hudson thankfully; doesn't stoop to Left Behind's low of a woman screaming instantly after seeing all her beloved's clothes disappears and wonders who sent them a statue of Eliza Maza. Brooklyn blows off the design of Eliza's nose and they ponder over what is going on here. Goliath then orders Broadway and Bronx to guard the statue while they go on patrol. So Hudson gets to be on patrol?! FINALLY! They all go outside to the perch and Lex asks Goliath on what they are looking over and Goliath wishes he knew. Then everyone except Bronx and Broadway swoop into the air and we scene change with a sky shot over the city. Hudson notices Jeffrey's house and they land in front of the gate and notice more statues that look completely out of place. So they head to the door and knock on it. Gilgamesh barks and the door opens to reveal the dog and Jeffrey Robbins who has NOT turned to stone. So in essence; Demona lied about the "Drain" spell (and it was the "Break" spell); but told the truth about the fact that you have to see it and listen to it; not one nor the other since Jeffrey at best could hear it, but not see it. Hudson greets Gilgamesh and Jeff is happy to see him. Hudson prefers talking to him outside as Jeff admits that he cannot reach anyone by phone and it's preternaturally quiet. Yeah; we noticed that too Jeff.

Brooklyn asks how long this has been going and Jeffrey calls him impatient and Hudson calls this the curse of youth. I love real comments that aren't supposed to be real comments. Jeff explains that it got this way after sunset and wonders if it had something to do with the odd broadcast. So everyone goes in and Jeffrey has a television which has Demona chanting as Goliath orders Lex to turn off the sound now. Lexington rushes in and pushes the button on the television which somehow causes it to mute. This is kind of pointless since it's clear Jeffrey is not affected by this; so I guess this is overkill on Goliath's part. We exchange notes and all the gargoyles except Hudson leave. Jeffrey demands to know what is going on and thinks Hudson is hiding stuff from him. Hudson tells Gilgamesh and Jeffrey to stay inside because it's going to be a bad night and then leaves. So we head into the skies with the gargoyles flying over the city and Goliath cannot believe Demona has this type of power but Brooklyn is still nursing a personal grunge against Demona after Temptation. Lex asks why Jeffrey wasn't affected and Hudson claims that you have to see and hear magic before it can touch you. Which is a nice way of saying: BS&P RULEZ~! Come on Hudson! You expect us to believe that. At least having the Aegis Shield makes more sense than this. So we do the Scooby Doo split up of doom (DAMMIT!) as Brooklyn wants to look up north; but Goliath refuses and wants to search in pairs. Yeah sure Goliath; so it's 2 on 1 at all times; which sounds heelish to me. Goliath and Brooklyn will search together while Hudson and Lex return to inform Broadway and Bronx to join them in the search. Brooklyn's concerned about Eliza; but Goliath claims that she is safe in the clock tower since Demona doesn't know where they are anyway. Brooklyn proclaims that she could be anywhere; but Goliath thinks that this will all be too easy...And now for the most gruesome part of this series...

So we head to ground level as there are crumbled statues on the sidewalk as we pan over to see a human statue as Demona; the vile piece of crap that she is, bashes the statue from behind with the spiked mace and it crumbles to stones. HOLY CRAP! They were PEOPLE once Demona! You sick...FREAK! Yeah; this is one of the most disturbing moments in DTVA history; even more gruesome than the Golden Wave of Death; the nephews suffered in Golden Goose. Not because of them turning to stone; that has been done many times in children's cartoons before in various ways (Care Bears Nutcracker Christmas Special had the bears turning into wood for instance). But because Demona begins bashing them and basically murdering them on the hard camera. Greg has stated in various forums in the past that they stay in their crumbled stone forms after this episode is over; but that is only slightly less gruesome than the alternative returning to flesh form people were expecting. This is where BS&P BS does do wonders because Demona's actions have already gone too far and returning to normal would be BS; but at least I can see why they decided on this over what would happen at the end of this story arc. Demona is in full murdering psychopath mode here as she literally uses the laser gun and shoots the arms off a woman statue opposite of the street. Ummmm; OW! Then she mingles with another statue and decides to return to Pack Media Studios to meet David Xanatos because he cannot be allowed to turn off his little show. She leaves; but she shoots the laser off-screen and kills two more statues who look like Margot and Brendan. HOLY CRAP! So we scene change to the skies as Macbeth's ship is flying overhead as we hear the voice of Jim Cummings as a computer as the target is sighted and the source of the broadcast is coming from Pack Media Studios as we head to the cockpit to see Demona on the monitor and Macbeth wearing the mask of Gillcomegain and that ends the segment eight minutes in. Now this is epic and it's going to get even more gruesome now...

After the commercial break; we see Macbeth proclaiming that it will be soon for Demona as we hit the flashback to Scotland in 1032; about 12 years AFTER Gill murdered Findla on the battlefield as Demona and Gill are fighting each other and they circle around and Gill back flips Demona to the ground. Then the sun begins to slowly rise and Demona is forced to bail as she continues to act like she is winning despite clearly losing this fight. She flies away proclaiming that she'll finish this another time. Gill proclaims that she'll be dead if he finds her during the day time. So we head to inside Castle Moray as Bodhe is doing some archery while Macbeth (same voice as the old Macbeth; only with a brown beard and more noble clothes) protests the outrage of Gill marrying Gruoch instead of him. Bodhe claims that he can choose which person to marry; but then admits that he would be convicted of treason if it's not Gill; since Prince Duncan ordered it. Macbeth threatens to flee Moray with Gruoch and Bodhe yells at him not to do it because she would be executed along with him. He wants him to be reasonable as Macbeth storms off and we head to the meadow of flowers as Gruoch is lying on the ground and then turns around and notices Macbeth. For all the stuff I hear from fans of this show being dark and all; we get an obvious scene that is truly a Walt Disney scene. So they embrace and Macbeth then turns somber and informs her that he has had time to reflect...and then he gives up and wants Gruoch to marry Gill after all. Gruoch cannot believe this; but Macbeth does the Gruffi pose and refuses to reconsider. Gruoch feels sad and storms off stage left. Macbeth is about to reconsider; but stops and is mad as hell. So we head to the castle chapel and have the wedding which Gruoch is not happy to have. The only thing of note is the priest doing the wedding has a staff with a Christian cross on it. Awesome!! Prince Duncan claps like a weak sauce and his subjects have less zip on their clapping as he does. And yes; the weird sisters do appear; doing the same gimmick of dressing the same; but having different color hairstyles. I still cannot tell them apart; except the black haired one is Luna.

So Duncan shows his first born child which is named Prince Canmore and he looks cute as Duncan appears to be rubbing it into Macbeth's face who is sitting in a chair looking defeated. He walks up the stairs and out as Duncan smiles some more. So we head inside the royal hall which is a mess as Duncan is tending to the fireplace and Gill (in the most noble purple robes in history; which would be classy if the scars weren't present) is at the table with a goblet of wine. Duncan wants Gill to arrange an _accident_ on Macbeth; which Gill is against because he is beloved by the people and might bring unwanted questions of Findla's demise. Duncan wants him to be aware of the consequences of defying him and Gill simply waves it off claiming that Duncan shouldn't defy HIM. That is some great banter there as we head back to Duncan's royal hall as he is pacing around and the door opens and in comes Macbeth asking why Duncan wants to see him. The weird sisters is maiden costumes are here and Luna is holding Prince Canmore the baby in her arms. Duncan tells Macbeth that he knows who the hunter is and after a considerable amount of time; he admits that it's Gill as even Macbeth is in shock. Duncan acts all upset over this (he must be faking this) as he doesn't dare attack Gill openly because it might bring war between Moray and the rest of Scotland. Duncan asks what he shalt do; and Macbeth wants Duncan to leave it to him. So we head cave to Demona's cave as the Gargoyle Weird Sister appear again to inform them that Gill is at Castle Moray and has a chance to kill the enemy according to Demona. The WS's want Demona to team up with Macbeth again; but Demona refuses. The weird sisters claim that together they are unstoppable; but separate...Demona has had enough of this and proclaims that she makes no promises on anything which the WS take as a yes. Somehow; I don't think she is agreeing to this. So we head back to Castle Moray as it's AFTER HAPPY HOUR and Gruoch is sitting on a bench with a rose not looking happy at all and wearing at least three medallions with crosses on it.

Gill comes over and tells her to go inside and stir the fire. Grouch leaves as Gill takes the rose from the bench; throws it down and stomps on it. BASTARD! So Macbeth comes in with his sword and wants a duel to the death. So Gill takes his sword and we have a *** 1/2 sword fight as Gill manages to get the upper hand early; mocking Macbeth for his lack of skill; but Macbeth manages to counter and the sword goes flying. Gill backs up and Gruoch comes out hearing voices. Gill grabs Gruoch and dares Macbeth to kill him because if he does, he has to go through Gruoch as well. BASTARD! Macbeth panics and then gives the sword to Gill as Gill than makes the dumbest error ever: Puts the mask back on to reveal that he is indeed the hunter. Demona is looking on from the roof the entire time and proclaims that he will regret that bravado as she swoops down and blocks the shot with her spike mace. Which came out of nowhere. Gill throws Gruoch into Demona as he proclaims that Demona is a worthy enemy now. HA! So Demona shoves Gruoch over the edge of the rampart as Macbeth grabs her arm and the segment ends right there about 15 minutes in. Yeah; that was great...

After the commercial break; we see Macbeth managing to get Gruoch back over and they embrace as weapons clang together between Demona and Gill. Gill keeps getting the best of Demona; until Demona uses the torch spear and manages to get Gill toward the edge of the rampart. Demona is on Gill as the mask comes off and Gill tells her about her being the one who scarred him for life and Demona sezs she doesn't remember. True blue psychopathic heel as they go over the ramparts and hang on for dear life. Demona's hand is about to slip and both are about to fall to their deaths; but Macbeth manages to grab Demona's hand. She tries to lift her up; but Gill stands his ground as Macbeth's hand is slipping. So Demona whacks Gill in the face and he falls to his off-screen death as we will never see him again. At least in theory. Macbeth pulls Demona up as Gruoch and Macbeth embrace. Macbeth thanks Demona and Demona calls this even and good as she flies away since she got what she wanted. Macbeth and Gruoch walk into the castle and we head to morning as there is a huge celebration going on as the double doors open and out comes Bodhe and various flower girls (three of them have to be the Weird Sisters) as Bodhe introduces (with gray eyebrows and mustache to boot) the steward of Moray which is Macbeth and Gruoch who come out wearing a lot of white and gold. Macbeth must love ladies fighting cancer because he's wearing a pink cross on his right shoulder. Purple flower petals litter the entire castle grounds as everyone cheers. Except for Prince Duncan who is holding Prince Canmore in his arms. Prince Duncan proclaims that there will always be a hunter as he gives Canmore to Luna of the Weird Sisters; and then proclaims that there will always be a hunted as he takes Gill's mask and puts it on. Can you smell "vicious cycle of violence" coming? I knew you would. Besides; I knew Duncan was faking all this from the start. He must have got the mask himself when he found Gill's body on the ground dead.

So we return to reality (no, not really) as we head back to NYC as Goliath and Brooklyn are flying towards the hard camera. They stop and Brooklyn sees the carnage on the street which is crumbled up rocks. Goliath is getting more and more pissed as we see the Weird Sisters in stone form carrying three versions of Prince Canmore. Ooookkkkaaayyyyy. Goliath yells at Demona for learning nothing about caring about life itself. Brooklyn is worried about Eliza and Goliath is getting more and more pissed off as he wants to end Demona's terror once and for all. Then the stone WS' talk and agree with Goliath on stopping her; but they warn Goliath to heed his own words about life being precious. And to not stoop to Demona's revenge because it only begets more revenge. Brooklyn goes over to touch one of the statues and it crumbles to the ground and somehow that causes a chain reaction. Dammit! Not this show too! So then we return to Pack Media Studios and Demona walks in with her spike mace and notices that the broadcast is still going on; but then we hear David Xanatos' voice and he has already made it to the switchboard and destroys the entire console panel with the back end of the laser gun. HA! So Demona charges and knocks David down; so David manages to shoot a blue laser right into the camera in the background and then Demona manages to tip Owen over; so David makes a leap of faith and uses his body to cradle Owen onto him. That had to smart! David resets Owen back up and then gets tackled down by Demona. Then the door is blasted open and in comes Macbeth with Gill's mask on and Demona still calls him the hunter. This is actually the first time Demona and Macbeth have met in this story in present form (the first meetings were flashback) as Demona is still never saying die or kill which really taints her psychopathic image quite a bit.

So then we get Macbeth shooting the laser gun and it hits Demona with blue sparks and both Macbeth and Demona sell pain. Huh? Explain THAT one...Oh? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~! Demona proclaims that this guy never gives up and he follows Demona up onto the roof as Demona tries to flee; but Macbeth uses the grappling hook shackle gun on her ankle. So we play tug of war for a while as Macbeth tries to wrap the gun around a transmission tower; but that fails as Demona breaks free. Demona swoops down to escape; but Macbeth drops on her back and she flies away from Pack Media Studios as we head inside with David going to the power box and breaks it open and throws THE SWITCH to cut the power to the building. David then looks for Owen and notices that he isn't responding because he's stone. David calls this wonderful (NOT!!) and then we scene change to the skies as Demona flies and tries to force Macbeth into the side of the building, but that fails as the shackle rope is still got another length for Macbeth to hang on. So Demona whacks Macbeth into a brick building and both sell a nasty headache. Macbeth lands on the umbrella table on the brick deck as Demona howls at Macbeth on the way out. Macbeth proclaims that he will not lose her easily as he brings out his remote and here comes Macbeth's ship in the sky. So we head back to Pack Media Studios as David is repairing the board as 90% of the studio seems to be a mess and in comes Goliath and Brooklyn as David is happy about this. He also informs Goliath that Demona left with "The Hunter" as Goliath invokes the POINTY FINGER OF DEATH on David and threatens to make him pay for this; but David asks if he wants revenge or a solution because this is bigger than any one person. He offers his hand in a truce and Goliath sighs and shakes his hand for real which ends part two at 20:10 approx. Demona "never say die" nonsense aside; this was awesome! And now we have Macbeth and Demona finally fighting each other for the first time in the series. What more can you want? **** 3/4 (95%).


THE REVIEW LINE

Wow; this went 22 minutes; but it felt like half of that as there was nothing bad about the episode; over than Demona continuing to never say die or kill. The story was perfectly told; although it helps when you have the best ancient writer in history of books as an inspirational source. The action was tense; Demona was at her best (worst) as a psychopathic monster who thinks she is not that and the back story has been progressing nicely. Sure; I predicted Prince Duncan was using Macbeth to kill Gill because Gill was going to turn on him anyway, but if you read Macbeth, you pretty much have had a good idea that this was going to happen. The best part of this was Demona smashing up human statues in a really disturbing way that even I wouldn't blame BS&P for turning it into BS at the end of the day. Sadly; Brenda and Margot are dead and done; although they screw it up by having them return in Hunters Moon at the end; so at least they kept the continuity going throughout most of the rest of this series. Anyhow; there is nothing bad about this episode and I want to see more Macbeth and Demona teaming up and fighting against each other. It makes really compelling television and they selling pain at the same time has to lead somewhere. Overall; a wonderful episode with intensity, feeling and Demona being psycho on humans. What more can you ask for? And we have part three to go on now. So....

Thumbs up for this episode and I'll see you all next time.


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