"Belonging"
Gunn, Cordelia, Angel and Wes are sitting at an upscale restaurant. All but Angel are enjoying a meal. Angel is noticeably uncomfortable in the surroundings. They're there to celebrate Cordelia getting a national commercial.
Wesley offers a toast. Cordelia toasts with water, declining anything alcoholic since she has an early call in the morning but she tells the others to please continue toasting and praising her.
Angel offers his hopes she doesn't leave them when she gets rich and famous. Cordelia assures them she can't go anywhere while she still gets the "mind shattering, ever more debilitating visions." Angel clearly takes the point, but doesn't say anything.
As Cordelia continues eating, she says she feels guilty. Angel says she shouldn't, $19 for an appetizer isn't really that bad, he's sure it's worth it. He's clearly trying to convince himself.
Cordelia assures him that's not what she feels guilty about. Wesley looks at Angel. Angel tells him it's not that he's cheap, he's just old. Cordelia smiles at Wes. Angel recalls when a "few bob" would buy a "good meal, a bottle and a tavern wench." Liam's accent makes a brief return as Angel recalls that memory. Everybody just looks at him. Angel asks Cordelia what she was talking about.
Cordy says she feels guilty about leaving them to do the commercial while they're in the middle of a case.
Wes assures her they have things under control. Angel will get the info they need from his informant. Gunn says that will point them to the thing she saw in her vision. Wes points out it's a Haklar demon, the informant will guide them to its feeding grounds and they'll go and kill it. He smiles at Gunn, they reach across the table and bang knuckles with each other. Angel extends his fist, but gets ignored. He pulls back, trying to fit in but clearly not comfortable with any of it.
Cordelia tells the guys if they want to have more to drink they shouldn't let the fact she's not drinking stop them. Angel says the imported stuff goes straight to his head. The cost clearly an issue on his mind.
Gunn asks Wes about securing a flame thrower to deal with the demon. Wes hadn't considered that.
Angel starts to say it's okay if they want to order another bottle, but he's talking to himself.
Gunn points out to Wes if they get caught in tight quarters, a flame thrower may not be a wise idea. They could end up incinerating each other. Wes agrees on that point. Gunn says Wes is the boss, he'll go by his decision on it. Wesley figures stealth is important and a flame thrower wouldn't exactly fit that description.
As they continue to discuss, Angel notices a woman heading toward the exit. He accosts her, grabbing her shawl. He thinks it's a battle shroud of some sort, "made from the skins of children." He tells her he recognizes a "Voctar witch" when he sees one.
Wes wonders what the hell Angel is doing. Cordelia gets up from the table and intervenes. Angel looks at the shawl and realizes it's not what he thought it was. Cordelia tells the woman it's a beautiful, very expensive designer shawl. She tells the woman to excuse her friend, he just appreciates beautiful things. She says he can't help himself, "he's from France." She makes apologies and pulls Angel back to the table.
Gunn sarcastically notes if they had a flame thrower they could start a fire then and there, draw even more attention to themselves.
Angel starts to say that from a distance the markings on the shawl looked like --
Wes wants to finish the meal and get out of there.
Cordelia suddenly gets an "I'm not feeling right" look. The guys think she's about to have a vision. Gunn asks what she sees. Cordelia says it's the sashimi coming up as she bends over and throws up, pulling the tablecloth and everything on it to the floor in the process.
The guys stand up and look on. Angel wonders if the restaurant will give them a refund for that.
At the hotel the next day, Wes is in the office on the phone with his mother. He asks her to put his father on the line. We only see Wesley's side of the conversation.
Wes wishes his father happy birthday and asks how he's doing, his newfound confidence clearly in evidence. He tells his father things are going well, he's now the leader of the group. In response to a comment from his father, he assures him it's a permanent position, and no, he won't be fired. His confidence is withering by the second. He acknowledges that yes, he was fired that one time. He quietly responds in a series of unfinished sentences as his father seems to be undercutting his news. Wes says he just thought his father would like to know. He quietly wishes him happy birthday again and hangs up.
Gunn comes in and asks who was on the phone. Wes tells him it was his father, it's his birthday. He sends his greetings to everyone "in Tinsel Town."
Angel walks onto a busy soundstage, looks toward a woman in a bikini who is fixing her hair. She notices him, smiles as he approaches. He walks past her onto the set, a beach scene lit to look like a bright, sunny day. He stands in the middle of the set, closes his eyes and takes a moment to enjoy the faux sunshine.
Angel's reverie is interrupted by Cordelia, who is clearly oblivious
to the joy of the moment for him. She walks up to him, wearing a bathrobe,
and demands to know what he's doing there. He smiles, tells her he's
getting a tan without getting incinerated. She asks again what he's
doing there. He says he needed to ask her something specific about
her vision. Cordelia tells him to shut up, the director is coming.
She thanks the young guy that approaches for giving her the job. He tells her she's welcome, now drop the robe. Cordelia hesitates. He tells her he needs to see the "wardrobe", she has to take off the bathrobe. She finally does it, revealing the bikini underneath.. He tells her to turn around while he looks her over. Angel isn't liking the guy's attitude much.
The director asks his assistant when Cordelia is due for makeup. She tells him she's already been there. Director guy tells his assistant to take her back and tell the makeup artist to do something with the dark circles under her eyes, they're not flattering. Cordelia explains that she had food poisoning. Director guy finds it laughable that she actually eats. He tells his assistant to pass on to the makeup artist that he's supposed to want to sleep with her, he doesn't. He doesn't figure his assistant would want to either.
Angel is in big brother mode, telling the guy he's out of line and he owes an apology. Director guy isn't impressed. Cordelia just looks embarrassed by the whole thing. Angel tells the guy again to apologize. Director guy instructs his assistant to get security. He tells Cordy it wasn't very smart of her to bring her friend along to tell him how to shoot his commercial, he doesn't figure that's a very smart career move.
Cordelia apologizes for Angel's behavior as she pulls him away. Angel asks if she wants him to rip the guy's head off of his shoulders because he can do that. Cordy sternly asks him if he's intentionally trying to ruin her career. Angel tries to explain but Cordelia isn't interested. She tells him to leave.
Angel tells her the reason he came was to ask her a question about the vision. He needs to know if the Haklar demon she saw ate its victim whole or just the liver. There are two kinds of Haklars, they have different feeding grounds. He needs to know which it was so he can track it to kill it. Cordelia says she hates her life and walks away.
Back at the hotel, Wes is pacing, Gunn looks on. Gunn asks about the Haklar demon, what he needs to know about it. Wes starts to give him a history of the species; origins, features, feeding and mating habits, methods of communication. Gunn clarifies that he meant for Wes to tell him what he needs to know to kill it. Wes says it's a standard chop it up approach.
Rondell and George enter the hotel. Gunn greets them. Wesley thanks them for helping him when he got shot. They figure it was the right thing to do considering he was trying to help them at the time it happened.
Gunn asks what's up. George tells him they have a problem with vamps attacking homeless people in MacKenzie Park. Gunn says they'll need to set a trap. Rondell informs him that's already been done. Gunn seems surprised. Rondell tells him they know what to do, things have already been set up. Gunn is eager to help, he asks what they need him for. George tells him they just want to borrow his truck. Gunn is surprised that's all they want. Rondell says it's tricked out for dusting vamps, they need all the advantages they can get. Gunn tells them he'll help.
Wes asks about dealing with the Haklar. Gunn says they can page him once Angel finds its feeding grounds.
Angel comes in, informs them the demon is at the north shore of Lake Hollywood and they need to hurry, there's a race due to start there in half an hour.
Wes tells Gunn he's been paged and walks away. Gunn tells Rondell and George he has to handle this but as soon as he's finished he'll join them and they can then go take on the vamps at the park.
George responds with "whatever" as he and Rondell head out.
As Angel hands out weapons, Wes asks if everything is all right. Angel says it's about Cordelia. Wes asks what's going on. Gunn wonders if her headaches are worse. Angel says nothing is wrong. He just doesn't get how acting can be her dream job, how she can want to associate with people like the director of her commercial. He says the guy treated her like his personal slave and she let him. He asks when the last time was Cordelia took that from any of them. Gunn says she never did, never would.
Angel says that's the point. The guy also had her wearing a swimsuit that was barely there. There's a moment of silence as each of the guys pauses to appreciate his own personal visual of that description.
Gunn suggests they go kill something. They head out in search of the Haklar.
At Caritas, the Host is onstage, performing. In the middle of his performance a blinding flash of light accompanies the opening of a portal behind him on the stage, ejecting a large demon that looks like a cross between a gorilla and Yoda with fangs resembling the tusks of a warthog.
Patrons in the bar scramble as the demon heads for the exit. The Host is visibly shaken, trying to assure the patrons it was all part of the show.
Back at the soundstage, Cordelia is filming the commercial. She's running her dialog while rubbing suntan lotion on her costars back. The director calls cut and curtly informs her that once again, she's in her costars light. He's told her twice she has to bend over more to avoid the problem.
Cordelia hesitantly tells him that if she bends over any more, she'll fall out of her top. He informs her that will solve the lighting problem. She wonders if they couldn't move the lights. He tells her she wasn't hired to do Shakespeare. All that's required of her is to say the lines, show some cleavage. He wonders if she gets it now. She does. She's clearly humiliated but doesn't stand up to him.
Angel and Wes arrive at the hotel, Cordelia is already there, in full moping mode. Angel apologizes for his actions at her job earlier. It wasn't his intention to embarrass her. Cordelia isn't interested in apologies. She then admits she embarrassed herself. She just wanted an acting job. She wanted to be appreciated for her talent. She didn't want to be made to feel the way she's feeling.
She asks where Gunn is. Wes says he was with them but he had to go home to help with a vampire problem. Cordy asks how the fight went. Wes says they managed to kill the Haklar just before it ate a group of power walkers. Angel says it was horrible. Cordelia reminds him she knows that, she saw it in her vision. Angel clarifies that he was referring to the power walkers, not the demon. He doesn't get that whole thing. He tells Cordelia one of them hit Wesley. Cordelia notices the cut over his eye and asks if a power walker actually did that. Wesley says the woman felt he was disrespecting the demon's culture by killing it. Life in LA.
The Host comes in, tells Angel he wants to hire him to kill something. He tells them it's a Drokken. Wes heads to do research, the Host assures him he won't find anything on it. It doesn't come from any world they're familiar with. Angel asks how it arrived. The Host tells him it came via a portal in the club that opened up right in the middle of his Stevie Wonder number. He's still miffed by the interruption. He stresses the most important thing is that they have to kill the Drokken.
Angel asks where they can find it. The Host admits he has no idea but he figures it's probably hungry.
The Drokken attacks a couple of guys walking down a deserted street. It partially devours one of them. As it's finishing, a young woman walks around the corner and sees it. She screams.
At the hotel, Angel asks if all the Host has to offer them by way of information is that the Drokken has sharp teeth. Wes asks for specifics like why it's here, what it wants, what its capabilities are.
None of that matters to the Host. It trashed his club and his patrons. Angel says he thought the club was a sanctuary. The Host concedes it didn't kill anyone, just knocked over a couple of patrons but it looked angry. He sensed hostility. It's something bad. They need to kill it. He wonders if they are going to help or if he should call someone else.
Angel says they'll do a circular search, move one mile out, hope to get lucky. Cordelia gets Angel's attention and nods toward Wesley. Angel gets it. He apologizes for usurping Wesley's position. Wes assures him it's okay. Cordelia smiles and tells the Host Wes is their new leader. The Host congratulates him on the promotion and tells Angel it was a good choice. He asks Wes what the plan is.
Wesley ponders that a moment, then concedes that Angel's suggestion is a good one. They start to head out. The Host notices Cordelia holding her head and asks what's up. Wes says it's food poisoning. Angel mumbles it was caused by a "very expensive appetizer." Cordelia goes into vision fit mode. Everyone realizes what's happening.
The vision shows a young woman, with long brunette hair, wearing glasses and a pendant. She takes a book with strange looking symbols on the cover from a shelf, opens it and thumbs through it. There's a flash of bright light, the woman screams.
Angel asks Cordelia if she's okay. She lets him know she doesn't much like constantly being asked the same question. Wes asks her what she saw. She tells him she saw a woman at the public library, possibly an employee, she was reading a book.
The Host figures his problem is more pressing. The hungry, crazed Drokken demon on the loose should probably take priority. Wes and Cordelia pretty much ignore him as Cordy continues telling Wes what she saw, an opening that appeared behind the woman, a portal of some kind.
That gets the Host's attention. Wes wonders if it's similar to the one that opened in Caritas, ejecting the Drokken. The Host says there's no proof of that. Wes figures that's the connection. He tells the others they need to get to the library, it's almost closing time.
Angel asks the Host if he's coming as they head out. He isn't all that anxious, but tags along anyway.
Gunn arrives at the street kids' hangout. Everything is quiet, only one kid is in sight. Gunn asks the kid, Junior, what's going on. Junior doesn't look at him.
Gunn walks into another room and finds the others gathered around the body of George, laid out on a couch. Gunn asks Rondell what happened. He moves George's head to reveal the fang marks in his neck to Gunn. Gunn asks if George drank. Rondell tells him they don't know.
Wes, Cordelia, Angel and the Host arrive at the library. Wes and Cordy walk ahead, Angel and the Host lag behind. The Host wonders why it is every time he and Angel get out, they always end up in a library. He doesn't find that particularly exciting. He suggests they check out the Elton John concert next month. They can sit way in the back, nobody will notice. Angel reminds him he doesn't do "big and crowded."
One of the librarians gasps as she comes face to face with the Host. He doesn't quite know what to say. She's relieved as she comes to the conclusion he must be there for the children's reading program. He's relieved as well and confirms that's it. She says it isn't until tomorrow. He tells her he knows that but he likes to check out the surroundings before a performance. She figures the kids will love his costume. She notes everything looks very authentic, except the horns but she understands those are probably tough to fake. She tells him where the reading room is and says they only have five minutes if they plan to check anything out. The Host heads off to look at the reading room.
Cordelia tells her they're looking for someone. She describes the woman she saw in her vision. The librarian doesn't recognize her from the description. Cordelia tells her the woman was wearing a pendant, which she describes. The woman recognizes the necklace as one worn by Fred. Angel asks about her. The woman says her name was Winifred. Angel asks if she knows where they might be able to find her.
The woman pulls a missing persons flyer from a desk and hands it to Cordelia. She tells them that Fred disappeared five years ago. No trace was ever found. They gave up hope awhile ago.
Cordelia looks at the picture on the flyer and recognizes the woman as the same one she saw in her vision. Wes asks if the woman can tell them anything about Fred. She says the girl worked with her in the library, she was studying to be a physicist.
Wes asks what happened the day she disappeared.
The woman says that it was weird. Fred was cataloging foreign language books one minute, and the next minute she was gone.
Wes, Cordy and Angel enter the area where Fred was last seen. Wes doesn't know what they're looking for. Cordelia isn't sure either, but she recognizes the area as the same one she saw in her vision.
The Host enters after having checked out the children's reading room. He's excited about that, figures he just may show up for the reading with a copy of Harry Potter.
Cordelia pulls a book from the shelf, she recognizes it as the one Fred was holding in her vision of her. Wes looks at the language, tries to sound it out. He wonders what language it is. The Host's expression indicates he's familiar with it, but he doesn't say anything.
Cordelia notes the book's last checkout and return dates. Angel realizes the return date correlates with the day Fred disappeared.
Cordelia starts sounding out the letters aloud. The Host looks a bit nervous while she's reading. He starts to say something a few times, but doesn't.
As she finishes reading, a bright light flashes, a portal opens, the Host hits a high note.
A big green demon armed with a large sword is ejected through the portal. He looks a lot like the Host except he has long hair and a stringy beard and mustache. He's dressed as a warrior.
Angel takes the demon on. The Host realizes he recognizes him and addresses him as Landok. Angel asks the Host if he knows the demon. The Host acknowledges he knows him by name, but that doesn't mean Angel shouldn't go ahead and knock him out.
Landok asks the Host if he really is "Krevlornswoth of the Deathwok Clan." The Host says the demon is rabid, Angel should go ahead and pound him. Angel is still processing the Krevlornswoth thing. The Host says he prefers Lorne, but he doesn't use it much, being green.
Wes and Cordelia don't get it. Angel does. He tries to clue them in. Lorne Greene. Bonanza. Fifteen years on television. Wes and Cordelia just look at each other with a "huh?" kind of exchange. Angel suddenly feels old.
Landok asks the Host where he is. The Host tells him he's in LA. Landok wonders if it's a prison and the others present are the Host's captors. He raises his sword. Wes shields Cordelia.
The Host tells Landok to calm down. He explains that the others are his friends. He introduces everyone to Landok and Landok to them. Landok clarifies his name is "Landokmar of the Deathwok Clan". Cordelia notes the "Deathwok" present in both of their names. The Host admits they are cousins.
Landok tells the Host his disappearance was a mystery to them. The others look to the Host for an explanation, he clearly doesn't want to talk about it. Landok said they had hoped he had sought redemption by giving up his life in the sacrificial canyons. The Host says they really need to be going. He's sure Landok will find his way around. New people arrive in LA every day and find a way to manage.
Landok asks if his cousin was abducted into this dimension the same way he was. The Host tells him he arrived through a portal, just as Landok did. Landok is determined they will find a way to return together. The Host says his ticket was one-way. He's not interested in going back. Landok wonders why he won't return to remove the burden of shame he left with his mother.
The Host wonders if anyone else is hungry. He's thinking some Italian food sounds good about now. The others just look on, not sure what any of this is about.
Landok tells the Host things have been difficult for his mother. The Host wonders if she misses him. Landok says that she rips up his pictures, feeds them to the pigs, then slaughters them, and scatters their pieces for the dogs to eat.
The Host figures that sounds just like his mother. He looks at the others and tells them they can pick the place to eat. He's open to whatever.
Landok wonders if the Host is that much of a coward. The Host tells him his friends don't really want to hear about their "family issues." Wes and Cordelia are eager for the details. Wes wants to know all about the cowardice and shame.
The Host tells Landok he's no coward. As a matter of fact he and the others were about to go on a Drokken hunt. The mention of the Drokken gets Landok's attention. He's ready to accompany them on the hunt. Wes asks if he knows how to kill it. Landok says they need to pierce it with "a weapon dripped in thromite."
The Host informs him there is no thromite in this dimension. Landok admits it will be difficult to kill it then, considering it's impervious to most wounds.
Angel wonders if it's impervious to decapitation. Wes wonders about running it through with a big enough sword. Angel suggests electrocution as an option. Cordelia notes they've had success with those methods with other demons.
Landok offers that it will take a powerful blow to kill it without the thromite. The demon is very strong and fast. Angel says they can't do anything until they find it. Landok offers to track it. Wherever the demon goes it leaves behind hostility signatures. He can sense those and track it by them. Wes finds that quite amazing. He wonders if all of Landok's people have this ability.
Landok looks at the Host as he answers that all of those who are willing to be trained have the ability. The Host notes the laying on of the guilt trip.
Landok tells them to take him to the point the Drokken entered this dimension, he'll help them kill it. Wes welcomes his assistance. They all leave the library, the Host follows them out.
Gunn drives up to a secluded place where Rondell is waiting. He grabs Rondell and tells him they should have waited for him. Rondell tells him they did wait for him, for months.
They begin unloading some junk from the back of the pickup, stacking it in a pile.
Landok and the others find the body of the guy the Drokken fed on earlier. Landok notes it will be stronger since it has fed. He takes some time to sort the demon's signature to get back on the trail.
Angel and the Host look on from a discreet distance. Angel asks what Landok is doing. The Host explains that he's channeling to identify the demon's aura. It's the same sense the Host uses to guide people to their destinies. For this, he's considered a "freak". His cousin uses it to hunt and he's idolized.
Angel asks if Landok is a hero back home then. The Host acknowledges his people's values are a little twisted. Everything is black and white, there are no shades of gray. There is no music or art where he comes from, only champions who roam the countryside fighting for justice. The Host finds that a boring existence. When they have problems, they settle them with the sword. He says nobody ever admits to having emotions or feelings and they never talk about them. He wonders if Angel can imagine living in a place like that. Angel says no, but his thoughtful expression throughout the Host's description of life back home says he sees some appeal in it.
Wes hangs up his cell, wonders aloud why Gunn isn't answering any of his pages. He's concerned something may be wrong. Cordelia offers that he may just be too busy staking vamps to answer. She reminds him that the last time they followed him without being asked, Wesley got himself shot. Wesley didn't need the reminder.
Wes asks Cordy what she's doing as she continues thumbing through the book from the library. She feels they're missing something. Wes offers to work on a translation when they get back to the office. Cordelia thinks it's something bigger than that. She's not convinced that stopping the demon is the point. She thinks there's more to it than that.
Landok announces that he's picked up the Drokken's trail. The Host wonders if he expects a medal for his discovery. Landok doesn't appreciate being mocked and especially not by one who refused the traditions of his people.
The Host tells Landok that while he was out doing the "hunting and gathering" thing, he was enjoying himself at the local watering hole, chatting up the ladies. Landok points out that the Host was even too much of a coward to partake of the "sacred joust." The Host denies being a coward, he simply was able to see things from both perspectives. He asks Angel how one is supposed to joust with someone when they don't totally disagree with the other's point of view.
Landok says the Drokken has taken more food to eat later. Cordelia mulls that over a minute, then realizes the Drokken eats people.
Angel pulls the car up in a quiet area. He asks Landok if he's certain this is where the Drokken is. The Drokken is seen dragging a young woman. The others hear it growl. Landok says he's sure.
Angel asks Wesley what they should do. Wes stammers, fumbling for a plan. Angel is impatient, realizing the young woman is about to become a meal. Wes retrieves some flares and hesitantly suggests that maybe the bright light will distract it. Landok is tired of waiting. He heads out of the car onto the Drokken's trail. The Host says patience isn't a trait common to his people.
Angel gets out of the car, armed with a sword, and follows after Landok. Wesley quietly notes to himself that they haven't got a plan.
Landok follows the Drokken into a warehouse type of building. He jumps it before it can snack on the woman. A fight ensues resulting in Landok getting bitten by the Drokken.
Angel jumps the demon who picks up Landok's sword and uses it to defend itself.
As Angel and the demon go at it, the Host and Wesley enter the building. The Host notices Landok on the ground and sees the bite wound on his arm. Landok wants his sword. The Host says Landok has been poisoned. Landok says there's time to die later, after the Drokken has been killed.
Wes asks about the poisoning. The Host explains that the Drokken's bite is venomous, it's fatal to his people. Wes asks if there's an antidote. The Host says there is, but it's only available in his home dimension.
Angel and the Drokken are still going at it. The Drokken gets the upper hand, knocks Angel down and takes off after the woman. Wesley runs up and joins Angel. Angel gets up and tells him the demon is in pursuit of the woman whose screams can be heard. Angel takes off after the Drokken. Wesley lights a flare and follows after him.
As Angel and Wes navigate through a maze of wooden palettes stacked near to the ceiling, the Drokken follows along, jumping silently from palette stack to palette stack above them.
Angel instructs Wes to go find the woman and get her to safety while he finds the demon. They separate.
Landok demands that the Host get him his sword. The Host reminds him he couldn't do much with it, considering he can't even raise his own arm.
Angel calls out to the Drokken, taunting it, trying to get it to reveal itself.
Wesley sees the young woman running through the maze of palettes. He follows after her. He catches up to her and assures her everything will be okay, she'll be safe. She screams, Wes turns, the Drokken growls and jumps him, slamming him to the ground.
Wesley shoves the burning flare into the demon's face in defense. The Drokken bites the burning end off of it.
Angel jumps the demon, knocking it away from Wes. Angel loses the sword in the ensuing fight. The demon knocks him backwards and sends him sprawling to the floor.
Angel picks up the sword, sends it flying through the air and impales the Drokken through the throat, killing it.
Angel looks at the dead demon, then at Wes and says, "that was fun."
The Host is helping his cousin back to the car. Landok wants to know that if he dies, the Host will do the rituals. The Host says nobody is going to be dying. Landok wants the assurance anyway that he'll do it. The Host says he won't. Landok is distressed by that since he can't get his glory without the rituals and his cousin is the only one present who can do them.
Wes tells Angel about the need to get Landok back to his home dimension.
Cordelia has been waiting by the car. She tells Angel and Wes she's figured it out. They can use the book to send Landok back. She thinks if he reads from the book in a place they know a portal exists, it will open and he'll be pulled back in. She believes that's what happened to Fred. The portal works both ways, coming and going. Angel wonders how she knows it won't just send something else here instead. Cordelia says she knows it won't. She's not sure how she knows that, she just does.
Landok still wants the Host's promise he'll do the rituals. The Host says there won't be any need for that because nobody is going to die.
They all head to Caritas.
Gunn and the others have placed George's body on top of the pile of junk they had stacked earlier. Rondell sets the stack on fire as they all look on. Gunn's expression is one of loss and sadness tinged with a touch of guilt..
Angel and the Host assist Landok into Caritas. Angel asks where the portal opened. The Host points out the place on the stage where it had appeared. Angel asks Cordy for the book. He tells Landok he just needs to read from it out loud. Theoretically anyway, that should work.
Landok says it takes a great warrior to kill the Drokken. He is pleased to have made Angel's acquaintance. Angel handles the compliment the way he usually does, awkwardly. They shake hands.
The Host wishes his cousin well. He tells Landok to pass on to his mother that he threw himself off of the sacrificial cliffs. Landok feels they will meet again. The Host isn't anxious for that.
Landok begins reading from the book. A bright light flashes, the portal opens, Landok disappears.
The Host looks at the empty stage and suggests they all forget this happened. Angel agrees with that. Wes does as well. He waits for Cordelia to chime in with similar sentiments. They all notice that she's disappeared.
Cordelia wakes up in a wooded area. She stands up and looks at the sky, noticing it's purple and has two suns. The air is filled with unfamiliar, and menacing, sounds. She realizes she's not home anymore.
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S2/EPISODE 19
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| Written by: Shawn Ryan | Original Air Date: May 1, 2001 |
Gunn, Cordelia, Angel and Wes are sitting at an upscale restaurant. All but Angel are enjoying a meal. Angel is noticeably uncomfortable in the surroundings. They're there to celebrate Cordelia getting a national commercial.
Wesley offers a toast. Cordelia toasts with water, declining anything alcoholic since she has an early call in the morning but she tells the others to please continue toasting and praising her.
Angel offers his hopes she doesn't leave them when she gets rich and famous. Cordelia assures them she can't go anywhere while she still gets the "mind shattering, ever more debilitating visions." Angel clearly takes the point, but doesn't say anything.
As Cordelia continues eating, she says she feels guilty. Angel says she shouldn't, $19 for an appetizer isn't really that bad, he's sure it's worth it. He's clearly trying to convince himself.
Cordelia assures him that's not what she feels guilty about. Wesley looks at Angel. Angel tells him it's not that he's cheap, he's just old. Cordelia smiles at Wes. Angel recalls when a "few bob" would buy a "good meal, a bottle and a tavern wench." Liam's accent makes a brief return as Angel recalls that memory. Everybody just looks at him. Angel asks Cordelia what she was talking about.
Cordy says she feels guilty about leaving them to do the commercial while they're in the middle of a case.
Wes assures her they have things under control. Angel will get the info they need from his informant. Gunn says that will point them to the thing she saw in her vision. Wes points out it's a Haklar demon, the informant will guide them to its feeding grounds and they'll go and kill it. He smiles at Gunn, they reach across the table and bang knuckles with each other. Angel extends his fist, but gets ignored. He pulls back, trying to fit in but clearly not comfortable with any of it.
Cordelia tells the guys if they want to have more to drink they shouldn't let the fact she's not drinking stop them. Angel says the imported stuff goes straight to his head. The cost clearly an issue on his mind.
Gunn asks Wes about securing a flame thrower to deal with the demon. Wes hadn't considered that.
Angel starts to say it's okay if they want to order another bottle, but he's talking to himself.
Gunn points out to Wes if they get caught in tight quarters, a flame thrower may not be a wise idea. They could end up incinerating each other. Wes agrees on that point. Gunn says Wes is the boss, he'll go by his decision on it. Wesley figures stealth is important and a flame thrower wouldn't exactly fit that description.
As they continue to discuss, Angel notices a woman heading toward the exit. He accosts her, grabbing her shawl. He thinks it's a battle shroud of some sort, "made from the skins of children." He tells her he recognizes a "Voctar witch" when he sees one.
Wes wonders what the hell Angel is doing. Cordelia gets up from the table and intervenes. Angel looks at the shawl and realizes it's not what he thought it was. Cordelia tells the woman it's a beautiful, very expensive designer shawl. She tells the woman to excuse her friend, he just appreciates beautiful things. She says he can't help himself, "he's from France." She makes apologies and pulls Angel back to the table.
Gunn sarcastically notes if they had a flame thrower they could start a fire then and there, draw even more attention to themselves.
Angel starts to say that from a distance the markings on the shawl looked like --
Wes wants to finish the meal and get out of there.
Cordelia suddenly gets an "I'm not feeling right" look. The guys think she's about to have a vision. Gunn asks what she sees. Cordelia says it's the sashimi coming up as she bends over and throws up, pulling the tablecloth and everything on it to the floor in the process.
The guys stand up and look on. Angel wonders if the restaurant will give them a refund for that.
At the hotel the next day, Wes is in the office on the phone with his mother. He asks her to put his father on the line. We only see Wesley's side of the conversation.
Wes wishes his father happy birthday and asks how he's doing, his newfound confidence clearly in evidence. He tells his father things are going well, he's now the leader of the group. In response to a comment from his father, he assures him it's a permanent position, and no, he won't be fired. His confidence is withering by the second. He acknowledges that yes, he was fired that one time. He quietly responds in a series of unfinished sentences as his father seems to be undercutting his news. Wes says he just thought his father would like to know. He quietly wishes him happy birthday again and hangs up.
Gunn comes in and asks who was on the phone. Wes tells him it was his father, it's his birthday. He sends his greetings to everyone "in Tinsel Town."
Angel walks onto a busy soundstage, looks toward a woman in a bikini who is fixing her hair. She notices him, smiles as he approaches. He walks past her onto the set, a beach scene lit to look like a bright, sunny day. He stands in the middle of the set, closes his eyes and takes a moment to enjoy the faux sunshine.
Angel's reverie is interrupted by Cordelia, who is clearly oblivious
to the joy of the moment for him. She walks up to him, wearing a bathrobe,
and demands to know what he's doing there. He smiles, tells her he's
getting a tan without getting incinerated. She asks again what he's
doing there. He says he needed to ask her something specific about
her vision. Cordelia tells him to shut up, the director is coming.She thanks the young guy that approaches for giving her the job. He tells her she's welcome, now drop the robe. Cordelia hesitates. He tells her he needs to see the "wardrobe", she has to take off the bathrobe. She finally does it, revealing the bikini underneath.. He tells her to turn around while he looks her over. Angel isn't liking the guy's attitude much.
The director asks his assistant when Cordelia is due for makeup. She tells him she's already been there. Director guy tells his assistant to take her back and tell the makeup artist to do something with the dark circles under her eyes, they're not flattering. Cordelia explains that she had food poisoning. Director guy finds it laughable that she actually eats. He tells his assistant to pass on to the makeup artist that he's supposed to want to sleep with her, he doesn't. He doesn't figure his assistant would want to either.
Angel is in big brother mode, telling the guy he's out of line and he owes an apology. Director guy isn't impressed. Cordelia just looks embarrassed by the whole thing. Angel tells the guy again to apologize. Director guy instructs his assistant to get security. He tells Cordy it wasn't very smart of her to bring her friend along to tell him how to shoot his commercial, he doesn't figure that's a very smart career move.
Cordelia apologizes for Angel's behavior as she pulls him away. Angel asks if she wants him to rip the guy's head off of his shoulders because he can do that. Cordy sternly asks him if he's intentionally trying to ruin her career. Angel tries to explain but Cordelia isn't interested. She tells him to leave.
Angel tells her the reason he came was to ask her a question about the vision. He needs to know if the Haklar demon she saw ate its victim whole or just the liver. There are two kinds of Haklars, they have different feeding grounds. He needs to know which it was so he can track it to kill it. Cordelia says she hates her life and walks away.
Back at the hotel, Wes is pacing, Gunn looks on. Gunn asks about the Haklar demon, what he needs to know about it. Wes starts to give him a history of the species; origins, features, feeding and mating habits, methods of communication. Gunn clarifies that he meant for Wes to tell him what he needs to know to kill it. Wes says it's a standard chop it up approach.
Rondell and George enter the hotel. Gunn greets them. Wesley thanks them for helping him when he got shot. They figure it was the right thing to do considering he was trying to help them at the time it happened.
Gunn asks what's up. George tells him they have a problem with vamps attacking homeless people in MacKenzie Park. Gunn says they'll need to set a trap. Rondell informs him that's already been done. Gunn seems surprised. Rondell tells him they know what to do, things have already been set up. Gunn is eager to help, he asks what they need him for. George tells him they just want to borrow his truck. Gunn is surprised that's all they want. Rondell says it's tricked out for dusting vamps, they need all the advantages they can get. Gunn tells them he'll help.
Wes asks about dealing with the Haklar. Gunn says they can page him once Angel finds its feeding grounds.
Angel comes in, informs them the demon is at the north shore of Lake Hollywood and they need to hurry, there's a race due to start there in half an hour.
Wes tells Gunn he's been paged and walks away. Gunn tells Rondell and George he has to handle this but as soon as he's finished he'll join them and they can then go take on the vamps at the park.
George responds with "whatever" as he and Rondell head out.
As Angel hands out weapons, Wes asks if everything is all right. Angel says it's about Cordelia. Wes asks what's going on. Gunn wonders if her headaches are worse. Angel says nothing is wrong. He just doesn't get how acting can be her dream job, how she can want to associate with people like the director of her commercial. He says the guy treated her like his personal slave and she let him. He asks when the last time was Cordelia took that from any of them. Gunn says she never did, never would.
Angel says that's the point. The guy also had her wearing a swimsuit that was barely there. There's a moment of silence as each of the guys pauses to appreciate his own personal visual of that description.
Gunn suggests they go kill something. They head out in search of the Haklar.
At Caritas, the Host is onstage, performing. In the middle of his performance a blinding flash of light accompanies the opening of a portal behind him on the stage, ejecting a large demon that looks like a cross between a gorilla and Yoda with fangs resembling the tusks of a warthog.
Patrons in the bar scramble as the demon heads for the exit. The Host is visibly shaken, trying to assure the patrons it was all part of the show.
Back at the soundstage, Cordelia is filming the commercial. She's running her dialog while rubbing suntan lotion on her costars back. The director calls cut and curtly informs her that once again, she's in her costars light. He's told her twice she has to bend over more to avoid the problem.
Cordelia hesitantly tells him that if she bends over any more, she'll fall out of her top. He informs her that will solve the lighting problem. She wonders if they couldn't move the lights. He tells her she wasn't hired to do Shakespeare. All that's required of her is to say the lines, show some cleavage. He wonders if she gets it now. She does. She's clearly humiliated but doesn't stand up to him.
Angel and Wes arrive at the hotel, Cordelia is already there, in full moping mode. Angel apologizes for his actions at her job earlier. It wasn't his intention to embarrass her. Cordelia isn't interested in apologies. She then admits she embarrassed herself. She just wanted an acting job. She wanted to be appreciated for her talent. She didn't want to be made to feel the way she's feeling.
She asks where Gunn is. Wes says he was with them but he had to go home to help with a vampire problem. Cordy asks how the fight went. Wes says they managed to kill the Haklar just before it ate a group of power walkers. Angel says it was horrible. Cordelia reminds him she knows that, she saw it in her vision. Angel clarifies that he was referring to the power walkers, not the demon. He doesn't get that whole thing. He tells Cordelia one of them hit Wesley. Cordelia notices the cut over his eye and asks if a power walker actually did that. Wesley says the woman felt he was disrespecting the demon's culture by killing it. Life in LA.
The Host comes in, tells Angel he wants to hire him to kill something. He tells them it's a Drokken. Wes heads to do research, the Host assures him he won't find anything on it. It doesn't come from any world they're familiar with. Angel asks how it arrived. The Host tells him it came via a portal in the club that opened up right in the middle of his Stevie Wonder number. He's still miffed by the interruption. He stresses the most important thing is that they have to kill the Drokken.
Angel asks where they can find it. The Host admits he has no idea but he figures it's probably hungry.
The Drokken attacks a couple of guys walking down a deserted street. It partially devours one of them. As it's finishing, a young woman walks around the corner and sees it. She screams.
At the hotel, Angel asks if all the Host has to offer them by way of information is that the Drokken has sharp teeth. Wes asks for specifics like why it's here, what it wants, what its capabilities are.
None of that matters to the Host. It trashed his club and his patrons. Angel says he thought the club was a sanctuary. The Host concedes it didn't kill anyone, just knocked over a couple of patrons but it looked angry. He sensed hostility. It's something bad. They need to kill it. He wonders if they are going to help or if he should call someone else.
Angel says they'll do a circular search, move one mile out, hope to get lucky. Cordelia gets Angel's attention and nods toward Wesley. Angel gets it. He apologizes for usurping Wesley's position. Wes assures him it's okay. Cordelia smiles and tells the Host Wes is their new leader. The Host congratulates him on the promotion and tells Angel it was a good choice. He asks Wes what the plan is.
Wesley ponders that a moment, then concedes that Angel's suggestion is a good one. They start to head out. The Host notices Cordelia holding her head and asks what's up. Wes says it's food poisoning. Angel mumbles it was caused by a "very expensive appetizer." Cordelia goes into vision fit mode. Everyone realizes what's happening.
The vision shows a young woman, with long brunette hair, wearing glasses and a pendant. She takes a book with strange looking symbols on the cover from a shelf, opens it and thumbs through it. There's a flash of bright light, the woman screams.
Angel asks Cordelia if she's okay. She lets him know she doesn't much like constantly being asked the same question. Wes asks her what she saw. She tells him she saw a woman at the public library, possibly an employee, she was reading a book.
The Host figures his problem is more pressing. The hungry, crazed Drokken demon on the loose should probably take priority. Wes and Cordelia pretty much ignore him as Cordy continues telling Wes what she saw, an opening that appeared behind the woman, a portal of some kind.
That gets the Host's attention. Wes wonders if it's similar to the one that opened in Caritas, ejecting the Drokken. The Host says there's no proof of that. Wes figures that's the connection. He tells the others they need to get to the library, it's almost closing time.
Angel asks the Host if he's coming as they head out. He isn't all that anxious, but tags along anyway.
Gunn arrives at the street kids' hangout. Everything is quiet, only one kid is in sight. Gunn asks the kid, Junior, what's going on. Junior doesn't look at him.
Gunn walks into another room and finds the others gathered around the body of George, laid out on a couch. Gunn asks Rondell what happened. He moves George's head to reveal the fang marks in his neck to Gunn. Gunn asks if George drank. Rondell tells him they don't know.
Wes, Cordelia, Angel and the Host arrive at the library. Wes and Cordy walk ahead, Angel and the Host lag behind. The Host wonders why it is every time he and Angel get out, they always end up in a library. He doesn't find that particularly exciting. He suggests they check out the Elton John concert next month. They can sit way in the back, nobody will notice. Angel reminds him he doesn't do "big and crowded."
One of the librarians gasps as she comes face to face with the Host. He doesn't quite know what to say. She's relieved as she comes to the conclusion he must be there for the children's reading program. He's relieved as well and confirms that's it. She says it isn't until tomorrow. He tells her he knows that but he likes to check out the surroundings before a performance. She figures the kids will love his costume. She notes everything looks very authentic, except the horns but she understands those are probably tough to fake. She tells him where the reading room is and says they only have five minutes if they plan to check anything out. The Host heads off to look at the reading room.
Cordelia tells her they're looking for someone. She describes the woman she saw in her vision. The librarian doesn't recognize her from the description. Cordelia tells her the woman was wearing a pendant, which she describes. The woman recognizes the necklace as one worn by Fred. Angel asks about her. The woman says her name was Winifred. Angel asks if she knows where they might be able to find her.
The woman pulls a missing persons flyer from a desk and hands it to Cordelia. She tells them that Fred disappeared five years ago. No trace was ever found. They gave up hope awhile ago.
Cordelia looks at the picture on the flyer and recognizes the woman as the same one she saw in her vision. Wes asks if the woman can tell them anything about Fred. She says the girl worked with her in the library, she was studying to be a physicist.
Wes asks what happened the day she disappeared.
The woman says that it was weird. Fred was cataloging foreign language books one minute, and the next minute she was gone.
Wes, Cordy and Angel enter the area where Fred was last seen. Wes doesn't know what they're looking for. Cordelia isn't sure either, but she recognizes the area as the same one she saw in her vision.
The Host enters after having checked out the children's reading room. He's excited about that, figures he just may show up for the reading with a copy of Harry Potter.
Cordelia pulls a book from the shelf, she recognizes it as the one Fred was holding in her vision of her. Wes looks at the language, tries to sound it out. He wonders what language it is. The Host's expression indicates he's familiar with it, but he doesn't say anything.
Cordelia notes the book's last checkout and return dates. Angel realizes the return date correlates with the day Fred disappeared.
Cordelia starts sounding out the letters aloud. The Host looks a bit nervous while she's reading. He starts to say something a few times, but doesn't.
As she finishes reading, a bright light flashes, a portal opens, the Host hits a high note.
A big green demon armed with a large sword is ejected through the portal. He looks a lot like the Host except he has long hair and a stringy beard and mustache. He's dressed as a warrior.
Angel takes the demon on. The Host realizes he recognizes him and addresses him as Landok. Angel asks the Host if he knows the demon. The Host acknowledges he knows him by name, but that doesn't mean Angel shouldn't go ahead and knock him out.
Landok asks the Host if he really is "Krevlornswoth of the Deathwok Clan." The Host says the demon is rabid, Angel should go ahead and pound him. Angel is still processing the Krevlornswoth thing. The Host says he prefers Lorne, but he doesn't use it much, being green.
Wes and Cordelia don't get it. Angel does. He tries to clue them in. Lorne Greene. Bonanza. Fifteen years on television. Wes and Cordelia just look at each other with a "huh?" kind of exchange. Angel suddenly feels old.
Landok asks the Host where he is. The Host tells him he's in LA. Landok wonders if it's a prison and the others present are the Host's captors. He raises his sword. Wes shields Cordelia.
The Host tells Landok to calm down. He explains that the others are his friends. He introduces everyone to Landok and Landok to them. Landok clarifies his name is "Landokmar of the Deathwok Clan". Cordelia notes the "Deathwok" present in both of their names. The Host admits they are cousins.
Landok tells the Host his disappearance was a mystery to them. The others look to the Host for an explanation, he clearly doesn't want to talk about it. Landok said they had hoped he had sought redemption by giving up his life in the sacrificial canyons. The Host says they really need to be going. He's sure Landok will find his way around. New people arrive in LA every day and find a way to manage.
Landok asks if his cousin was abducted into this dimension the same way he was. The Host tells him he arrived through a portal, just as Landok did. Landok is determined they will find a way to return together. The Host says his ticket was one-way. He's not interested in going back. Landok wonders why he won't return to remove the burden of shame he left with his mother.
The Host wonders if anyone else is hungry. He's thinking some Italian food sounds good about now. The others just look on, not sure what any of this is about.
Landok tells the Host things have been difficult for his mother. The Host wonders if she misses him. Landok says that she rips up his pictures, feeds them to the pigs, then slaughters them, and scatters their pieces for the dogs to eat.
The Host figures that sounds just like his mother. He looks at the others and tells them they can pick the place to eat. He's open to whatever.
Landok wonders if the Host is that much of a coward. The Host tells him his friends don't really want to hear about their "family issues." Wes and Cordelia are eager for the details. Wes wants to know all about the cowardice and shame.
The Host tells Landok he's no coward. As a matter of fact he and the others were about to go on a Drokken hunt. The mention of the Drokken gets Landok's attention. He's ready to accompany them on the hunt. Wes asks if he knows how to kill it. Landok says they need to pierce it with "a weapon dripped in thromite."
The Host informs him there is no thromite in this dimension. Landok admits it will be difficult to kill it then, considering it's impervious to most wounds.
Angel wonders if it's impervious to decapitation. Wes wonders about running it through with a big enough sword. Angel suggests electrocution as an option. Cordelia notes they've had success with those methods with other demons.
Landok offers that it will take a powerful blow to kill it without the thromite. The demon is very strong and fast. Angel says they can't do anything until they find it. Landok offers to track it. Wherever the demon goes it leaves behind hostility signatures. He can sense those and track it by them. Wes finds that quite amazing. He wonders if all of Landok's people have this ability.
Landok looks at the Host as he answers that all of those who are willing to be trained have the ability. The Host notes the laying on of the guilt trip.
Landok tells them to take him to the point the Drokken entered this dimension, he'll help them kill it. Wes welcomes his assistance. They all leave the library, the Host follows them out.
Gunn drives up to a secluded place where Rondell is waiting. He grabs Rondell and tells him they should have waited for him. Rondell tells him they did wait for him, for months.
They begin unloading some junk from the back of the pickup, stacking it in a pile.
Landok and the others find the body of the guy the Drokken fed on earlier. Landok notes it will be stronger since it has fed. He takes some time to sort the demon's signature to get back on the trail.
Angel and the Host look on from a discreet distance. Angel asks what Landok is doing. The Host explains that he's channeling to identify the demon's aura. It's the same sense the Host uses to guide people to their destinies. For this, he's considered a "freak". His cousin uses it to hunt and he's idolized.
Angel asks if Landok is a hero back home then. The Host acknowledges his people's values are a little twisted. Everything is black and white, there are no shades of gray. There is no music or art where he comes from, only champions who roam the countryside fighting for justice. The Host finds that a boring existence. When they have problems, they settle them with the sword. He says nobody ever admits to having emotions or feelings and they never talk about them. He wonders if Angel can imagine living in a place like that. Angel says no, but his thoughtful expression throughout the Host's description of life back home says he sees some appeal in it.
Wes hangs up his cell, wonders aloud why Gunn isn't answering any of his pages. He's concerned something may be wrong. Cordelia offers that he may just be too busy staking vamps to answer. She reminds him that the last time they followed him without being asked, Wesley got himself shot. Wesley didn't need the reminder.
Wes asks Cordy what she's doing as she continues thumbing through the book from the library. She feels they're missing something. Wes offers to work on a translation when they get back to the office. Cordelia thinks it's something bigger than that. She's not convinced that stopping the demon is the point. She thinks there's more to it than that.
Landok announces that he's picked up the Drokken's trail. The Host wonders if he expects a medal for his discovery. Landok doesn't appreciate being mocked and especially not by one who refused the traditions of his people.
The Host tells Landok that while he was out doing the "hunting and gathering" thing, he was enjoying himself at the local watering hole, chatting up the ladies. Landok points out that the Host was even too much of a coward to partake of the "sacred joust." The Host denies being a coward, he simply was able to see things from both perspectives. He asks Angel how one is supposed to joust with someone when they don't totally disagree with the other's point of view.
Landok says the Drokken has taken more food to eat later. Cordelia mulls that over a minute, then realizes the Drokken eats people.
Angel pulls the car up in a quiet area. He asks Landok if he's certain this is where the Drokken is. The Drokken is seen dragging a young woman. The others hear it growl. Landok says he's sure.
Angel asks Wesley what they should do. Wes stammers, fumbling for a plan. Angel is impatient, realizing the young woman is about to become a meal. Wes retrieves some flares and hesitantly suggests that maybe the bright light will distract it. Landok is tired of waiting. He heads out of the car onto the Drokken's trail. The Host says patience isn't a trait common to his people.
Angel gets out of the car, armed with a sword, and follows after Landok. Wesley quietly notes to himself that they haven't got a plan.
Landok follows the Drokken into a warehouse type of building. He jumps it before it can snack on the woman. A fight ensues resulting in Landok getting bitten by the Drokken.
Angel jumps the demon who picks up Landok's sword and uses it to defend itself.
As Angel and the demon go at it, the Host and Wesley enter the building. The Host notices Landok on the ground and sees the bite wound on his arm. Landok wants his sword. The Host says Landok has been poisoned. Landok says there's time to die later, after the Drokken has been killed.
Wes asks about the poisoning. The Host explains that the Drokken's bite is venomous, it's fatal to his people. Wes asks if there's an antidote. The Host says there is, but it's only available in his home dimension.
Angel and the Drokken are still going at it. The Drokken gets the upper hand, knocks Angel down and takes off after the woman. Wesley runs up and joins Angel. Angel gets up and tells him the demon is in pursuit of the woman whose screams can be heard. Angel takes off after the Drokken. Wesley lights a flare and follows after him.
As Angel and Wes navigate through a maze of wooden palettes stacked near to the ceiling, the Drokken follows along, jumping silently from palette stack to palette stack above them.
Angel instructs Wes to go find the woman and get her to safety while he finds the demon. They separate.
Landok demands that the Host get him his sword. The Host reminds him he couldn't do much with it, considering he can't even raise his own arm.
Angel calls out to the Drokken, taunting it, trying to get it to reveal itself.
Wesley sees the young woman running through the maze of palettes. He follows after her. He catches up to her and assures her everything will be okay, she'll be safe. She screams, Wes turns, the Drokken growls and jumps him, slamming him to the ground.
Wesley shoves the burning flare into the demon's face in defense. The Drokken bites the burning end off of it.
Angel jumps the demon, knocking it away from Wes. Angel loses the sword in the ensuing fight. The demon knocks him backwards and sends him sprawling to the floor.
Angel picks up the sword, sends it flying through the air and impales the Drokken through the throat, killing it.
Angel looks at the dead demon, then at Wes and says, "that was fun."
The Host is helping his cousin back to the car. Landok wants to know that if he dies, the Host will do the rituals. The Host says nobody is going to be dying. Landok wants the assurance anyway that he'll do it. The Host says he won't. Landok is distressed by that since he can't get his glory without the rituals and his cousin is the only one present who can do them.
Wes tells Angel about the need to get Landok back to his home dimension.
Cordelia has been waiting by the car. She tells Angel and Wes she's figured it out. They can use the book to send Landok back. She thinks if he reads from the book in a place they know a portal exists, it will open and he'll be pulled back in. She believes that's what happened to Fred. The portal works both ways, coming and going. Angel wonders how she knows it won't just send something else here instead. Cordelia says she knows it won't. She's not sure how she knows that, she just does.
Landok still wants the Host's promise he'll do the rituals. The Host says there won't be any need for that because nobody is going to die.
They all head to Caritas.
Gunn and the others have placed George's body on top of the pile of junk they had stacked earlier. Rondell sets the stack on fire as they all look on. Gunn's expression is one of loss and sadness tinged with a touch of guilt..
Angel and the Host assist Landok into Caritas. Angel asks where the portal opened. The Host points out the place on the stage where it had appeared. Angel asks Cordy for the book. He tells Landok he just needs to read from it out loud. Theoretically anyway, that should work.
Landok says it takes a great warrior to kill the Drokken. He is pleased to have made Angel's acquaintance. Angel handles the compliment the way he usually does, awkwardly. They shake hands.
The Host wishes his cousin well. He tells Landok to pass on to his mother that he threw himself off of the sacrificial cliffs. Landok feels they will meet again. The Host isn't anxious for that.
Landok begins reading from the book. A bright light flashes, the portal opens, Landok disappears.
The Host looks at the empty stage and suggests they all forget this happened. Angel agrees with that. Wes does as well. He waits for Cordelia to chime in with similar sentiments. They all notice that she's disappeared.
Cordelia wakes up in a wooded area. She stands up and looks at the sky, noticing it's purple and has two suns. The air is filled with unfamiliar, and menacing, sounds. She realizes she's not home anymore.
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