Conviction

Season 5, Episode 1
Written by Joss Whedon
Directed by Joss Whedon
Original Airdate: 1 October 2003

“You really think you can solve the problem? Come into Wolfram and Hart and make everything right? Turn night into glorious day?”
Hauser

REGULAR CAST

David Boreanaz as Angel
James Marsters as Spike
J. August Richards as Charles Gunn
Amy Acker as Winifred ‘Fred’ Burkle
Andy Hallett as Lorne
Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce

GUEST CAST

Sarah Thompson as Eve
Mercedes McNab as Harmony Kendall
Jonathan M. Woodward as Knox
Dane Northcutt as Hauser
Jacqueline Hahn as Judge
Marc Vann as Doctor Sparrow
Michael Shamus Wiles as Spanky
Rodney Rowland as Corbin Fries

CO-STARRING

Peter Breitmayer as Desmond Keel
T.J. Thyne as Lawyer
Keli’i as Sam
Jordan Garrett as Matthew
Marissa Tait as Woman
Daniella Kuhn as Notary
Chris Eckles as Special Ops Guy
Susan Slome as Cindy Rabinowitz

SYNOPSIS

Angel rescues a woman from a vampire attack but is soon confronted by a team from Wolfram & Hart, led by Agent Hauser, who monitors his actions. The firm’s lawyers arrive, explaining that Angel has a tracking device and handing the woman an indemnity form. Angel is frustrated – he’s only trying to help.

At Wolfram & Hart, Fred struggles to navigate the vast building while Wesley and Gunn debate their new roles. Lorne, far more comfortable, assesses employees for hidden evil. In Angel’s office, Eve, his liaison to the Senior Partners, reminds him that he only controls the LA branch. Shutting it down would only redirect the evil elsewhere.

Angel and his team review cases, questioning their choice to work for Wolfram & Hart. Gunn receives a cryptic offer from Eve, leading him to a mysterious transformation in the firm’s medical division. Meanwhile, Harmony surprises Angel as his new assistant. Wesley presents Angel with a case – Corbin Fries, a criminal threatening to unleash a deadly virus embedded in his son.

Fred and Knox uncover ties to “The Black Tomorrow,” a cult specializing in bio-weaponry, but the antidote may have died with its creator. Angel pursues Spanky, who built Fries a mystical box, but Spanky attacks. Angel overpowers him, demanding answers.

At the courthouse, Lorne warns Angel to isolate Matthew Fries as the trial turns against Corbin. Wolfram & Hart’s Special Ops intercept Angel’s call, planning to eliminate the boy, his class, and anyone nearby. Angel rushes to the school but is beaten there by Special Ops. As they storm the classroom, they find only Angel waiting. A brutal fight ensues.

Gunn arrives at the courthouse, transformed and sharp, citing financial ties between the judge and Fries’ affiliates. He forces a mistrial without resorting to violence.

Back at the school, Angel confronts Hauser, who mocks his moral conflict. Angel counters that mercy is stronger than conviction – then kills Hauser.

Later, in Angel’s office, Eve reveals Gunn’s enhancements. Fred questions whether their future means battling their own clients. Angel insists they will do good. As he opens a package, an amulet falls, releasing a whirlwind of mystic energy.

Emerging from the chaos is Spike.

TRIVIA

T.J. Thyne appears in three episodes this season as an unnamed lawyer. He’ll later go on to appear in all 12 seasons of Bones, alongside David Boreanaz’ Seeley Booth.

James Marsters is added to the opening credits as part of the regular cast. This unfortunately spoils his surprise return at the end of the episode.

Eve was originally going to be named Eve ‘Levin’ after the WB President at the time. The same Levin who cancelled the show.

CONTINUITY

Fred suggests vetting the staff to “make sure we don’t have any die-hard evildoers plotting against us.” Ironically, she dismisses Wesley’s concerns about Knox at the start of this episode.

The episode begins in a similar alley way that featured in the pilot. We’ll return to a similar one in the series finale.

Angel threatens to kill Harmony because she betrayed the team in their last encounter in season two’s Disharmony. She is told Cordelia is in a coma – and recovers from her shock rather quickly. They’ll reunite in You’re Welcome. Harmony first appeared as Cordy’s best friend in The Harvest. She also refers to Spike as ‘Blondie Bear’ – a nickname she had for him when they dated in Buffy.

The amulet is the same one that Spike was wearing when he was destroyed during the Battle of the Hellmouth in Chosen. It’s revealed that Lindsey had sent it to Wolfram & Hart – presumably with the intention that Angel would use it and burn up. The question is then who exactly crawled into the Sunnydale crater to retrieve it?

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

EPISODE
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