Eye of the Storm

"Eye of the Storm" is the forty-ninth televised episode of the series Gargoyles, and the thirty-sixth episode of Season 2. It originally aired on February 13, 1996.

• Supervising Producers: Frank Paur, Greg Weisman
• Written by: Cary Bates
• Story Edited by: Cary Bates
• Produced & Directed by: Bob Kline
• Animation by: Sun Min Animation Production
• Backgrounds by: Sun Min Animation Production
• Additional Production Facilities: N/A

Summary

Main Plot

Odin lures the skiff to Norway so as to retrieve the Eye of Odin from Goliath. He uses several tacts that don't work, including kidnapping Elisa, to reclaim it, motivating Goliath to don the Eye himself. Goliath becomes corrupted by the Eye, creating storms and trapping his companions and the Sturlusons in a cave. He nearly kills Odin but Angela brings him to his senses, and Odin reclaims his eye, apologizing for the trouble he has caused.

The Story

Previously on Gargoyles

• Recaps: ("Eye of the Beholder", "Avalon Part Two", "Avalon Part Three")

Act One

The mists clear and the skiff emerges. Elisa shivers, chilled by the frigid temperature as the skiff comes to a sudden stop on the frozen water. "Believe it or no, we've hit ice," Goliath says and Elisa believes it. The travelers step off the skiff and begin their walk to shore. "We never got to see ice or snow on Avalon", Angela says awestruck by wonder, "it's enough to take your breath away." But Elisa continues to hug herself for warmth. A one-eyed old man carrying a staff and wearing a cloak of stars steps out of the fog and welcomes them to Norway. "These days we don't get to see many gargoyles up here in the Norse country." Goliath asks how the old man knows them, but he continues to lean on his staff and replies "let's just say I am well versed on matters of myth and legend" before changing the subject to the freezing Elisa. He offers a parka provided Goliath is amenable to a fair trade and Goliath asks what the old man wants with rising suspicion. "Something I need that you have no intention of using. The coat is hers if you give me the Eye of Odin." Before Goliath can respond, Elisa urges Goliath not to consent to the trade as the Eye is too dangerous for anyone to have. Goliath agrees with Elisa and begins to offer the old man something else but the old man warns Goliath that he will live to regret that decision, stuffing the parka back into his cloak. "But given the frigid temperature, she will not." Goliath calls out to the old man who vanishes into the coming blizzard. Goliath holds Elisa close to him, wings wrapped around him. Elisa assures Goliath that this isn't his fault, but the gargoyle doesn't see it as a matter of fault but of responsibility as it is his duty to protect her. He lifts Elisa into his arms, cloaks his wings around the two of them and carries her in land as Angela and Bronx follow.

A jeep slowing makes its way through the snow-covered winding roads as its driver congratulates his son, Gunther on his best game yet, and Gunther thanks his father for being a great teacher. Bronx quickly darts across the road, startling them. The driver briefly loses control of the vehicle, telling his son to hold on as it comes perilously close to the edge of a crumbling cliff. But out of sight, Goliath grasps the jeep from behind and pulls it them safety. Gunther credits the brakes and his father hopes they have enough traction to back up, but is again startled by the quick flash of Goliath in the mirror. He gasps, turns around, but sees nothing before successfully backing his vehicle back onto the road. When he and his son looks up, they see Elisa walking out onto the road in front of them. The driver emerges from his vehicle and wraps a blanket around Elisa, asking where she came from. "That's a long story, my name is Elisa Maza, I'm a..." but he encourages her to tell him later, more concerned about getting her out of the cold. The man introduces himself as Erik Sturluson and his son, Gunther, assuring her their farm is just up the road. Erik successfully guesses that Elisa is an American. From the snowy hills, Angela is relieved that Elisa is okay before asking Goliath what they'll do. Goliath says they'll stay close as they begin to follow the jeep.

Goliath and Elisa stand outside the farm as Angela watches Elisa get served a cup of tea by a roaring fireplace, observing that Elisa will need time to recover. Goliath thinks at least a day, but now that they know she'll be safe, they'll find a place in the woods where they can rest in peace. Inside the house, Gunther regards Elisa's story with suspicion "her story doesn't sense; if Elisa was out hiking when the storm came up, why wasn't she wearing a parka?" But Erik places a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder telling him not to pry and when Elisa wants to tell them what really happened, she will.

As the travelers sit near a partially frozen pond, Goliath ponders the Eye of Odin. "How do you suppose that old man knew you were carrying the Eye of Odin?" Angela asks. Goliath doesn't know, but he does know what happened when the Archmage and Fox donned the Eye.... both of them manifested their inner selves and transformed into fearsome menaces beyond anyone's control. "Such power is far too dangerous for anyone to tamper with," Goliath says as he returns the Eye to his pouch. Bronx begins to growl, Goliath and Angela are alert as a gigantic, one-eyed polar bear emerges from the snow and attacks Goliath. The two violently tumble through the snow as Bronx comes to his master's aid, biting down on the bear's hide. But the bear tosses the gargoyle beast aside and makes short work of Angela. Goliath punches the bear back, where Bronx and Angela again jump it, but they both continue to prove to be no match for it. As Goliath recovers, the bear jumps him and takes his pouch between its teeth before attempting to escape. "He's mine," Goliath says before pursuing the bear, catching up quickly and snatching his pouch back from the bear's jaws. He kicks the bear aside, and it tumbles down a hill before disappearing beneath a frozen pond. It never surfaces. "How does something that big just disappear?" Angela questions. "That was no ordinary bear," Goliath responds "it had one eye just like the old man - I think they were one and the same." Goliath realizes that whoever is vying with him for the Eye of Odin is capable of sorcery and he will no doubt try again. They must get to Elisa and leave - quickly.

Inside the house, Elisa dons a sweater gifted by Erik who urges her to keep it as he is rich in sweaters. The sound of a horse neighing is heard as the wall to the house explodes and the old man enters, astride a black horse wearing golden armor. "I've come for you, maiden!" Elisa challenges him to try and catch her as she runs out into the snow. The old man pursues, quickly overtaking Elisa and taking her hostage. "It's him again!" Angela cries. "Hear me, gargoyle!" the old man calls. "This is Odin who speaks to you! I've tried barter and I've tried fair combat. You have left me no choice, return my eye or forfeit the maiden's life." Goliath is stunned that Odin himself is his enemy and reaches into his pouch, pulling out the Eye. "If you turn over the Eye, Odin becomes powerful enough to destroy us," Angela says "but if you don't." Elisa shouts to Goliath not to let Odin have the Eye. "I am not the most patient of gods", Odin growls. "Father," Angela says with amazement as Goliath makes his choice and dons the Eye. He cries out as the Eye of Odin envelopes him in its magical energy.

Act Two

Goliath roars in pain as his body grows gigantic in stature and he emerges from the energy wearing golden armor and a horned helm. "Unhand her, old man," he commands "now!" Clearly taken by surprise, Odin realizes this calls for a change in strategy and attempts to escape as his horse, Sleipnir, takes to the air. Goliath spreads his wings and flies, rather than glides, in pursuit. Odin unleashes a torrent of hail but is unable to hold the gargoyle back. Goliath takes Elisa from Odin warning Odin that he'll let him off lightly this time, declaring the Eye as his now. "Threaten any of these people and the next time I will not be so generous." But Odin leaves, shouting "this isn't over!"

Goliath sets Elisa on the ground next to Angela and Bronx who both turn to stone as the sun rises. But Goliath doesn't turn to stone but basks in its golden warmth. Elisa is a little surprised that he is still awake. "I am no longer subject to that restriction. The Eye has granted amazing powers, the extent of which I do not fully comprehend." Elisa asks if its safe but Goliath assures her that this form is a powerful manifestation of his inner self "if you trust me, we should be fine." Elisa does trust him but suggests he take the Eye off. "A long day lies ahead," he says before adding that he wouldn't be able to protect all of them if he turns to stone. Elisa reluctantly concedes the point as Erik and Gunther catch up, stunned at the sight of the gigantic gargoyle. Erik decides now is time for an explanation, but Goliath tells Erik that he has nothing to fear because he will permit no harm befall him or his son. Goliath leaves to make sure Odin is no where in the vicinity, telling Elisa to bring her new friends up to date. Elisa, however, isn't quite sure where she should start.

Long since making their way back to the farmhouse, Elisa has concluded her story and Erik believes that it sounds like they're in good hands with Goliath. Elisa agrees, they've been through a lot together and Goliath hasn't let her down yet. Gunther observes that another storm is starting up. Goliath lands before the giant hole on the wall, telling them this is Odin venting his rage, he's only just begun, and the farmhouse will not withstand the fury to come and he cannot ensure their protection here. Erik tells Goliath about a cave thirty kilometers north that he sometimes takes Gunther exploring - and that it is large enough for all of them. Goliath is pleased with this information, a cave would be ideal. He tells them to pack their essentials and when Elisa asks about Angela and Bronx, Goliath coldly responds "we'll pack them, too."

As Goliath flies through the air, breaking through the clouds, the jeep makes its way north, with Angela and Bronx tied to the roof. Gunther tells his father and Elisa about what he learned about Sleipnir and Odin at school. Erik always assumed Odin was a myth and finds it difficult to accept him as a reality. Elisa understands as she used to think gargoyles were glorified rainspouts. Elisa notices the sun is almost down and asks Erik to pull over - he does so and Gunther is looking forward to what he's about to see. The sunsets and Angela and Bronx explode from their stone skin. Gunther quickly introduces himself but before full introductions can be made snow and hail begin to fall and Goliath appears asking how much farther the cave is before being told it's around the next bend. Goliath will make sure the way is clear of danger and commands them all to stay where they are. Angela is not assured by Goliath continuing to wear the Eye, but Elisa guesses that Odin is still a threat but doesn't seem entirely convinced.

Shortly afterwards, the jeep arrives and enters the cave while Goliath fortifies the area. Once out of earshot, Erik observes that Goliath has a one track mind, but Elisa reminds him that gargoyles are born to protect. Soon, they all sit around a campfire and Goliath tells them they'll be safe here from Odin's tantrums. Elisa asks how long Goliath thinks they'll have to lay low but before he can answer, Gunther steps outside and tells them the storm has passed and suggests that maybe Odin has given up. But Goliath doesn't believe it, it's far more likely Odin is biding his time until the next tempest. Goliath tells Gunther to help the others unpack while he sees what he can do about finding an adequate door. Angela steps outside the cave to place some snow into a frying pan when it begins to rain. "Looks like Odin is at it again," she guesses before getting suspicious. She stares up into the sky as Goliath magically conjures winds, rain, and lightning. "He's the one creating the storms?!" she says in disbelief.

Featured Characters

Gargoyles	Humans	Oberon's Children	Others
Goliath Angela Bronx	Elisa Maza Erik Sturluson (First Appearance) Gunther Sturluson (First Appearance) Fox (Mentioned Only) Archmage (Mentioned Only)	Odin (First Appearance)	Sleipnir (First Appearance)

Places	Miscellaneous
Norway Sturluson Farm Norwegian Cave	Erik Sturluson's Jeep Rainbow Bridge

Quotes

• "What about Angela and Bronx?"

"We will pack them too." - Elisa and Goliath

• "I used to think gargoyles were just glorified rain spouts!" - Elisa

• "Is there a problem?" - Goliath

• "It's the Eye! The Eye has gone to your head!" - Elisa

• "You took quite a chance. Wish I thought of it." - Elisa

• "Jalapeña, do I have a headache."

"That's our Goliath." - Goliath and Elisa

Continuity

Odin is introduced. He later appears in "The Gathering Part One".

Goliath uses the Eye of Odin himself, after making a vow in "Avalon Part Three" that he would not let it fall into the wrong hands - he had done the same thing with the Phoenix Gate in "M.I.A.". Unlike in that episode, in this case the wrong hands happened to be his own.

The Eye of Odin is effectively destroyed in this episode, being reinserted into Odin's eye socket.

Tidbits

Goliath's Odinized form was designed partly as a proposal for a Gargoyles toy (like Brooklyn's motorcycle in "Temptation" and the converted Pack-chopper in "Her Brother's Keeper")[1], but was rejected by Kenner. (Kenner's Gargoyles line gained a notoriety among fans of the series for doing too many "alternate" takes on the gargoyles in a super-powered mode and not enough characters from the television series, making it ironic that the one time that the series offered them an actual enhanced version of one of the main gargoyles for inspiration, they rejected it!)

Erik and Gunther Sturluson's surname is borrowed from Snorri Sturluson (1179 - 1241), the medieval Icelandic author of the Prose Edda, one of the leading primary sources for Norse mythology. [2]

Odin's horse Sleipnir is portrayed as having only four legs, rather than the eight that he bore in Norse myth. The reason for that is that the animators were able to do a far better job designing a four-legged horse than an eight-legged horse (Greg Weisman has hypothesized that Sleipnir was in an alternate form at the time).

At the very end of the episode, Odin is seen riding off on Sleipnir across a rainbow. This is obviously Bifrost, the rainbow bridge leading to Asgard, home of the Norse gods. (Since Odin would not receive the call to return to Avalon for the Gathering until somewhere between "Ill Met By Moonlight" and "The Gathering Part One", evidently Asgard is not part of Avalon but a home for Odin and the other Norse gods in the outside world.)

DVD Release

• Gargoyles: Season Two, Volume Two

Links

• Greg's Ramble
• Extensive Synopsis and Review

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