Original subtitles

JENNY: The curse. If Angel achieved true happiness,

even just a moment...

(thunder crashes)

Aah

...he would lose his soul.

Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

(shrieks) (chortles)

BUFFY: This is it--

the curse. What are you saying?

WILLOW: I may be able to work this.

BUFFY: Willow cured him,

and...and somehow, he came back.

GILES: You must have known it was wrong, seeing Angel,

or you wouldn't have hidden it from all of us.

I just wanted to wait.

For Angel to go psycho again the next time

you give him a happy?

(indistinct chatter)

*

(carriage bells jingling)

* ...All is calm *

* All is bright

* Round yon virgin

* Mother and child... Oh! Now, watch it, son.

ANGEL (Irish accent): Why, Daniel...

where were you going? You...

you're not human.

Not of late, no.

(whimpering): Wh... what do you want?

Well, it happens that I'm hungry, Daniel,

and seeing as that you're somewhat in me debt...

Please, I can't.

A man playing at cards

should have a natural intelligence

or a great deal of money,

and you're sadly lacking in both.

(snarls)

So I take me winnings me own way.

The Lord is my shepherd.

I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...

Daniel, be of good cheer.

(whimpers)

It's Christmas.

(gasping)

WEATHERMAN: It's going to be sunny and warm,

with temperatures continuing in the high 70s

throughout the holiday weekend.

* Remember Christ our Savior *

* Was born on Christmas Day

SANTA: Merry Christmas! * To save us all from Satan's power *

* When we were gone astray Merry Christmas.

* Oh, tidings of comfort and joy... *

Hi.

Angel.

So, are you shopping?

You're probably not shopping.

I couldn't sleep.

Vampires probably not

that big on Christmas, now that I think about it.

Not as a rule,

no.

But you're good?

I'm-I'm all right. You?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm good.

I, um, was just getting some

Christmas gifts for the gang.

Um, I'd better go before the magic store closes.

Angel?

What is it?

(wolf howling)

*

(school bell ringing)

(indistinct chatter)

And then he just bailed.

He didn't say anything. He just took off.

It was so weird.

Angel? Weird?

What are the odds?

Do you think something's wrong?

Maybe you should tell Giles.

No. I don't want to bug Giles.

He's still kind of twitchy

when it comes to the subject of Angel.

Well, it must be that whole

"Angel killed his girlfriend and tortured him" thing.

Giles is pretty petty

when it comes to stuff like that.

Xander, enough, okay?

Maybe Angel just has the holiday blues.

Everybody gets them,

especially when they're alone.

It's just so frustrating.

I'm trying to do the right thing

and stay away from him

and get over it,

and then boom, there he is.

I just want a nice, quiet Christmas vacation.

XANDER: So, you doing anything special?

BUFFY: Tree. Nog. Roast beast.

Just me and Mom

and hopefully an excess of gifts.

What are you doing for Christmas?

Being Jewish. Remember, people?

Not everybody worships Santa.

I just meant for vacation.

Nothing fun.

Oz and I had planned...

but I guess that's off.

Well, I'll be enjoying

my annual Christmas Eve campout.

See, I take my sleeping bag outside

and I go to sleep on the grass.

BUFFY: Sounds fun.

Yeah, I like to look at the stars, you know?

Feel the whole nature vibe.

CORDELIA: I thought you slept outside

to avoid your family's drunken Christmas fights.

Yes, and that was a confidence

I was hoping you would share with everyone.

Well, I'll be in Aspen,

skiing,

with actual snow.

I hear that helps.

It must be a drag to be stuck here in Sweatydale,

but I'm thinking of you.

Okay, I'm done.

She certainly has reverted to form. WILLOW: It's not her fault.

After what happened,

we gotta cut her some slack.

That's the Christmas spirit.

Hello, still Jewish.

Chanukah spirit, I believe that was?

Anyway, forgiveness is pretty much

a big theme with me this year,

'cause of the...

Hey.

Hey

OZ: Okay.

The thing is...

Seeing you with Xander, it was...

Well, I never felt that way before

when there wasn't a full moon,

but I know you guys have a history.

But it's a history that's in the past.

Well, I-I guess most history is in the past.

But it's over.

Well, I don't know.

I don't know that it ever will be,

between you two.

Oz, please believe me.

This is what I do know.

I miss you.

Like, every second.

It's like I lost an arm.

Or worse, a-a torso.

So...

I think I'd be willing to...

give it a shot.

Really?

Yeah.

Do you want us to... to hug now?

Yeah, I'm good for that.

("Joy to the World" plays over tinny speakers)

WOMAN: Take the other one, then.

Do you want to get one with snow on it?

It'd be very Christmasy.

I think those are just for display.

Oh. You know, honey, I was thinking

maybe we should invite Faith

to spend Christmas Eve with us.

I don't know.

Faith and I don't really hang out

or talk or make eye contact lately.

Do you really want to let her spend Christmas Eve

all by herself in that dingy little motel room?

You're still number one with a guilt trip, Mom.

I try.

I'll ask her.

You're a doll.

What about Giles? I mean, he doesn't have any fam...

No, I'm sure he's fine.

We could at least ask him and see...

He doesn't want to spend Christmas Eve

with a bunch of girls.

Let's split up.

(exhales)

*

Bunch of them up and died on us.

Don't know why.

If you want one,

I can make you a hell of a deal.

No, thank you.

JOYCE: Oh, honey, this one's perfect.

(men chanting)

(gasping)

Merry Christmas... (knock at door)

Happy New Year... Yeah?

MAN: God bless us, every... Hey, what's up?

Work, damn it!

Hey

What's going on?

Scary monsters?

Nope.

We're having Christmas Eve dinner at my house,

and I thought that, um,

if you didn't have plans...

Your mom sent you down, huh?

No.

Well, thanks, but I got plans.

There's this big party

I've been invited to.

It should be a blast.

Okay. Cool.

But if you change your mind, the offer...

That's nice of you.

Thanks.

But I got... I got that big party

that I've been invited to, so...

I like the lights.

Yeah. Well, 'tis the season,

whatever that means.

(knocking at door)

Just a minute.

Hello.

Um...

I'm sorry to bother you.

(exhales)

(laughs)

Sorry. Sorry, coming from you,

that phrase strikes me as rather funny.

Sorry to bother me.

I need your help.

And the funny keeps on coming.

I understand I have no right to ask for it,

but there's no one else.

All right.

I-I can't come in unless you invite me.

I'm aware of that.

Come in.

I've been seeing...

I've... I've had dreams, lately,

about the past.

It's... It's like I'm living it again.

It's so vivid, I...

I need to know.

I need to know why I'm here.

Here?

Back on Earth?

I should be in a demon dimension

suffering an eternity of torture.

I don't feel particularly inclined to argue with that.

But I'm not.

I was freed,

and I don't understand why.

Knowing why you were back would give you peace of mind?

It might.

Do you think that's something you ought to have?

Because, sir, to be blunt,

the last time you became complacent about your existence

turned out rather badly.

What? ANGEL: There...

Don't you see her?

Who?

I... I can't!

*

(indistinct conversation)

(elegant music playing)

MAN: Well, um, it's nice to be back in London.

(laughter)

Sir, please, I-I should return to the party.

Margaret, Margaret, there's no hurry.

Mistress will be wondering...

Shh. Mistress will be wondering how to get

the good Reverend Chalmers into bed

and will not notice the absence of canapés.

Ah. Stay with me.

Sir, people might talk.

I'll be put out in the streets.

My little boy would...

I can't lose this job.

Ah Then you best keep quiet.

You're hurting me.

Oh. Cry out. Call for help.

I'm sure mistress will believe

your behavior beyond reproach.

Please

Come, make a scene, huh?

Shall I?

No. No.

No, no.

We'll be as quiet as mice.

No matter what.

Sir...

My son!

Oh, he'll make a fine dessert, huh?

Oh... (snarls)

(gasping)

(gasps)

(owl hooting)

Trouble sleeping?

You're not here.

I'm always here.

Leave me alone.

I can't.

You won't let me.

What do you want?

I want to die in bed

surrounded by fat grandchildren,

but guess that's off the menu.

I'm sorry.

You're sorry?

For me?

Don't bother. I'm dead.

I'm over it.

If you want to feel sorry for someone,

you should feel sorry for yourself.

Oh, but I guess you've already got that covered.

I am sorry...

for what I've done.

What else can I say to you?

I don't want to make you feel bad.

I just want to show you who you are.

GILES: You had a dream about Angel.

I was in Angel's dream.

I'm not sure... Giles, there was stuff in this dream

that I couldn't possibly know about.

It was Angel's past.

He was dreaming it, and somehow I got sucked in.

There's something wrong with him.

I know.

I've seen him.

He wanted to know why he was back.

Is there a way for us to find that out?

Uh... possibly.

I've-I've been looking.

Well, let me look, too.

I'm not seeing him anymore.

I'm trying to put all this behind me,

and I'm not gonna be able to as long as we're both

doing guest spots in each other's dreams.

So we'll help him?

Yes.

Where do we start?

Look, I'm aware I haven't been the mostest best friend to you

when it comes to the whole Angel thing,

and, um... I don't know.

Maybe I finally got the Chanukah spirit.

Well, we start, unsurprisingly, with research.

Uh, Xander, um... the Black Chronicles.

And, uh, Buffy,

the diary of Lucious Temple,

an acolyte of Acathla, an expert on demons.

You can skip the passages on his garden,

unless you're keen on growing heartier beets.

Are you sure this is how

you want to spend your Christmas vacation?

Yeah, this is actually the most exciting thing

I've got planned.

Who else can claim that pathetic a social life?

Hey, guys. What are we doing?

*

He's gonna come over on Christmas Eve,

'cause my parents are out of town.

We're gonna watch videos.

That's good, right?

You guys are back.

It's good.

It's perfect,

in an awkward, uncomfortable sort of way.

I just don't know how to make Oz trust me.

Xander has a piece of you

that Oz just can't touch.

I guess now it's just about showing Oz

that he comes first.

I guess.

Thanks.

Hey, he likes beets.

I read that one already.

(sighs) We're not getting any closer.

(gasping, shuddering)

MAN: The thing I remember most

was thinking how artful it was.

In the dark,

they looked just like they were sleeping.

It wasn't until I bent down and kissed them good night

that I felt how... cold they were.

You grabbed me, and I thought,

who would go to so much trouble

to arrange them like that?

But you see,

that's what makes you different than other beasts.

They kill to feed,

but you took more kinds of pleasure in it

than any creature that walks or crawls.

Oh, God.

Yeah, cry out.

Oh...

Make a scene.

I was to be married that week,

but then, as I recall,

you knew that.

That wasn't me.

It wasn't you?

A demon isn't a man.

I was a man, once.

Oh, yes,

and what a man you were.

(singing, whooping, laughing)

A drunken, whoring layabout,

and a terrible disappointment to your parents.

I was young.

I never had a chance to...

To die of syphilis?

You were a worthless being

before you were ever a monster.

Just stop it!

Stop.

(sobbing)

I don't want to hurt you, Angel,

but you have to understand.

Cruelty's the only thing

you ever had a true talent for.

That's not true.

Shh. Rest.

Rest.

You mistake it for a curse, Angel,

but it's not.

It's your destiny.

I'll show you.

I'll show you.

*

*

*

*

(Buffy gasps)

(gasping)

You want her?

No.

Take her.

Take what you want.

Pour all that frustration

and all that guilt into her,

and you'll be free.

No.

You can't live for eternity with all that pain.

This is what you are.

This is why we brought you back.

Take her.

And then you'll be ready...

to kill her.

Here, Buffy.

Take a look.

These letters contain references

to an ancient power known as the First.

First what?

Evil. Absolute evil,

older than man, than demons.

It could have had the power to bring Angel back.

These guys...

I-I saw them

in my dream.

I fell asleep up there.

You had another dream? With Angel?

What happened?

Oh, we don't need to get sidetracked.

Who are these guys?

Um, they're known as the, uh...

as the Bringers or Harbingers.

They're high priests of the First.

They, uh, they can conjure spirit manifestations

and set them on people--

influence them, haunt them.

These are the guys working the mojo on Angel.

XANDER We gotta stop them.

Y-You can't fight the First, Buffy.

It's not a... a physical being.

Well, I-I can fight these priest guys.

If we can find 'em.

(music playing low)

WILLY: Hey.

It's the slayer.

What brings the, uh, slayer down here?

(low growling)

Hey, Willy, how you been?

Keeping out of trouble,

as God is my witness.

So what can I do for you?

Couple of drinks?

Yeah. Let me get a double shot of, um...

of information, pal.

BUFFY: Three priests. They call themselves...

XANDER: The Bringers.

Bringers, Harbingers.

They have a "no eyes" kind of look.

Doesn't ring a bell.

How about I ring that bell for you?

Does the threatening come now?

Maybe you shouldn't help.

They would've come to town recently.

They'd be holed up somewhere,

summoning the spirit of the First.

Well, I heard a few things,

you know, from the underground.

The underground? Yeah, you know.

From things that live under the ground.

Apparently, there's been a lot of migration out of Sunnydale

from the lower inhabitants.

Something's scaring them off,

and these are things that are not easily scared.

Could be your priest guys are underground.

Underground where?

I do not know.

Okay.

Thanks.

See you around.

Hey. You did great, by the way.

I was very intimidated by you.

Really?

Thanks. Let's go.

Hey, kid?

Merry Christmas.

Man, is it hot.

It was so nice and cool in there.

Yeah, a nice cool waste of time.

We know underground. That's a start.

Sure, in a town with 14 million square miles of sewer.

Plus a lot of natural cave formations

and a gateway to hell.

Yeah, this does resemble square one.

I don't know what to do.

I think right now the best plan is

to deck the halls with boughs of holly.

Look, we'll catch the bad guys,

sooner or later.

(soft, romantic music playing)

Willow?

I got videos.

WILLOW: Hi.

Why don't you come s-sit down?

* I've heard people say that *

* Too much of anything is not good for you, baby *

You ever have that dream where you're in a play,

and it's the middle of the play,

and you really don't know your lines,

and you kind of don't know the plot?

Well, we're alone,

and we're together.

I just wanted it to be special.

Well, how special we talking?

Well, you know, we're alone,

and we're both mature younger people,

and-and so...

* My darling

...we could...

I-I'm ready to...

w-with you.

We could do that thing.

* I don't know why

* I can't get enough of your love, babe *

Where are you going?

No, I'm not going.

Just a dramatic gesture.

That's-that's pretty special.

Oz, I...

I want to be with you.

First.

I think we should sit down again.

* Oh, no, babe

* Tell me

Oz?

* What am I gonna do?

I-I'm ready.

Okay. Well, don't take this the wrong way...

but... I'm not.

Are you scared?

'Cause I thought you had... No, I...

I have.

But this is different.

I mean, you look great, you know.

And-and you got the Barry working for you,

and-and it's all...

good.

But when it happens...

I want it to be because we both need it to,

for the same reason.

You don't have to prove anything to me.

I just wanted you to know.

I know.

I get the message.

* More than I can stand

* Oh, well, babe *

* How can I explain...

("Hark the Herald Angels Sing" playing quietly)

There we go.

Nothing like a roaring fire

to keep away the blistering heat.

Oh, come on. It's lovely.

Maybe I should turn the air conditioning on.

So, Angel's on top again?

What?

Angel or star?

Oh, uh... star.

Star.

(doorbell rings)

Hey.

Hi.

Uh, looked like that whole party thing

was gonna be kind of a drag.

I didn't really have anything...

you know.

I'm glad you came.

Uh... here.

Why don't you come in

from the entire lack of cold?

Mm.

Uh, that one is for your mom.

They're pretty crappy.

Faith, you made it.

Oh, that is so thoughtful.

They're crappy.

BUFFY: You know,

I'm gonna go upstairs

and get your gifts. Excuse me.

Uh, would you like some nog?

Okay, Mom, don't touch yours, though,

'cause then you're gonna know what it is.

Angel.

(exhales)

Buffy.

What is it?

(clears throat)

I gotta... I...

Look, I, uh, I had to see you, um...

I don't know, I...

You shouldn't be...

Just tell me what's going on.

She wants you to touch her.

What are you waiting for?

You have to stay away from me.

BUFFY: You came to see me

to tell me that I can't see you?

Angel, something

is doing this to you.

You just have to control it, okay?

I-I know that you're confused...

I think you're the one who's confused.

I think you need to...

She wants you to taste her.

Think of the peace.

You'll never have

to see us again.

Angel, how can I help you?

Leave me alone!

BUFFY: I just need you to stay with Mom

in case he comes back.

Yeah, I'll play watchdog.

I don't really get it, though.

I'll explain later.

Everything. I promise.

Watch your back.

Giles, we have to do something.

Soon. Now.

I'm still not sure what.

Find me these priest guys.

Find me something I can pummel.

Let's not lose our heads.

Giles, he's slipping.

I think we're losing him.

Look...

You realize, if he...

truly becomes a danger,

you may have to kill him.

Again.

Can you do that?

I can't do it.

You have to do it.

What else are you good for? Get away from me.

Huh? Couldn't you just... feel her?

Couldn't you almost smell her skin?

You never were a fighter, Angel.

Don't start trying now.

Sooner or later, you will drink her.

I'll never hurt her.

You were born to hurt her. Have you learned nothing?

As long as you are alive...

Then I'll die.

You don't have the strength to kill yourself.

I don't need strength.

I just need the sun to rise.

You're not supposed to die. This isn't the plan.

But it'll do.

"A child shall be born of man and goat

"and have two heads,

and the first shall speak only in riddles..."

No wonder you like this stuff.

It's like reading the sun.

Yes. Ah.

Priests?

Um... yes, but, uh,

more posturing, I'm afraid.

Um..."For they are the Harbingers of Death.

"Nothing shall grow above or below them.

No seed shall flower, neither in man nor..."

They're rebels and they'll never, ever be any good.

Nothing specific about their haunts.

Let me see that.

"The Harbingers of Death.

Nothing shall grow above or below."

What?

*

(grunting)

(indistinct chanting)

All right,

ten more minutes of chanting,

and then you guys

have to go to bed.

(grunting)

Hmm. I'm impressed.

You won't get Angel.

Hmm, you think you can fight me?

I'm not a demon, little girl.

I am something that you can't even conceive.

The first evil.

Beyond sin,

beyond death.

I am the thing that darkness fears.

You'll never see me, but I am everywhere.

Every being,

every thought,

every drop of hate.

All right, I get it. You're evil.

Do we have to chat about it all day?

Angel will be dead by sunrise.

Your Christmas

will be his wake.

No.

You have no idea what you're dealing with.

Let me guess.

Is it... evil?

Dead by sunrise!

Angel!

(grunts)

Angel?

I bet half the kids down there are already awake.

Lying in their beds.

Sneaking downstairs.

Waiting for day.

Angel, please.

I need you to get inside.

There's only a few minutes left.

I know.

I can smell the sunrise long before it comes.

I don't have time to explain this.

You just have to trust me.

That thing that was haunting you--

It wasn't haunting me.

It was showing me.

Showing you?

What I am. Were.

And ever shall be.

I wanted to know why I was back.

Now I do.

You don't know.

Some great evil takes credit

for bringing you back and you buy it?

You just give up?

I can't do it again, Buffy.

I can't become a killer.

Then fight it.

It's too hard. Mm-mm.

Angel, please, you have to get inside.

It told me to kill you.

You were in the dream. You know.

It told me to lose my soul in you and become a monster again.

I know what it told you. What does it matter?

Because I wanted to!

Because I want you so badly.

I want to take comfort in you,

and I know it'll cost me my soul,

and a part of me doesn't care.

Look, I'm weak.

I've never been anything else.

It's not the demon in me that needs killing, Buffy.

It's the man.

You're weak.

Everybody is.

Everybody fails.

Maybe this evil did bring you back,

but if it did, it's because it needs you.

And that means that you can hurt it.

Angel,

you have the power to do real good,

to make amends.

But if you die now, then all

that you ever were was a monster.

Angel, please, the sun is coming up.

Just go. I won't.

Do you think this is simple?

You think there's an easy answer?

You can never understand what I've done.

Now go.

You are not staying here. I won't let you! I said leave!

Oh, my god.

No! No!

Am I a thing worth saving, huh?

Am I a righteous man?

The world wants me gone.

What about me?

I love you so much.

And I tried to make you go away.

I killed you

and it didn't help.

And I hate it!

I hate that it's so hard.

And that you can hurt me so much.

I know everything

that you did, because you did it to me.

Oh, god.

I wish that I wished you dead.

I don't.

I can't.

Buffy, please.

Just this once.

Let me be strong.

Strong is fighting.

It's hard and it's painful,

and it's every day.

It's what we have to do.

And we can do it together.

But if you're too much of a coward for that,

then burn.

If I can't convince you

that you belong in this world,

then I don't know what can.

But do not expect me to watch.

And don't expect me to mourn for you, because--

*

*

TV WEATHERMAN: And while most of Southern California

is enjoying a balmy Christmas,

an extreme cold front has sprung up out of nowhere

around Sunnydale, where they are reporting heavy snowfall

for the first time in, well, ever.

Sunnydale residents shouldn't expect

to see the sun at all today.

That cold front isn't going anywhere.

With temperatures in the high 30s,

means you better bundle up if you're planning to go outside

and enjoy the change in the weather...

*

Grr. Argh.