The Gathering (Gargoyles)

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The Gathering is the title of a two-part episode in the second season of the Disney animated television series Gargoyles. Within the context of the show, it is also the name of a reunion of all the children of Oberon begun in that episode. So notable was the episode in the chronology of Gargoyles that fans of the series now use the name "The Gathering" for their annual convention.

It is a notable episode for several reasons. Most obviously it draws to an end the 20-episode long "World Tour" story arc that had been the focus of the series since the episode Avalon. At the very start of the episode, Goliath, Elisa Maza and Bronx return home to Manhattan after an extended leave, and introduce Goliath's daughter Angela to the rest of the Manhattan Clan.

The episode also sees changes and revelations in the home of David Xanatos and Fox, not least the birth of their son, Alexander. Much is revealed about the background of Owen Burnett, their loyal aide, as well as Fox's parentage.

Last but not least, The Gathering sees Lord Oberon call his "children" home to the island of Avalon. Until this point, they had been banished from the island and many had been encountered throughout the World Tour. With the return of the entire species to their home, and their renewed fealty to Oberon, this mechanic was set to change in all future episodes.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Episode synopsis

Oberon finally initiates the Gathering, in which all members of his race are called home to the island of Avalon after a millennium-long banishment. However, three particular members of Oberon's court fail to arrive at the appointed time: Queen Titania, who has Oberon's leave to come and go as she wishes; the Banshee, who is tracked down by the Weird Sisters and gagged by Oberon as punishment; and Puck, whom Oberon goes to find himself. Oberon follows Puck's trail to Manhattan, but is sidetracked when he finds a trace of his wife Titania.

Back in Manhattan, Fox Xanatos is giving birth to a baby son, Alexander. In attendance are both sides of the family - David's father, Petros Xanatos, as well as Fox's parents, Halcyon Renard and Anastasia, and Halcyon's aide, Preston Vogel. Owen Burnett becomes suspicious of Anastasia after she says that she has divorced Renard and intends to remarry her old husband, and the reason is soon apparent: Oberon arrives and informs all assembled that Anastasia is in fact Titania, his queen, and that Fox is therefore half-fae on her mother's side. Titania explains that while Fox has no magical talent in her, Alexander's potential could yet be nurtured, and Oberon decides to take the boy away from his parents to Avalon. Xanatos fights back and loses, and Oberon gives them a single hour's grace to say farewell to their son.

When Xanatos confronts Owen about his suspicions of Anastasia, Owen admits that he knew Anastasia's true identity. He also reveals that he has implemented a new security system that should help Xanatos fight back against Oberon and defend his son, but Owen leaves before the fight begins, claiming that he "can not risk becoming involved". Xanatos is upset by the apparent abandonment of his closest ally, but implements the measures anyway. When Oberon finally returns, he is kept out of the Eyrie Building by a force field, and becomes increasingly frustrated at the apparent impertinence of these humans.

Meanwhile, Goliath, Elisa, Angela and Bronx have arrived back in Manhattan after their "World Tour". Elisa returns home to her apartment, and the other members of the Manhattan Clan are pleased to hear that more gargoyles have survived to the present than they previously thought - the Trio are especially glad that one such gargoyle, the female Angela, has now joined the clan. Titania appears at their clocktower home and asks the gargoyles, as Oberon's honour guard, to protect Fox and young Alexander during the upcoming conflict. Goliath refuses the summons, but goes to help Xanatos protect his offspring instead, believing that no parent should be separated from a child.

The gargoyles glide to the Eyrie Building and engage Oberon in combat, along with several Iron Clan robots that are controlled remotely from within the building. By this time Oberon has cast a spell of sleep over the entire city and has grown to massive proportions, and he easily bests both "clans" - ignoring the pain of touching the iron robots. Not even the aerial hovercraft Fortress II, piloted by Halcyon Renard and Preston Vogel, can stop the fae lord.

Finally tiring of the battle, and realising that anger has clouded his judgement, Oberon bypasses the force field by going underneath it and enters the Eyrie Building from below. Only three gargoyles remain conscious at this point (Goliath, Angela and Brooklyn), and they join David Xanatos and his father Petros in fighting Oberon on the battlements at the top of the building, but they are soon defeated as well. Though Oberon feels that he has removed all obstacles standing in his way, one more appears: Owen Burnett, who has returned "against [his] better judgement". In a surprise twist, Owen reveals his true identity and transforms into the trickster, Puck.

Puck explains his background to Oberon, as well as his reasons for not attending the Gathering. He once saw Titania posing as Anastasia Renard, and using Preston Vogel ("the most wooden mortal on the face of the planet") as a template, he created the persona of "Owen Burnett". However, Renard's traditional morality became boring to a trickster like Puck, and he eventually went to work instead for Anastasia's daughter Fox and then-boyfriend David Xanatos, who were far more fun to work for. Eventually, Puck revealed himself to Xanatos and offered a choice: a single wish from Puck, or a lifetime's service from Owen. Xanatos chose Owen, and Puck was so impressed that he has fulfilled his part of the deal faithfully. Puck pleads with Oberon to postpone the Gathering for just a few years, but Oberon refuses and swiftly defeats his wayward "child".

The defenders chase Oberon into the nursery, where he and Titania still plan to steal the infant away from Fox. Suddenly, in desperation, Fox herself releases a burst of magical energy that knocks Oberon away from the crib and back into the wall. Goliath immediately identifies a solution to the problem: if Fox can access magical potential so well buried, then Alexander could be taught to use his properly with the correct teacher, even here. Oberon agrees, and Puck is appointed as the boy's tutor. However, in addition, Puck is banished eternally from Avalon, and is permitted only to use his magic in training of defence of the boy - Puck is upset at this decree, although after a transformation Owen takes it stoically.

As Oberon and Titania leave, Titania delivers cryptic comments that perhaps she expected this outcome all along. She also whispers something to Fox that visibly shocks the young woman. Oberon removes his sleep spell from the city and the royal pair return to Avalon.

Finally, Xanatos and Goliath call a truce to their feud - Xanatos is grateful that Goliath stepped in to help his son, and Goliath is willing to admit that fatherhood might have a good influence on the man. They are still not instant friends, but nothing is set in stone.

[edit] Titania's whisper

The phrase that Titania whispered to Fox at the end of the two-parter has remained one of the most controversial aspects of the series, especially among the fandom. Nothing is actually heard of what she says, it is never referenced in any following episode, and there is considerable debate about what it might have been.

Creator Greg Weisman has also decided to remain quiet on the issue. On his forum, Ask Greg, he has received numerous questions attempting to address the issue, but refuses to reveal the information. He has stated only that though he knows what he thinks Titania whispered and thought it was "kinda cool" at the time, he now feels that it would likely not live up to expectations.