"Benediction"
Angel episode
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 21
Directed byTim Minear
Written byTim Minear
Production code3ADH21
Original air dateMay 13, 2002 (2002-05-13)
Guest appearances

"Benediction" is episode 21 of season 3 in the television show Angel.

Plot

The gang starts to plan a search for Angel, but it's unnecessary as he returns to the hotel. He informs them that he found Connor and they talked, but Angel's battle wounds tell a much more violent tale to his friends. He adds that Connor wants to be known as Steven and that he has an open invitation to come back. They worry about something other than Connor escaping from the portal before it was closed. Meanwhile, Connor gets a room at a motel for Holtz and himself.

Angel shows up in time to stake the vampire Connor followed and reminds his son that vampires are capable of being very quiet.

Connor shows up at the hotel and Lorne tries to escort him to Angel, but Connor refuses to go anywhere with a demon. Lorne has a hard time controlling himself when Connor insults him but Cordelia shows up in time to break it up. She sits Connor down and tries to explain that some demons are good, but when she confesses to being part-demon herself, Connor jumps on her and raises a knife threateningly. In response, Cordelia starts to glow white, enveloping Connor with the glow as well. The blade of his weapon dissolves and she comforts him as he suddenly breaks down into tears. Later, she reveals that she released the darkness and Quor-Toth from Connor.

While Connor runs to the motel, Angel parks his car and reads Holtz's words. The letter explains Holtz's need to let go of Connor because it is the best thing to do and Connor will hopefully appreciate it later in life. In the parking lot outside the hotel, Justine begs Holtz to change his mind, but he insists she goes through with what he wants. She uses an ice pick to stab him twice in the neck and he dies with his final word, "Steven." Connor finally reaches the motel, but instead of finding Holtz in the room, he finds him lying dead in Justine's lap, two puncture marks in his neck. With great confidence, Connor assumes, "Angelus."

Production details

Arc significance

  • Cordelia and Groosalugg's relationship takes a more noticeable downturn in this episode.
  • The possibility of Angel and Connor having a deeper connection/relationship is shown in this episode. But, as seen through the rest of this season and season 4, other people's agendas cause interference.
  • First appearance of Connor's super hearing is shown. This power is used other times in season 4.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer reference

In the nightclub, Lilah refers to vampires as 'undead Americans', echoing Buffy's words in Season Two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in which Buffy sarcastically asks Angel if 'vampire' was offensive, and if she should use the term 'undead American'.

Further reading

  • John Kenneth Muir. The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television (2nd edn), p. 67 (McFarland; 2008) ISBN 9780786437559
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