REGULAR CAST

• David Boreanaz as Angel
• James Marsters as Spike
• J. August Richards as Charles Gunn
• Amy Acker as Illyria
• Andy Hallett as Lorne
• Mercedes McNab as Harmony Kendall
• Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce

SPECIAL GUEST STAR

• Christian Kane as Lindsey McDonald

GUEST CAST

• Dennis Christopher as Cyvus Vail
• Alec Newman as Drogyn
• Jenny Mollen as Nina Ash
• Leland Crooke as Archduke Sebassis
• Stacey Travis as Senator Helen Brucker
• Adam Baldwin as Marcus Hamilton

CO-STARRING

• Mark Colson as Izzy
• Elimu Nelson as Ernesto

SYNOPSIS

Angel leaps through fire into a stone room where a man is being beaten. He appears to rescue him – only to drink from him.

Nineteen hours earlier, Angel wakes beside Nina. He tells her he’s happy, but she sees through him. He abruptly checks the time, realizing he has to leave.

At Wolfram & Hart, Illyria stalks the halls, ignored by staff. Spike offers guidance, explaining their fear. Meanwhile, Angel meets with Senator Brucker, her vampire assistant Ernesto, and Hamilton. When Ernesto requests virgin blood, Angel agrees, unsettling Gunn. Wesley arrives with a case, but Angel dismisses it. Spike volunteers to investigate, taking Illyria along.

In Angel’s office, Brucker pitches a plan – using mind-altering magic to tarnish her rival’s reputation. Gunn objects, but Angel supports the scheme. In Wesley’s office, research on the Boritz demon reveals an unfamiliar symbol. Before Wesley can show Gunn, it vanishes.

Angel plays racquetball with Izzy, pressing for answers. Izzy tells him to be patient.

At an abandoned amusement park, Spike and Illyria track the Boritz demon. Illyria warns Spike that Angel is consumed by power – losing sight of battles without gain. Spike disagrees. They spot a staggering figure – Drogyn. A demon attacks, tossing Spike aside before Illyria swiftly kills it. Drogyn’s bloodied hands tremble – Angel did this.

At Wolfram & Hart, Wesley brings the symbol to Angel’s office but is shocked to find Hamilton present. Angel asks Wesley to leave, deepening Wesley’s suspicions. Outside, he meets Lorne, who shares concerns about Angel abandoning clients.

Spike, Illyria, Gunn, Wesley, Lorne, and Drogyn gather at Spike’s apartment. Drogyn claims Angel sent a demon to kill him, trying to cover his tracks. No one wants to believe it. Wesley shows them the symbol, but none recognize it. Illyria suggests Angel is ready to make his move.

They confront Angel in his office. He insists he isn’t evil – but he sees the business for what it is: power. Harmony interrupts with a call, and Angel dismisses them.

Elsewhere, Angel meets Nina outside her college, handing her tickets. She assumes they’re for both of them but realizes they’re for her and her family – to leave LA. Hurt, she resists, but Angel insists. She must go.

At Spike’s apartment, Illyria and Spike play Crash Bandicoot. Drogyn, watching, tells Illyria she doesn’t belong in this time. She quietly admits she sometimes wishes she had never been released.

Suddenly, Hamilton crashes through the door, pummelling Drogyn and brutally beating Illyria into submission.

At Wolfram & Hart, Lindsey identifies the symbol – The Circle of the Black Thorn, an elite cabal serving the Senior Partners. They bring about the apocalypse. Lindsey had intended to kill Angel and take a seat at their table but warns Angel must have done something significant to draw their attention – perhaps killing a close ally.

Present time – Angel kills Drogyn. The symbol burns into his chest before vanishing. The lights rise. Izzy welcomes him into the Circle. Among the members are Senator Brucker, Cyvus Vail, and Archduke Sebassis. Angel memorizes every face.

Later, stepping off the lift, Angel enters his office – only to be ambushed. Lorne, Gunn, Spike, and Wesley attack. Spike throws the first punch. A brawl erupts – Lorne lands an arrow in Angel’s shoulder. Angel grabs Lorne, retrieving an item from his jacket. He utters a spell, and the room is veiled – six minutes of secrecy. To outsiders, the fight rages.

Inside, Angel explains – he orchestrated Drogyn’s attack, feeding just enough information to make the Circle believe he was responsible for Fred’s death. He needed entry to identify their targets. Eliminating the Black Thorn would be a devastating blow to the Senior Partners – but would bring their wrath.

It began when he kissed Cordelia. Her visions transferred to him, setting him on this path. That morning, he had a vision of the coming battle. He asks the team to vote – this is their shot, but it’s likely a death sentence. One by one, starting with Spike, hands rise.

Outside, Hamilton watches, unaware the team isn’t fighting – but choosing to wage war.

TRIVIA

CONTINUITY