Episode 2x19 [Protection]

[atraphoenix]

It’s time for another one of my favourite episode this week. (I have quite a few favourites, as you can probably tell by now.) If you have any questions, you can contact the mods by PM or at our Bronx-guarded mailbox.

Comments

[lambdadashx]

I didn't think Elisa was being set up due to what happened in the whole interview scene. It made me think she actually was up to something no good. However, while I thought that Elisa could never be corrupted for power or money, it could be due to something else. I was torn between an undercover operation or some sort of extortion attempt or something ( i.e., some other villain could be threatening to expose the gargoyles if she doesn't get rid of Tony and because she can't go to her boss about it, she tries to run Tony out of town herself

[atraphoenix]

I'm surprised you thought she was up to no good, although those are all good reasons for it. I've always thought of Elisa as a very moral character, but I could see her morals becoming a little more flexible if the gargoyles were in trouble.

No, definitely not. And a good point about Demona. Goliath's idea of corruption is probably very tied to his idea of betrayal.

Err ... good point, actually. Dracon knew her - in an adversary sort of way - beforehand. I suppose they put out the rumour of a corrupt police officer - using the laundry where Officer Chavez pretended to work and the store owned by Matt's friend as a starting point? - and she only introduced herself as that officer when she was dealing with Dracon's allies.

[mightbefound]

I always crack up at Goliath trying to sound all corrupt and power-hungry. It just SO doesn't work for him. Props to Keith David for the awesome vocal work there.

I can't totally remember, but when I first watched it I actually think I wasn't fooled--I think I was old enough to know what going undercover was--UNTIL Goliath gave that line about protecting Elisa at all costs. I think that made me briefly unsure.

[atraphoenix]

That was the line that made me waver, just a little. I still didn't believe it, but the delivery of that line would have sealed the deal if I had. There isn't much he wouldn't do for Elisa, after all.

Protection

[tsz3182]

You know, I didn't like this ep that much. I thought it was rather obvious that Elisa was undercover...when she was "roughing up" Dracon's thug in the interrigation room ("tell Dracon his territory is my territory"), it felt fake. I can't put my finger on it, but I actually laughed and said "She's undercover, and I can't believe that Dracon and the others are falling for it." But, Elisa's line in the end about the corrupt believing anyone can be corrupted is true...misery, and evil I think, loves company, and if you think about it most villains have a dim or negative view of life (might makes right, etc.) and feel validated when they are able to sway someone to their side. The Protection theme of Gargoyles made this episode essential though, and I can't really think of way it could have been done better, so I don't want to criticize. I'm only saying it's not in my top list, lol. I think Elisa's voice acting is what was off...except for the bar scene with the guy at the pool table. I think that was her best "bad guy" voice...I'm

Re: Protection

[tobimonkee]

I love it when Dracon sees the obvious relationship between Goliath and Elisa thats the best part of the episode one of those it takes an outsider perspective to see whats right in front of you moments and its extra cool that they dont get defensive and say no we are just friends as so many characters would in similer situations

Re: Protection

[atraphoenix]

Yes! I'd almost forgotten about that, but they'd don't protest, do they? (The characters would have protested in a lot of shows. It's quite a common trope. The fact that they didn't is a strong hint at the future. And sweet. Very sweet.)

[atraphoenix]

Thinking about it, that line is the pivotal line of the episode. If they'd just left us thinking that Dracon was ridiculously gullible, I wouldn't have bought the scenario at all. After all, he's the head of his organisation and quite a large crime syndicate. He has to be intelligent.

Maybe it was Elisa that couldn't pull it off, not Salli? If I was the script writer, I'd probably be torn between convincing people for the sake of the story and spoiling the characterisation of one of the leads.

Yep, I definitely smiled! And I noted Dracon's behaviour a few seconds later as well. Over confidence once he thought the gargoyles were on side, perhaps?

[gentle_john]

I didn't think Elisa was corrupt but I could see why Dracon might think so. I grew up in Chicago so for me it's easy to believe that a police officer could be dirty. Also it's possible that Dracon had other cops on his pay roll already so one more wasn't going to set off any warning bells for him.

As far as Goliath not killing Dracon I think it had more to do with him no longer being an immediate threat. Near the beginning of the series Goliath and Demona are on the airship fighting to get that disk. Goliath sees her about to kill some guards after they had been taken out and he stops her. I don't remember exactly what he said but it was along the lines of it being ok to kill in the heat of battle but after that it's wrong.

[atraphoenix]

I don't have much - ok, any - police knowledge outside the things I've seen in the media, so I'm quite pleased you think it went well. And that's a good point. Most people in his line of work would have someone - several someones - on the inside.

I think that's more or less the quote. It definitely involves "in the heat of battle".