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| Episode 14, Season 4 Title: "Release" Written by: Steven S. DeKnight, Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain Directed by: James A. Contner Original Air Date: 12 March 2003 Teaser: 
Coming off her trouncing from The Beast, FaithÍs blood drips on the floor of WesleyÍs apartment while he offers her a compress for her facial injuries. She assures him that she is fine, nothing a shower canÍt fix; but he isnÍt convinced as she slowly limps into the bathroom.
Faith gazes in the mirror at her bloodied reflection. Slowly and painfully she undresses revealing the multitude of severe slashes, deep puncture wounds and bruises. Within the shower, the steaming water is of little comfort as Faith stares at the tiles in front contemplating her capabilities. Soon anger and frustration take over and she mercilessly punches the wall, regaining her composure she relents to the hot shower. At his recently frequented demon bar, Angelus is swapping stories round the table with the locals of his battle with the slayer and the demise of The Beast. But one demon, sitting at the bar, isnÍt impressed; after all, by killing The Beast the never ending night has ended. Angelus confronts the one horned demon but just as heÍs about to thrash him, a deep, prevailing voice resonates within AngelusÍ head. Act I: 
The voice continues to talk to Angelus, unheard by the rest of the barÍs patrons. Angelus wants a little more privacy and takes the t°te-ö-t°te into the back room after kicking a few vampires out. The voice is beginning to get under AngelusÍ skin as well as within his head. He (as the voice is masculine) is upset that Angelus killed The Beast and reveals heÍs been watching Angelus.
Cordelia sits in her darkened bedroom, a glowing orb in her hand; she is the masterÍs voice within AngelusÍ head. As the scenes go back and forth the voice reveals he was The BeastÍs master and Angelus comprehends that he was responsible for tricking Angel Investigations into removing AngelÍs soul. Just then, Connor walks into CordyÍs room and she quickly hides the orb. Connor is concerned for her health and offers Cordy a blanket, but she assures him sheÍs just tired due to the baby. Angelus, after having his connection interrupted, leaves the bar in search of answers to new questions. Still in her bedroom, Connor recaps for Cordelia that Faith is recovering at WesleyÍs and Angelus killed The Beast. Cordy defends AngelusÍ nature and stresses that they must keep their baby a secret from the others, or they may want to kill it as they did with him. Meanwhile in the Hyperion lobby, Gunn passes out tranquilizer dart guns to Fred and Lorne. Connor joins them and stops Fred from checking on Cordy, stating sheÍs just tired and in need of soup. After he departs to the kitchen, Gunn and Lorne agree the boy is off as Fred hopes they havenÍt rekindled their unique romance. Fred also worries about FaithÍs condition. At WesleyÍs apartment, Faith is dressed and ready for action as she apologizes to Wes about the condition of his bathroom. HeÍs more worried about her, Wes needs to know if sheÍs ïin the game all the wayÍ. Faith assures him sheÍs 5x5 and she grabs her gear bag and heads towards the door. Within the Hyperion office, Fred is looking for a runic transcription guide when suddenly Angelus appears. HeÍs not too worried about their sanctuary spell as he produces his own little counter-charm. He wants info on The Beast but Fred isnÍt giving it, so he takes a book and all the papers on the desk. Fred then notices the charm is stamped: Made in China, she grabs a glass water vase and smashes it over AngelusÍ head. As he recovers she shoots off the dart gun but hits Lorne as Angelus makes his escape up onto the balcony. Connor attacks, but the protection spell kicks in and sends him over the side. Act II: 
As Angelus flees the Hyperion, he runs straight into the arriving Faith and Wesley. Angelus takes the advantage and places Wes in a headlock while Faith questions whether she can take Angelus before he snaps WesleyÍs neck. She hesitates too long and Wes collapses to the ground as Gunn arrives tossing Faith a tranquilizing rifle. She fires away but misses as Angelus leaps over the gate and then tends to Wes despite his urging her to go after him.
In CordeliaÍs room, Connor rushes in to check on her and informs her that Angelus was on the prow but Faith and Gunn chased him off. Conner asks Cordelia why Angelus would want the information on The Beast. She offers no clues but isnÍt happy. In the hotel lobby, Lorne is still unconscious while Fred and Gunn discuss their next step, disappointed in Faith and WesleyÍs contribution to the fight. Wesley takes out a shotgun from the weapons cabinet to everyoneÍs surprise and informs them that theyÍll need to slow Angelus down in order to tranq him. Wes and Faith are to go after him, while Gunn stays to guard those in the Hyperion. Outside in the courtyard, still not sure sheÍs in the game, Wesley warns Faith again that she needs to ïbe just as vicious as he isÍ in order for them to capture Angelus. 
Within an Occult Books shop, Angelus sits by a fireplace, complete with glasses (although not his), perusing the papers he stole. Frustrated and unable to read the archaic proto-demon cuneiform, Angelus tortures Reg, the shopkeeper who is cowering on the floor for more intel on The Beast. Angelus is once again verbally assaulted by the voice in his head. Although Angelus taunts him, the voice threatens Angelus with the return his soul and being forced to live insides AngelÍs head, powerless to act. To press the matter, an image of AngelÍs soul in the glass bottle appears on the desk. Angelus can only reply with contempt, ñWhat do you want me to do, Master.î
Back in CordyÍs room, she sits on her bed holding AngelÍs soul with a smile upon her face. Act III: 
In the Hyperion office, Fred blames herself for letting Angelus escape with LilahÍs book and all the information Wolfram & Hart removed from LorneÍs mind. Although Gunn reassures her there was nothing more she could do she confesses she misses him and should have told Wesley nothing would ever happen between them. They kiss, but Gunn pulls away, choosing rather to do a sweep of the premises.
Back at the demon bar, it is Faith and WesleyÍs turn to gather information as Faith pounds the one-horned demon, FrancesÍ head upon the counter. Not getting it done, Wes fires his shotgun into a Strom demon and Frances gives up the goods. Inside the back room, Faith discovers a sicker side of vampirism, a drug den. ñWhat the f- îas a vampire attacks but Wes is quick with the staking. In CordeliaÍs bathroom, Connor checks his teeth in the mirror as he makes vampire faces. Cordy realizes he couldnÍt attack Angelus but assures him being part demon isnÍt always bad. Connor confesses he doesnÍt know what he is, but Cordy does, ïa daddyÍ. He worries about keeping them safe, and Cordy sends him back downstairs to find out everything thatÍs going on. Back in the drug den of the bar, Faith helps a human girl who is strung out as Wesley explains that vampires use them as filters for the intoxication. Faith, disgusted tries a little muscle on the girl for information on Angelus but gets none. Wesley, seeing a lack of force, knifes the girl in the shoulder (intentionally avoiding main arteries) to FaithÍs shock. The girl tells them Angelus was there, muttering about The Beast and Wes realizes that the master has made contact with Angelus. Outside the bar, Faith questions WesleyÍs tactics and now Wes pushes her buttons to see if sheÍs still got what it takes to bring Angelus down. Her remind her of the time she tortured him, that sheÍll never find redemption; he recounts her life in Sunnydale, why her friends turned on her, sheÍs still sick, just a rabid dog who needs to be put down. Faith attacks Wesley but holds off before hitting him and he replies, ñItÍs what youÍll need to beat him.î Faith canÍt risk killing Angel, they have to find another way. In the Hyperion lobby, Lorne is finally coming around as Fred profusely apologizes for shooting him. Gunn recaps their situation bringing Lorne up to speed informing him of AngelusÍ sanctuary breaking charm. Lorne reveals that itÍs just a trinket Maury pushes off on the tourists from a shop down on Olive. Gunn sends Fred to call Wes. Arriving at the shop, Faith and Wesley begin to search the massive building of four-story marble columns and grand staircases. As they ascend the stairs to the third level, Wes is armed with the shotgun and Faith has the dart gun at the ready. They discover Maury, quite dead; he wonÍt be able to help them find Angelus. But Angelus can, who is standing behind them. Act IV: 
Angelus taunts Faith and she fires two shots, missing. Wesley fires off a blast from the shotgun right at AngelusÍ face, but he ducts with ease. Angelus attacks sending Wes over the balcony and down the three flights through metal scaffolding and wooden boards. He lands unconscious at the bottom.
Faith counters and Angelus sends her flying down the marble steps. As she lands at the bottom, Angelus having taken WesleyÍs shotgun points it at Faith ready to fire. He unloads one round and she flinches. ItÍs AngelusÍ turn to push FaithÍs buttons, he reminds her of how she begged Angel to kill her. He unloads more rounds as she watches in disbelief until he asks her, ñDo you still want to die?î When she finally yells, ïNoÍ their fight continues and Faith, not up to full-slayer strength, takes another beating. Under the scaffolding Wesley slowly regains consciousness. Angelus thinks heÍs gained the upper hand with Faith, but she confesses that Wes warned her he would try and get under her skin as she draws out a knife. Faith gets a few good slice and dice shots in before Angelus leaps up onto the scaffolding, Faith follows Angelus and the fight continues on a new level. 
The two go blow to blow from one platform to another, high above the ground and then back down to the first floor. Faith is down and hurt. Angelus takes his final verbal assault telling Faith she is nothing more than a murderer, an animal, ñJust like me!î Faith lays Angelus out with a sweep kick and states, ñYouÍre wrong, IÍm different now. IÍm not like you.î But Angelus kicks her back, taking Faith down in a hold, her back to him. He transform into his vampire face and replies, ñYou will be.î And bites down on her neck as she cries out.
Summary by CoA Council member, Swoop
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