From: Stephen SobotkaJr <scififangargoyle>
Date: Sat Oct 2, 1999 4:07 pm
Subject: MAIN CYCLE BREAKDOWNS - Oct. 2

Okay, a few things to address:

DENIS - Forgive me, but NO. One of the things I don't
want us to do is have ANY of the characters, much less
Demona, turn into any kind of alcoholic.

Yes, it's a sad fact of life that some people do turn
to drink, food, or drugs when their lives are going to
hell in a handbasket, but that really shouldn't get
illustrated here. I'm not adverse to a character
taking a drink once in a while... but let's not show
anyone on a one-person binge, okay?

JONATHAN - The bit about Andrea's sister being
shattered in "COS" was done by an independant fanfic
writer named "Madame Destine". To be honest, we can't
really use it, since we'd look like copy cats.

ONE VILLIAN vs. MANY - Actually, we had the multiple
villian angle in the SUW, with Maeve, Loki, Sekhmet,
etc. True, they all worked for the same slime, Madoc,
but we still had several villians instead of just one.

I think the fans are due in for a break. I still say
we need to have the main villian be Thailog, a few of
his lackeys, and that's it.

Now, onto the meat:

SEASON FRAMEWORK - Just to show everyone what we
should be driving for, here is a rough skeleton of the
Season's Episode tree. Not all of this will make it to
the final cut, but it a least gives us a starting
point to work from.

***

GARGOYLES - Season 3

301 - Opener (Matt Goes To DC/G/E Commitment Ceremony)

302 - Matt witnesses hearing/Chavez brought in the loop
303 - Focus on Lexington/1st Inklings: Thailog's Return
304 - Prep for the GWC/Ultra Pack Raid*/Matt's return
305 - GWC, Part 1
306 - GWC, Part 2
307 - Begin Thailog Arc
308 - Ian Ravyn Arc+, (story 1)
309 - Demona begins to loose ground/Nightstone Falls
310 - Silence Speaks (Claw/Sharon development)
311 - Ian Ravyn Arc+, (story 2)
312 - Thailog begins attacks on Xanatos/
313 - Thailog attacks Labarynth/Cure is lost**
314 - Ian Ravyn Arc+ (story 3)
315 - Demona confronts Thailog over Andrea
316 - Prospero one-shot?
317 - Finale, Part 1 (Thailog/Clan Resolution)
318 - Finale, Part 2 (Thailog gone/New Gargoyle
Hunting group++)

* - Special tie in for "Bad Guys"
** - See outline for Mutate cure resolution.
+ - Sub-Arc; see Stephen's outlines for details.
++ - Lead in to Season 4, with Illuminati-backed
government group.

NOTE: This is only if we stretch things out to the 18
episode limit. We can trim and condense eps if we so
choose. Also, we can replace what's here with new
ideas or incorporate them with existing ones.

***

GARGOYLES WORLD COUNCIL - For starters on this, I
agree that there should be no further that 12 clans by
2000. but I must disagree that there will be one in
Antarctica. The continent is nearly all sub-zero
temperatures and ice! Nothing this side of penguins,
seals, and whales could live there! Even the human
explorers that are stationed there by military or
scientific services don't stick around during the
really DEEP COLD seasons there!

Also, Nico, you have some of your cannon clan leaders
mixed up. Here's a list with the actual leaders of the
'known' clans, and the people most likely to go with
them. I also too the liberty to rename some of the
unknown leaders, since some of the names didn't really
fit in my POV. I also included notes where needed.

1. Manhattan Clan - Goliath (leader), Brooklyn, Sata,
Lexington
(Brooklyn has been in contact with several of the
clans during his tour in "Re-Emergence", and he is
clan second. Also, I am sure Sata would prefer to see
her ancient home one more time. Also, Lex needs to be
there to help organize things and possibly meet a
future mate. Yes I know people want to see his
relationship with Liz develop more, but let's be
realistic... I've always seen them as more close
friends than love interests.)

2. Mutate Clan - Derrek (Leader), Deliah
(Even though he isn't a gargoyle, Derrek IS the
de-facto leader. Plus, Deliah's presence can be tied
in if we develop Thailog's arc into his attempting to
sabotage the GWC.)

3. London Clan - Michael (leader), Brock, Griff(?)
(We have to decide if the Council is held during
Pendragon's run or after the end of it's season. That
way, it would seem more natural for the Londoners and
Caladonians to be there.)

4. Caledonian Clan - Kylie (leader), Quade, Jamie or
Curran
(No brainer here. Kylie's advanced age will make this
one of the last things she does before death. And one
of the remaining gargoyles in Caladonia will have to
go as her bodyguard and caregiver.)

5. Ishimura Clan - Kai (leader)
(Being the leader of the host clan, we will mention
other members of the clan, but Kai is the main factor
here.)

6. Guatemala Clan - Zafiro (Leader)
(Oro may have other worldly experience, but again
Zafiro is the de-facto leader. Besides, I assume
Obsidiana will still be too weak to travel, and Oro
may wish to stay behind to help her with the
hatchlings/eggs of the clan.)

7. Avalon Clan - Gabriel (leader); Ophelia
(No brainer here, either. Gabriel leads, and (to build
on the wedding ep "Something Old.." We can declair at
the Council that Gabe and Ophelia have decided to
become mates, but the commitment ceremony is far off
in the future.)

8. New Olympus Clan - Artemis, (Leader)
(Forgive me, Nico, but Artemis sounds a lot better
than Diane. Besides, given the fact gargoyles did once
hunt for food, and Artemis is considered a hunter of
sorts (can't quote the exact mythology), for the NO
clan, it fits.

9. Rockies/Ozarks Clan - William (leader); Johnathan
(a Vietnam vet, bodyguard)
(Either mountain range would work, considering there
are some very inacessible areas in both chains. Also,
being a WW2 vet would make the guardian very old by
now! I would assume the clan would be a more recent
discovery myself.)

10. Chinese Clan - Xao Teng (leader), Shu-ni
(The names need work, but I do believe we can have one
represenative for all of mainland China, including
Mongolia. having one from east china and mongolia is
stretching things a bit.)

11. Africa Clan - Tembo (Leader)
(Tembo means "Elephant" (I think?), and I would assume
that there would be some gargoyles, perhaps living the
deep jungles in the African mountains.)

12. Persian Clan - Methusela (Leader); 'Haravash' (you
know who...)
(Strange twist here, but if you are hinting that
Haravash is Harthoth.... well, we need to think about
that one.)

I'll have more to follow after this.

Here is the first story in the sub arc for Thailog's
Return. It will need some tweeking to make it fit in
with anything else we do, but it is a good start. :)

****

Gargoyles - Thrills In The Night

Plot by Stephen R. Sobotka

* * * * *

The Clan learns of a recent new sensation in the music
world, a pop singer by the name of Ian Ravyn, who's
recent albums of "Thrills In The Night" and "Steel
Wings" have topped the charts overseas, and are
getting big coverage in the USA. When the twins,
Ariana and Graeme obtain a copy (Owen buys it perhaps)
and play it for some of the clan members, someone
makes the comment that "it sounds like he's singing
about us, almost." They dismiss it as a mere
coincidence.

A few weeks later, the news reports that Ravyn has
decided to do a concert in the US - a one-time
engagement - to prepare the way for the premier
release of a new album that will only be available in
this country before it is released in Europe later
this year. This sets a big buzz for his fans in New
York, since the locale for this concert is to be
Central Park.

When the gargoyles get this news, Ariana and Graeme
are thrilled to no end, and beg to be given permission
to attend the concert. At first, Sata and Brooklyn
don't like the idea of the kids going alone, but Lex
offers to go with them to keep them out of trouble.
Their parents agree, and the twins begin plans for
their big night.

* * *

In his recording studio in Europe, Ravyn is going over
rehearsal for the last of the songs he will be
performing in New York. He gets a call, and the caller
asks if everything is ready for the "big event". Ian
unconsciously rubs his hands and forearms, and says
that everything will be ready by the date specified,
and the caller reminds him about their "arrangements".
With a nod, Ian says that he'll be ready, and the
caller hangs up, leaving him with a worried look.

* * *

Two weeks later, the eve of the big night is at hand,
and the news is all humming with reports of the
"closed set" preparations that are underway in the
park for the concert.

During the day, Ian makes a couple of appearances
before the press. When asked about the concert
tomorrow, and what sort of surprises can the American
fans expect, he flashes a winning smile and replies,
"Let's just say, it's going to be a concert that will
_rock_ !"

Watching the report, Xanatos makes the comment that
this singer might be a good investment, since his
albums are going well over double platinum, since
their European release 8 months ago. Fox says he might
be what they need to revive Pack Media Studios, since
Fox feels she might try to revive the studio to make a
true legitimate bid for the music business.

* * *

The night of the concert falls, and while most of the
Clan will patrol - concerts seem to make some people
want to get crazy - Lex waits for the twins to get
ready for their night out. Both are be-decked with Ian
Ravyn paraphernalia - buttons, shirts, and they have
their copy of "Steel Wing", in some slim hope they
could get an autograph. They get a final speech from
their parents, "Behave, and listen to Uncle Lex.", and
together they soar off to Central Park.

* * *

In his dressing room in the "backstage" area, Ian his
warming up for the concert, going over a few last
minute things with the stage manager. In the middle of
this, his thoughts are on the words his "caller" said.
The manager notices his distracted look, but Ian puts
on his best show-face and brushes aside his questions.
Time to get on with the show.

* * *

The area of Central Park that is sectioned off for the
concert is packed with concert goers, not just
American fans, but also some from Europe that flew in
to attend. Fortunately, there are plenty of places
among the concert's speaker towers (huge scaffolds set
to make sure the entire crowd gets to hear the
performance), for Lex and the twins to find a safe
place to sit and watch without being spotted.

The warm-up band - a local one hired just for the
concert - is wrapping up its set as they land, and
Ariana and Graeme are excited to no ends. Lex is too,
to and extent, but he is more cautious since there is
a greater risk of them being seen. Gargoyle relations
with the populace are still strained, even though more
people are less likely to lash out at them. Ariana
tells her Uncle that no one will notice them once the
concert begins.

At that point, the announcer comes out and pumps the
crowd up another notch, as he introduces "Europe's
biggest and most sensational singing star; IAN RAVYN!"

Ian starts out with one of his signature hits,
"Moonlight Thunder", and the crowd and the twins get
caught up in the experience.

* * *

Elsewhere, some figures are checking equipment and
suiting up in all black clothes. One of them makes a
comment on why they have to make this "clean"; why
can't they just kill the freak and be done with it.
The ring leader snipes, saying that they were paid to
do the job as ordered, and any alteration to the plan
would put all of their necks in a sling. Thus said,
they finish the rest of their preparations and head
off.

* * *

The concert is winding down, but Ravyn tells the crowd
that before they play the last number that he
personally thanks everyone for coming, and to watch
out for a planned coast to coast tour of the USA next
year. He then launches into the last song, "Heroes On
The Wind"; a song which Lex notices some very
"pro-gargoyle" lyrics. Ariana and Graeme notice this
too, and it raises some questions between the three of
them. As the song ends, and the crowds begin to break
up, the twins want to somehow get backstage to get
Ian's autograph. Lex is very adamant about them not
going (considering what happened to him twice with the
Pack and Madoc, he'd not want something similar to
happen to either of them) and they show disappointment
at first, but Graeme has that look in his eyes . . .

On the way back, after the concert area is nearly
empty, Graeme slips away from Lex and Ariana and heads
back. Hoping to find something that Ian left behind,
he waits outside the "backstage" area for the star to
emerge. After a bit, he sees Ian as the star leaves
his dressing room to head for his private limo. Before
he can get in, a van speeds into the area, and six men
boil out to surround the star with stun rods. Graeme
knows he should be getting help, but judgment is
overridden as he swoops down to help.

During the melee, Graeme makes a good showing - taking
down two of the thugs - but he is overwhelmed before
Ian comes to his aid. Then, Lex and Ariana come flying
to the rescue, sending the remaining thugs bolting
from the scene.

After the thugs leave, Graeme gets a brow-beating from
Lex, but Ian surprisingly steps in to defend him. The
fact that Ian isn't afraid of the threesome, albeit
there is a reflexive twitch when he shakes hands with
Lex and Graeme, is lost for the moment as the twins
both get caught up in the fact that they're face to
face with their favorite singing star, and they're
acting like any human fan would. Ian gives Lex a look
that says "Hey, it's a living!" as he autographs their
CD and a few clothing items, and when they comment on
the concert, he thanks them all for coming.

In the end, the threesome have to return to the
castle, so they leave in good company, and Ian heads
for his limo and his hotel to rest.

* * *

Back at the castle, Graeme gets a few more words from
Brooklyn and Sata, but not too much, considering that
he and Ariana survived the skirmish and the concert in
one piece. They also thank Lex for watching them,
although he claims that his biggest fear was watching
Ian turn out to be another "user" like Madoc was (as
Nicholas Madox), but he was glad everything turned
out.

Meanwhile, the twins are bubbling over their
autographed prizes, when Graeme makes the comment why
someone would want to harm Ian. Ariana says that
"idols" seem to always have someone after them, but in
this case, thinks it's only because those men were
either jealous of Ian's talent or just a bunch of
obsessed fans.

* * *

Ian arrives on the "private" floor of the hotel,
making for his suite as he tiredly fumbles for his key
card. Upon entering the room, he tosses his jacket on
the bed, and crosses to the window to look out at the
New York skyline. A voice from behind him makes an
off-hand comment on how it was all too easy. Ian snaps
back that things are going according to the plan their
employer set out. The owner of the voice comes into
view, and it's the ringleader of the thugs.

"You think they took the bait?" he asks.

Ian absently rubs his forearms again and smiles at the
man. "Oh, yeah," he says, before turning away and
frowning, though his tone does not change. "They did."

End

****

Story 2 to follow...

Stephen R. Sobotka, Jr.
Head of TGS
Head of Breakdowns