Summary

• Gargoyles is still hailed as one of the best animated series of the 20th century due to its intricate mythology, complex characters, and smart writing.
• The show's high points resulted in some of the most impactful and creative animated episodes of its time, covering timely themes and introducing young viewers to concepts like film noir and world mythologies.
• Despite being canceled over 25 years ago, Gargoyles remains influential and stands as a benchmark for serialized, long-form animation, showcasing the power of strong worldbuilding, an overarching narrative, and exceptional voice acting.

Gargoyles is still considered one of the best animated series of the 20th century, with several episodes resonating to this day. Gargoyles created an intricate mythology with complex characters and smart writing during its two season, 65 episode run. Each episode covered timely themes while introducing a generation of young viewers to concepts like film noir, world mythologies, and Shakespeare. Though never reaching mainstream popularity on the level of its contemporaries, like X-Men or Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles left a huge impression thanks to strong worldbuilding, overarching narrative, and superior voice acting.

Despite Gargoyles being canceled over 25 years ago, the animation and storytelling within episodes was superb. The show quickly built a dedicated fanbase in the mid 1990s that remains ionate about the series today. While slightly uneven across its run, Gargoyles' high points resulted in some of the most resonant, creative animated episodes of the era that still impacts today. Even a quarter century after cancellation, the series stands as a benchmark for what serialized, long-form animation can achieve at its finest.

10 "Metamorphosis"

(Season 2, Episode 2)

In this standout episode, Xanatos schemes with the sinister Dr. Anton Sevarius to mutate Derek Maza into a gargoyle, straining Derek's relationship with his sister Elisa. Sevarius demonstrates his ability to create artificial gargoyle creatures, foreshadowing more nefarious plans. Xanatos masterfully manipulates all involved to benefit himself, all while inflicting emotional damage on the heroes. Through morally complex characterization and a conclusion showing the personal cost of Xanatos' ruthlessness, the episode delivers an impactful, timely message about the dangers of meddling with nature through unethical science. Over 25 years later, both its environmental theme and dramatic emotional stakes still resonate.

9 "M.I.A."

(Season 2, Episode 30)

The imaginative episode, “M.I.A.,” has Goliath travelling back in time to WWII-era London seeking answers after present-day English gargoyles accuse him of causing their friend Griff’s death. The unlikely mixture of gargoyles with Nazis succeeds thanks to strong characterization and themes exploring the virtues and dangers of altruism versus isolation. Through creative storytelling interweaving magic, time travel, and war, “M.I.A.” maintains its significance by showcasing the show’s expansive worldbuilding. It also asks meaningful questions about global responsibility and whether the needs of strangers should outweigh those of one’s immediate community.

8 "Reawakening"

(Season 1, Episode 13)

This potential series finale delivers emotional gut punches as Goliath confronts Coldstone, a cyborg gargoyle. The episode masterfully blends fantasy and sci-fi while raising the personal stakes. The introduction of Coldstone as a tragic villain corrupted by sorcery and technology proves powerful, as human beings are susceptible to the same corruption. By deciding to extend their protection to all New Yorkers, not just their immediate circle, the gargoyles find renewed purpose. Thanks to high drama and resonance with earlier events, “Reawakening” represents a pinnacle for the series. Its themes about finding meaning by serving a cause bigger than oneself ring as true now as they did 25 years prior.

7 "Long Way To Morning"

(Season 1, Episode 11)

By juxtaposing two compelling narratives, “Long Way to Morning” remains a Gargoyles standout. In the present day, Demona ambushes Elisa and poisons her, catalyzing a tense confrontation with Goliath and Hudson. This creates a second storyline flashing back to the trio’s shared past, depicting their battle against the Archmage defending Scotland’s Prince Malcolm. The multilayered plot allows Hudson to emerge as the episode’s keystone. In the past, though a strong warrior, aging leads him to leadership of the gargoyle clan to Goliath. Through suspense and enriched characterization stemming from the parallel stories, the episode distills the series’ foundational themes.

6 "Deadly Force"

(Season 1, Episode 8)

Broadway unleashes seldom-seen rage after nearly causing tragedy in “Deadly Force,” often considered the most impactful gun safety episode of forgotten animated 1990s TV shows. The plot intertwines Broadway accidentally shooting Elisa with her service weapon and Goliath pursuing mob boss Tony Dracon, wrongly believing he shot her. The grim hospital scenes don’t hold back when detailing her severe injuries, hammering home the fragility of life. However, the script brings nuance, equally placing blame to both Broadway, for recklessly playing with the gun, and Elisa for leaving it unattended. By tempering its effective anti-gun message, the episode resonates as conversations around responsible weapons usage are still relevant decades later.

5 "Awakening: Part 1"

(Season 1, Episode 1)

The Gargoyles series premiere perfectly introduces viewers to the show's intricate world in a mere half-hour. 994 AD Scotland sets the stage as Vikings take over Castle Wyvern. The episode establishes the gargoyle way of life, which is defending human allies by night and turning into stone by day. Goliath leads the clan, assisted by his mentor Hudson and mate Demona. Manipulated into leaving the castle vulnerable, Goliath returns to find his entire clan gruesomely slaughtered. The dark tragedy is the perfect cliffhanger, while kickstarting the adventures. Thanks to rich characters and strong conflict, “Awakening: Part 1” stands as an aspirational case study for inaugural episodes.

4 “Avalon”

(Season 2, Episode 21)

The high-fantasy episode “Avalon” takes Gargoyles’ science fantasy scope to another level. Seeking their eggs on the mythical island, the Manhattan clan discovers not hatchlings, but full-grown gargoyles secretly raised for generations. Among them, Angela emerges as Goliath and Demona’s daughter, now ing the cast. This episode starts the expansion of the gargoyle world, suggesting global clans beyond Manhattan for later exploration. An attack by the resurrected Archmage also represents old grudges resurfacing with heightened emotional stakes. By ambitiously blending Arthurian mythos with the show’s original lore, the risks reap bigger rewards through Angela’s introduction and a new quest teased.

3 "The Gathering"

(Season 2, Episodes 44 & 45)

An episode packed into two thrilling parts, “The Gathering” still carries so much weight after all these years. The gargoyles finally return to Manhattan after touring the world, only to immediately confront another crisis. Oberon has set out to steal Xanatos’s newborn son to Avalon, motivated to preserve the child’s magical heritage. Though Goliath harbors no affection for Xanatos, he still convinces the gargoyle clan that they must stand in defense against the overwhelming onslaught of Oberon's power. The episode captures high personal stakes against a seemingly unstoppable force in a way that continues to remain compelling.

2 “Future Tense”

(Season 2, Episode 43)

This dystopian episode gives a glimpse into a potential dark future finds Goliath mysteriously transported to a bombed-out Manhattan where the gargoyles lie shattered. Xanatos rules a Big Brother-esque police state, while other characters have become twisted versions of themselves. Combined with animation and background art rivaling Gargoyles’ best, the episode leaves an impactful impression. By skillfully exploring profound loss through a bleak dreamscape, “Future Tense” retains an emotional resonance that is noteworthy.

1 "City of Stone"

(Season 2, Episodes 9 - 12)

A four-part saga, “City of Stone” represents Gargoyles at its finest. Demona casts a spell transforming New Yorkers into stone at night, allowing her to enact vengeance. Additionally, Demona’s backstory gets fleshed out over centuries through tragedy, loss and the devastating cycle of bitterness. Despite allying with long-time antagonist Xanatos, Goliath cannot sway Demona from her destructive path influenced by inner demons she refuses to confront. By spotlighting its complex antagonist amidst a tense race-against-time plot, “City of Stone” remains one of the best Gargoyles episodes to date, driving home the point that hatred often hurts the hater most of all.