Conviction

Angel (David Boreanaz) comes to terms with his new duties as CEO of demonic law firm Wolfram & Hart in the fifth-season opener of Angel. As the vampire-with-a-soul struggles to employ his new firm's vast resources to help the helpless, he comes up against a corrupt client (Rodney Rowland), who resorts to blackmail and terrorism in order to ensure Wolfram & Hart's continued support of his criminal enterprises. As the conflict heads to a courtroom showdown, Gunn (J. August Richards) shows up to reveal exactly what Wolfram & Hart's mysterious senior partners gave him in exchange for joining its team. Back at the office, Fred (Amy Acker), Wesley (Alexis Denisof), and Lorne (Andy Hallett) adjust to faces both new and old: ditzy Sunnydale vampire Harmony (Mercedes McNab) turns up in the Wolfram & Hart steno pool only for Wes to anoint her as Angel's new secretary. The beautiful but smarmy Eve (Sarah Thompson) introduces herself as the team's new liaison with the senior partners. And, just before the credits roll, a ghostly Spike (James Marsters) emerges from a mysterious amulet, leaving Angel and his allies completely stunned. Originally broadcast October 1, 2003, on the WB network, "Conviction" marked the first installment of the supernatural soap opera since parent series Buffy the Vampire Slayer went off the air. As of this episode, previous cast regulars Charisma Carpenter and Vincent Kartheiser are gone, replaced by Buffy transplant Marsters.