In the forty-second episode of the second season of Gargoyles, Oberon returns. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Gargoyles.Â
You know, I didn’t realize how much I am into this trope until now, but here it is: the otherwordly, godly being who is humbled and realizes how much they enjoy and respect those who they previously saw as inferior. I did not believe that we were going to end at that place because OBERON IS TERRIFYING. Most of “Ill Met By Moonlight” felt like a boss battle to me, especially when you’re playing a game that’s more open than most and you accidentally wander into an area of the map where you should be level 40 but you’re level 6 and everything hurts forever.
Oberon’s arrival answers few questions about his children, who apparently are still being called back home. Instead, there’s a more immediate problem: a whole bunch of people now live on his island, and he wants them all gone. Obviously, this is a huge problem because Oberon had abandoned the island a thousand years before, and all these creatures and people had made it their home. But the conflict felt so much more complicated to me than that! That’s partially due to the fact that we still don’t know why Oberon waited so long to return or why this all felt so urgent. He didn’t want them gone in a month or two; he wanted them gone IMMEDIATELY. What for? Spite? Because he’s powerful? Or is it because of that “Gathering” mentioned at the end of the episode?
Regardless of the reason, there’s still such an admirable amount of tension and frustration built into “Ill Met By Moonlight.” Until the non-competitors are given a hint by Titania in regards to Oberon’s weakness, there is no hope whatsover. Even with a limited amount of power, Oberon comes off as invincible. Nothing works against him, so all Angela, Gabriel, and Goliath can do is escape each attack and then run away. So it’s an intense cat-and-mouse game that unfolds onscreen, and not once did I ever feel like those three gargoyles had the upper hand. It’s an interesting choice for the writing because usually, our heroes gain some ground against the antagonists, yet there’s nothing in this episode. It’s just one nightmare after another, including that incredibly close call in the volcano.
Meanwhile, there’s a striking sequence in which the other inhabitants of Avalon discuss Oberon’s weakness and whether they should even be trying to defeat him. IT’S SUCH A COOL MOMENT, and I’m floored that the writers thought to address this. Because it is true that, despite his absence, Avalon “owned” Avalon. It was his island, and to him, these other beings really are invaders. Granted, the closest analogy I have to what they are is refugees, since the gargoyles were brought to that island while the humans were escaping persecution in their world. It’s such a meaty question to ponder, even if it isn’t explored more than a minute or two. Who belongs there? Is it fair for Avalon to have them removed or tormented just because it was once his?
I think the answer to this lies in the theme of Oberon and his children. If they were sent to live amongst humanity to learn a lesson, then this was a lesson for him. His arrogance and sense of superiority made it impossible for him to see any sort of possibility in these people. They were beneath him, and he dealt with them with that in mind. Yet without flinging a single punch at him, a group of them won the battle. WITH JUST THE RINGING OF A BELL. It’s a blow to Oberon’s ego, but it’s a necessary one. Look how much he changes by the end of the episode!!!
So.. who exactly was Titania? Someone we knew??? WHAT??? And what’s the Gathering? Probably that magic that is pulling Oberon’s children home, I’m guessing. But… what’s the magic of Avalon? You know, the one sending the others on missions around the world. I always assumed it was linked to Oberon, but he did not make one mention of it at all! I’M LOST.
The video for “Ill Met By Moonlight” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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