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Episode Summary
As Christmas draws near, Angel begins to relive in his dreams the numerous murders he has committed. One of his victims was a young man named Daniel, whom Angel killed in Dublin in 1818.
Unable to stay in bed any longer, Angel ventures out onto the streets of Sunnydale and runs into Buffy, who’s doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. Angel’s attention is soon diverted from Buffy to a familiar face in the distance.
Impossible as it may seem, Angel recognizes this person as Daniel, the same man he killed 180 years ago. After Buffy tells her friends about her encounter with Angel the next day at school, Oz finally decides to give Willow a second chance at their relationship.
Later that night, Buffy and Joyce shop for a Christmas tree. While looking around, Joyce suggests that Buffy invite Faith to their place on Christmas Eve. Buffy notices a small group of dead trees that the salesman can’t explain.
At the motel, Faith turns down Buffy’s invitation, explaining that she already has plans to attend a party. Meanwhile, Angel shows up at Giles’ doorstep in need of help. Giles invites him in, but not before he grabs a crossbow to protect himself with.
Angel wants to find out how and why he returned to Earth, but he is soon distracted by the presence of Jenny Calendar in the apartment. She is invisible to Giles, which adds to his confusion when Angel suddenly runs out the door.
Back at the mansion, Angel dreams about another moment in time when he took the life of a servant named Margaret. After drinking her blood, Angel looks up to see Buffy watching the whole event. Angel suddenly wakes up… as does Buffy.
Inside the mansion, Angel is haunted by Jenny, Daniel, Margaret, and visions of his many other victims. Buffy, meanwhile, tells Giles that she shared Angel’s dream the previous night. They decide to do some research in hopes of discovering the reason for Angel’s return to Earth.
Xander and Willow show up shortly to aid in the research. After a while, both Buffy and Angel fall asleep and share another dream in which they make love in Buffy’s bedroom. Their romantic moment is interrupted by the vision of a man with no eyes.
Before Buffy can figure out what’s going on, Angel bites into Buffy’s neck, effectively waking both of them up from their slumbers. Angel listens to Jenny as she tries to convince him that losing his soul with Buffy again and killing her will bring him the peace he desires.
Giles shows an illustration of three men with no eyes to Buffy, who recognizes the face from her most recent dream. Called the Bringers, or Harbingers, these high priests can summon The First. As Giles explains, The First is the name given to Absolute Evil.
Since it is not a physical being, Buffy cannot fight it. Buffy and Xander visit Willy’s bar, hoping to get some information on the whereabouts of the Bringers. All they learn is that the Bringers might be underground.
Xander decides that they should go home and enjoy Christmas Eve before resuming their search. With her parents out of town for the evening, Willow invites Oz over to her home to watch a few movies.
When Oz arrives, he soon realizes that Willow has made a small change of plans. Willow tells him that she’s ready to sleep with him, but Oz knows that she’s only doing this as an extreme means of redemption.
He turns down Willow’s offer, preferring to spend the night in a simpler way, like kissing on the couch. Meanwhile, Faith shows up at the Summers’ front porch. Explaining that she thought twice about the party, Faith gives a couple gifts to Buffy and Joyce.
While Faith settles in, Buffy goes upstairs to her bedroom to fetch their presents. She is surprised to find Angel in her bedroom. However, he’s a little out of it at this point, staring longingly at her neck.
Jenny stands behind Buffy, urging Angel to take the final plunge, both symbolically and literally. Angel can’t go through with it, and he dives through Buffy’s window. Back at the mansion, Angel tells Jenny that he will end his own life, using the deadly rays of the sun to do the deed.
After entrusting Faith with her mother’s safety, Buffy goes to Giles’ apartment in an attempt to find out where the Bringers are. One of Giles’ books contains a passage that indicates the inability of life to grow above or below the Bringers.
This leads Buffy back to the suspicious group of dead trees she noticed a while ago. Using an axe, Buffy breaks open a hole in the ground that she immediately enters. Underground, Buffy finds the Bringers and makes short work of them with the axe.
However, Buffy isn’t prepared to see the figure of Jenny Calendar standing before her. Buffy listens as the vision of Jenny speaks for The First, boasting its legendary might. Buffy has no time to entertain The First, which tells her that Angel will die by sunrise.
Buffy runs back to the mansion to find Angel, but he is no longer there. She finally locates him at the top of a hill which overlooks Sunnydale. Buffy tries to get Angel indoors before sunrise, but Angel won’t budge.
He tells her that he can’t go on living, knowing that his very existence presents a threat to the woman he loves so dearly. Buffy refuses to agree, expressing her love for Angel and the self-hatred that goes along with it.
Their stand-off is unexpectedly interrupted by several flakes of snow falling from the sky. Soon enough, a steady snowfall envelops Sunnydale for the first time ever, preventing the sun’s rays from reaching the ground below and ending Angel’s life.
Nobody can explain it, but that doesn’t matter to Buffy and Angel. Some higher power, whomever or whatever it may be, has given Angel yet another lease on life… on Christmas, no less.
Shooting Scripts
Teaser
EXT. DUBLIN STREET – NIGHT (1838)
A Dickensian vista of Christmas. Snow covers the street (though it is not falling now), people and
carriages milling about in it. A group of five or so CAROLLERS stand by one corner, singing a
traditional Christmas air.
A young man (DANIEL) in a dark suit makes his way through the people, quickly and nervously. He
looks about him constantly.
He passes an alley and he is suddenly GRABBED and pulled inside.
He lands in a heap in the corner, the figure that grabbed him standing over him.
ANGEL
Why, Daniel, wherever are you
going?
Angel is dressed similarly — though a bit more elegantly — to Daniel. He is smiling graciously, and in
full vampface.
Daniel cowers, scrambling backwards.
DANIEL
You — you’re not human…
ANGEL
Not of late, no.
DANIEL
What do you want?
ANGEL
Well, it happens that I’m hungry,
Daniel, and seeing as you’re
somewhat in my debt…
DANIEL
Please… I can’t…
ANGEL
A man playing at cards should have
a natural intelligence or a great deal
of money and you’re sadly lacking
in both. So I’ll take my winnings
my own way.
He grabs him, hoists him up. Daniel cannot wrest Angel’s grasp from his throat. He babbles quietly:
DANIEL
The lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want… he maketh me to lie
down in green pastures… he…
ANGEL
Daniel. Be of good cheer.
(smiling)
It’s Christmas!
He bites.
INT. MANSION – ANGEL’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Angel awakens in a start, sweating. Sits on the edge of the bed, clearly distraught by this
dream/flashback. After a moment he rises.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET – NIGHT
CLOSE ON: a hardware store.
Through the window we can see (and hear) a TV on display. On the TV, a WEATHERMAN gives us the
forecast.
WEATHERMAN
. . . it’s gonna be sunny and warm,
with temperatures continuing in the
high 70’s throughout the holiday
weekend. A little warm to light the
yule log, but it should make for a
very nice Christmas.
As he speaks we WIDEN to see a street bustling with SHOPPERS. Stores have Christmas decorations
up, people carry bundles of presents.
Angel makes his way through the throng, walking off nightmares. He does not make eye contact with
people, so it’s no surprise that he almost physically bumps into Buffy.
She is laden down with packages, and stops cold to see him.
BUFFY
Oh!
ANGEL
Hi.
BUFFY
Hi.
A beat.
BUFFY
So, are you… shopping? You’re
probably not shopping.
ANGEL
Couldn’t sleep.
BUFFY
Vampires probably not that big on
Christmas, now I’m thinking about
it…
ANGEL
Not as a rule.
Another beat.
BUFFY
But you’re doing okay.
ANGEL
I’m all right. You?
BUFFY
Yeah! I’m good. Just, uh, getting
some presents for the gang. I
should probably hurry, I gotta get
to the magic shop… Angel?
He’s not looking at her any more. He’s staring off at something else. Something bad.
ANGLE: ANGEL’S POV
Standing in the middle of the crowd is Daniel. He stands stock still as everything around him moves
in slow motion.
Still in the clothes he died in. Staring at us.
A moment more, and he moves off.
BUFFY
Angel?
She looks to see what he saw, but there is nothing. Turns back to him.
BUFFY
What is it?
Angel cannot reply.
BLACKOUT
END OF TEASER
Act One
INT. SCHOOL LOUNGE AREA – DAY
Students mill about. Buffy walks with Xander and Willow, heading for the lounge.
BUFFY
And then he just bailed. Didn’t say
anything; just took off. It was
weird.
XANDER
Angel? Weird? What are the odds?
WILLOW
Do you think there’s something
wrong? Should you maybe tell Giles.
BUFFY
No… I don’t want to bug Giles.
He’s still pretty twitchy about the
subject of Angel.
XANDER
Must be that whole Angel-killed-his-
girlfriend-and-tortured-him thing.
Giles is really petty about stuff
like that.
BUFFY
Xander, enough. Okay?
WILLOW
I bet Angel just has the holiday
blues. Everybody gets ’em.
(thinking of herself)
Especially when they’re alone.
BUFFY
It’s just so aggravating. I’m
trying to do the right thing, stay
away from him, get over it and
then… boom. There he is. I just
want a nice quiet Christmas vacation.
XANDER
You doing anything special?
BUFFY
(shaking her head)
Tree. Nog. Roast beast. Just me
and Mom and hopefully an excess
of gifts.
(to Willow)
What are you doing for Christmas?
WILLOW
(work with me, people)
Being Jewish. Remember, people?
Not everyone worshipping Santa
here.
BUFFY
(smiling)
Sorry. For vacation.
WILLOW
Nothing fun. Oz and I had planned…
but I guess that’s off.
They reach the couches, sit — just as Cordy and a friend are leaving. A few awkward stares, but
Xander tries to carry on:
XANDER
Well, I’ll be enjoying my annual
Christmas Eve camp out. I take my
sleeping bag outside, go to sleep on
the grass.
BUFFY
That sounds fun.
XANDER
I like to look at the stars, feel the
whole nature vibe.
CORDELIA
I thought you slept outside to avoid
your family’s drunken Christmas
fights.
XANDER
Yes, and that was a confidence I was
hoping you’d share with others.
CORDELIA
Well, I’ll be in Aspen. Skiing.
With actual snow.
BUFFY
I hear that helps.
CORDELIA
It must be a drag to be stuck here in
Sweatydale, but I’m thinking of you.
(beat)
Okay, I’m done.
She leaves. Xander watches her go, grumbling.
XANDER
Stuck up, arrogant…
He turns to the others with a total change of expression.
XANDER
She talked to me! That’s the first
time —
(off their looks, deflating)
I’m aware that it’s over.
BUFFY
She certainly has reverted to form.
WILLOW
It’s not her fault. After what
happened, I think we gotta cut her
some slack.
BUFFY
You’re right.
XANDER
Yeah, Will’s got the Christmas spirit.
WILLOW
Hello, still Jewish. Chanukah
spirit, I believe that was. Anyway,
forgiveness is pretty much a big
theme with me this year. You know,
’cause —
OZ
Hey.
He stands before them, looking at Willow. She looks surprised, says quietly:
WILLOW
Hey.
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
The class is empty as Oz and Willow sit, talking.
OZ
Okay. The thing is… seeing you
with Xander, it was… Well, I never
felt that way before — when there
wasn’t a full moon. But I’ve thought
about it a lot. And I know you guys
have a history.
WILLOW
But it’s a history that’s in the
past. Well, I guess most history is
in the past… but it’s over.
OZ
I don’t know. I don’t know if it
ever will be, with you two.
WILLOW
Oz, please believe me —
OZ
This is what I do know. I miss you.
Every second. It’s like I’ve lost an
arm. Worse. A torso. So I’m
thinking I’d be willing to give it a
shot.
She glows with grateful relief.
WILLOW
Really?
OZ
Yeah.
An awkward moment, as she doesn’t know what to do (physically) next.
WILLOW
Do you want us to hug now?
OZ
I’m good for that.
They do. We hold on Willow’s face, happy but still a little tentative.
EXT. CHRISTMAS TREE LOT – NIGHT
We see a perfect tableau of winter: a row of Christmas trees covered in snow. Buffy wanders in front
of them, looking about her.
We pull back to reveal these are the ONLY things covered in snow — and whatever the snow is made
of, two TREE SELLER GUYS are busy covering the next one.
Joyce joins Buffy.
JOYCE
Ooh! Do you want to get one with
snow on it? That’d be very
Christmassy.
BUFFY
I think those are just for display.
JOYCE
Oh.
(as they walk)
You know, honey. I was thinking —
maybe we should invite Faith to spend
Christmas Eve with us.
BUFFY
I don’t know, Mom. Faith and I don’t
really hang out, or talk, or make eye
contact lately.
JOYCE
Well, now, honey, you’re both
slayers, and she doesn’t have any
family here. Do you really want to
let her spend Christmas Eve all by
herself in that dingy little motel
room?
BUFFY
You’re still number one with a guilt
trip, Mom.
JOYCE
I try.
BUFFY
I’ll ask her. Worst she can do is —
well, the worst she can do is serious
bodily harm, but she’ll probably just
say no.
JOYCE
You’re a dear.
BUFFY
Hey, what about Giles? He doesn’t
have family here.
JOYCE
(quickly)
No I’m sure he’s fine.
BUFFY
Well, I could ask —
JOYCE
He doesn’t want to spend Christmas
Eve with a bunch of girls. Let’s
split up.
Joyce moves off, fairly rapidly. Buffy moves in the other direction.
After a moment she stops. Hearing something — or possibly just feeling something. She moves
slowly toward the back of the lot, where it’s darker.
She reaches a bunch of dead trees, kept together near the back. Maybe ten of them, their brown,
spindly arms contrasting the lush green of the surrounding trees. Buffy puzzles at them — and a
figure steps up beside her.
TREE SELLER GUY
Bunch of ’em up and died on us.
Don’t know why. If you want one
I’ll make you a hell of a deal.
BUFFY
No thanks.
JOYCE (O.S.)
Oh, Honey, this one’s perfect.
Buffy exits to join her mom.
INT. CAVE – NIGHT
We see only flashes of images in the darkness, the camera moving quickly about pieces of a tableau:
Three robed figures, kneeling and swaying in a circle.
Candles, torches — a scattering of bones.
Finally, a face. A face with no eyes — just folds of skin with runic symbols burned into them. We see
it for a mere second before we CUT TO:
INT. MANSION – ANGEL’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Angel awakens from another dream, just as panicky. He takes a moment to let his breathing settle.
Rubs his hands over his eyes.
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Faith is crouched in front of the TV, trying to shake the static out of it. Her room is the same as
always except there is one forlorn string of Christmas lights strung above the door.
FAITH
Come on… don’t die on me now…
(knock at the door)
Yeah!
Buffy opens it, comes tentatively in. Faith looks at her, turns back to the TV banging.
FAITH
Hey, how’s it going.
(hits TV)
Work, dammit!
BUFFY
Hey.
Faith quits, turning off the set and straightening up. Her manner toward Buffy is casual and more or
less polite, but there isn’t a whole lotta love in this room.
FAITH
What’s going on? Scary monsters?
BUFFY
Nope. I just… well we’re having
Christmas Eve dinner at my place,
and if you didn’t have plans…
FAITH
(smiling)
Your mom sent you down, huh?
BUFFY
No! I just thought, if you were
bored — not that it’s gonna be wild
fun at our house, but —
FAITH
Well, thanks, but I got plans.
There’s a big party I been invited
to, it should be a blast.
Buffy politely pretends not to know Faith is lying.
BUFFY
Oh, good. Cool. You know, but, if
you change your mind…
FAITH
It’s nice of you, thanks. But I got,
I got that big party that I been
invited to.
A beat.
BUFFY
I like the lights.
FAITH
Yeah, well, ’tis the season.
Whatever that means.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
Giles is cooking himself a little supper when the doorbell rings. He lowers the flame under a saucepan
as he calls out:
GILES
Just a second!
He crosses briskly to the door, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel, and opens the door.
He stops cold.
For a good long while, neither he nor Angel says anything.
GILES
Hello.
ANGEL
I’m… I’m sorry to bother you.
Rather surprisingly, Giles laughs slightly.
GILES
I’m sorry. Coming from you, that
phrase strikes me as funny. Sorry
to bother me.
ANGEL
I need your help.
GILES
And the funny keeps on coming.
ANGEL
I understand that I have no right to
ask for it, but… there’s no one
else. Will you at least hear me out?
In the ensuing silence, sizzling from the kitchen becomes audible. As he is about to go take care of it,
Giles says:
GILES
All right.
He moves out of Angel’s sight and turns off the flame. Angel waits a beat.
ANGEL
I can’t come in unless you invite me.
Giles returns — with a crossbow.
GILES
I’m aware of that.
He points it directly at Angel’s chest.
GILES
Come in.
Angel steps cautiously in. The two keep their distance.
ANGEL
I’ve been seeing… I’ve had dreams,
lately, about… the past. It’s like
I’m living it again, it’s so vivid.
I need to…
(he faces Giles)
I need to know why I’m here.
GILES
Here? Back on Earth?
ANGEL
I should be in a demon dimension
suffering an eternity of torture.
GILES
I don’t feel particularly inclined to
argue with that.
ANGEL
But I’m not. I was freed. And I
don’t understand why.
Giles lets the crossbow down as he replies.
GILES
Well, I haven’t any easy answers;
I’ve looked into the matter, but so
far I haven’t come across any being
with the power to pull someone out
of Hell.
ANGEL
Where have you looked? We could
compare notes —
GILES
Knowing why you’re back might give
you some peace of mind?
ANGEL
It might.
GILES
And is that something you think
you ought to have?
As he speaks, he moves to place the crossbow on the table.
JENNY CALENDAR is right behind him.
Angel starts, staring.
GILES
To be blunt, the last time you became
complacent about your existence, it
turned out rather badly.
ANGEL
(to Jenny)
I killed you…
GILES
You tried, certainly, but —
He realizes Angel is not looking at him. He frowns, puzzled.
Jenny moves to Giles, but cannot touch him. She gazes at him with forlorn longing.
GILES
What are you staring at?
ANGEL
Don’t you see her?
GILES
See whom?
But Angel cannot say. He moves quickly out of the room —
ANGEL
I can’t —
— leaving Giles, alone, to puzzle.
INT. MANSION – ANGEL’S BEDROOM – NIGHT (LATER)
The camera moves down toward him from above, as he tosses and turns in the grip of yet another
memory dream.
INT. VICTORIAN HOUSE – NIGHT (1883)
An extremely civilized Christmas party is underway, well-to-do revellers milling about and chatting.
The camera follows a couple up the stairs — then moves under it, where Angel is dallying with an
uncomfortable young servant named MARGARET.
MARGARET
Sir, please… I should return to the
party…
ANGEL
Margaret, Margaret… there’s no
hurry.
MARGARET
Mistress will be wondering…
ANGEL
Mistress will be wondering how she
can get the good Reverend Chalmers
into bed and will not notice the
absence of canapes. Stay with me.
Tell me about yourself.
MARGARET
Sir… people might talk — I’ll be
put out in the street, my little boy
would… I can’t lose this job.
ANGEL
Then you’d best keep quiet.
The humor has gone out of his voice. He grips her arm.
MARGARET
You’re hurting me.
ANGEL
Cry out. Call for help. I’m sure
mistress will believe your behavior
beyond reproach.
MARGARET
Please…
ANGEL
Come! Make a scene! Shall I?
MARGARET
No!
ANGEL
No.
He moves closer to her, predatorialy. She is near tears.
ANGEL
We shall be quiet as mice.
She looks up at him and her eyes widen in horror. He’s gone to vampface.
ANGEL
No matter what.
She stares, terrified, into the face of her death.
MARGARET
Please… my son…
ANGEL
He’ll make a fine dessert.
He bites, pulls the life out of her hungrily. Finishes her and looks up.
He starts, sudden terror on his face.
Buffy is standing before him. She is in modern dress, and stands out from the victorian setting.
She is as horrified as he.
INT. MANSION – ANGEL’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Angel comes awake, sweaty and freaked.
INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Buffy jolts awake as well, just as freaked as Angel.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Act Two
INT. MANSION – NIGHT
Angel comes out of his bedroom. Jenny is standing in the middle of the room, staring at him. Angel
stops.
JENNY
Trouble sleeping?
ANGEL
You’re not here.
JENNY
I’m always here.
ANGEL
Leave me alone…
JENNY
I can’t. You won’t let me.
He collapses onto the couch. Jenny approaches him, her movements as smooth as her voice is soft.
JENNY
I’m a part of you now. You’ve taken
me in.
ANGEL
What do you want?
JENNY
I want to die in bed, surrounded by
fat grandchildren, but I guess that’s
off the menu.
She smiles, without rancor. Her smile disappears when he says:
ANGEL
I’m sorry…
JENNY
You’re sorry? For what? For me?
Don’t bother. I’m dead; I’m over it.
If you want to feel sorry for
someone, feel sorry for yourself.
Or, well, I think you’ve got that
covered.
ANGEL
I am sorry. For what I’ve done —
What else can I say to you?
JENNY
I don’t want to make you feel bad.
She runs her hand along his face. As she does so, she MORPHS into Daniel.
DANIEL
I just want to show you who you are.
INT. GILES’ OFFICE – DAY
Buffy is explaining to Giles.
GILES
You had a dream about Angel.
BUFFY
I was IN Angel’s dream.
GILES
I’m not sure how —
BUFFY
There were things in that dream I
couldn’t possibly know about. It was
Angel’s past, he was dreaming it and
somehow I got sucked in.
(beat)
There’s something wrong with him.
GILES
I know. I’ve seen him.
Buffy reacts to this.
GILES
He wanted to know why he was back.
BUFFY
Is there a way for us to find out?
GILES
Possibly; I’ve been looking —
BUFFY
Well let me look too. We have to
help him.
(off his look)
I’m not seeing him anymore. I’m
trying to put all that behind me.
And I’m not going to be able to as
long as we’re doing guest spots in
each other’s dreams.
Giles nods, acknowledging her logic.
BUFFY
So we’ll help him?
GILES
Yes.
XANDER
Where do we start?
They both turn to see Xander in the doorway. Xander addresses himself to Buffy.
XANDER
I’m aware that I haven’t been the
mostest best friend to you when it
comes to the Angel thing. And, I
don’t know. Maybe I finally got the
Chanukah spirit.
Buffy smiles, warmly.
GILES
Well, we start, not surprisingly,
with research.
(handing out books)
Xander, the Black Chronicles. Buffy,
the Diary of Lucious Temple. An
acolyte of Acathla, expert on demons.
You can skip the passages about his
garden, unless you’re keen on
growing heartier beets.
The kids take their books.
BUFFY
(to Xander)
You’re sure this is how you want to
spend your Christmas vacation?
XANDER
This is actually the most exciting
thing I’ve got planned. Who else can
claim that pathetic a social life?
WILLOW
(looking in)
Hey, guys! What’re we doin’?
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
We see a brief MONTAGE of our foursome studying. Reading, talking — Giles writes notes on a dry
erase board — putting a line through a discounted theory. Xander brings snacks. They read some
more.
INT. LIBRARY – LATE AFTERNOON
Buffy and Willow are studying together: i.e., talking about something else.
WILLOW
He’s gonna come over for Christmas
Eve, since my folks are out of town.
We’re gonna watch videos.
BUFFY
(leafing through book)
So it’s good, right? You guys are
back.
WILLOW
It’s good. It’s perfect, in an
awkward, uncomfortable sort of way.
I just — I don’t know how to make
Oz trust me.
BUFFY
Well, he does have a point. Xander
was your first love. That’s…
(thinking of herself)
. . . that’s hard to let go of. Xander
has a piece of you that Oz can’t
touch. I guess it’s just about
letting Oz know that he comes first
now.
WILLOW
(thinking)
I guess… Thanks.
She concentrates on her book a moment.
WILLOW
Hey! He likes beets.
Buffy looks over at the book.
BUFFY
Oh. I read that one already.
(closes her own book)
We’re not getting any closer…
INT. MANSION – AFTERNOON
Angel drops on all fours in the middle of the room, shaking slightly. As he tries to regain his
equilibrium, we see a pair of legs walk into frame behind him. They belong to TRAVIS, a suited
businessman of about fifty. He paces as he talks.
TRAVIS
The thing I remember most was
thinking how artful it was. In the
dark they looked like they were
sleeping. It wasn’t until I bent
down and kissed them good night that
I felt how cold they were. You
grabbed me and I thought, “Who would
go to so much trouble, to arrange
them like that.” In my panic, in my
grief, it still struck me. But you
see…
He kneels down and MORPHS into Margaret.
MARGARET
That’s what makes you different than
other beasts. They kill to feed.
But you, you took more kinds of
pleasure in it than any creature that
walks or crawls.
ANGEL
Oh, God…
MARGARET
(laughs)
Yes! Cry out! Make a scene!
He stands, moves away. But of course runs right into Daniel.
DANIEL
I was to be married that week. But
then, as I recall, you knew that.
ANGEL
It wasn’t me.
JENNY
It wasn’t you?
ANGEL
A demon isn’t a man. I was a man
once.
JENNY
Oh, yes. And what man you were!
FLASH CUT OF:
INT. IRISH PUB – NIGHT (1753)
We see Angel at a table in a corner upon which a pair of female legs dances. He is hoisting a flagon
of ale and drunkenly laughing until he falls out of frame.
BACK TO:
INT. MANSION – AFTERNOON
MARGARET
A drunken, whoring layabout and a
terrible disappointment to your
parents.
ANGEL
I was… young… I never had the
chance to —
MARGARET
— to die of syphilis? You were a
worthless being before you were
ever a monster.
ANGEL
Stop it!
She becomes Jenny again (in a cut).
JENNY
Angel… I don’t want to hurt you.
But you have to understand. Cruelty
is the only thing you ever had a true
talent for.
ANGEL
That’s not true…
JENNY
Rest… rest…
He lies down, exhausted, by the fireplace.
JENNY
You mistake it for a curse. Angel,
it’s not. It’s your destiny. I’ll
show you.
She strokes his head.
JENNY
I’ll show you…
EXT. SCHOOL – NIGHT
To establish.
INT. LIBRARY/GILES’ OFFICE – NIGHT
Giles and Willow are researching in the office. Willow is practically nodding off. Giles looks over some
old letters. He seems increasingly engrossed. And worried.
Xander works behind the counter, bored.
The camera finds Buffy asleep in the stacks. She moves slightly, a small breath escapes her — it’s
clear she’s dreaming, and vividly.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. MANSION – NIGHT
Angel has passed out in front of the fireplace, exhausted. He too is dreaming.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
In the dream, Buffy is in bed. She opens her eyes and sits up.
Angel is on the bed with her. Without a word they begin touching, kissing. We see her pajama shirt
slide down her back.
We see images of their lovemaking (as tasteful and elliptical as we can be and still understand what
they’re doing) intercut with the both of them dreaming. Angel moves on top of Buffy, under the
sheets.
For a moment, we see one of the eyeless priests in the bedroom with them. Buffy doesn’t seem to
register his presence. Keeps moving under Angel.
Angel’s head rears back — and MORPHS.
He bites down savagely on Buffy’s bare neck.
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
Buffy is startled awake.
INT. MANSION – NIGHT
Angel wakes as well. He sits up — and Jenny is right beside him.
JENNY
You want her.
ANGEL
No…
JENNY
Take her. Take what you want.
Pour all that frustration, all that
guilt into her and you’ll be free.
ANGEL
No!
JENNY
You can’t live for eternity with all
that pain. This is what you are.
This is why we brought you back.
Take her. And then you’ll be ready
to kill her.
She is in his ear, wickedly intimate. He does not move. He does not fight.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Act Three
INT. LIBRARY/GILES’ OFFICE – NIGHT
Willow is fast asleep as Giles comes out of the office, meeting Buffy who is coming down the stairs,
fairly dream-wigged.
GILES
Buffy. Take a look. These letters
contain references to an ancient
power known as the First.
BUFFY
The First? The first what?
GILES
Evil. Absolute evil, older than man,
than demons — very few have heard
of it, fewer believe in it. But it is
a force that transcends all
realities, all dimensions, and if
focused, could have had the power
to bring Angel back.
Xander is approaching, listening.
BUFFY
So it’s evil. Which is bad.
GILES
Traditionally. But we don’t know
that this is —
BUFFY
Hey.
She has come upon a drawing of an eyeless priest.
BUFFY
Him. In my dream. I fell asleep
just now…
GILES
You had a dream? With Angel?
BUFFY
Yes.
GILES
What happened in the dream?
BUFFY
Let’s not get sidetracked. Who are
these guys?
GILES
They’re known as the Bringers, or
the Harbingers… High priests of
the First. They can conjure spirit
manifestations of the power, set
them on people. Influence them,
haunt them…
BUFFY
These guys are working the mojo
on Angel.
XANDER
We gotta stop ’em.
GILES
You can’t fight the First, Buffy.
It’s not a physical being.
BUFFY
But I can fight these priest guys.
XANDER
If we can find them.
Buffy thinks a moment.
BUFFY
Xander, you busy tomorrow?
XANDER
Not during the day. What do you
got in mind?
BUFFY
Well, it’s Christmas. Time to look
up old friends.
EXT. SUNNYDALE – DAY
To establish.
INT. WILLY’S BAR – DAY
Willy is behind the bar. A few tired drunks populate the place, communing with watery drinks. Buffy
and Xander enter, come up to the bar.
Willy sees them, addresses Buffy just a little too loud, for the benefit of all:
WILLY
Hey, it’s the Slayer! What brings
the Slayer down here?
Upon hearing the name, one vampire at the bar and another guy in the back slink out of the joint the
back way.
BUFFY
How you been, Willy?
WILLY
Keeping out of trouble, as God is
my witness. What can I do you
for? Couple drinks?
XANDER
Yeah, let me get a double shot of —
(off Buffy’s look)
— of information, pal.
BUFFY
Have you ever heard of something
called the First? Kind of an all
powerful dark power sort of thingie?
WILLY
(thinks)
Doesn’t ring a bell.
XANDER
How about I ring that bell for you?
(off Buffy’s other look)
Does the threatening come now?
BUFFY
Maybe you shouldn’t help.
WILLY
Hey! Why with the threats? You
drive away my customers, give me a
hard time and I don’t know this First
guy!
BUFFY
All right. Three priests. They call
them the uh…
XANDER
The Bringers —
BUFFY
The Bringers, the Harbingers…
They sort of have a “no eyes” kind
of look…
WILLY
I’m not sure…
BUFFY
They would have come to town
recently, they’d be holed up
somewhere, summoning a spirit of
the First.
WILLY
I really don’t want to say anything
that would get me in trouble.
BUFFY
You understand that I’m planning to
skip the threatening portion of this
exchange.
He sighs, comes closer.
WILLY
Well, I heard a few things, you know,
from the underground.
XANDER
The underground.
WILLY
Yeah, you know: from things that live
under the ground. Apparently there’s
been a lot of migrations out of
Sunnydale from the lower inhabitants.
Something’s scaring them off, and
these are things that are not easily
scared. could be your priest-types
are underground. If the First is as
bad as you say.
BUFFY
Underground where?
WILLY
I do not know.
(off her look)
Hey, my ass is on the line for
telling you that much. If I knew
more, I’d say.
BUFFY
All right. Thanks.
She starts to go.
XANDER
See you round.
WILLY
(to Xander)
Hey, you did great by the way. I
was very intimidated by you.
XANDER
Really? Thanks.
BUFFY
Come on.
WILLY
Hey kid!
(she turns back)
Merry Christmas.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET – DAY
Buffy and Xander come out of the bar.
XANDER
Man, is it hot. It was so nice and
cool in there.
BUFFY
A nice cool waste of time.
XANDER
We know underground, that’s a start…
BUFFY
In a town with fourteen million
square miles of sewer —
XANDER
Plus a lot of natural cave formations
and a gateway to hell, yeah…
(looking about him)
— this does resemble square one.
BUFFY
(frustrated)
I don’t know what to do.
XANDER
I think right now the best plan is to
deck the halls with boughs of holly.
(looking at his watch)
We’re gettin’ toward the eve, might
as well try and make something
resembling merry.
BUFFY
Yeah, Mom’ll be looking for me.
XANDER
And Uncle Roary will be well into
the sherry by now. Don’t wanna miss
that.
(sincerely)
We’ll find the badguys, sooner or
later.
They start off.
BUFFY
Thanks, by the way.
XANDER
Don’t mention it. Well, actually
mention it as often as possible. In
front of everyone. In fact, while
you’re heaping me with praise, if you
could also bring up my manly
physique, that’d be a plus. Not
compulsory, but…
EXT. SUNNYDALE – NIGHT
We see the town ready for Christmas Eve, lights on houses and shrubs.
INT. WILLOW’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Oz enters the house, headed for the living room. He carries a bag of vids.
OZ
Hey. Will? It’s me, I got some…
He turns into the living room, stops.
OZ
. . . videos…
ANGLE: THE ROOM
Is candle lit and romantic. Soft music plays on the record player. A couple of bottles (of soda, don’t
you just hate TV) are chilling in a cooler.
Willow sits on the couch in a slinky dress, a bit more heavily made up than usual. She looks pretty
hot, though a bit awkward at maintaining her sexy pose.
WILLOW
Hi.
Oz is taking this in. This evening seems to have a more specific agenda than he’d anticipated.
WILLOW
Why don’t you come sit down.
Oz does. There is a moment of silence.
A new record starts. Barry White. Oz registers the Barry Whiteness.
OZ
You ever have that dream that you’re
in a play, and it’s the middle of the
play, and you really don’t know your
lines, and you kind of don’t know the
plot… ?
WILLOW
Well, we’re alone, we’re together…
I just want it to be special.
OZ
How special are we talking?
WILLOW
(a tad flustered)
Well, you know, we’re alone, and
we’re both mature younger people,
and, so, we could, I’m ready to, with
you, we could do that thing.
He’s kind of thrown. He stands.
WILLOW
Where are you going?
OZ
Not going. Dramatic gesture. That’s
pretty special.
She stands too, moving towards him.
WILLOW
I wanna be with you. First.
A beat, as he considers this.
OZ
I think we should sit again.
They do.
WILLOW
(not 100% convincing)
Oz, I’m ready.
OZ
Okay, well, don’t take this the
wrong way, but I’m not.
WILLOW
Are you scared? ‘Cause I thought
you had —
OZ
I have. But this is different. You
look great, and you got the Barry
working for you, and it’s all good,
but… when it happens, it should be
’cause we both need it to. For the
same reason. You don’t have to
prove anything to me.
WILLOW
But I just wanted you to know —
OZ
I know. I get the message.
He kisses her. A nice one. They break apart, looking at each other with warmth.
WILLOW
Then can I change out of this outfit?
OZ
Not just yet.
They kiss again.
INT. BUFFY’S LIVING ROOM/FOYER – NIGHT
Buffy decorates the tree as Joyce puts another log on the fire.
BUFFY
Oh, yes, nothing like a roaring fire
to keep away the blistering heat.
JOYCE
Oh, come on, it’s lovely.
(beat)
Maybe I should turn on the air
conditioning.
Buffy gets another ornament. She becomes lost in thought, staring at it.
JOYCE
So, Angel’s on top again?
BUFFY
(panicked)
What?
Joyce is holding two ornaments meant for the top of the tree.
JOYCE
Angel? Or star.
BUFFY
Oh. Star. Star.
JOYCE
Are you okay, honey? You’ve got
faraway face.
BUFFY
I’m okay.
JOYCE
Is it a slaying thing?
The doorbell rings. The two women look at each other, wondering who it could be, then Buffy goes to
answer as Joyce puts up the star.
Buffy opens the door — to reveal Faith. She has clearly tried to dress up a bit more like a normal girl,
and stands a bit shyly in the doorway.
FAITH
Hey.
BUFFY
Hi…
FAITH
Looked like that whole party thing
was gonna be kind of a drag. And I
didn’t have anything… you know…
BUFFY
(warmly)
I’m glad you came.
FAITH
Here.
Faith holds up two little presents, awkwardly wrapped in newspaper. Buffy takes them.
FAITH
(indicating one gift)
That one’s for your mom. They’re
pretty crappy.
BUFFY
Well, come in from the entire lack of
cold.
Faith does. Joyce spots her, comes over, Buffy handing her the presents.
JOYCE
Faith, you made it!
(re: gifts)
That is so thoughtful.
FAITH
They’re crappy.
BUFFY
Let me get mine, hold on.
She heads upstairs.
JOYCE
(to Faith)
Would you like some nog?
INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
As she walks toward the room she calls down:
BUFFY
You’re not allowed to touch yours,
Mom, ’cause you’ll know what it is
right away —
She enters the room and Angel is right beside her. He shuts her door. He looks dangerous — and
confused, and pathetic.
BUFFY
Angel.
ANGEL
Buffy…
BUFFY
What is it?
ANGEL
I had to see you… I don’t know.
You shouldn’t be…
ANGLE: ANGEL’S POV
Of Buffy. His gaze wanders about her face, to her bare neck, away from her and back.
BUFFY
Angel, stay calm. Just tell me
what’s going on.
Angel tries to speak — and Jenny appears beside him (unseen by Buffy).
JENNY
She wants you to touch her. What
are you waiting for?
ANGEL
(to Buffy)
You have to stay away from me.
BUFFY
You came to see me to tell me I can’t
see you.
He reaches out to caress her neck. She takes a step back.
BUFFY
Angel, something is doing this to
you. You just have to control it.
I know you’re confused…
ANGEL
I think you’re the one who’s
confused. It think you need to…
JENNY
She wants you to taste her. Think of
the peace… you would never see us
again.
Buffy is still backing up, both threatened and concerned.
BUFFY
Angel, please… how can I help
you?
ANGEL
Leave me alone!
It’s not clear if that was to Buffy or Jenny — but it doesn’t matter. He suddenly hurls himself out her
window.
Buffy stands there, shaken.
INT. BUFFY’S LIVING ROOM/FOYER – NIGHT
Buffy is grabbing her coat from off a chair in the living room and heading out, saying to Faith:
BUFFY
I need you to stay here with Mom. In
case he comes back.
FAITH
I’ll play watchdog. I don’t really
get it, though.
BUFFY
I’ll explain later. Everything, I
promise.
FAITH
Watch your back.
Faith watches her go.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
Buffy has filled Giles in. He looks suitably concerned, though not as amped as she.
BUFFY
Giles, we gotta do something. Soon.
Now.
GILES
I’m still not sure what.
BUFFY
Find these high priest guys. Find me
SOMETHING I can pummel.
GILES
We can’t lose our heads.
BUFFY
Giles, he’s slipping. He’s… I
think we’re losing him.
Giles faces her, says gently:
GILES
You realize, if he truly becomes a
danger, you may have to kill him.
Again.
Buffy doesn’t reply. She’d thought it, but she sure hates hearing it.
GILES
Can you do that?
INT. MANSION/GARDEN – NIGHT
ANGEL
I can’t do it!
He is at his most distraught, Jenny beside him, circling, pouring venom in his ear.
JENNY
You have to do it. What else are
you good for?
ANGEL
Get away from me!
JENNY
Couldn’t you feel her? Couldn’t you
smell her skin? You’re not a
fighter, Angel, don’t start trying
now. Sooner or later you will drink
her.
ANGEL
I’ll never hurt her.
JENNY
You were born to hurt her. Have
you learned nothing? As long as
you’re alive —
ANGEL
Then I’ll die.
There is calm resolve in the sentence that gives the Jennything pause.
JENNY
You haven’t the strength to kill
yourself.
ANGEL
I don’t need strength. I just need
the sun to rise.
He turns and walks out into the garden. Starts heading up the stairs.
JENNY
You’re not supposed to die! This
isn’t the plan!
Jenny watches him go. After a moment, she smiles.
JENNY
But it’ll do.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Act Four
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
Giles and Buffy are both researching like the wind. It’s been a while, though, without results. Buffy
wearily recites a passage to herself:
BUFFY
“and the child shall be born of goat
and man, and will have two heads, the
first shall speak in riddles…”
(dumping it and grabbing another)
No wonder you love these things.
It’s like reading the Star.
GILES
(re: his book)
Yes! Ah. No. Well, maybe…
BUFFY
What? Priests?
GILES
Yes, but… more posturing, I’m
afraid.
(reads:)
“For they are the harbingers of
death, nothing shall grow above or
below them, no seed shall flower,
neither in Man nor…” They’re rebels
and they’ll never ever be any good.
Nothing specific about their haunts —
BUFFY
Let me see that.
She takes the book from Giles, her mind racing.
BUFFY
“. . . the harbingers of death, nothing
shall grow above or below…”
She stops. Giles watches her.
GILES
What.
EXT. CHRISTMAS TREE LOT – NIGHT
Buffy races to the lot, blows open the gate. She moves quickly to the back, to the clump of dead
trees.
As she arrives at the edge, the camera ARMS up, way up, to see the dead trees form a perfect
circle.
Buffy looks about her, spots an axe. She grabs it and moves to the middle of the circle, pushing a
tree out of the way. Without hesitation she takes the axe and starts hacking at the ground.
For a few whacks she just turns up earth. Then she hits rock. Another swing and:
ANGLE: FROM BENEATH THE EARTH
She breaks through to a cave entrance. Just big enough for her to squeeze down into.
Buffy drops the axe and squirrels down into the hole. After a beat her arm comes back out and grabs
the axe, pulls it down after her.
INT. CAVE – NIGHT
Buffy squeezes through a dark, earthen passage till she spills out into a slightly larger tunnel. This
heads down toward the main cave, from which dim, flickering light and ominous chanting emerge.
She moves stealthily forward — and comes upon the three priests swaying at their shrine. A beat, as
she takes it in.
BUFFY
All right. Ten more minutes of
chanting then you have to go to bed.
The nearest priest leaps up — and gets an axe handle in the chin. Buffy swings at the next, knocking
him out as well, as the third simply flees.
Buffy walks up to the shrine. She kicks aside all the stones, bones and candles.
The moment she does there is a huge sound of wind sucking into the space and Jenny appears
beside her.
JENNY
I’m impressed.
Buffy takes a moment to register seeing Jenny — but she knows it’s not her.
BUFFY
You won’t get Angel.
JENNY
You think you can fight me. I’m not
a demon, little girl. I’m something
you can’t conceive. The first evil.
Beyond sin, beyond death… I am
the thing the darkness fears. You
will never see me, but I am
everywhere. Every being, every
thought, every drop of hate —
BUFFY
I get it. You’re evil. do we have
to chat about it all day?
Jenny stops smiling.
JENNY
Angel will be dead by sunrise. Your
Christmas will be his wake.
The words hit Buffy hard, but she musters courage.
BUFFY
No.
JENNY
You have no idea what you’re
dealing with.
BUFFY
Let me guess… is it evil?
Jenny suddenly transforms into a giant, monstrous Angel of Death looking thing. Buffy starts back —
and it’s gone. A voice rings out — not Jenny’s; hardly human.
THE FIRST (V.O.)
Dead by sunrise!
A moment, and Buffy flees the cave.
INT. MANSION/EXT. GARDEN – NIGHT
Buffy runs in, calling out:
BUFFY
Angel!
No answer. She makes for the garden, looking around. Looks at the sky and thinks.
She bolts up the stairs.
EXT. HILLSIDE – NIGHT
Buffy makes her way along, looking for Angel. She clears a couple of bushes, looks out at:
EXT. BLUFF – NIGHT
It overlooks the town. Angel stands at the edge of it, facing away from her. Waiting for the sun.
Buffy approaches him, slowly.
BUFFY
Angel?
He looks back, startled — then slowly looks away again. Still Buffy approaches.
BUFFY
Angel, you have to come inside.
ANGEL
(looking down at the town)
I bet half the kids down there are
already awake. Lying in their beds,
sneaking downstairs…
(looks up at the sky)
. . . waiting for day.
BUFFY
Angel, I need you to get inside.
There’s only a few minutes left —
ANGEL
I know. I can smell the sunrise long
before it comes.
BUFFY
I don’t have time to explain this.
You have to trust me; that thing that
was haunting you —
ANGEL
It wasn’t haunting me. It was just
showing me.
BUFFY
Showing you —
ANGEL
What I am.
BUFFY
Were.
ANGEL
And ever shall be. I wanted to know
why I was back. Now I do.
BUFFY
You don’t know. What, some great
honking evil takes credit for
bringing you back and you buy it?
You just give up?
ANGEL
I can’t do it again, Buffy. I can’t
become a killer.
BUFFY
Then you fight it!
ANGEL
It’s too hard.
Her frustration is mounting to panic as she looks to the sky.
BUFFY
Angel, please — just come inside.
ANGEL
It told me to kill you. You were in
the dream, you know — it told me to
take you, to lose my soul in you and
become a monster again.
BUFFY
I know what it told you. Why does it
matter?
ANGEL
Because I wanted to! Because I want
you so badly, I want to take comfort
in you and I know it’ll cost me my
soul and a part of me doesn’t care.
I’m weak. I’ve never been anything
else. It’s not the demon in me that
needs killing, Buffy. It’s the man.
BUFFY
You’re weak. Everybody is.
Everybody fails. Maybe this evil
power did bring you back, but if it
did it’s because it needs you. And
that means you can hurt it. You have
the power to do real good, Angel, to
make amends. But if you die now,
then all you ever were was a monster.
He does not respond. Is turned from her. Her frustration is mounting.
BUFFY
Angel… the sun is coming out…
ANGEL
Just go.
BUFFY
I won’t.
ANGEL
You think this is simple. You think
there’s an answer. You can never
understand what I’ve done. Now go!
BUFFY
You’re not staying here! I won’t let
you —
She grabs him. He throws her off.
ANGEL
Leave!
She punches him in the face. He throws her violently away — she falls to the ground, the back of her
head hitting a rock.
He rushes to her, dropping to his knees and pulling her up to him. Frustration sweeps over him and
he grabs her arms hard enough to hurt.
ANGEL
(bitterly)
Am I a thing worth saving? Am I a
righteous man? The world wants
me gone.
Weakness overcomes her, tears finally spilling out as she implores:
BUFFY
What about me? What about –
Angel I love you so much —
(sobbing)
— and I’ve tried to make you go
away, I killed you and it didn’t
help…
She pulls away from him and stands, anger surfacing through her tears.
BUFFY
And I hate it. I hate that it’s so
hard… that you can hurt me so
much… I know everything you’ve
done because you did it to me. I
wish I wished you dead. But I don’t.
I can’t.
He is also crying, wanting so badly to take comfort in her words…
ANGEL
Buffy, please… just this once…
let me be strong.
BUFFY
Strong is fighting. It’s hard and
it’s painful and it’s every day.
It’s what we have to do and we can do
it together, but if you’re too much
of a coward for that then burn.
ANGEL
Buffy —
BUFFY
Let the sun kill you! If I can’t
convince you you have a place in the
world, then I don’t know what will.
So die. But don’t expect me to
watch, and don’t expect me to mourn
for you, ’cause, I don’t have… I…
They’ve started about halfway through her speech. Light, just a few flakes at first, but by the time
she stops they are all around. She looks about her. So does Angel. They look up at the sky, almost
unable to comprehend the fact that it’s snowing.
Slowly, they turn to look out on the town. The camera moves past them and arms up toward the
vista. A thick and silent snow falls over the whole of Sunnydale.
INT. WILLOW’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Camera is outside the room, amid the gentle snow. We see through the frosted french doors that
Willow and Oz have fallen asleep (clothed and over the covers) in each other’s arms. They stir, and
rise, looking out at the window.
EXT. BUFFY’S FRONT PORCH – NIGHT
Joyce and Faith walk out into the snow, silently looking about them.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
Giles moves slowly to his window, staring out.
EXT. XANDER’S BACK YARD – NIGHT
We move past a lawn chair and table to Xander in his sleeping bag. Beside him are a flashlight and
comic books and a plate of Christmas cookies. Snow is beginning to cover everything.
Xander moves uncomfortably in his sleep, pulls the sleeping bag over his head. A beat, then he re-
emerges, eyes open. Clearly confused.
EXT. CHRISTMAS TREE LOT – NIGHT
As the two men rush out and start to cover their fake-snowed trees with plastic.
TREE SELLER GUY
Oh, man! It’s gonna get the snow all
wet!
EXT. SUN CINEMA – NIGHT
As snow falls on the big (and presently incongruous) SUN sign.
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE APPLIANCE STORE
Snow falls around us as the camera moves in at the same TV, the same Weatherman — with a
slightly revised forecast.
WEATHERMAN
And while most of southern California
is enjoying a balmy Christmas, an
extreme cold front has sprung up —
out of nowhere — around Sunnydale,
where they are reporting heavy
snowfall for the first time in…
well, ever. Sunnydale residents
shouldn’t expect to see the sun at
all today, that cold front isn’t
going anywhere. Temperatures in the
high thirties mean you’d better
bundle up if you’re planning to go
outside and enjoy the change in the
weather…
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET – NIGHT
We see a huge vista — Sunnydale under snow. Arm down as Buffy and Angel walk together through
the heavy snowfall. Looking about them, at the world, at each other.
Not saying a word. Not needing to.
BLACK OUT.
END OF SHOW
Transcripts
Prologue
Dublin, Ireland, 1838. It’s Christmas time, and there is snow on the
ground. The people in the streets are all dressed in warm cloaks. A
carriage goes by. Behind it a very worried-looking young man hurries
along the street. He constantly looks back to see if he’s being
followed. He passes a choir group singing “Silent Night”, but pays them
no mind. In a more crowded area he pushes his way through the people,
eliciting a few comments on his rudeness. Suddenly a pair of arms reach
out from an alleyway, pull him in and throw him to the snow-covered
cobblestones. He looks up to see who his aggressor is, and finds Angelus
standing over him, sporting his game face.
Angelus: Daniel. Where were you going?
Daniel: (afraid) You! You’re not human.
Angelus: (agreeably) Not of late, no.
Daniel: (begs) Wh-what do you want?
Angelus: Well, it happens that I’m hungry, Daniel, and seeing as that
you’re somewhat in me debt…
Daniel: (frightened) Please, I can’t!
Angelus: A man playing at cards should have a natural intelligence or a
great deal of money, and you’re sadly lacking in both.
Daniel tries to get up and flee, but Angelus grabs him by the coat and
roars.
Angelus: So I take me winnings me own way.
Daniel: (looking up, terrified) The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not
want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…
Angelus: (interrupts) Daniel, be of good cheer. It’s Christmas!
He bites him violently on the neck.
Cut to Angel’s bedroom. He wakes from his dream with a start, and after
realizing it was only a dream, he sits up in bed.
Cut to a Sunnydale shopping district. In the window of an audio/video
store a TV is tuned to the weather.
Weatherman: It’s going to be sunny and warm with temperatures
continuing in the high 70s (about 25C) throughout the holiday weekend.
Just a little warm to light the Yule log, but it should make for a very
nice Christmas.
Angel walks past the shop window at a brisk pace and crosses the street.
Somewhere on the block is a group of carolers singing “God Rest Ye Merry
Gentlemen”. Angel passes a Santa Claus ringing a bell and collecting for
the Salvation Army. A passerby drops some coins into his pot.
Santa: Merry Christmas!
Angel stops short when he unexpectedly runs into Buffy. They are both
surprised, and don’t say anything for a moment. Angel breaks the
silence.
Angel: Hi.
Buffy: Angel…
Another awkward silence sets in for a while.
Buffy: So, are you shopping? (realizes how silly that sounds) You’re
probably not shopping.
Angel: I couldn’t sleep.
Buffy: Vampires probably not that big on Christmas, now that I think
about it.
Angel: Not as a rule.
Buffy: But you’re good?
Angel: I’m, I’m alright. You?
Buffy: Yeah! (smiles) Yeah, I’m good. I, um, (looks down at the boxes
she’s carrying) I was just getting some Christmas gifts for the gang.
Angel’s attention is diverted to behind Buffy. In the middle of the
street he sees an apparition of Daniel looking sadly back at him.
Buffy: Um, I’d better go before the magic store closes.
Angel and Daniel exchange a long look, then Daniel walks away. Buffy
notices Angel’s distraction.
Buffy: Angel?
She looks behind herself and sees nothing, then turns her concerned
attention back to Angel.
Buffy: What is it?
Angel is frozen with fear.
Opening credits roll. Buffy’s theme plays.~~ Part 1 ~~
Sunnydale High School. The bell rings, and students begin to pour out of
the classrooms into the halls. Buffy, Willow and Xander come out of one
and head over to the girls’ lockers.
Buffy: And then he just bailed. He didn’t say anything. He just took
off. It was so weird.
The girls both work their locker combinations.
Xander: Angel? Weird? What are the odds? (gets a look from Buffy)
Willow: Do you think something’s wrong? Maybe you should tell Giles.
They both open their lockers and get what they need.
Buffy: No. I don’t wanna bug Giles. He’s still kinda twitchy when it
comes to the subject of Angel.
She takes off her jacket and hangs it in her locker.
Xander: Well, it must be that whole Angel-killed-his-girlfriend-and-
tortured-him thing. Hey, Giles is pretty petty when it comes to stuff
like that.
Buffy takes a paper bag from her locker and then closes the door.
Buffy: Xander, enough, okay?
Willow zips up her book bag and closes her locker as well. They all
start down the hall.
Willow: Maybe Angel just has the holiday blues. Everybody gets ’em.
Especially when they’re alone.
Buffy: It’s just so frustrating. I’m trying to do the right thing and
stay away from him and get over it, and then boom, there he is. I just
want a nice, quiet Christmas vacation.
Cut to the student lounge. A Christmas tree is set up there. The gang
comes out of an adjacent hall and heads into the lounge.
Xander: So, you doing anything special?
Buffy: Tree. Nog. Roast beast. Just me and Mom and hopefully an excess
of gifts. What are you doing for Christmas?
Willow: Being Jewish. Remember, people? Not everybody worships Santa.
Buffy: (smiles) I just meant for vacation.
Willow: Mm. Nothing fun.
They take the steps up to the couches.
Willow: Oz and I had planned… but I guess that’s off.
Cordelia is sitting on one of the couches with a friend. Xander is
instantly nervous. Buffy takes her bag over to the Holiday Food Drive
collection box behind the couches and starts pulling cans of food out of
her bag and putting them in the box. Willow and Xander sit on the couch
opposite Cordelia.
Xander: (with false heartiness) Well, I’ll be enjoying my annual
Christmas Eve camp-out. See, I take my sleeping bag outside and I go to
sleep on the grass.
Cordelia and her friend stand up. Her friend steps over to the stairs
and waits, while Cordelia hangs around to add her point of view.
Willow: Sounds fun.
Xander: Yeah, I like to look at the stars, you know? Feel the whole
nature vibe.
Cordelia: (smiling smugly) I thought you slept outside to avoid your
family’s drunken Christmas fights.
Xander gives her a look like he expected no less from her.
Xander: Yes. And that was a confidence I was hoping you would share
with everyone. (smiles sarcastically)
Buffy joins the group again.
Cordelia: Well, I’ll be in Aspen. Skiing. With actual snow.
Buffy: I hear that helps.
Cordelia: It must be a drag to be stuck here in Sweatydale, but I’m
thinking of you. Okay, I’m done.
She leaves wearing a shark smile, well-satisfied with her results.
Buffy: She certainly has reverted to form.
Willow: It’s not her fault. Mm, after what happened, we gotta cut her
some slack.
Xander: That’s the Christmas spirit.
Willow: Hello, still Jewish. Chanukah spirit, I believe that was?
Anyway, forgiveness is pretty much a big theme with me this year, ’cause
of the…
She stops when she sees Oz come up to the group. Oz glances over at
Xander, who is suddenly quite uncomfortable. Oz turns his attention to
Willow.
Oz: Hey.
Willow: Hey. (looks at him hopefully)
Cut to an empty classroom. Willow sits on one end of the teacher’s desk
while Oz leans against the other and looks blankly out into the room.
Oz: Okay. The thing is… seeing you with Xander, it was… Well, I
never felt that way before… when it wasn’t a full moon… but I know
you guys have a history.
Willow: But it’s a history that’s in the past. Well, I-I guess most
history is in the past. But it’s over.
Oz: Well, I don’t know. I don’t know that it… ever will be between
you two.
Willow: (imploringly) Oz, please believe me.
Oz: (looks at her) This is what I do know: I miss you. Like, every
second. Almost like I lost an arm, or worse, a torso. So, I think I’d be
willing to… give it a shot.
Willow: (stands up and smiles tentatively) Really?
Oz: (stands up and smiles) Yeah.
Willow smiles more warmly.
Willow: Do you want us to… to hug now? (looks at him hopefully)
Oz: (smiles) Yeah, I’m good for that.
They step closer to each other and hug tightly, Oz with one arm around
her back and the other gently caressing her head, while Willow holds
onto him as tightly as she can, enfolding him in her arms.
Cut to a Christmas Tree lot. Buffy and her mother walk through trying to
find the right one. Other shoppers are also selecting trees.
Shopper: Take the other one, then.
Off to one side the tree merchant is spraying fake snow onto a tree.
Joyce looks over one of the snowed trees.
Joyce: Do you wanna get one with snow on it? Be very Christmasy.
They continue through the tree lot.
Buffy: I think those are just for display.
Joyce: Oh. You know, honey, I was thinking. Maybe we should invite
Faith to spend Christmas Eve with us.
Buffy: I don’t know. Faith and I don’t really hang out. Or talk or make
eye contact lately.
Joyce: (looks over another tree) Do you really wanna let her spend
Christmas Eve all by herself in that dingy little motel room?
Buffy: (smiles) You’re still number one with a guilt trip, Mom.
Joyce: I try.
Buffy: (gives in) I’ll ask her.
Joyce: You’re a doll.
Buffy: What about Giles? I mean, he doesn’t have any fam…
Joyce: (interrupts) No, I’m sure he’s fine.
Buffy: We could at least ask him and see…
Joyce: He doesn’t wanna spend Christmas Eve with a bunch of girls.
(takes a deep breath) Let’s split up.
She goes off to her right. Buffy sighs and continues looking. She
notices an area where a bunch of the trees are all brown, and walks over
to them for a closer look. The tree merchant comes up to her.
Tree merchant: Bunch of them up and died on us. Don’t know why. If you
want one, I can make you a hell of a deal.
Buffy: No, thank you.
Joyce: (from a distance) Oh, honey, this one’s perfect!
Buffy goes to see what her mother has found.
Cut to another dream sequence. Images of a fire and burning candles
float around. The image of a round table with candles at its center and
ritualistic artifacts arranged to form three spokes upon it, all
surrounded by a circle, appears. Three chanting figures are sitting
round the table, their palms placed flat upon the table’s rim, as if
using a Ouija board. The table and figures float by several times.
Suddenly the view angles up from the table and into the face of one of
the three figures. It has no eyes, but instead has runes branded in the
flesh where eyes should be.
Cut to Angel’s bedroom. He wakes with a gasp, frightened and breathing
hard. Again he realizes it’s only a dream, and rubs his head with his
hands.
Cut to Faith’s motel. Cut inside her room. She’s struggling with the TV,
slapping and shaking it to try to get some reception, but gets nothing.
There is a knock at her door.
Faith: Yeah?
Buffy opens the door and comes in.
Faith: Hey, what’s up? (to the TV) Work, damn it!
Buffy: (closes the door) Hey.
Faith gives up and turns off the TV. She stands up and faces Buffy.
Faith: What’s going on? Scary monsters?
Buffy: No. Um, (steps further in) we’re having Christmas Eve dinner at
my house, and I thought that, um, if you didn’t have plans…
Faith: (smiles sharply) Your mom sent you down, huh?
Buffy: (taken aback) No.
Faith: Well, thanks, but I got plans. There’s this big party I’ve been
invited to. It should be a blast. (smiles evasively)
Buffy: (unconvinced) Okay. Cool. But if you change your mind, the
offer…
Faith: That’s nice of you. Thanks. But I got… I got that big party
that I’ve been invited to, so… (smiles dismayingly)
Buffy steps toward the door, but looks around and notices the Christmas
lights that Faith has strung up around the room.
Buffy: (quietly approving) I like the lights.
Faith: Yeah. Well, ’tis the season. Whatever that means.
Cut to Giles’ kitchen. He’s cooking dinner, and takes a taste. There’s a
knocking at his door.
Giles: Just a minute!
He goes to the door, opens it and is surprised to see Angel standing
there. For a long moment neither of them says anything.
Giles: Hello.
Angel: Um… I’m sorry to bother you.
Giles finds himself unable to keep from laughing bitterly.
Giles: Sorry. Coming from you that phrase strikes me as rather funny.
‘Sorry to bother me.’
Angel: I need your help.
Giles: (straight-faced) And the funny keeps on coming.
Angel: (swallowing his pride) I understand I have no right to ask for
it, but there’s no one else.
Giles: Alright.
He walks back into the apartment and tosses his kitchen towel onto the
counter. He heads down the hall.
Angel: I… I can’t come in unless you invite me.
Giles returns from the hall, holding a crossbow and raising it at the
ready.
Giles: I’m aware of that.
He walks back to the door.
Giles: Come in.
Slowly and not without reservation Angel steps into the apartment.
Giles’ aim does not waver.
Angel: I’ve been seeing… (distracted) I’ve… I’ve had dreams lately
about the past. It’s… It’s like I’m living it again. It’s, it’s so
vivid, I… I need to know. (pleading) I need to know why I’m here.
Giles: Here? Back on Earth?
Angel: I should be in a demon dimension suffering an eternity of
torture.
Giles: I don’t feel particularly inclined to argue with that.
Angel: But I’m not. I was freed, and I don’t understand why.
Giles: Knowing why you were back would give you peace of mind?
Angel: It might.
Giles decides it’s probably okay to put down his weapon, and bends to
his side to set the crossbow down. Behind him Angel sees an apparition
of Jenny Calendar.
Giles: You think that’s something you ought to have?
Jenny looks at Angel sadly. Angel begins to shiver with fear.
Giles: Because, sir, to be blunt, the last time you became complacent
about your existence turned out rather badly.
Angel sees Jenny stroke her hand down Giles’ shoulder and sigh. Giles
doesn’t notice a thing. Angel begins to pant with short rapid breaths.
Giles notices the look of fear on his face focused behind him.
Giles: What?
He looks around his apartment, completely unaware of Jenny’s presence.
Angel: Don’t you see her?
He sees Jenny walk around Giles.
Giles: Who?
Angel begins to make his way to the door. Jenny follows him with her
stare. He begins to freak out.
Angel: I can’t!
He runs out of the door into the night. Giles is left standing there
very confused.
Cut to Angel’s mansion. Cut to his bedroom. He sleeps fitfully. Suddenly
his dream flashes back to Dublin again at a dinner party. The affair is
very formal. The camera moves through the house while the guests
converse. At the stairs the camera angles up to follow a woman as she
climbs them while two other guests come down. The camera angles back
down and underneath, where Angelus is talking with a maid.
Margaret: (nervous) Sir, please, I should return to the party.
Angelus: Margaret, Margaret, there’s no hurry.
Margaret: (trying to pull away) Mistress will be wondering…
Angelus: Shh. Mistress will be wondering how to get the good Reverend
Chalmers into bed and will not notice the absence of canape’. (strokes
her chin) Stay with me.
Margaret: (worried) Sir, people might talk. I’ll be put out in the
streets. My little boy would… I can’t lose this job.
Angelus: (grabs her firmly) Then you must keep quiet.
Margaret: You’re hurting me!
Angelus: Ah! Cry out. Call for help. I’m sure Mistress will believe
your behavior beyond reproach. (sneers)
Margaret: Please!
Angelus: (shakes her) Come, make a scene, huh? Shall I?
Margaret: (thinks better of it) No.
Angelus: No, no. We’ll be as quiet as mice.
Margaret looks down, defeated, having no choice but to give in. When she
looks back up at him he’s in his vampire guise.
Angelus: No matter what.
Margaret: (terrified) Sir! My son!
Angelus: Oh, he’ll make a fine dessert, huh?
She gasps as he grabs her roughly and bites her. He drinks her dry, and
lets her body collapse to the floor. When he looks up he is shocked to
see a witness to his deed: Buffy. She stares back at him, also in shock.
Cut to Angel’s bedroom. He wakes with a sudden jerk and gasps.
Cut to Buffy’s bedroom. She awakens with a startled twist of her head
and stares into the darkness of her room, surprised and confused.~~ Part 2 ~~
Angel’s mansion. Unable to sleep, he walks out of a hall into the main
room, pulling on a T-shirt. There standing at the opposite end of the
room by the doorway to the atrium is Jenny.
Jenny: (with false sympathy) Trouble sleeping?
Angel: You’re not here.
Jenny: (slowly comes closer) I’m always here.
Angel: Leave me alone.
He sits down on the cold marble on one side of the great fireplace.
Jenny: I can’t. You won’t let me.
Angel: What do you want?
Jenny: I wanna die in bed surrounded by fat grandchildren, but guess
that’s off the menu.
Angel: (can’t face her) I’m sorry.
Jenny: You’re sorry? For me? Don’t bother. I’m dead. I’m over it.
(crouches down next to him) If you wanna feel sorry for someone, you
should feel sorry for yourself. Oh, but I guess you’ve already got that
covered.
Angel: I am sorry… for what I’ve done. What else can I say to you?
She puts her hand to his temple and strokes it. With her next sentence
she transforms to the likeness of Daniel.
Jenny/Daniel: I don’t wanna make you feel bad.
Daniel: I just want to show you who you are.
Cut to Giles’ office at the library.
Giles: You had a dream about Angel.
Buffy: I was in Angel’s dream.
Giles: (takes off his glasses) I’m not sure that’s…
Buffy: Giles, there was stuff in this dream that I couldn’t possibly
know about. It was Angel’s past, he was dreaming it, and somehow I got
sucked in.
Giles looks up at Buffy.
Buffy: There’s something wrong with him.
He looks down, then draws and releases a measured breath.
Giles: I know. I’ve seen him. He wanted to know why he was back.
Buffy: Is there a way for us to find that out?
Giles: Uh, possibly. I-I’ve been looking. (puts his glasses back on)
Buffy: Well, let me look, too.
Giles gives her an inquiring glance. Buffy speaks with an in-your-face
honesty, meeting Giles’ coldly appraising eyes with her own steady gaze.
Buffy: I’m not seeing him anymore. I’m trying to put all this behind
me, and I’m not gonna be able to as long as we’re both doing guest spots
in each other’s dreams.
Giles leans back in his chair and considers the truth of that.
Buffy: So we’ll help him?
Giles: (realizes he has no choice) Yes.
Xander: (walks into the office) Where do we start?
He gets surprised looks from Giles and Buffy.
Xander: (abashed) Look, I’m aware I haven’t been the mostest best
friend to you when it comes to the whole Angel thing, and, um, I don’t
know, maybe I finally got the Chanukah spirit.
Giles: (stands up) Well, we start, not surprisingly, with research.
(goes to a small bookcase) Xander, um, (hands him a book) the Black
Chronicles. And, uh, Buffy, (hands her a book) the diary of Lucious
Temple, an acolyte of Acathla, expert on demons. You can skip the
passages on his garden unless you’re keen on growing heartier beets.
Buffy and Xander head out into the main room.
Buffy: Are you sure this is how you wanna spend your Christmas
vacation?
Xander: Yeah, this is actually the most exciting thing I’ve got
planned. Who else can claim that pathetic a social life?
Willow: (walks in smiling) Hey, guys. What are we doing?
Cut to later. The three of them are all at the center table doing
research. Giles drops off a few more books for them to look through.
Dissolve to them having a discussion using the whiteboard. Dissolve to
Xander arriving with a pizza and dropping it on the table. Dissolve to
more researching with the pizza half eaten. Dissolve to later with just
Willow and Buffy at the table.
Willow: He’s gonna come over on Christmas Eve ’cause my parents are out
of town. We’re gonna watch videos.
Buffy: That’s good, right? (they exchange a look) You guys are back.
Willow: It’s good. It’s perfect. In an awkward, uncomfortable sort of
way. (Buffy gives her a sympathetic look) I just don’t know how to make
Oz trust me.
Buffy: Xander has a piece of you that Oz just can’t touch. I guess now
it’s just about showing Oz that he comes first.
Willow: (considers that) I guess. Thanks. (reads) Hey, he likes beets.
Buffy: I read that one already. (sighs) We’re not getting any closer.
Cut to Angel’s mansion. He falls to the floor, clammy, shivering, and
panting in horror. Another one of his victims, a businessman, paces past
him.
Businessman: The thing I remember most was thinking how artful it was.
In the dark, they looked just like they were sleeping. It wasn’t until I
bent down and kissed them good night that I felt how cold they were. You
grabbed me, and I thought, (faces Angel) who would go to so much trouble
to arrange them like that?
Angel looks up at him. The businessman crouches and transforms into
Margaret.
Margaret: But you see, that’s what makes you different than other
beasts. They kill to feed, but you took more kinds of pleasure in it
than any creature that walks or crawls.
Angel: Oh, God!
Margaret: (mocking him) Yeah, cry out. Make a scene.
Angel jumps to his feet and tries to run away, but finds Daniel standing
in his way.
Daniel: I was to be married that week, but then, as I recall, you knew
that.
Angel: It wasn’t me.
Daniel transforms into Jenny.
Jenny: It wasn’t you?
Angel: A demon isn’t a man. I was a man once.
Jenny: (derisively) Oh, yes, and what a man you were.
Angel is forced to flash back to the days before he became a vampire, in
a bar, singing and drinking, pulling at a woman’s dress before passing
out and falling to the floor. The flashback is over, and Margaret is
standing before him again.
Margaret: A drunken, whoring layabout, and a terrible disappointment to
your parents.
Angel: I was young. I never had a chance to…
Margaret: To die of syphilis? You were a worthless being before you
were ever a monster.
Angel can’t take much more, and he holds his hands to his ears.
Angel: Stop it! Stop…
Margaret transforms to Jenny, and she puts her hands on his, gently
taking them away from his ears.
Jenny: I don’t wanna hurt you, Angel, but you have to understand.
Cruelty’s the only thing you ever had a true talent for.
Angel: That’s not true.
Jenny: Shh. (leads him to the coffee table) Rest. (gently gets him to
lie down) Rest. (walks around him) You mistake it for a curse, Angel,
but it’s not. It’s your destiny.
She sits down by his head and strokes his hair.
Jenny: I’ll show you. I’ll show you.
Dissolve to Sunnydale High. Cut to the library. Xander yawns in his
chair behind the checkout counter and goes back to researching his book.
The camera pans over to the window to Giles’s office. Willow is asleep
in a chair. Giles gets up from his desk to get another book. Dissolve to
the stacks. The camera moves into them to a sleeping Buffy, with several
books lying on the floor around her. She rolls from her side onto her
back.
Dissolve to Angel’s mansion. He rolls over onto his back also. In a
flash of bright light they are both sharing a dream. Buffy is lying in
her bed, and she slowly opens her eyes. Angel is sitting at her side,
looking down at her, waiting for her to awaken. He reaches for Buffy’s
hand with his. They touch fingertips briefly before intertwining their
fingers and clasping hands.
Next Buffy is facing Angel, sitting on his lap with her legs circling
round his waist. They are kissing passionately, holding each other as
closely as possible, caressing each other tenderly. Buffy tugs at
Angel’s shirt, and he helps her pull it up and off, baring his chest. In
the real world Angel turns again on the coffee table.
Now it is Angel’s turn to slip the satin pajama top from Buffy’s
shoulders. They hold each other tightly as they kiss longer and more
intensely. In the real world Buffy moans and turns her head while lying
on the library floor.
Buffy and Angel are lying in bed together, making gentle passionate
love. They change positions as Angel rolls on top of her, the muscles of
his back flexing under his tattoo. They caress each other for several
moments. Angel tenderly kisses Buffy where her neck joins her shoulder,
and he slides his hand up and along her outstretched arm, reaching and
clasping her hand as they continue making love. Suddenly, over Angel’s
shoulder, Buffy sees the eyeless priest from her previous dream,
sightlessly observing them from where he’s standing at her door.
There are several sudden flashes of light. Angel removes his hands from
their tender clasp and then, as a thunderclap is heard, grabs Buffy’s
wrists hard, forcibly pinning her down to the bed. He rises over her and
transforms into his vampire guise, and then bites her savagely on the
neck.
Cut to the library. Buffy wakes in startled shock.
Cut to Angel’s mansion. He wakes and sits bolt upright, drawing a hard
breath. Jenny is still sitting next to him.
Jenny: You want her?
Angel: (panting) No.
Jenny: (insistently) Take her. Take what you want. Pour all that
frustration and all that guilt into her, and you’ll be free.
Angel: No.
Jenny: You can’t live for eternity with all that pain. This is what
you are. This is why we brought you back. Take her! And then you’ll be
ready… (moves in to his ear) …to kill her.~~ Part 3 ~~
The library. Buffy walks out of the stacks and down the stairs.
Giles: Here, Buffy. Take a look.
He goes to the table with a pile of very old and worn sheets of paper.
Giles: These letters contain references to a, a, an ancient power known
as The First.
Buffy: First what?
Giles: Evil. Absolute evil, older than man, than demons. It could have
had the power to bring Angel back.
Buffy: These guys, (picks up one of the letters with sketches of the
eyeless priest) I-I saw them in my dream. I, I fell asleep up there.
Giles: You had another dream? With Angel? (Buffy nods) What happened?
Buffy: (evasively) Oh, we don’t need to get sidetracked. Who are these
guys?
Giles: Um, they’re known as the, uh, (sits) as the Bringers o-o-or
Harbingers. They’re high priests of The First. They, uh, they can
conjure spirit manifestations and set them on people, influence them,
haunt them.
Buffy: These are the guys working the mojo on Angel?
Xander comes out from behind the counter.
Xander: We gotta stop them.
Giles: Y-you can’t fight The First, Buffy. It’s not a-a physical being.
Buffy: Well, I-I can fight these priest guys.
Xander: If we can find them.
Cut to Willy’s bar. He’s wiping down a few bottles and putting them away
when he sees Buffy and Xander enter the bar.
Willy: (loudly so everyone hears) Hey! It’s the Slayer. What brings
the, uh, Slayer down here?
Several vampires at the bar get up and quietly leave.
Buffy: (goes up to the bar) Hey, Willy, how you been?
Willy: (pours a drink for a customer) Keeping out of trouble, as God is
my witness. (comes over to them) So, w-what can I do for you? Couple of
drinks?
Xander: Yeah. Let me get a double shot of, um… (exchanges a look with
Buffy) (aggressively to Willy) of information, pal.
Buffy: Three priests. They call themselves…
Xander: (interrupts) The Bringers.
Buffy: (shoots Xander a look) Bringers, Harbingers. They have a ‘no
eyes’ kinda look.
Willy: Doesn’t ring a bell.
Xander: (menacingly) How about I ring that bell for you? (hopefully to
Buffy) Does the threatening come now?
Buffy: Maybe you shouldn’t help. (to Willy) They would’ve come to town
recently. They’d be holed up somewhere summoning the spirit of The
First.
Willy looks around the bar carefully, then leans in toward them.
Willy: Well… I heard a few things, you know, from the underground.
Xander: The underground?
Willy: Yeah, you know. From things that live under the ground.
Apparently there’s been a lot of migration out of Sunnydale from the
lower inhabitants. Something’s scaring them off, and these are things
that aren’t easily scared. Could be your priest guys are underground.
Buffy: Underground where?
Willy: (regretfully) I do not know.
Buffy: Okay. Thanks.
Xander: See you around.
They start to leave the bar.
Willy: (to Xander) Hey. (Xander faces him) You did great, by the way. I
was very intimidated by you.
Xander: Really? (smiles)
Willy gives him a nod.
Xander: (smiles widely) Thanks!
Buffy: (takes Xander’s arm) Let’s go. (leads him away)
Willy: Hey, kid. (Buffy faces him) Merry Christmas.
Buffy just gives him a look, and then she and Xander leave.
Cut outside. They step into the heat of the day and start down the
block.
Xander: Man, is it hot. It was so nice and cool in there.
Buffy: Yeah, a nice cool waste of time.
They stop walking.
Xander: We know underground. That’s a start.
Buffy: Sure, in a town with fourteen million square miles of sewer.
Xander: Plus a lot of natural cave formations and a gateway to Hell.
Yeah, this does resemble square one.
Buffy: I don’t know what to do.
Xander: I think right now the best plan is to deck the halls with
boughs of holly. Look, we’ll catch the bad guys… sooner or later.
Cut to Willow’s house. Oz comes in.
Oz: Willow? (closes the door) I got videos. (holds them up)
When he sees the living room, he stops in his tracks. Willow has the
room softly lit, with a small fire going in the fireplace, candles
burning on the coffee table, and soft music playing on the stereo. She
is sitting on the sofa, dressed nicely just for him.
Willow: Hi. (pats the sofa next to her) Why don’t you come s-sit down?
After a moment’s hesitation, he walks into the room and sits down next
to her. He set the videos on the table. On the stereo “Can’t Get Enough
of Your Love, Babe”, by Barry White, begins to play.
Lyrics: I’ve heard people say that
Oz isn’t sure what to make of this, and looks at Willow. She smiles back
at him.
Lyrics: Too much of anything is not good for you, baby
Oz: You ever have that dream where you’re in a play, and it’s the
middle of the play and you really don’t know your lines, and you kinda
don’t know the plot?
Willow: Well, we’re alone, and we’re together. I-I just wanted it to be
special.
Oz: How special are we talking?
Willow: (a bit nervous) Well, you know, we’re alone, and we’re both
mature younger people, and, and so… w-we could… I-I’m ready to… w-
with you. (whispers) We could do that thing.
Oz looks at her in disbelief. Willow smiles back. Oz has to stand up.
Willow: Where are you going?
Oz: No, I’m not going. Just a dramatic gesture. That’s, that’s pretty
special.
Willow: (stands also) Oz, I-I wanna be with you. First.
Oz: I think we should sit down again.
They sit stiffly.
Willow: Oz?
He looks at her, worry evident in his expression.
Willow: I-I’m ready.
Oz: Okay. Well, don’t take this the wrong way… but I’m not.
Willow: (confused) Are you scared? ‘Cause I thought you had…
Oz: (shyly) No, I have, but this is different. I mean, you look great.
You know, and, and you got the Barry working for you, and, and it’s
all… good. But when it happens… I want it to be because we both need
it to for the same reason. You don’t have to prove anything to me.
Willow: I just wanted you to know.
Oz: I know. (smiles) I get the message.
Willow leans over to him, and they kiss.
Cut to the Summers house. Christmas music plays in the background. Buffy
puts the finishing touches on the tree. Joyce places another log on the
fire. She stands up and inspects the result.
Joyce: There we go.
Buffy: Nothing like a roaring fire to keep away the blistering heat.
Joyce: Oh, come on. It’s lovely. Maybe I should turn the air
conditioning on.
Buffy is off in her own world as she finishes trimming the tree.
Joyce: So, angel’s on top again?
Buffy: (startled) What?
Joyce: (holds up an angel and a star) Angel or star?
Buffy: Oh, uh… star. Star.
The doorbell rings. Buffy and her mom exchange an inquiring look,
wondering whom it could be. Buffy goes to the door and opens it.
Faith: (uncertainly) Hey.
Buffy: Hi!
Faith: Uh, looked like that whole party thing was gonna be kind of a
drag. (drops her eyes for an instant) I didn’t really have anything…
You know.
Buffy: (sincerely) I’m glad you came.
Faith: (smiles) Uh… Here. (hands Buffy gifts)
Buffy: Why don’t you come in from the entire lack of cold?
Faith: Mm.
She steps in, and Buffy closes the door.
Faith: Uh, that one (points) is for your mom. They’re pretty crappy.
Joyce: Faith, you made it. (takes the gifts from Buffy) Oh, that is so
thoughtful.
Faith: (smiles, embarrassed) They’re crappy.
Buffy: You know, I’m gonna go upstairs and get your gifts. Excuse me.
Joyce: Uh, would you like some nog?
Cut upstairs. Buffy walks down the hall and into her room.
Buffy: Okay, Mom, don’t touch yours, though, ’cause then you’re gonna
know what it is.
Once in her room she hears her door slam behind her. She spins around to
find Angel there. He looks very tired and somewhat disoriented.
Buffy: Angel.
Angel: Huh… Buffy.
Buffy: What is it?
He looks around apprehensively and clears his throat.
Angel: I gotta… I… look, I, uh, I had to see you, um…
He sees her bed, and it confuses him.
Angel: I don’t know, I… You shouldn’t be…
Buffy: Just tell me what’s going on.
His gaze focuses on her neck, and he notices she’s not wearing her
cross. Jenny appears to him behind her.
Jenny: She wants you to touch her. What are you waiting for?
Angel: You have to stay away from me.
Buffy: (bewildered) You came to see me to tell me that I can’t see you?
Angel pants heavily and struggles hard with himself for control.
Buffy: Angel, something is doing this to you.
He starts to move toward her. She backs away.
Buffy: (worried and frightened) You just have to control it, okay? I-I
know that you’re confused.
Angel: I think you’re the one who’s confused. I think you need to…
Jenny: She wants you to taste her. Think of the peace. You’ll never
have to see us again.
Angel struggles for control of his mind. He grabs his hair with his
hands in desperation.
Buffy: (imploringly) Angel, how can I help you?
Angel: Leave me alone!
He runs toward her window and dives out. Buffy is in shock over it all.
Cut downstairs. Buffy hurriedly talks with Faith as she’s grabbing her
coat before leaving.
Buffy: I just need you to stay with Mom in case he comes back. (makes
strides for the door)
Faith: Yeah, I’ll play watchdog. I don’t really get it, though.
Buffy: I’ll explain later. Everything. I promise.
Opens the door and leaves.
Faith: (concerned) Watch your back.
Cut to Giles’ apartment.
Buffy: Giles, we have to do something. Soon. Now.
Giles: I’m still not sure what.
Buffy: (desperate) Find me these priest guys. Find me something I can
pummel.
Giles: Let’s not lose our heads.
Buffy: Giles, he’s slipping.
Giles has no response to that.
Buffy: (voice faltering) I think we’re losing him.
Giles: Look… (puts on his glasses) You realize if he… truly becomes
a danger, you may have to kill him. Again. Can you do that?
Buffy can’t bring herself to answer.
Cut to the atrium at Angel’s mansion. He tries to get away from Jenny
and goes into the mansion.
Angel: I can’t do it.
Jenny: You have to do it. (tauntingly) What else are you good for?
Angel: (panting hard) Get away from me!
Jenny: (appears behind him) Couldn’t you just… feel her? (leans close
to him) Couldn’t you almost smell her skin? You never were a fighter,
Angel, don’t start trying now. (steps away) Sooner or later you will
drink her.
Angel: I’ll never hurt her.
Jenny: You were born to hurt her. (scornfully) Have you learned
nothing? As long as you are alive…
Angel: (flatly) Then I’ll die.
Jenny: (pauses to consider) You don’t have the strength to kill
yourself.
Angel: I don’t need strength. I just need the sun to rise.
He walks back out into the atrium.
Jenny: You’re not supposed to die. This isn’t the plan.
She watches him walk through the atrium and take the steps up and out.
Jenny: But it’ll do.~~ Part 4 ~~
Giles’ apartment. Buffy reads aloud from a book. Behind her Giles sits
on the stairs and reads to himself from another.
Buffy: ‘A child shall be born of man and goat and have two heads, and
The First shall speak only in riddles…’ No wonder you like this stuff.
(closes the book) It’s like reading The Sun.
Giles: (finds something) Yes. Ah.
Buffy: (looks up at him) Priests?
Giles: Um… Yes, but, uh, more, more posturing, I’m afraid. Um,
(reads) ‘For they are the Harbingers of death. Nothing shall grow above
or below them. No seed shall flower, neither in man nor…’ (gestures
that it goes on and on) They’re rebels and they’ll never ever be any
good. Nothing specific about their haunts.
Buffy: Let me see that.
Giles hands her the book.
Buffy: (reads) ‘…the Harbingers of death. Nothing shall grow above or
below…’
She is suddenly lost in thought.
Giles: What?
Cut to the Christmas tree lot. Buffy kicks open the gate and marches
straight toward the dead trees. Once there she studies them for a
moment. The camera lifts straight up, looking down at the six trees that
have died arranged in a circle. All the trees around them are fine.
Cut to Buffy at ground level. She looks around for something to dig with
and finds a long-handled ax. She swings it at the ground, and after a
couple of hits she breaks through. A few more swings and the hole is
large enough for her to get through. She crouches down and drops herself
into it.
Cut below. Buffy drops down into a cave. There are groups of candles
burning here and there. She cautiously looks around and starts to make
her way deeper into the cave. She can hear chanting coming from nearby.
She doesn’t have to go far before she finds the table with the priests
sitting around it.
Buffy: Alright, ten more minutes of chanting and then you guys have to
go to bed.
The priests get up, and Buffy jumps down to fight them. She swings the
handle of her ax into one priest’s stomach, and he goes down. She swings
it into another one, who doubles over. She follows up with another swing
to his head, and he goes down, too. The third one runs away. Buffy uses
the ax to destroy the arrangement of artifacts on the table. The next
thing she knows, Jenny is in the cave with her.
Jenny/The First: Hmm. I’m impressed.
Buffy hesitates at first, surprised to see Jenny there, but quickly
realizes that it’s not really her.
Buffy: (defiantly) You won’t get Angel.
Jenny/The First: Hmm. You think you can fight me? I’m not a demon,
little girl. I am something that you can’t even conceive. The First
Evil. Beyond sin, beyond death. I am the thing the darkness fears.
You’ll never see me, but I am everywhere. Every being, every thought,
every drop of hate.
Buffy: (loses her patience) Alright, I get it. You’re evil. Do we have
to chat about it all day?
Jenny/The First: (unimpressed) Angel will be dead by sunrise. Your
Christmas… will be his wake.
Buffy: No.
Jenny/The First: You have no idea what you’re dealing with.
Buffy: (dripping with sarcasm) Lemme guess. Is it… evil?
The apparition of Jenny shrinks and is replaced for an instant by an
image of a huge horned and clawed beast coming at her, roaring and with
eyes glowing red. It fades as quickly as it appeared. Buffy stares in
shock at the place where it appeared. It screams a final warning.
The First: DEAD BY SUNRISE!
Buffy runs from the cave, terrified for Angel’s life.
Cut to Angel’s mansion. Buffy runs in.
Buffy: Angel!
She looks around, but he’s nowhere to be seen. She walks toward the
doorway to the atrium and looks out. She sees the steps leading up and
runs toward them. Cut to the hills behind the mansion. Buffy runs
through the bushes, frantically looking for Angel. She climbs further up
the hill and finds him standing at the top looking out over a peaceful
residential area of town.
Buffy: Angel.
He hears her say his name and briefly glances in her direction before
looking back out over the rooftops. Buffy slowly walks over to him.
Angel: I bet half the kids down there are already awake. Lying in their
beds… sneaking downstairs… waiting for day.
Buffy: (out of breath) Angel, please. I need for you to get inside. Th-
there’s only a few minutes left.
Angel: I know. I can smell the sunrise long before it comes.
Buffy: (anxiously and hurried) I don’t have time to explain this. You
just have to trust me. That thing that was haunting you…
Angel: (interrupts) It wasn’t haunting me. It was showing me.
Buffy: (confused) Showing you?
Angel: What I am.
Buffy: (insistently) Were.
Angel: And ever shall be. I wanted to know why I was back. Now I do.
Buffy: You don’t know. Some great evil takes credit for bringing you
back and you buy it? You just give up?
Angel: (harshly) I can’t do it again, Buffy. I can’t become a killer.
Buffy: Then fight it.
Angel: It’s too hard.
Buffy: (desperately) Angel, please, you have to get inside.
Angel: It told me to kill you. You were in the dream. You know. It told
me to lose my soul in you and become a monster again.
Buffy: I know what it told you. What does it matter?
Angel: (raises his voice) Because I wanted to! Because I want you so
badly! I want to take comfort in you, and I know it’ll cost me my soul,
and a part of me doesn’t care.
He sobs. Buffy is at a loss for words.
Angel: Look, I’m weak. I’ve never been anything else. It’s not the
demon in me that needs killing, Buffy. It’s the man.
Buffy: You’re weak. Everybody is. Everybody fails. Maybe this evil did
bring you back, but if it did, it’s because it needs you. And that means
that you can hurt it.
Angel doesn’t want to believe her.
Buffy: (pleadingly) Angel, you have the power to do real good, to make
amends. (raises her voice) But if you die now, then all that you ever
were was a monster.
She looks out at the sky as it begins to lighten.
Buffy: (begging frantically) Angel, please, the sun is coming up!
Angel: Just go.
Buffy: I won’t!
Angel: What, do you think this is simple? You think there’s an easy
answer? You can never understand what I’ve done! Now go!
Buffy: You are not staying here. (grabs his arm) I won’t let you!
Angel: I said LEAVE!
He jerks his arm free of her grasp. In her anger and desperation Buffy
punches him. He reacts by shoving her away from him roughly, making her
fall face forward, hard to the ground.
Angel: (quietly to himself) Oh, my God…
He goes to her and crouches over her, grabbing her by the shoulders and
turning her around to face him. Buffy fears his intentions and cries
out.
Buffy: No! No!
He grabs her roughly by the arms and holds her firmly.
Angel: Am I a thing worth saving, huh? (shakes her) Am I a righteous
man? (shakes her) The world wants me gone!
Buffy: (tearfully) What about me? I love you so much… And I tried to
make you go away… I killed you and it didn’t help.
She shoves him off of her and gets up.
Buffy: (crying) And I hate it! I hate that it’s so hard… and that
you can hurt me so much. (sobs, then harshly) I know everything that
you did, because you did it to me. Oh, God! I wish that I wished you
dead. I don’t. (whispers) I can’t.
Angel gets up now, too.
Angel: Buffy, please. Just this once… let me be strong.
Buffy: Strong is fighting! It’s hard, and it’s painful, and it’s every
day. It’s what we have to do. And we can do it together.
Angel struggles with himself, knowing she’s right.
Buffy: (resolvedly) But if you’re too much of a coward for that, then
burn. If I can’t convince you that you belong in this world, then I
don’t know what can. But do not expect me to watch. And don’t expect
me to mourn for you, because…
She stops in mid-sentence because it has inexplicably begun to snow. She
and Angel both look up at it coming down, lightly at first and gradually
heavier. The camera pulls up above them and shows them standing there
with the snowflakes swirling around them in the gentle morning breeze,
and the ground around them starting to become white. Cut to Angel,
looking around in amazement. Buffy walks to the edge of the hill and
looks out at the town as the roofs on the houses below also start to
become white. She turns to Angel, and they look at each other, stunned
by this apparent miracle.
Cut to Willow and Oz in her bedroom. They notice the snow outside and
sit up on her bed. Willow is first to get up and walk to her balcony
door to look out. Oz is right behind. They smile as they see it come
down and notice the glass of her French doors begin to frost.
Cut to the Summers house. About an inch and a half (4cm) of snow has now
collected on the roof. The camera pans down to the door. Faith opens it,
and she and Joyce come out to watch it fall. Faith steps off the porch
and lets a few flakes fall on her open hands and face. Joyce pulls her
wrap tightly around her against the cold.
Cut to Giles’ apartment. He notices that his window has become frosted,
and goes over to it to have a look outside. He stares out in amazement.
Cut to Xander lying in his sleeping bag in his backyard. The light from
his lantern glows blue. His unfinished dinner plate is covered with
snow, as is a comic book he had put aside before retiring. He is
sleeping with the top flap of his sleeping bag folded open under his
arm. He stirs slightly and wipes at the snowflakes falling on his face.
That doesn’t help, so he reflexively pulls the flap closed over his
head, fallen snow and all. This wakes him up, and a moment later he
pushes back the flap and looks up in wonder at the falling snow.
Cut to the shopping district. The camera pans from the green neon sign
of the Sun Cinema down to where the movies now playing are listed. The
weatherman can be heard on the TV in the window of the audio/video
store.
Weatherman: And while most of Southern California is enjoying a balmy
Christmas, an extreme cold front has sprung up out of nowhere around
Sunnydale, where they are reporting heavy snowfall for the first time
in, well, ever.
Cut to the weatherman on TV. The camera pans from him out into the
street.
Weatherman: Sunnydale residents shouldn’t expect to see the sun at all
today. That cold front isn’t going anywhere. With temperatures in the
high 30s (about 3C), means you better bundle up if you’re planning to go
outside and enjoy the change in the weather.
Cut to a view of the trees in the street aglow with Christmas lights.
The camera pans down into the street, which is deserted except for Buffy
and Angel, who walk along hand-in-hand, still looking up at the snow as
it comes down.
Cut to a view from above. The street and a few parked cars are covered
with about two inches (5cm) of snow. The camera sinks down below a
traffic light. Buffy and Angel continue walking in silence down the
street.
Cut to a close-up of them walking. Buffy looks over at Angel. He looks
exhausted but at peace. He notices her gaze and smiles at her. Together
they walk out of view.
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