Not a Cassandra Clare Book: “City of Stone”, Part One

“Isn’t this exciting Luna? It begins again!”–Phoebe

Written by: Michael C. Reaves (Story); Brynne Chandler Reaves & Lydia C. Marano (Teleplay)
Original Air Date: September 15, 1995
Introduces: The Weird Sisters Phoebe, Luna, and Selene; Findlaech, Gilcomgain/The Hunter; Duncan; Gruoch; Bodhe; Terrorists
Timeline placement: September 30 – October 1, 994; 1020; November 9, 1995
TMNT episode I could make a forced comparison to: “Tale of Master Yoshi”, “Secret Origins”

Multidimensional Monster: The Shredder Essay (Spoilers)

One of the great challenges Lloyd Goldfine, Peter Laird, and the staff at 4Kids faced in developing their take on the Ninja Turtles was in turning the Shredder into a proper Big Bad. They had to take a character who, until then, had either had a limited shelf-life (the Mirage comics), was played as an utterly unserious, ineffectual villain (the original cartoon) or had been set aside in favor of other villains (the Archie comics) and turn him into somebody who could appear regularly while being consistently menacing.  And for the most part, they succeeded: one part Cobra Commander and two parts Geese Howard, 4Kids’ Shredder managed to create a character who worked as the big bad the series needed, and became the most threatening version of the character yet.

The Third Act: “Return to New York”, part 1

Written by: Marty Isenberg and Michael Ryan
Original Air Date: September 27, 2003
Teaser Narrator: Raphael
Characters Introduced: Shredder Clones
Gargoyles episode I could make a forced comparison to: N/A

Really, I’ve Got No Pithy Title to Add Here: “Monster Hunter”

Written by: Michael Ryan
Original Air Date: September 20, 2003
Teaser Narrator: Michelangelo

Characters Introduced: Dr. Abigail Finn; Parker; Green (Wo)man of the Woods and Children
Gargoyles episode I could make a forced comparison to: “Bushido”

Beauties and the Beasts: “Eye of the Beholder”

“If Xanatos speaks the truth…if someone like him can love, perhaps there still is hope for this world.” — Goliath

Written by: Steve Perry
Original Air Date: September 13, 1995
Introduces: N/A
Timeline placement: October 1 – October 31, 1995
TMNT episode I could make an incredibly easy comparison to: Ep. 7.04: “The Engagement Ring”

Gargoyles Noir: “The Silver Falcon”

Written by: Cary Bates
Original Air Date: September 12, 1995
Introduces: Martin Hacker; Dominic Dracon; Pal Joey (unidentified); Mace Malone (Mentioned only)
Timeline placement: October 27- October 28, 1995
TMNT episode I could make a forced comparison to: Ep. 4.01: “Cousin Sid”

Rumble in the Jungle: “The Shredder Strikes Back” Part Two

“Like the phoenix, I have risen from the ashes.  And into my fire, you shall fall.“–The Shredder

Written by: Erik Luke
Original Air Date: June 14, 2003
Recap Narrator: Splinter

This One’s for the Fan-Artists and ‘shippers: “The Mirror”

Note: This might be a tad optimistic of me, but since I’m working under the assumption that there are at least a few readers who haven’t actually seen Gargoyles, I’d much appreciate it if commenters would keep that big honking spoiler under your hats.  You know the one.  Thank you!

“You serve the human,  now you can serve me.” –Demona

Written by: Lydia C. Marano

Original Air Date: September 11, 1995

Introduces: Puck

Timeline placement: September 27-September 28, 1995

Meanwhile: “The Shredder Strikes Back” Part 1

“He’s back…The Shredder…”–Leonardo

Written by: Erik Luke
Original Air Date: June 7, 2003
Introduces: Foot Elite
Teaser Narrator: Leonardo

Magic Tech: “Legion”

“Without trust there can be no clan.”–Goliath

Written by: Marty Isenberg, Robert N. Skir
Original air date: September 6, 1995
Introduces: Desdemona, Iago
Timeline placement: September 6, 1995 (Coldstone’s auto-repair activated) – September 20, 1995

Note: I’m going to try something a bit different here and combine the synopsis with my actual thoughts—it seemed to smooth things over when writing about the episode.