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Post by Gin on Feb 4, 2009 22:44:42 GMT 1
from imdb
#2.09 The Trial
Original Air Date: 28 November 2000 Directed by Bruce Seth Green Writing credits: Douglas Petrie, Tim Minear, David Greenwalt
Episode Cast David Boreanaz ... Angel Charisma Carpenter ... Cordelia Chase Alexis Denisof ... Wesley Wyndam-Pryce J. August Richards ... Charles Gunn Julie Benz ... Darla Sam Anderson ... Holland Manners Evan Arnold ... Shempire Andy Hallett ... Lorne Christian Kane ... Lindsey McDonald Juliet Landau ... Drusilla Jim Piddock ... Valet
Plot: Darla is informed from Lindsey and Holland that there was an unfortunate side effect to her rebirth. Angel, learning of Darla's terminal condition, embarks on a mission to save her. Lorne directs Angel to a challenge which might restore Darla's health but at the cost of his life. Angel completes the challenge but Darla cannot be saved again because of her previous resurrection. Feeling broken, Angel tries to comfort Darla in her final stage until Lindsey shows up with an unexpected visitor.
Goofs: * Anachronisms: In the episode where Darla, and Angelus are chased by a vampire hunter in France, in 1765, Angelus tells Darla that he hates France and they should go to Romania instead. In 1765 Romania did not exists, it appeared as a state in 1859 as a result of the unification of two Romanian provinces: Moldavia and Valachia. * Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Cordelia says the fine line, "Don't you think we should check on him?" her lips don't move. * Continuity: Angel burns his right arm to fetch the key in the holy water and uses the same hand to unlock the door. However, the close-up shows him unlocking the door with his left hand. * Revealing mistakes: When Angel drags the creatures' upper half away from the lower in the first trial, you can see the green suit the actor is wearing to make the lower body invisible. * Revealing mistakes: When Angel bisects the demon during the trial, the stunt harness used can be clearly seen.
Soundtrack * "Ill Wind (You're Blowin' Me No Good)" Written by Ted Koehler and Harold Arlen Performed by Julie Benz (Sung by Darla in Caritas)
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Post by Cynni on Feb 5, 2009 17:16:00 GMT 1
from http://www.cityofangel.com:
Episode 9, Season 2 Title: "The Trial"
Teleplay by: Douglas Petrie and Tim Minear Story by: David Greenwalt Directed by: Bruce Seth Green Original Air Date: November 28, 2000
Teaser
"My wide-range knowledge of LA's low rent motels finally paid off. " At the Hyperion Hotel, Cordelia and Wesley are eavesdropping at the cellar door, curious as to the ‘chucka-chucka’ sound emerging since Angel has been down there for quite a long while. Cordy gets after Wes for not talking to Angel, a man-to-man talk, about the whole Darla thing. Silence drives our two spies to assume their positions - Wes concentrates on a file and Cordy feigns usual business. Angel appears with arms full of freshly dried clothes. He explains that he has accepted that he cannot change what happened with Darla and apologizes for any grief he may have caused them. He knows the he can't look for her anymore unless she wants his help, but most of all, he's learned to let go. Cordy and Wes are very proud of him but their pride is short-lived when Gunn bursts in and announces "I found Darla!" He’s been doing a search on her for Angel and hands him a file with pictures and the location of Darla. Gunn quickly gives him the lowdown while Cordy and Wes can only stare stunned and the two run out the door.
In a danky, skank of a room at the Royal Viking Motel, Darla takes off her cross necklace and places it on the dresser. She attempts to put on lipstick but quickly removes it with a Kleenex as she stares at her reflection. She seems a little tired and indecisive, shifting focus at the sound of a knock on the door and the lock being opened. She slowly turns around as Lindsey walks in. He pays off the manager as he says, "You're a hard one to find."
Act I
"We didn't invite you here to discuss Angel." At Wolfram & Hart, Darla sits in a chair in Lindsey's office as he leans on his desk when Holland walks in with a file. Darla thinks they have her there to discuss Angel and wants to leave but surprisingly Holland denies it, saying she’s not their prisoner but she is their ‘moral responsibility’. Apparently, on the first days of Darla’s arrival, which she doesn't recall, W&H had extensive medical tests done on her, the results of which, she holds in her hands as she scans the files.
The Royal Viking motel. Gunn and Angel arrive to find Darla's room nearly empty. Finding the cross necklace on the dresser, Gunn surmises that she was expecting someone, perhaps in the way of Angel. They also see that she has traveled down on the class scale, way down. Yet, Angel comes to her defense, understanding that when you're desperate you do what you have to do to survive.
France 1765. Being chased by a lynch mob led by Holtz, a mortal vampire hunter, Angelus and Darla, on horseback, hurriedly enter a barn. They quickly shut the doors and light a lantern. Angel keeps a careful lookout but Darla reassures him they lost mob back in the village of Arles. Distracting Angelus with sexy talk as she lays down on the hay, Darla tries to make the best of things. He falls down next to her, as a fiery long stake nearly misses him and instead plunges into a board right where his heart would have been.
"Why do you think I came into this bar, for the snacks?" At a seedy bar on the demony-er side of L.A., Darla is flirting with a vampire, who apparently was a loser in life and continues to be one in the undead life - the mullet cut says it all. She wants him to ‘turn’ her but he's not really catching on. Darla tries to convince him he needs an undead girlfriend to share all those special moments with, but he laughs it off, scared off by commitment so she just flat out tells him, "Then use me for as long as you like, anyway you like, then discard me. No strings." He offers that there’s an alley in the back and she quickly drags him off.
Outside, nervous because he's never turned anyone, Darla gives him directions. Just as he's about to bite her neck, he gets dusted by Angel. She is very annoyed because she had made it clear to Angel to leave her alone. As she tries to leave Angel grabs her, with a stake between them he lets her know that if she turns vamp, although he wouldn't like to dust her a second time, he will. Leaving to go to another bar she throws in his face that she’ll do what she has to do. Angel tries to reason with her and attempts to convince Darla to give her second life as a human a chance. She may have been a vampire for four hundred years, but she didn't have much time for a human life. Darla interjects, "I'm dying." She has seen the medical files and she only has a few months to live. She walks off as Angel can only stare after her.
Act II
France 1765. The barn is filling with fire as Holtz's men surround the barn. Angelus sees Darla’s worried look, and offers a plan to flee to the hills, but she knows they can’t make it on foot before sunrise and the horse is too tired to carry them both. Angelus is ready to die fighting, a glorious end, but unfortunately Darla isn't. She punches him and as he falls quickly mounts the horse. She hopes he survives and offers that maybe they’ll meet again in Vienna, as she rides off leaving Angelus to fend for himself.
"Sorry about the dying, but if you try and escape, we will hit you." Wes and Cordy are waiting at the Hyperion Hotel, when Angel walks in with Darla and a suitcase in tow. She quickly lets them know that she's dying, so as to not get them into a frenzy about her possibly being a more permanent resident. Wes is intrigued and asks for an explanation from Angel, but Angel doesn't believe it because the information is coming from W&H. He sees it as another ruse by the law firm to make them fall into whatever evil plan they may have up their briefcase. Darla believes her diagnosis, thinking that her years of playing mind games has made her an expert in the I-know-a-trick-when-I-see-one department gives her enough credits to know when she's being played. Angel is determined to prove her wrong.
Angel kicks open Lindsey's apartment door and starts he may not be able to come in but Lindsey, who is has been drinking was expecting Angel and quietly asks him to ‘wipe his feet, you can come in’. Angel immediately slams Linsdey's head against the bar, and then lets go. Lindsey quickly assures him that Darla is indeed dying and shows him the medical files of countless exams done by a multiple of doctors.
"How long do you think it would be before she hunted you down and had you for breakfast?" Apparently, Lindsay didn't believe W&F either and he consulted even his own to ensure the validity of the firm's claims. Angel is finally facing the truth that Darla is suffering from a Syphilitic heart condition, which is far too advanced to cure. Lindsey is willing to do anything possible to save her, but Angel who can, will not. He challenges Angel to help her, the only way he can, but Angel is determined to find another way as he shoves the files into Lindsey's chest and takes off to find that cure.
Back at Angel Investigations headquarters, Darla sits in the courtyard waiting for Angel's return. As Cordy and Wesley walk into the lobby they find Angel staring at Darla through the tall glass doors. They take a look at Angel's face and they know it's true.
Angel goes to talk with Darla, while smelling the night blooming jasmine, she knows W&H wasn’t lying when she sees him. Darla tires to walk out and is frustrated because Angel will not help her. Angel still believes that W&H are playing him, and turning her is one of their goals. He refuses to play their game. Darla is desperate but Angel is adamant in his refusal. He assures Darla that they can find a way to cure her, but she simply gets more frustrated as Darla claims, "It's what I need." He argues that she doesn't know what she needs and she finally admits, "I don't know either." But Angel thinks about her words, and he realizes, she’s the only one that could know but she just needs a little help.
At the Karoke bar, Carita's, Darla is on stage serenading the audience with a bluesy torch song. As the Anagogic MC gets himself a drink, Angel is once again in a rush to find out the reading, but this time for Darla. The Anagogic admits, that they ‘may not be able to save this bird.’ They sit down to listen, but the MC is checking out the way Angel is looking at Darla. He doesn't understand why he wants to save her because he reasons Darla has had more time than most. But Angel counters that she’s never had a chance at a human life. Darla finishes her song and everyone claps appreciatively. The MC sees Angel’s determination and describes the only option as ‘a bit of a quest’, and very dangerous, to which Angel doesn't care. He writes down the address and adds as he gives it to Angel, "It's where we find out if you're really ready to take the plunge."
"Maybe he meant another pool." Angel and Darla walk up to an empty swimming pool. Angel quickly catches on that it’s a ‘whole leap of faith thing’. Darla cannot believe that he is doing as some green-faced-horned demon is asking him to do, this isn't the Angel she knew. But he wants to save her life and so he walks out onto the diving board and jumps into the empty pool. Darla expects Angel to crash into the cement but instead he falls through it with a flash of electric light.
Angel is transported to an underground room of what looks like a medieval castle. An assistant, a male Englishman dressed like a butler, welcomes Angel and Darla who as collateral is also transported inside. He begins to explain that Angel must complete three trials to save Darla’s life. However, if Angel does not succeed, both lives will be forfeited. The assistant invites Darla to the antechamber where she can wait as Angel gets ready for the first trial. e talking about?
Act III
The Trial, The Assistant explains further that the trials are three challenges that he must face unarmed and asks Angel to remove his shirt and shoes. Angel tries to pump the Assistant for information, but he's not very forthcoming with the last two, because he's never had a challenger survive past the first. Regarding the first one, he only states that when that gate opens, all Angel has to do is walk through it. Angel knows there's a catch but he's not telling. The Assistant disappears and the gate opens, through it walks a green warrior demon dressed in chain mail carrying long chains with hooks at the end as weapons along with a sword strapped to his back. Angel mutters, "You must be the catch." Angel and the demon begin their battle.
"Seventeen seconds, already twice the time most others have lost it." In the antechamber, the Assistant comments that Angel has lasted 17 seconds longer than anyone so far. Darla is beside herself with fear for Angel and she wants the Assistant to stop the trial, but it's impossible. So, Darla insists on seeing what is happening to Angel. The Assistant concedes and touches his finger to her forehead and she immediately gets to see Angel in battle.
Angel turns the battle around and manages to get his hands on the demon's sword and cut him in half. Defeated, the demon is lying in two pieces as Angel walks up to the gate, but it refuses to open. Behind him, the demon wakes and reattaches itself. No wonder the gate didn't open, he isn't officially dead yet. Angel realizes this as he turns around and sees the demon become whole again. The fight resumes and again the demon is cut in half, only this time, Angel ties one end with the chained hook against one corner wall and another at the other end of the room. Finally, a tired Angel can walk through the gate. The next challenge preys on Angel's vampire side. He must venture down a long hallway that is full of crosses wall to wall and upon the floor with a large chalice in the middle in order to pass to the next one.
The scenes flash back and forth again between the Trial room and the antechamber. Darla sees this as well, and knows. Angel's worst nightmare is before him. Darla is upset because the challenge seems impossible. The Assistant remarks, that ‘in this place, the journey is all. Where it may lead is not their concern.’ Angel can see the next door that leads to the last challenge and he starts to run. Barefoot, Angel's feet begin to burn, painfully. The hall is long and he falls, his chest, arms and hands burn at they touch of the crosses on floor. He quickly rises and reaches the door, but it's locked. He looks behind him at the chalice. Darla faces the realization as well, "Holy water!" Angel runs to it. In the holy water, the key to the door is resting at the bottom. Angel pauses a bit before he plunges in his hand. Smoke from his burning skin fills the air, and he screams out in pain but he obtains the key. He tries the key and it opens to the next and final challenge.
The Assistant looks at his watch again, and observes that he’s quite remarkable. Darla is thinking about his words, and agrees. Angel is almost done and Darla is closer to her cure. Angel walks through the door and into a room where the Assistant is there to congratulate him. Angel is suddenly surprised as his arms and legs are quickly shackled. He is spread eagle in front of a wall full of wooden stakes that can fly through the air at any moment. The final challenge is death. The Assistant explains that in order to keep a balance, one life must be forfeited for another. In other words, Angel must die in order to save Darla.
Act IV
The scenes continue to flash back and forth. The Assistant tries to persuade Angel that he can stop right now and walk out, he’s earned a choice. Angel refuses his offer. He then asks if the world ‘isn’t a better place with Angel in it, as he can save so many people and Darla can barely save herself.’ In the antechamber, Darla knows this is so true. It brings tears to her eyes as she knows Angel's choice is not easy. The Assistant steps aside and readies the stakes. Angel, in pain after his battles, stares at the stakes, willing to die so that Darla can have a chance at life as a human. Angel order the Assistant, "Do it!" Darla, tears are running down her face as she realizes what Angel is willing to give up for her. Angel's eyes are open as he faces the wall full of stakes as they charge forth flying through the air toward him.
Darla screams "Nooo!" she closes her eyes, but when she opens them Angel is standing before her fully dressed but still in pain from his physical ordeal. The trials are over. The Assistant calls Darla over so that she can be ‘made whole’, yet something seems to be wrong. He apologizes, and surmises that she was given life before, by supernatural means. The Assistant cannot help her because Darla is already living her second chance. The exit stairs appear. All is quiet as Angel knows his battles were in vain, and Angel's anger finally bursts open as he overturns a table, and fights off the demon guards. He ends his frustration by punching the cement wall with his bare fist over and over and over again, until slowly his anger is spent. Darla comes over to try to comfort him as he falls into a heap in defeat against the wall.
Both return to the Royal Viking Motel, Angel sits on a chair while Darla sits on her bed contemplating her situation. Angel thinks about turning her, believing perhaps because he has a soul that Darla would turn out to be different, but she refuses the option. She knows how Angel feels, and she cannot let him because she finally understands Angel's battle. Darla tries to make him feel better: "I felt how you care. A way no one's ever cared before not for me. That's all I need from you." Angel is struggling to understand Darla's fate, angry at the powers that would return a life only to crush it so quickly. Darla reasons that her second chance was probably given to her so that she could die, the way she was supposed to in the first place. He walks over to sit by her side and places his arm with his still burned hand over her shoulder. She begins to cry and they have a moment of comforting silence.
Suddenly, two men crash through the door and take a hold of Darla as she watches two more men take Angel down with an electric stun gun and tape his hands behind his back. Angel is weak from the night's fighting and can only struggle a bit against his attackers as Lindsey walks through the door. He grabs a handful of Angel's hair and yanks back his head and asks, "How did you think this would end?" Lindsey takes a look at Darla before he stands back to allow another person entry. Darla is stunned at the scene before her, especially when Drusilla, dressed in a long red gown walks through the door, and straight to her. The men keep a hold on Darla as Dru turns vamp face. Without a word, Dru holds Darla's neck as she takes a drink and Darla struggles helplessly as Angel sees that he's been defeated yet a second time this night. Once Dru feeds enough to slow Darla's heart, she places her on the bed and proceeds to draw a line of blood from her chest with her nail. She grasps a weak Darla once again and holds her against the blood. As Darla drinks, Dru meets Angel's gaze and Angel can only watch as Darla finally obtains what she has wanted all along: eternal life; and he realizes Darla was finally someone he couldn't save.
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