All the hype surrounding today's show was definitely leading up to the big showdown between Angel and Buffy. In this episode, Angel sole goal is to do whatever he can to awaken Acathla. If Acathla awakes, it will create a vortex which will unleash hell on earth. The first time that Angel performs the ritual to stir Acathla from his sleep, he believes that he has done everything correctly, spoken the correct words, smearing his hand with blood, but when he attempts to pull the sword from Acathla's heart, he is unsuccessful, it won't budge. If the sword can not be pulled out, Acathla cannot awaken. Angel knows that the only person who can help him is Giles, so he sets a trap for Buffy that allows him to capture Giles and bring him back to the mansion where he and all of the other vamps are hiding out. He tortures Giles, trying to get the information out of him on how to correctly perform the ritual. But Giles won't help him out, he even throws in a little British humor today! It is Drusilla who is able to drag the truth from Giles lips, though only through an illusion. Angel now knows that the blood on his hand must be his own for the ritual to work. As he begins the ritual once more, Buffy shows up in an attempt to not only stop him, but kill him. Well, this is where the showdown we have all been waiting for occurs. It seems in the beginning as if Angel has the upper hand, and Buffy will surely die. That changes in a matter of seconds. One moment Buffy has the edge of Angel's sword against her throat, and in the next moment the tables have turned completely. It now seems that Angel will be the one to die, but before Buffy has a chance to kill him, his soul is returned to him (Willow had been working on it while she was at the hospital) Please, please, don't get too choked up over Angel's return, it is about to get a lot worse. The problem is, Angel had already pulled the sword from Acathla's chest, so the vortex to hell was already forming. The only way it can be closed is for Angel's blood to be shed. Angel at this point has no idea what is going on, his soul has returned, but he has no memory over the recent events. As they hold each other close, Buffy realizes that no matter how strong her undying love for Angel may be, only through the shedding of his blood can she save the world from being pulled into hell. As they kiss one last time, Buffy pulls away and without warning stabs Angel in the stomach with her sword. He looks up at her in pain and confusion, uncomprehending of what has happened. As we see Angel for the last time in this show, he is holding his hand out to Buffy as the vortex closes around him.

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This page was last updated on July 3rd 1998