The Price

The dark spell Angel (David Boreanaz) cast to force Sahjhan to materialize (see "Forgiving") has unexpected repercussions at the Hotel Hyperion. A client who visits the premises soon perishes after becoming grotesquely dehydrated and downing inhuman amounts of liquid. It turns out he's been infected by slug-like interdimensional parasites who impel their hosts to drink, drink, drink. When the incandescent little slitherers blanket the hotel, it's up to the gang to contain the contagion before all of Los Angeles becomes infected. As usual, it's Fred (Amy Acker) who falls prey to the monsters, leading boyfriend Gunn (J. August Richards) to make a difficult decision to save her. He enlists the help of the alienated Wesley (Alexis Denisof), who advises Gunn to cure Fred by simply feeding her a good, stiff, dehydrating drink of alcohol. Continuing to manifest new powers as a result of her half-demon transformation, Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) helps vanquish the slugs for good. Just then, another threat arrives through the vestigial interdimensional portal -- a teenaged warrior known as The Destroyer (Vincent Kartheiser) who calls Angel by an unexpected name: "Dad." Originally broadcast April 29, 2002, on the WB network, "The Price" marked season three, episode 19 of the supernatural comedy drama.