Provider

Provider is episode 12 of season 3 of the television show Angel, and is the 56th episode overall. Written by Scott Murphy and directed by Bill L. Norton, it was originally broadcast on January 21, 2002 on the WB network.

Angel is now looking for money to raise, feed and educate his son. Angel Investigations begins to advertise. Fred builds the Angel Investigations website while Gunn distributes fliers all over LA. Angel Investigations now has more cases than they can handle. Three of these cases turn out to be scams and end badly for the team. Angel apologizes for getting carried away with the need to make money. He now understands that family and the mission are more important.

Synopsis
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Now that Angel is a father, he is much more concerned about making money than he was before. He pushes the team to develop Angel Investigations into a profitable business. Fred designs and launches a website, while Gunn posts flyers all over town. Cordelia reminds Angel that he and the rest of the AI team work for the Powers That Be and asks him not to forget the mission. Soon the phones begin to ring.

At Holt'z hideout, Holtz is scolding Justine, who has disobeyed one of his orders. Her hand is pierced by an awl and fastened to a table. She could remove it at any time, but Holtz would take that as proof that she was not committed to his cause.

The lobby of the Hyperion Hotel is full of Angel Investigations clients, both human and demon. Lorne uses his special skills to communicate with various non-humans. A group of Nahdrah Demons wants to hire Wesley. Gunn takes Allison, a human client who is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend. to a private office to discuss her case. She says her ex-boyfriend is dead. Cordelia answers the phone.

The Nahdrah Demons meet Wesley. They want him to solve a puzzle for them. Fred comments on the geometric shapes on the demons' tunics. The demons excuse themselves to consult with their prince.

Angel visits Harlan Elster, a businessman, in his office. Elster wants him to clean out a vampire nest. He says the vampires are extorting money from him. Angel leaves. Another man enters from a back office, who turns out to be the real Harlan Elster. The man who talked to Angel is an impostor.

Holtz returns to find Justine still there. He removes the awl, freeing her hand. He tells her to find others with the same rage and commitment as herself. She bandages her hand and punches him in the jaw.

At the Hyperion Hotel, Lorne returns from a consulation with his Gaw-wawk snitch. He says Holtz is no longer using Grappler demons, but looking for humans instead.

The Nahdrah Demons come in. Lorne says they now wish to hire Fred instead of Wesley. They off $50,000, which Angel accepts with enthusiasm.

Wesley and Gunn are at Allison's house to protect her. Brian, who is a zombie, tries to break in but Wesley and Gunn beat him back.

Lorne and Fred go to a houseboat the marina, where the prince of the Nahdrah Demons is staying. Fred gets to work on the puzzle.

Angel invades the vampire next he is hired to clean out. After killing three vampires, he looks for Harlan Elster. He learns that the man who hired him was an impostor and the check he received was no good. As Angel is leaving, he learns from an off-hand remark by the real Harlan Elster that there might be a treasure in the vampire lair.

At the houseboat, Fred makes progress toward solving the puzzle. Lorne leaves to visit a restroom. He accidentally overhears the prince and his minions. He learns that they intend to cut off Fred's head, once she has solved the puzzle, and sew it on the prince's shoulders.

Cordelia is attending to Connor at the Hyperion Hotel.

Angel returns to the vampire lair he just cleaned out. The man who fraudulently hired him shows up and picks up a watch, which Angel takes from him. It turns out the watch has only sentimental value. Angel also learns there were seven vampires in the lair; since he only killed three, there are still four to deal with.

At the Hyperion Hotel, Cordelia is about to lock the $50,000 that the Nahdrah Demons paid in a safe, when she has a vision. She learns what the demons intend to do to Fred.

At Allison's house, Brian gets in through the kitchen skylight. Allison, Wesley and Gunn retreat to Allison's bedroom. Allison and Brian talk. It turns out Allison killed Brian by poisoning him. Nonetheless, the two make up and get back together.

At the vampire lair, four vampires are beating on the door, but Angel refuses to fight until he is paid.

At the houseboat, Fred finally solves the puzzle. The Nahdrah Demons immediately drag her into the presene of the prince, where she sees Lorne tied up on the floor. The demons bind her to a chair and prepare to cut off her head. Cordelia appears, carrying Connor. She offers to return the Nahdrah's money in exchange for Fred. When Lorne translates, he adds the message that the houseboat is surrounded by killer warriors.

At the vampire lair, Angel relents, kills the four vampires, and leaves without being paid.

At the houseboat, Wesley, Gunn and Angel appear in the nick of time to rescue Fred and Lorne. When the battle is over, Angel apologizes for getting carried away. He now knows that family and the mission are the most important things. The AI team collects the $50,000 and leaves.

Angel and Cordelia lie on a bed with Connor between them and talk about what to do with the money.

Main cast

 * David Boreanaz as Angel
 * Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase
 * Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
 * J. August Richards as Charles Gunn
 * Amy Acker as Winifred Burkle

Co-stars
==Quotes == . ==Notes == "They tried to cut Fred's head off. We earned every penny."

- Cordelia


 * Angel and Cordelia sleep together with Connor in between like dad and mom discussing what they shall do with the money, paying the bills, college fund and a boat which Angel doesn't like but they agreed at ski condo.
 * Cordelia, formerly the most materialistic member of the team, is now the least materialistic. This is a dramatic switch from the first season, when Cordelia focused on finances, and Angel felt it was more important to "help the helpless" for moral reasons.
 * Fred again would be considered "worthy" for sacrifice in Season 5, this time for the demon Illyria.