- Story Arc: Xanatos and Fox; Cyberbiotics
- Characters: Goliath, Elisa, David Xanatos, Fox, Halcyon Renard, Preston Vogel
- Enemy(ies): Xanatos and Fox
Goliath is worried that Xanatos will sabotage Cyberbiotics' new Air Fortress II, crewed entirely by robots. Halcyon Renard captures Goliath and interrogates him about his involvement in the destruction of Air Fortress I, but when Fortress II's robots go out of control and steer it towards another Cyberbiotics installation, they work together to stop the collision and find out who was responsible for the hijacking: Halcyon Renard's own right-hand man, Preston Vogel, working for Renard's daughter Fox.
Xanatos next appears in "Double Jeopardy". Halcyon Renard next appears in "Golem". Fox next appears in "Upgrade".
This episode contains the following tropes:
- An Aesop: Both about demonstrating accepting responsibility, but also forgiveness.
- Armor-Piercing Question: Zigzagged. While being held captive by Renard, Goliath asks a question that pierces his own armor, which is exactly what he needs to do to start earning Renard's respect:Renard: What would be the honorable thing to do? Well, I suppose I should just turn you over to the proper authorities.Goliath: Look at me, human. I'd spend the rest of my life as a laboratory specimen. Was my crime against you so heinous, to make that an equitable punishment?Renard: Heh. We're making progress. You finally acknowledge that you committed a crime.
- Bilingual Bonus: If you know French, you can guess early on that Renard and Fox are related (as "renard" is French for "fox").
- Conscience Makes You Go Back: Vogel betrays Renard without a second thought, but he doesn't have it in him to leave him to die.
- Contagious Heroism: When Vogel goes back, he says Renard has that effect on people.
- Continuity Nod: In addition to the prolonged flashback to the events of "Awakening" near the start of this episode, there is also a less pronounced one to "Metamorphosis". Upon seeing Goliath in person for the first time, Renard mistakenly thinks him to be the creation of Gen-U-Tech, of which that Xanatos owned company demonstrated the ability to create Gargoyles-like beings in that episode.
- Flashback: Goliath and Demona's sabotage of the first Air Fortress is shown near the start of the episode as Goliath is reminiscing on his past misdeed. Also interesting to note that creators of the show acknowledge that the flashback was as much included for Padding reason as for the benefit of new viewers.
- Foreshadowing: Renard mentions having been married, as well as how Owen Burnett used to work for him. Fox also reveals she's pregnant.
- Xanatos's uncharacteristic concern for Renard's well-being during his and Fox's sparring match, foreshadowing a personal relationship between them and Renard.
- Honor Before Reason: Renard is willing to risk his own life if it means saving innocent lives.
- Humans Are Bastards: Renard prefers robots to people because all his former human employees possessed not a spec of integrity amongst them.
- I Never Said It Was Poison: For all of Renard's anger at Goliath for his attack on Fortress I, he doesn't call it a "crime" until Goliath himself does.
- It Amused Me: Renard chastises Fox for her games—saying he'd even give her the company if she just asked.Fox: Oh, Daddy, you and your integrity. Asking for it wouldn't be any fun at all.
- Never My Fault: Renard chides Goliath for deflecting blame in Fortress-1's destruction. He knows Xanatos manipulated him, but he says that doesn't mean he's completely blameless.Renard: You sound like every human employee I ever fired! Crush all of them together and you couldn't squeeze one iota of personal integrity from the lot! No excuses, creature! Learn to take responsibility for your own actions! And STOP whining!
Goliath: A gargoyle doesn't whine! He ROARS!
Renard: I am trembling in my chair. - "Not So Different" Remark:Renard: Integrity is never easy. It's a daily struggle, a costly struggle. If you only knew what it cost me: my Anastasia, my Janine.
Goliath: My Angel of the Night. - The Power of Trust: A recurring theme, as Renard prefers the company of robots to humans.Renard: Well it seems Mr. Vogel's betrayal has only provided further proof that the human species is devoid of integrity.
Goliath: I disagree. If anything, Vogel's sabotage demonstrates the folly of placing all of one's trust in single-minded automotons. Automotons know nothing of betrayal or honor. They know only what they're programmed to know. Only living beings possess the ability to change, and make new choices. Ultimately, Vogel chose honor.
Renard: [smiles] Huh, I suppose he did at that. You've given me much to consider. - The Reveal: The very last scene reveals Fox's connection to Renard, as well as the results of her medical test mentioned earlier.
- There Are No Good Executives: Averted. While Renard is not the friendliest person around and isn't immune to doing certain underhanded schemes (which the next episode to feature him, "Golem", would reveal), but he certainly has respect for human life to the point of risking his own to prevent the loss of innocents' lives.
- Wham Line:Fox: [places Renard's hand on her stomach] Well maybe you'll have better luck relating to the next generation.
Renard: What? What are you—?
Fox: That's right, Dad. You're going to be a grandfather.
