Possession

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"Possession" is the sixty-second televised episode of the series Gargoyles, and the forty-ninth episode of Season 2. It originally aired on May 8, 1996.

Summary

Main Plot

Several attempts by Xanatos and Owen to segregate the three souls of Coldstone fail, so Puck decides to get the job done as a means to teach Alexander a magic lesson. Puck poses as Goliath and goes to the Clock Tower, where he uses a magical spell to temporarily transfer the souls of "Othello", "Desdemona", and "Iago" into the bodies of Broadway, Angela, and Brooklyn, respectively (though none of the gargoyles knew about the latter). Puck and Alex then transfer into Coldstone, and lure the true Goliath and Hudson to the Eyrie Building, where Puck activates the Coldsteel and Coldfire robots and uses them to defeat the two gargoyles. The others go to the castle to save them, and a fight amongst the gargoyles, robots, and Puck (inside Coldstone) ensues. "Iago" is impressed with the Coldsteel robot, confessing that he would like to trade Brooklyn's body for it. Alex (inside Lexington), speaks the soul transference spell to grant "Iago" his choice, then speaks it again for "Othello" and "Desdemona" who volunteer to inhabit the Coldstone and Coldfire bodies.

Subplots

"Othello" and "Desdemona" take some time to enjoy the sensations in the bodies of Broadway and Angela, while "Iago", in the body of Brooklyn, eggs them on. When it appears as if "Iago" has taken over Coldstone's body, "Othello" entertains the idea of him and "Desdemona" staying in the bodies of their hosts forever, though she has reservations. At the end of the episode, they realize that doing so would be wrong, so Puck is able to transfer them to the Coldstone and Coldfire bodies.

Coldsteel escapes, and Coldstone and Coldfire chase after him, promising to return once he's no longer a threat.

The Story

Previously on Gargoyles

Act One

The wind howls among the snowy Himalayas. Suddenly, laser blasts sound out over the wind and an avalanche roars down the mountainside. Two steel clan robots fly above the snow. They land on the snow and look around. One of them notices movement in it's visual feed and fires its laser cannon at something moving under the snow to no avail. Whatever is below the snow pulls the robot under and it disappears. The second robot flies over and looks around. But it now stands alone in the stark snowscape. Suddenly, a robotic leg is thrown from the snow and strikes the second robot! It deflects the object and looks back to see Coldstone emerge from the snowbank. Coldstone roars and charges at the robot. Tackling it, the robot and the cyborg roll down the mountainside. They stand and begin to exchange punches. Above them, Xanatos appears in his red exo-frame. He opens a shoulder mounted cannon and takes aim at the steel clan robot. A clawed disk is fired and punctures the arm of the robot. It them releases a powerful electric charge which shocks both the robot and Coldstone in his grasp. The robot explodes and Coldstone is thrown to the ground damaged and unconscious. Xanatos lands next to the cyborg and remarks, "Someday, Coldstone, you'll thank me for this."

Sometime later, in the laboratory tower of Castle Wyvern, Coldstone's body lies on a table unmoving. Coldstone's head, attached to the body by wires, but sitting apart from the body watches on angrily. Coldstone wants to know what is being done to him and when the humiliation will end. Owen Burnett and Xanatos ignore him and note that the third transfer attempt has failed: technology alone can't compensate for the sorcery used in Coldstone's creation. Xanatos wonders if Owen could just transform into Puck and use magic to solve the problem. Owen reminds him that Oberon has forbidden him from using his magic except in the training of Xanatos's son, Alexander. The two men turn to leave and tell Coldstone that they'll have to get back to him later. The detached head growls at them.

Later, in Alexander's nursery, Fox Xanatos (in her evening gown) hands young Alex to Owen noting that the child has been playing hard all day and will be ready for bed soon. Alex's parents head out for an evening together. Alex and Owen smile to each other.

In the laboratory, Coldstone is resting when suddenly two figures that appear to be Goliath and Hudson appear. Goliath is thrilled to have found his brother after many months apart. Coldstone begins to question how they found him, but then quickly reminds the two gargoyles that it isn't safe for them here: Coldstone is still a threat due to the battle within him. If his mate fails to keep their evil brother at bay, he could take over the Coldstone body with no warning. Goliath, reattaching his brother's head and freeing him, tells Coldstone and he and his love have suffered long enough. He thinks he can fix the problem. Coldstone thinks to resist, but relaxes, to Hudson's quiet relief. Coldstone worries about the danger, but Goliath brushes the danger aside: "You are our brother."

At the Clocktower, the Trio, Bronx, and Angela are watching TV. Bronx is suddenly alerted to something outside and growls. The Trio and Angela take note but only see Goliath and Hudson appear in the doorway. They are not alarmed, but surprised since Goliath and Hudson were on patrol. Goliath points out that their plans have changed and reveals Coldstone standing behind them. Bronx approaches the Goliath, Hudson, and Coldstone menacingly, but Goliath smirks and tells Bronx that Coldstone is not the enemy. Goliath releases a cloud of sparkles in Bronx's face and the beast relaxes, walks away, and falls asleep. Brooklyn reminds Goliath about the third personality inside Coldstone: the dangerously evil one and Goliath calmly tells him that they are going to neutralize it. Broadway wonders how they can do that. Goliath explains that they are going to empty Coldstone's body of all three souls. With no attachment to the Earth plane the evil soul will evaporate. The two good personalities will temporarily be housed in two other gargoyles using a magical spell until Goliath returns them to the Coldstone shell. He asks for volunteers. Angela, quickly volunteers, followed by Broadway. Brooklyn, seeing those two volunteer, offers as well, before realizing that they don't need three volunteers. Hudson is quietly pleased and Goliath smiles as well. Lexington wonders when Goliath learned to cast magic spells, but Goliath explains that he learned on Avalon. Another cloud of sparkles surrounds Lex's face and he drops his skepticism and is instead impressed. Coldstone thanks Broadway and Angela for the gift they are giving his mate and himself and Angela reminds him that they are clan. Goliath says there is no more time to lose. He casts a spell and clouds of sparkles surround Coldstone. Inside the cyborg's mind, the two other personalities are drawn out of the cyberscape they inhabited and join Coldstone's primary personality in leaving the body. The souls, in sparkle cloud form, swirl around Broadway and Angela while the Coldstone body collapses to the floor. Brooklyn notices the cloud evaporate into his hand and is shocked. Coldstone (in Broadway's body) approaches Angela, asking if it is really his mate and she replies that it is: They are reunited and the evil brother has been banished! Brooklyn glares at them thoughtfully and Lexington asks the duo about Broadway and Angela. Coldstone's mate (in Angela's body) tells the young gargoyle that she can sense Angela's presence, but her soul is dormant. She believes the souls will be restored when Goliath returns them to the Coldstone body. Goliath tells them that casting the spell fatigued him and he is not ready to move them back yet. He needs some air and tells Hudson to come with him. The pair depart with Goliath reminding Brooklyn that he is in charge.

Goliath and Hudson glide off and land at the Apex Tower. Goliath tells Hudson that his first magic lesson has officially begun. The two gargoyles transform into their true selves: Puck and Alex. Puck tells Alex, "Welcome to Soul Transference 101!"

Act Two

At the Clocktower, Lexington examines the Coldstone body while Brooklyn asks "Broadway" and "Angela" if they'd like to get some air. Lexington questions this course of action, but Brooklyn opines that they should enjoy their last moments of freedom before returning to Coldstone. "Broadway", suspicious of Brooklyn, admits that he would like that and will not go far. "Angela" is reluctant, but follows her mate. They glide off into the night and Brooklyn moves to follow them explaining to Lex that he will keep an eye on them while Lex explains this when Goliath returns. Meanwhile, a cloud of sparkles quietly enters Coldstone's lifeless body. Lexington, seemingly alone, realizes that something is not right as Coldstone rises behind him menacingly.

"Broadway" and "Angela" land atop the Statue of Liberty thrilled at the feelings and sensations of being flesh and blood again. Coldstone's sense are so dull. "Broadway" had forgotten the touch of his mate's hand and the smell of her hair. "Angela" recoils telling him that it isn't her hair. Brooklyn arrives expresses his sympathy to them both. The cyberspace inside Coldstone's body is no match for true sensation in the real world. "Angela" appreciates the concern, but tells Brooklyn that they are resigned to their fate. "Broadway" admits that at least when they return it'll be without their evil brother. Brooklyn agrees, but muses that its a shame they can't keep the bodies they are in now. "Broadway" and "Angela" look at each other in wonder.

Meanwhile, Goliath and Hudson have finished their patrol and return to the Clocktower. They are shocked to see Coldstone there. Goliath is excited to see him, but Hudson advises caution. Coldstone tells them that the evil one is not present while Bronx rubs against the cyborg lovingly. Hudson admits that if Bronx trusts Coldstone, that is all the proof he needs. Bronx lays down near a hidden and gagged Lexington. Lex watches as Coldstone explains that Xanatos has created new monsters to unleash against the clan. They must destroy them now! Coldstone, Goliath, and Hudson depart.

As they glide above the city, Goliath explains that after saving Xanatos's son, he had hoped that Xanatos's desire for a truce was sincere. Coldstone expresses his doubt. They approach the Eyrie Building.

"Broadway", "Angela", and Brooklyn return to the Clocktower. They are alarmed to see Lexington bound and gagged and quickly free him. Lex explains that it was Coldstone that attacked him and the evil personality must be in control. Brooklyn says that's impossible and when questioned why weakly replies that he can't believe Goliath's spell didn't work. Lex explains that its worse than that. Coldstone has tricked Goliath and Hudson into attacking Xanatos. Brooklyn says the course is clear: they must destroy Coldstone's body to rid the world of the evil brother. Lexington points out that that would leave the other personalities stranded inside Broadway and Angela. "Broadway" agrees with Brooklyn. This might be their only chance. "Angela", however, is less sure.

In the laboratory tower, Coldstone shows Goliath and Hudson the two dormant robotic bodies that Xanatos calls Coldsteel and Coldfire. Goliath points out that they are clearly modeled after the other two gargoyles who's souls live inside Coldstone. He is baffled. Coldstone suddenly links up and activates the two robots who instantly attack Goliath and Hudson. The Coldfire robot blasts Hudson with a flamethrower which damages some lab equipment and activates the fire sprinklers. Meanwhile, the Coldsteel robot entangles Goliath in metallic tentacles. The two gargoyles are quickly beaten unconscious. Coldstone laughs maniacally while he and the two robots look upon the gargoyles.

Act Three

"Broadway", "Angela", Lexington, and Brooklyn arrive at the Castle. Brooklyn orders the other two to search the Great Hall while he and Lexington investigate the laboratory. Entering the lab, Brooklyn and Lex see clear signs of a struggle, but Lexington admits that nothing seems clear to him tonight: How could Goliath leave Coldstone with them and then return an hour later and be surprised to see him? And what is going to happen to Broadway and Angela? Brooklyn tells him that those are good questions, but then slams Lex into a wall knocking him out. Lex wouldn't like the answers...

In the Great Hall, "Angela" asks her mate if they are really going to do this. "Broadway" tells her that they must destroy Coldstone and their evil brother even if it strands them in the bodies of two other warriors. "Angela" is uneasy about this, but her mate urges her to make the best of a bad situation. And, after all, haven't they earned it? Suddenly, an elevator door opens and Coldstone's voice beckons them to enter. The two gargoyles enter and the doors close. The doors open to the Atrium and "Broadway" and "Angela" leap out ready for battle. They spot Goliath and Hudson bound and hanging from a tree. Hudson yells a warning and the Coldstone body attacks. "Angela" is thrown to the ground when she attempts to take Coldstone down and "Broadway" infuriated, slams Coldstone against a tree. Goliath attempts to warn Broadway, but "Broadway" doesn't heed him as Coldstone throws the tree on top of him.

In the laboratory, Lexington regains consciousness for the second time that night. He admits that he could use a little help. A magical sparkle appears and enters Lex's body. "Lexington" grins.

Back in the Atrium, Coldstone looks over the pinned and struggling "Broadway". Brooklyn approaches from behind and Coldstone is quick to fire a laser blast at him. Brooklyn tells him that whoever is in Coldstone should continue destroying the rest of the clan. He only wants "Angela". When she wakes up "Brooklyn" will tell her that her mate died with Broadway. She'll be heartbroken, but their new bodies will help. "Broadway" suddenly sees that his evil brother has been in possession of Brooklyn this whole time and has always desired his mate as his won. "Brooklyn" acknowledges that "Broadway" is correct, albeit slow to realize it. "Broadway" wonders that if his brother is in Brooklyn, who is in Coldstone? "Coldstone" grins and refuses to tell. "Brooklyn" moves away towards the elevator with "Angela" who is slowly waking up, but "Coldstone" tells him he cannot leave. "Brooklyn" laughs but the elevator door opens to reveal the Coldsteel robot which quickly wraps "Brooklyn" in it's tentacles. "Brooklyn" curses in shock, "By the dragon, you're me!" The Coldfire robot exits the elevator as well and grabs "Angela". Goliath is very confused and demands to know what is happening. "Coldstone" tells him that this was all done for his benefit: Xanatos wanted to reward Goliath for his help by helping the souls inside Coldstone. Coldsteel and Coldfire were constructed to hold the spare personalities, but Broadway, Angela, and Brooklyn wound up with them instead. "Brooklyn" notes that the robot is good looking, but he wishes for something more practical. "Coldstone" presses a button to show off the features of Coldsteel. The robot whips "Brooklyn" around and throws him across the Atrium. "Coldstone" asks who else needs a demonstration. "Broadway" roars that he does and finally frees himself from under the fallen tree, throwing it at "Coldstone". Goliath and Hudson squirm in their bounds and wish they could only get free to help. Hudson spots "Lexington" in the branches above and asks him to get them down. "Lexington" loosens their feet and they fall headfirst to the ground then works to untie their hands. Meanwhile, "Broadway" battles "Coldstone" while "Angela" battles the Coldfire robot. "Coldstone" is beaten to the ground while the Coldfire robot is pushed into the water which deactivates her flamethrower ability. "Angela" uses the moment to dive under the water and disable the robot. The Coldsteel robot uses it's tentacles to grab Goliath again, but Hudson slices through the tentacles with his sword which disables the robot. The gargoyles regroup. "Broadway" lifts "Brooklyn" into the air and demands that he give up Brooklyn's body. "Brooklyn asks if returning to cyberspace or fading from existence entirely is his other option. He sneakily asks if that is what "Broadway" is considering. "Broadway" throws him back to the ground and "Brooklyn" admits that Brooklyn is something of a disappointment and Coldsteel might've been a better deal after all noting that it even heals itself as he watches the robot's tentacles heal from Hudson's attack. He wouldn't mind moving from Brooklyn to Coldsteel. "Coldstone" notes that that is just what they've been needing to hear and tells "Lexington" to "Go for it, kid!" "Lexington" begins casting a spell, he hesitates but is aided by "Coldstone". Clouds of magic sparkles swirl around "Lexington's" hands and the evil brother's soul bursts from Brooklyn and moves into Coldsteel. Coldsteel gloats about the power of his new body, but admits that he is surrounded. He makes a quick retreat and tells the clan that he'll be back. Brooklyn angrily yells after him and "Angela" is amazed that Brooklyn was aware of everything Coldsteel did and said while in his body. Brooklyn couldn't stop him and apologizes. "Angela" tells him there is nothing to apologize for and wishes she and "Broadway" could say the same. She asks her mate if he knows what they must do. He does, and he is ready. Puck emerges in a cloud sparkle from the Coldstone body glad that the two gargoyles have finally grown a conscience. Goliath is shocked to see him, but admits he should've known. He asks the trickster why all the subterfuge. Puck admits that he lives for it. Plus soul transfers are difficult and require voluntary participation. He needed the evil one to be impressed enough to ask for Coldsteel's body. He summons the Coldfire robot which emerges from the water and lands beside Coldstone. "Broadway" asks for one moment more as he embraces his flesh and blood mate. In his embrace, "Angela" asks to do it and "Lexington" again casts the spell. The two souls are transferred into Coldstone and Coldfire and Broadway steps back from Angela's embrace with a grin. Coldstone and Coldfire hold each other and thank Broadway and Angela for letting them have one night as flesh and blood. Goliath asks them to rejoin the clan now that they are free of Coldsteel. They decline. Coldsteel is still out there and is more powerful than ever. He is their responsibility. They depart in pursuit of Coldsteel but promise to return when the threat is gone. Goliath is still puzzled: Why is Puck working his magic through Lexington? Puck tells him that he hasn't done any magic in hours and it was his instead his student passing his first lesson. A cloud of sparkles emerges from Lexington and materializes as Alexander in Puck's arms. Lexington notes that Alex had a little help and Puck replies that he had a great teacher. Puck notes the time and throws a giant clock at Goliath, telling him that he'll let Xanatos know that the gift was appreciated. Puck and Alex magically disappear and the clock's alarm chimes in Goliath's hands. "Let's go home."

Back in Alex's nursery, Puck places Alex in his cradle. Puck hears Xanatos and Fox return and quickly transforms back into Owen. Alex's parents enter the room and Fox asks if there were any problems. Owen replies that there were not, just a well behaved and intelligent child. As an aside, he tells Xanatos that the Coldstone dilemma has been resolved. Xanatos thanks him, but Owen corrects Xanatos, "Don't thank me, sir. Thank your son." Xanatos holds the boy and smiles.

Featured Characters and First Appearances

Gargoyles Humans Oberon's Children Others


Places


Quotes

  • "I concur, sir."
"You can do more than that Owen, if you were to transform into Puck and wiggle your nose or something." - Owen and Xanatos
  • "He's been playing hard all day." - Fox
  • "For the spirit to be willing, the flesh must first grow weak. Just long enough for soul in flight to pass from cheek to cheek." - Puck/Goliath and Alex/Lexington
  • "My boy, welcome to Soul Transference 101." - Puck
  • "How feeble the electric illusions of cyberspace must seem, now that you have had another taste of true sensation." - "Iago"/Brooklyn
  • "Those are all very good questions. I have a feeling you won't like the answers." - "Iago"/Brooklyn
  • "By the Dragon, you're me!" - "Iago"/Brooklyn
  • "Will someone tell me what's going on here?!" - Goliath
  • "Try not to miss me too much. I'll be baa-ack!" - Coldsteel

Continuity

Coldstone appears for the first time since "High Noon". He is discovered in the Himalayas, a reference to a story that Greg Weisman had planned to write for the Marvel Comics Gargoyles series before its cancellation, and which was eventually adapted into the flashback scenes of "Reunion". In it, Goliath, Elisa, Angela, and Bronx encounter Coldstone in the Himalayas during the Avalon World Tour. This also explains why Angela does not have a very strong reaction to first seeing Coldstone in the episode, since she had seen him before.

Coldstone's three personalities are separated into three separate bodies in this episode. "Othello" remains in the original Coldstone body, "Desdemona" is transferred to Coldfire, and "Iago" is transferred to Coldsteel. Coldsteel next appears, without Coldstone or Coldfire, in "Reunion", and then again in "The Rock". Coldstone and Coldfire reappear at the end of "Rock & Roll". They will finally accept Goliath's invitation to rejoin the clan (made in this episode) in "Phoenix".

Puck is seen tutoring Alex for the first time since he had been instructed to do so by Oberon in "The Gathering" Part Two.

Xanatos says that he constructed the two robot bodies to repay Goliath for helping to save Alexander (in "The Gathering" Part Two), though it's likely he had other motives for constructing them (as is made apparent in "The Rock", "Rock & Roll", and "Rock of Ages").

Broadway and Angela feel a deeper connection thanks to the two lovers occupying their bodies for a time, leading to their becoming a couple some time before "The Journey". Similarly, after Alex possesses Lexington's body to cast the soul transference spell, a bond of friendship is formed between the two (again, as seen in "The Journey").

Tidbits

"Possession" was originally intended to be two stories, one about the Coldtrio, the other about Puck tutoring Alex; the original concept for the latter was that Raven, Coyote the Trickster, and Anansi would apparently attempt to abduct Alex, though why is uncertain (since Titania had been satisfied with the arrangement at the end of "The Gathering" Part Two, she surely would have no reason to send them on this mission, and it is hard to imagine the three tricksters leaving Avalon without her and Oberon's permission). When "Possession" became a single story, the projected Tricksters episode was initially moved to Season Three, then drastically altered (once Greg Weisman left Gargoyles and the series became The Goliath Chronicles) into "Ransom", where Alex's abductor was a villainous mayoral candidate who was exploiting the gargoyle issue in the hopes of getting elected to office.

Xanatos alludes to the television series Bewitched when he suggests that Owen turn into Puck and "wiggle your nose or something".

While the television episode never mentions where Xanatos and Fox were going when they went out for the evening, according to one of the outlines, they were attending a performance of Verdi's Otello, a reference to the Shakespearean counterparts of the Coldtrio that unfortunately did not make it into the final version.

The opening of the soul transference incantation, "For the spirit to be willing, the flesh must first grow weak", is based on the Biblical passage "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak". (Matthew 26:41)

This is the only episode of the series where Elisa Maza neither appears nor is mentioned.

Toon Disney/Disney XD Edits

In a quick blink-and-you'll-miss-it cut, Hudson's sword slicing through Coldsteel's tentacles has been removed.

DVD Release

Links

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