Darla (Angel Episode) - Plot

Plot

As Angel sits alone drawing pictures of Darla, when Wesley appears in the doorway and expresses his concern that Angel has become obsessed. Angel brushes him off. Meanwhile Lindsey comes into a room to find Darla curled in a corner, bleeding, haunted by memories of her past.

In 1609 Virginia Colony, the human prostitute Darla lies in her deathbed, covered in sores from the syphilis that is killing her. She receives a visit from the Master, who takes her life and makes her a vampire.

Back in the present, Angel is trying to locate Darla, over the objections of the group, who suggest Wolfram and Hart may just be trying to keep him distracted. Gunn suggests that they probably have connections to the place where she`s staying, and Angel gives criteria for the kind of place she would want to live. They go off to check into it.

In 1760 Darla brings Angelus before the Master, bragging about her wonderful new creation. Angelus is less impressed, and his disrespect gets him beaten up. Nevertheless, Darla chooses Angelus over the Master, and goes with him. In 1880, while strolling the streets of London, Angelus, Darla, and Drusilla bump into a man named William, later known as Spike. In need of companionship, Drusilla makes him into a vampire.

The team at Angel investigations has found a likely location for Darla`s new home, and Cordelia confirms it by playing a sob story for a clerk. Angel starts to rush off, but Wesley stops him, saying that he and Gunn will look into the situation and they`ll make any decisions later as a group. Angel starts to object until Cordelia points out that it`s one in the afternoon, and the area doesn't have good sun cover. Meanwhile Darla receives another visit from Lindsey. She is visibly upset, shaken by her memories and disturbed by the experience of having a soul and being human again. She expresses confusion about who she is now, then asks Lindsey why he hasn't kissed her - he obviously wants to. He said he didn't know what she wanted, and she asks why he should care; she never considered anyone else.

In 1898 Darla threatens a Gypsy, wanting him to revoke the curse on Angelus in exchange for not killing his family. Unfortunately before he can answer Spike emerges from the caravan, having already slaughtered his wife and daughter. Frustrated, Darla snaps the man`s neck.

Angel looks at pictures of the room where Darla was staying. All the reflective surfaces are smashed, but there is no sign of forced entry - or wasn't until Gunn and Wesley broke in. Angel says she is feeling the weight of her soul. Cordelia points out that Angel doesn't run around smashing mirrors, and he answers that he doesn't have to face himself in them. He insists they have to help her, brushing off Cordelia when she tries to hand him the phone until she tells him it`s Darla on the other end. Darla asks him to help, and tells Lindsey that Angel is the only one who can do anything for her. When a security guard tries to stop her from leaving, a shot is heard, and he falls. A later discussion between Lindsay and Holland indicates the guard is dead, and that Darla has been caught. Lindsey is told he is off the project. Angel leaves to go find Darla and help her. Wesley tries to warn him to be careful, telling him he should know what Darla was. Angel corrects him, saying it was what they both were - and that having been through it, he might be able to help her. When Wesley reminds him that he went over a century without seeking redemption, Angel replies that he sought Darla instead.

During the Boxer Rebellion in China, Angel tracks down Darla, and - despite being cursed with a soul - asks her for a second chance to rule at her side.

Angel attacks Lindsey in a parking garage. Lindsey tells him Darla is in trouble, that they plan to kill her. Angel promises to come back and kill him if he`s lying.

Angel, back in the Boxer Rebellion, comes upon a terrified family and distracts his companions from them. Drusilla tells them that Spike has killed his first Slayer. Angel tries to act excited, but drops the act when Drusilla fixates on the alley where he left the family and instead tries to convince the others to leave. Angel returns to Darla after going out to feed on animals. She tells him she noticed that he only killed the guilty in the riots, and demands he prove he's truly evil. She says she went back and killed the family in the alleyway, but kept their baby, which she wants him to kill.

Darla sits up suddenly, staring in fear at three people in white with guns as Angel`s car appears behind her. She is thrown aside, and after defeating the three men, Angel runs to her. In the lobby of Wolfram and Hart, Lindsey sees the supposedly murdered guard very much alive. He talks to Holland, accusing him of playing him. Holland says they had to make the crisis real. Lindsey speaks derisively of the idea that Angel would achieve his moment of perfect happiness with Darla under the circumstances, but Holland tells him he doesn't understand the plan - that they expect Angel to save her soul.

Darla wakes up, and whispers "Angelus" when she sees Angel. Cordelia corrects her. She says she's lucky to have someone who understands - something Angel never had. She wants him to turn her back, saying she can't bear to feel her own heartbeat. Angel tells her it's a gift to be human, but she disagrees, and demands he "return the favour" for turning him into a vampire. Angel backs away, stunned that she still considers what she did to him a gift. When she instead tries to convince him to turn her as revenge, he refuses.

Looking down at the baby, Angel confesses he can't pretend to be who he's not. She says she's disgusted with him. He takes the baby and jumps through a window.

Darla runs out of the office, telling Angel not to look for her again, mirroring the words of a century ago.