Salvage (Angel episode)
Encyclopedia
"Salvage" is episode 13 of season 4 in the television show Angel
, originally broadcast on the WB television network
. After discovering Lilah
’s dead body, a grieving Wesley
breaks rogue slayer Faith out of prison so she can help track down Angelus. Meanwhile, Lorne performs a sanctuary spell to keep Angelus out of the hotel while Cordelia
—secretly revealed to be the big evil controlling the Beast—confides in Connor that she is pregnant.
discover him holding her body, drinking whatever is left of her blood; he escapes through a window, allowing the two to assume he killed her. Downstairs, when Wesley and Gunn return to the lobby with news of Lilah's death, Lorne suggests protecting the hotel with the same magic that forbids violence at his club. When the group realizes that Angelus could have turned Lilah into a vampire, Wesley offers to prevent her potential rising.
Angelus visits a demon bar—where he is raucously received—to question the patrons on the whereabouts of the Beast. In the basement, Wesley prepares to behead Lilah. After an imaginary conversation where he apologizes for their "not-a-relationship", he finally brings down the ax. Connor intends to destroy Angelus despite Cordelia's protests, but when he starts to leave, Cordelia faints mid-speech and Connor stops to care for her.
Meanwhile, Slayer Faith works out in prison until another prisoner threatens her with a knife. Faith efficiently knocks the woman out. As the corrections officer hauls the other prisoner away, reassuring Faith they saw how she was attacked, Faith notices the ornate Bringer knife that was used. Angelus follows the scent of Lilah's blood to the weapon used to kill her, in the Beast's possession. The Beast says Angelus is a part of his master's plans, but Angelus refuses to take orders and leaves. Cordelia—revealed as the Beast's master—is disappointed. The Beast apologizes for his failures and she forgives him, then the two kiss.
Lorne performs the protection spell, and Wesley returns from the basement saying he intends to restore Angel's soul. Wesley visits Faith at the prison to ask for her help; she crashes through the glass, knocks out the officers, and jumps out of the high window with Wesley. (The clear implication is that Faith could have escaped prison any time she liked and only remained there as part of her self-imposed redemption efforts.) Faith tells him that she won't kill Angelus because of Angel's crucial role in her life and Wesley admits that's precisely why he chose her for the job. When they arrive at the hotel, Faith asserts herself as commander. Connor is displeased with her decision to rescue Angelus, not kill him, but Faith makes it clear her plan is the only plan.
Angelus, after overhearing a Slayer is in town, immediately calls Buffy Summers
's house. When Dawn Summers
confirms her sister is still in Sunnydale
, he realizes Faith must be the Slayer on the loose. Connor leads Faith, Wesley and Gunn into a factory—where Angelus has, with typical sardonic intent, erected a "Welcome, Faith" banner—and despite Faith's orders, beheads the first vampire that crosses his path. Faith yells at the teen for disobeying her and then tells him to go home because he refuses to listen to her. The two fight, but Faith is clearly stronger and eventually holds a crossbow to Connor's throat in warning. Connor returns to the hotel with Gunn, as Wesley and Faith split up to search the factory.
Faith finds Angelus with the Beast; she is badly beaten by the creature until Angelus stabs the Beast with a dagger made of the Beast's flesh, killing the demon and restoring the sun. Faith knocks out a large window, flooding the room with sunlight, forcing Angelus to keep his distance. At the hotel, the gang rejoices in the return of the sun and Connor goes upstairs to tell Cordelia. Connor sings Faith's praises until Cordy interrupts with news that she's pregnant with his child.
was pleased to write for Faith's character again: "I love her voice. And for whatever reason, her voice just comes to me," he says. "She has an attitude that is fun to write, saying things that are provocative or dirty or slightly off-color... That's the stuff that's most comfortable for me to do." However, he found writing the scene between Lilah and Wesley challenging because he'd never written for Lilah before, although it "turned out better than I imagined," Fury says.
who try to eliminate the Slayer line in Season Seven of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The inmate, Debbie, is played by Spice Williams-Crosby
, who previously played a human assassin working for the demonic Order of Taraka in "What's My Line, Part One"; it could be inferred that the two demon-employed criminals are in fact the same person, but the episode offers no clarification on this point. When Angelus calls Buffy's house, he talks to Dawn Summers
. This phone call is not shown in any Buffy episode. Furthermore, the phone call represents the only interaction between Angel / Angelus and Dawn in either Buffy or Angel.
This episode also reconciles Wesley and Faith for the first time to finally work together as Watcher and Slayer. In Season Three of Buffy Wesley had been sent to Sunnydale
to officially replace Rupert Giles
as both Buffy
and Faith's watcher, which never worked out as Faith never worked with him or Giles since she had her own agenda set up as a rogue Slayer, which later turned her into a rogue criminal for hire. Their other brief encounter since Sunnydale had seen Wesley abducted and brutally tortured by Faith when she was hired to kill Angel
by Wolfram & Hart
, and her departure in the next episode by voluntarily turning herself to the authorities in search of redemption.
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
, originally broadcast on the WB television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
. After discovering Lilah
Lilah Morgan
Lilah Morgan is a fictional character from the television series Angel, played by Stephanie Romanov. She is first introduced in the episode "The Ring," and appears in the show's first and second seasons. After Lindsey McDonald leaves Los Angeles, Lilah becomes the primary face of Wolfram & Hart,...
’s dead body, a grieving Wesley
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel...
breaks rogue slayer Faith out of prison so she can help track down Angelus. Meanwhile, Lorne performs a sanctuary spell to keep Angelus out of the hotel while Cordelia
Cordelia Chase
Cordelia Chase is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer; she also appeared on Buffy's spin-off series Angel...
—secretly revealed to be the big evil controlling the Beast—confides in Connor that she is pregnant.
Plot
Angelus, who has been stalking Lilah, is disappointed when he finds her already dead. Wesley and GunnCharles Gunn
Charles Gunn is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series, Angel. The character is portrayed by J. August Richards, and was named by Whedon after filmmaker James Gunn and actor Sean Gunn, both of whom had worked with Whedon...
discover him holding her body, drinking whatever is left of her blood; he escapes through a window, allowing the two to assume he killed her. Downstairs, when Wesley and Gunn return to the lobby with news of Lilah's death, Lorne suggests protecting the hotel with the same magic that forbids violence at his club. When the group realizes that Angelus could have turned Lilah into a vampire, Wesley offers to prevent her potential rising.
Angelus visits a demon bar—where he is raucously received—to question the patrons on the whereabouts of the Beast. In the basement, Wesley prepares to behead Lilah. After an imaginary conversation where he apologizes for their "not-a-relationship", he finally brings down the ax. Connor intends to destroy Angelus despite Cordelia's protests, but when he starts to leave, Cordelia faints mid-speech and Connor stops to care for her.
Meanwhile, Slayer Faith works out in prison until another prisoner threatens her with a knife. Faith efficiently knocks the woman out. As the corrections officer hauls the other prisoner away, reassuring Faith they saw how she was attacked, Faith notices the ornate Bringer knife that was used. Angelus follows the scent of Lilah's blood to the weapon used to kill her, in the Beast's possession. The Beast says Angelus is a part of his master's plans, but Angelus refuses to take orders and leaves. Cordelia—revealed as the Beast's master—is disappointed. The Beast apologizes for his failures and she forgives him, then the two kiss.
Lorne performs the protection spell, and Wesley returns from the basement saying he intends to restore Angel's soul. Wesley visits Faith at the prison to ask for her help; she crashes through the glass, knocks out the officers, and jumps out of the high window with Wesley. (The clear implication is that Faith could have escaped prison any time she liked and only remained there as part of her self-imposed redemption efforts.) Faith tells him that she won't kill Angelus because of Angel's crucial role in her life and Wesley admits that's precisely why he chose her for the job. When they arrive at the hotel, Faith asserts herself as commander. Connor is displeased with her decision to rescue Angelus, not kill him, but Faith makes it clear her plan is the only plan.
Angelus, after overhearing a Slayer is in town, immediately calls Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
's house. When Dawn Summers
Dawn Summers
Dawn Summers is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Marti Noxon and David Fury on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg. She made her debut in the premiere episode of the show's fifth season, and subsequently appeared in every...
confirms her sister is still in Sunnydale
Sunnydale
Sunnydale, California is the fictional setting for the U.S. television drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Series creator Joss Whedon conceived the town as a representation of a generic California city, as well as a narrative parody of the all-too-serene towns typical in traditional horror...
, he realizes Faith must be the Slayer on the loose. Connor leads Faith, Wesley and Gunn into a factory—where Angelus has, with typical sardonic intent, erected a "Welcome, Faith" banner—and despite Faith's orders, beheads the first vampire that crosses his path. Faith yells at the teen for disobeying her and then tells him to go home because he refuses to listen to her. The two fight, but Faith is clearly stronger and eventually holds a crossbow to Connor's throat in warning. Connor returns to the hotel with Gunn, as Wesley and Faith split up to search the factory.
Faith finds Angelus with the Beast; she is badly beaten by the creature until Angelus stabs the Beast with a dagger made of the Beast's flesh, killing the demon and restoring the sun. Faith knocks out a large window, flooding the room with sunlight, forcing Angelus to keep his distance. At the hotel, the gang rejoices in the return of the sun and Connor goes upstairs to tell Cordelia. Connor sings Faith's praises until Cordy interrupts with news that she's pregnant with his child.
Writing
Writer David FuryDavid Fury
David Fury is an American television Screenwriter and Producer, best known for his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Lost, 24, and Fringe.Fury was a Co-executive producer and Writer for the first season of Lost...
was pleased to write for Faith's character again: "I love her voice. And for whatever reason, her voice just comes to me," he says. "She has an attitude that is fun to write, saying things that are provocative or dirty or slightly off-color... That's the stuff that's most comfortable for me to do." However, he found writing the scene between Lilah and Wesley challenging because he'd never written for Lilah before, although it "turned out better than I imagined," Fury says.
Arc significance
- Faith escapes from prison to help the Angel Investigations team find Angelus.
- Angelus kills the Beast and the sun returns.
- It is revealed that "Cordelia" is the master of the Beast, and she reveals to Connor that she is pregnant with his child.
Continuity
Crossover with Buffy the Vampire Slayer: While in prison, Faith is attacked by an inmate hired by the Bringers, agents of the First EvilFirst Evil
The First Evil is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The First Evil first appeared in the third season episode "Amends", and became the main antagonist of the 7th and final season.A being manifested from all evil in existence, the First is an...
who try to eliminate the Slayer line in Season Seven of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The inmate, Debbie, is played by Spice Williams-Crosby
Spice Williams-Crosby
Spice Williams-Crosby is an American actress and stunt performer, with a career in film and television which spans over twenty years...
, who previously played a human assassin working for the demonic Order of Taraka in "What's My Line, Part One"; it could be inferred that the two demon-employed criminals are in fact the same person, but the episode offers no clarification on this point. When Angelus calls Buffy's house, he talks to Dawn Summers
Dawn Summers
Dawn Summers is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Marti Noxon and David Fury on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg. She made her debut in the premiere episode of the show's fifth season, and subsequently appeared in every...
. This phone call is not shown in any Buffy episode. Furthermore, the phone call represents the only interaction between Angel / Angelus and Dawn in either Buffy or Angel.
This episode also reconciles Wesley and Faith for the first time to finally work together as Watcher and Slayer. In Season Three of Buffy Wesley had been sent to Sunnydale
Sunnydale
Sunnydale, California is the fictional setting for the U.S. television drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Series creator Joss Whedon conceived the town as a representation of a generic California city, as well as a narrative parody of the all-too-serene towns typical in traditional horror...
to officially replace Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head. He serves as Buffy Summers' mentor and surrogate father figure...
as both Buffy
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
and Faith's watcher, which never worked out as Faith never worked with him or Giles since she had her own agenda set up as a rogue Slayer, which later turned her into a rogue criminal for hire. Their other brief encounter since Sunnydale had seen Wesley abducted and brutally tortured by Faith when she was hired to kill Angel
Five by Five (Angel episode)
"Five by Five" is episode 18 of season 1 in the television show Angel. Written by Jim Kouf and directed by James A. Contner, it was originally broadcast on April 25, 2000 on the WB network...
by Wolfram & Hart
Wolfram & Hart
Wolfram & Hart − Attorneys at Law is a fictional international, and interdimensional law firm featured in the television series Angel, as well as other extended materials in Joss Whedon's Buffyverse.-Fictional history:...
, and her departure in the next episode by voluntarily turning herself to the authorities in search of redemption.