Epiphany

Angel (David Boreanaz) awakens from his night of passion with Darla (Julie Benz), seemingly in the throes of losing his soul. But as it turns out, the hollow debauchery bought him not true happiness and subsequent damnation, but instead an epiphany about the dark course he has been following. Grievously offended, Darla tries to kill him, but he easily defeats her and gives her the option of disappearing forever or dying immediately. Angel then rushes to the home of Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm), who had called him the previous evening just before attempting suicide. He saves her, and later they share a friendly conversation in which they set aside their past differences. Kate professes belief in a higher power, pointing out that Angel was able to come into her home and save her even though she never invited him in. Angel also shares some of his new insights with the Host (Andy Hallett). The horned lounge proprietor advises Angel to patch things up with his former employees, especially since they're all in grave danger. It seems that Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) has been apprehended by a group of Skilosh demons -- the monsters whose egg-laying recently caused one of the team's clients to sprout a third eye (see "The Thin Dead Line"). They implant one of their young in Cordy's head and wait for it to hatch and destroy her. Meanwhile, Angel arrives at the home of Wesley (Alexis Denisof), who, injured and stuck in a wheelchair, is about to get stomped by additional Skilosh demons. After dispatching the monsters, the pair call a truce, grab Gunn (J. August Richards), and head off to save Cordy. They're tailed by Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane), who is enraged at Angel for cutting off his hand (see "To Shanshu in L.A."), and, more recently, sleeping with his beloved Darla and not turning evil. After getting his butt kicked, Angel turns the table on Lindsey and then rushes off to save Cordy, as well as the newly captured Gunn and Wes. Angel asks his friends if he can come to work for them; they agree, but all is not forgiven. Originally broadcast February 27, 2001, on the WB network, "Epiphany" marked season two, episode 16 of the supernatural comedy drama.