Summary
Doyle must overcome his fears when the gang tries to protect a group of half-human demons from a vicious group of racist demons. The Scourge are a nazi-esque organization of "pure-blood" demons who are bent on destroying all half-bloods. Including Doyle and Angel.
Plot
Business isn’t doing well. Angel is too busy brooding in the aftermath of his stint as a human. Doyle tries to talk Angel out of his funk and discovers the truth about what happened the day that Buffy came to town. Doyle is stunned to realize that Angel had gotten the one thing he wanted more than anything (having a life with Buffy) and he gave it back for the sake of saving others. Angel tries to explain about sacrifice for the greater good.
Doyle fills Cordy in on his conversation with Angel. They agree that there shouldn’t be any secrets between the three of them. Doyle starts to tell her about his demon parentage but is interrupted by a vision. Doyle and Angel go to investigate the location Doyle saw in his vision and meet a clan of mixed blood human-demons in hiding. They think that Angel is “The Promised One” sent to save them from The Scourge. Doyle tells Angel that shortly after he discovered the truth about his father, a fellow Bracken Demon visited him. He asked Doyle to hide the remaining members of his clan from The Scourge, an army of full blood demons who want to exterminate any and all mixed blood demons. Doyle turned him away. Then he had his first vision. By the time he got to their hideout, all that was left were dead bodies.
Doyle and Cordy take charge of the getting the clan to a boat. One of the young men takes off and Doyle goes after him. While he’s gone, one of the demons reveals the truth of Doyle’s bloodlines to Cordelia. Doyle convinces the young demon to return to his family. On their way back, they are almost found by The Scourge. Angel appears and runs interference. He pretends to kill Doyle and asks to join their ranks.
Doyle and the young demon return to the others. Cordelia tells Doyle that she knows the truth and admonishes him for thinking she would care. Angel arrives to warn everyone that the troops are seconds away. They have a weapon called The Beacon that will incinerate creatures containing any human blood within a quarter of a mile. The Scourge arrive with their weapon and a battle ensues. Angel realizes that the only way to save everyone is to jump onto the beacon and unplug it. Unfortunately, this will kill the person who does it. Just as he’s about to jump, Doyle repeats the words Angel had spoken earlier about heroes. He then punches Angel and knocks him to the deck below. He kisses Cordelia goodbye and sacrifices himself, saving the others and leaving Cordelia and Angel to mourn.
Dialogue
Okay, we fade up on an aerial shot -- downtown, skyscrapers, lights, yadda yadda yadda. We hear a narrator -- preferably famous, maybe that bald Star Trek guy or one of the cheaper Baldwin brothers -- and he says, "It's a big, bad city out there." Cut to a woman walking down a dark, spooky street -- alone. We'll cast some beautiful, young actress --maybe an up-and-coming starlet whose career is on the verge of taking off. Anyway, she's all nervous, right? Mucho vulnerable. The voice guy says, "Danger lurks around every corner." She's attacked by big, ugly goon -- with a knife! She screams, "Help! Is there no one to help me?" "Well, now there's someone who'll answer your call. He'll protect you. Catch you when you fall. You can count on it.
Angel (in the commercial): "And you can count on me. Because I'm the Dark Avenger."
I'm the what?
I know a little something about self-promotion, and I'm telling you, one commercial like this could help get us out of the red... or the black... or whichever one means we're broke. 'Cuz that's us!
Advertising a super hero who can't really go in the daylight might raise vampire suspicions. Not to mention our pesky lack of an investigator's license.
And who needs a license when we have no clients?!
Angel is all wrong for this commercial! He's a larger than life character, way too Braveheart for Joe Couch Potato to relate to. We need someone who's average, run of the mill, ordinary...you're perfect.
Come over here into the light, and let's see if we can create some cheekbones.
Our boss is in a funk. You know that he's only happy when he's fighting evil. Let's drum some up!
I don't know what we need evil for when we've got you right here.
I heard that.
Angel Investigations is the best! Our rats are low...
Rates!
It says rats.
I don't know. I'm not getting Everyman. I'm getting . . . uh . . . weasel! We don't want weasel.
I don't know. I think people'll be pouring in once they hear about our low rats.
I feel kind of hopeless with him down there doing the nonprofit brooding. It's not like he has a heart. How can it be broken?
Maybe if we get him a costume!
A costume?
Well, the guy's a bona fide hero. Would it kill him to put on some tights and a cape and garner us a little free publicity?
I don't see Angel putting on tights...Oh, now I do and it's really disturbing.
Is this a private catharsis, or can anyone watch?
There's a girl upstairs who's not quite sad enough to cry in me arms, but keep up the dark cloud. I might get lucky.
All right, one of us has been drinking, and I'm sad to say it isn't me.
Buffy and I were together until we realized it couldn't be. We don't belong to ourselves. We belong in the world, fighting.
You had the one thing you've wanted in your unnaturally long life, and you gave it back?
Maybe I was wrong.
Or maybe Cordelia was right about you being the real deal in the hero department. See, I would have chosen the pleasures of the flesh over duty and honor any day of the week. I just don't have that strength.
You never know your strength until you're tested.
You've lived and loved and lost and fought and vanquished inside a day, and I'm still trying to work up the nerve to ask Cordy out for dinner.
The Oracles said something very bad is coming. Soldiers of darkness ushering in the End of Days kind of bad.
So much for the security of long-term savings bonds.
Well, if it's a fight they want...can't someone else give it to 'em?
Tell you what. You fight, and I'll keep score.
Angel started the day over knowing he'd remember everything that happened?
It's pretty amazing, huh?
Amazing he didn't check the stock quotes or the lotto numbers!
Whoever you saw just now...did it look like they could afford to pay?
These people are gonna need more than their mythic Promised One. A contractually obligated 500 might be a start.
Okay, mission statement check: Aren't we supposed to be battling the forces of darkness?
So we're booking them on a cruise?
Basically, yeah.
I'm guessing not Carnival.
This guy owes Angel money? Why aren't we collecting?!
Cordy. Oppressed demon people here. Not getting any safer.
So we're sending them on a cruise, and we're paying for it?
I could get into a hell of a lot of trouble doing this.
Not as much as if you don't.
Big Randy told you about me, right? What I am?
He told me you bit him.
Oh, I didn't bite him.
So you don't...
I wasn't hungry.
You're fast.
I'm walking. You're just old.
Well, it's not exactly the Love Boat, is it?
I though all Brakken demons had a good sense of direction.
Yeah, we're also pretty good at basketball, too.
I wanted to tell you. I was afraid. Thought if I did, you'd reject me.
I've rejected you way before now!
What do you think I am, superficial?! I mean, you're half demon. That is so far down the list -- way under short ... and poor.
Is there anything else I should know?
The half demon thing, pretty much my big secret.
Good. That's out. It's done. Would you ask me out for dinner already?
You lied to us, half-breed.
You catch on quick, football head.
Soon only the pure will be left standing.
Actually, Pure Boy, you'll be on your ass.
A good fight, yeah? You never know until you've been tested. I get that now.
Too bad we'll never know...if this is a face you could learn to love.
Doyle (on videotape): Is that it? Am I done?