The Golem is a gigantic, ancient clay statue featured in the episode of the same name from the Disney animated series, Gargoyles, based on the creature from Jewish folklore of the same name.
Background[]
The Golem lived in Prague under control by Rabbi Loew. It was placed to defend Prague from its enemies and at some point, the Golem was placed into a synagogue and remained in the area until the events of the episode of the same name until Max Loew planned to reactivate it to use it protect from Tomas Brod and his gang of criminals. However, the Golem went under possession by Halcyon Renard using his instructions, causing him to follow the villain's side.
Personality[]
Despite its ability to move, the Golem is not a completely sentient being. Though the Golem can move by itself, it is not capable of speaking and needs direction by Max Loew. However, at one point in a plan to fight off against Tomas Brod, Max had to stop the Golem from threatening to kill him as an example, which has occasionally restrained the statue by following the words of the Loew family ancestors.
Origins[]
The Golem is based on the artificial, clay humanoid of the same name from Jewish culture, which is entirely created either through clay or mud through an inanimate matter. The Golem seen in the series is inspired by the one seen in the famous classic narrative where Rabbi Loew is said to have created a golem out of clay from the Vltava River and brought it to life through incantations to defend the city of Prague from enemies.
Role in the series[]
The Golem was introduced in the episode of the same name. In 1580, the rabbi created the Golem to defend the Jewish community in Prague from its enemies. Around the moment, Rabbi Loew commanded the golem to defend the community from enemies and as he brought it to life, the Golem fought a group of enemies around the time. Rabbi Loew then warned the enemies that they must face the Golem if any attack happens in the city. At some point, the Golem was deactivated and placed in a synagogue where it had been created.
In 1995, the Golem was 415 years old and Max Loew approached the Manhattan Clan to tell them that the spell used for the Golem has been lost many years ago, feeling urged to reactivate the Golem and use the creature to protect Prague from Tomas Brod and his followers, fearing that his plan to stop Brod was a failure. When Max was in the process of doing so, the Golem is later captured by Tomas Brod when acting on the instructions of Halcyon Renard. However, when the Golem is under possession by Halcyon Renard, Goliath confronts him, telling him that his plans to use the Golem is wrong, fearing that Renard is using it to destroy the city of Prague.
Renard used an incantation spell to transfer his soul to the Golem's body, hoping that this would allow him to escape from his disease which would leave him to death. When the soul is inside the Golem's body, it caused the Golem to go on destruction all across Prague. However, the Manhattan Clan and Max Loew approached the Golem with Max telling him that he is possessed by Halcyon Renard's soul, warning him that he should defend Prague, not destroy, telling him that one of the books contains a spell to undo the spell inside it. Goliath then tells Renard whose soul is inside the Golem's body to stop this madness followed by Max trying to put the Golem to his sense. As the Golem follows Max's orders and stands up against Brod, he was able to stop him followed by the Manhattan Clan fighting off Brod's gang. As the Golem attempts to kill Brod who is trying to escape, Loew tells the Golem to follow the words of the Loew family's ancestors: love, justice, and mercy. Instead of killing Brod, Brod and his gang are foiled while the Golem follows Loew's orders.
After the Manhattan Clan leaves Prague, it is unknown of what the Golem's further fate is - it is likely that the Golem is still helping Prague by protecting the city from enemies while being guided by Loew.
Trivia[]
- In recent Toon Disney/Disney XD airings of the episode "Golem", certain scenes centered around the fight between Angela and the Golem were cut, making the fight a bit shorter.
