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"You're Welcome" is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of Angel television show and the 100th episode in the series. Written and directed by David Fury, it was originally broadcast on February 4, 2004, on The WB network.

Synopsis[]

Cordelia mysteriously awakens from her coma and is shocked and unhappy to discover that Angel and the group are no longer fighting Wolfram & Hart, they're running it. When she realizes that Angel has lost his conviction to be a hero, she gives him the information and support he needs to get back on track. Meanwhile, while Angel has security keeping an eye on Eve, her partner Lindsey prepares to bring about Angel's demise.[1]

Summary[]

A darkened room is lit only by the glow of red and white candles, arranged in a circle on top of a table. A booming knock at the door causes the table to shake, then the door is beaten from the outside in. In the door frame, stand Angel, Fred, Gunn, and Wesley. They enter the apartment and examine their surroundings with flashlights. Fred is equipped with a glowing red hand-held device, through which she deduces loads of trace signature were left. Wesley draws Fred's attention to several bloody nuns on the floor, each one with a slit throat. Gunn questions the motives of Greenway, a client of Wolfram & Hart, whom they were intending to get off on probation. Angel suggests finding Greenway and killing him. Wesley notes that Greenway has used the five deceased nuns in a ritual, so that he could flee to another dimension. Fred notes that her instruments aren't sophisticated enough to track people across dimensions. Angel gets fed up and quits.

In his office, Angel speaks with Fred, Gunn, Lorne, and Wesley about his decision to resign from his position of CEO of the Wolfram & Hart Los Angeles branch. Wesley notes that Greenway slaying the nuns was tragic. Angel notes that Team Angel is no longer ridding the world of evil, but instead are negotiating with or for evil. Angel voices his opinion that Team Angel shouldn't be working at Wolfram & Hart at all. Gunn notes that Wolfram & Hart probably won't let Angel quit, without some sort of dire consequences. Angel questions whether Gunn would simply prefer to stay. A ringing telephone interrupts the argument and Angel is surprised to hear that Cordelia has awoken from her coma.

Angel and Wesley enter Cordelia's hospital room cautiously. The two approach a bedded woman, who is attached to a life-support machine. Cordelia exits the bathroom, wearing a hospital gown and quickly draws the privacy curtain around the woman in the bed. Cordelia greets her guests, suggesting that she could have been stored in a location that smelled less like ammonia. Angel embraces Cordelia, followed quickly by Wesley embracing her. Cordelia notes that being hijacked by a higher power that gives birth to itself before leaving the host in a mystical coma is a really good rest. Angel surmises that Cordelia has an intact memory of the previous year. Cordelia confirms she remembers everything she did then asks to go shopping, not wanting to look a state when she goes back to the hotel. Angel and Wesley nervously promise her that won't be a problem.

Later on, with a fully-dressed Cordelia, Angel and Wesley take her to the office. Cordelia's nervousness about being inside Wolfram & Hart is obvious. Angel tries to convince her that it's just a normal office. Archduke Sebassis' pale horned blood-slave startles Cordelia, as the demon is led out on a chain. Angel draws Cordelia's attention away, towards his office.

Inside Angel's office, Cordelia is greeted happily by Lorne, Gunn, and then Fred. Cordelia then asks after Connor but gets worried when not only is he not there, but everyone apart from Angel seems to have no idea who she's talking about. Before the conversation can go any further, the gang are interrupted by Harmony, who is also happy to see Cordelia. Angel, worried that Cordelia is getting overwhelmed, tells everybody to get back to work. Fred, Gunn, and Harmony leave.

Angel tries to convince Cordelia that with Wolfram & Hart's resources, they can do anything and save anyone, but Cordelia notes that Angel can't save himself. Cordelia reveals her vision, that woke her from the comatose slumber. The vision itself involved Angel in grave danger, glyphs on walls, and the same glyphs on flesh. Cordelia finally notes that there is a woman behind Angel, as Eve approaches. Angel tells Eve to leave. She responds by telling Angel of the Senior Partners' concern about Team Angel letting Greenway escape, because now they must pay Greenway's bail costs. Cordelia realizes what Eve is and acts rudely towards her. Angel asks why security let the banned Eve back into the building. Eve notes that Angel has no control over the liaison to the Senior Partners, before reminding Angel of the incident at the office Halloween party. Angel, flustered, explains to Cordelia that Lorne mystically told them to act in such a fashion. Eve leaves, followed by Angel and Cordelia.

Angel tells Harmony that Eve is to be watched by security while she is inside the building. Cordelia says that Angel has made a deal with the devil. Just as Angel accuses Cordy of exaggerating, a red-skinned demon with horns and a tail, Izzerial, tells Angel that the deal has been drawn up, and reminds Angel about their game of racquetball on Thursday. Cordelia rolls her eyes before leaving Angel.

Spike, alone in his apartment, is absorbed in his video game. He realizes that "Doyle" has let himself in and threatens the trespasser. "Doyle" reminds Spike that he is Spike's benefactor, then queries Spike's recent inactivity in the field. Spike explains that the deranged Slayer who "Doyle" sent Spike after ended up chopping off his hands. "Doyle" reveals that he also had one of his hands cut off, before reminding Spike that he is the Champion. Spike pretends that he is waiting for "Doyle" to have his next vision. A phone rings and Eve tells "Doyle" that Cordelia Chase is now awake, which could be a problem. Eve further explains that Cordelia had a vision that is leading Angel towards "Doyle." "Doyle" formulates a plan which somehow involves Spike.

Angel enters his apartment and finds Cordelia watching the commercial she filmed with Doyle shortly before he died. Cordelia notes that Doyle gave his life to guarantee that Angel kept fighting and that, while she was angry at the way he died, she now understands his sacrifice. Angel tries to explain why he took over Wolfram & Hart, but Cordelia interrupts and suggests that Wolfram & Hart seduced Angel with all the glamor, money, and power. Angel explains that he agreed to take over so that Connor, who had turned psychopathic and had threatened to kill himself, Cordelia, and many innocent people, could live a happy, stable existence elsewhere. Cordelia points out the morality flaws with Angel's decision and Angel explains that Connor was too lost to save any other way. Cordelia replies that the Powers That Be wouldn't have woken up Cordelia with a vision unless something was really wrong. Angel reveals that the newly souled Spike is the new champion for the Powers That Be. Cordelia points out how lost Angel is without her and Angel readily agrees. Cordelia reminds Angel who he was, before hinting of her hidden feelings for Angel. Cordelia asks him if he thinks about the time they were supposed to meet up at Point Dume, and Angel says yes.

"Doyle" and Eve sit on the apartment patio, both naked apart from a towel. "Doyle" isn't worried about Cordelia waking up, but Eve is. "Doyle" reveals his motivation is revenge on Angel. Eve suggests that Angel is the center of the universe belonging to "Doyle," and "Doyle" claims Eve is at the core.

Wesley's office is covered in books, which Cordelia and Wesley are busy exploring. Cordelia complains, noting her idea of researching with Wesley for old time's sake instead of forcing the department to do it was a bad idea. Cordelia apologizes for killing Lilah while under Jasmine's reins, and Wesley understands that Cordelia was not in control of her body at the time. Cordelia finds the strange symbols in a book. Wesley reveals that the tattoos are Enochian protection runes, a concealment spell against being observed by higher powers, mystics, and any means of modern surveillance.

In the basement of Wolfram & Hart, "Doyle" enters a restricted maintenance area with a key card. Once inside, "Doyle" descends, passing through a net of green laser beams without triggering an alarm. "Doyle" waves at the security camera — which goes unnoticed by the guards monitoring the video screens because "Doyle" is invisible on their monitoring screen. "Doyle" continues until he finds a demon in a lab coat, whom "Doyle" stabs. "Doyle" removes a crystal from around the demon's neck.

Cordelia walks down a hallway. She notices Spike and strikes up a conversation with him as he approaches. Spike vamps out, grabs her, and bites her.

Spike removes himself from Cordelia, before being knocked off his feet by a charging Angel. Angel and Spike hit each other, before Spike puts Angel in a headlock. Angel warns Spike about Cordelia, before breaking free and throwing Spike to the floor. Spike claims that Cordelia is evil, and she says the same about Spike. Spike explains that, by biting Cordelia, he was able to determine that Cordelia is not evil, as his source claimed. Angel questions the source, and Spike explains about the man who gets visions from the Powers That Be. This man claimed Cordelia had been taken over by something evil and powerful. Cordelia points out how Spike is referring to the deceased Jasmine, and Spike notes that his tattooed source appears to be wrong. Cordelia asks Spike about the tattoos and Spike explains the markings. Spike reveals the man with the vision's name to be "Doyle," causing disbelief on both Angel and Cordelia's faces.

From down the hall, Eve watches as Spike tells all to Angel and Cordelia. Eve passes this along to "Doyle" through her cell phone, telling him that Cordelia is not dead and now he's talking to her and Angel. The unconcerned "Doyle" tells Eve that it was a long shot anyway but he's almost there, and to leave the building immediately. Eve hangs up her phone, before being confronted by Angel and Cordelia. Eve tries to escape, but is dragged by Cordelia into Angel's office.

Inside Angel's office, Cordelia throws Eve carelessly into a chair. Eve is now surrounded by Angel, Cordelia, Fred, Gunn, Lorne, and Wesley. Spike is also there. Angel explains to Eve about the Doyle impersonator, the man who was manipulating Spike for several weeks. Angel suggests that "Doyle" has been working hand-in-hand with Eve. Eve insists that she must leave the W&H building, but nobody cares. Angel and Cordelia reveal their anger about somebody stealing the deceased Doyle's identity, and Cordelia starts yelling to show her own fury. Harmony arrives, asking if she's allowed to leave with the rest of the staff. Angel asks Eve what the plot is.

In the basement, "Doyle" is in a round chamber, and approaches a control board in the center. A tube rises out of the panel, and "Doyle" puts the crystal inside. The tube closes on the crystal and recesses, which triggers a timer. Steam begins venting from the room, as the bars retract, allowing an underground tank to rise.

Gunn returns to Angel's office, explaining that everybody left. The building is empty, with the exception of Team Angel, "Doyle," Eve, Harmony, and Spike. Cordelia suggests torturing Eve, which Angel refuses. Harmony tackles Eve, pointing out that as she is technically an evil Vampire, she doesn't mind torturing her 'for the team' and begins slapping the liaison about. Eve quickly explains that "Doyle" is activating a failsafe which The Senior Partners left in case Angel ever went out of control. The failsafe is a creature specifically designed to destroy Angel, and the only way to stop it is to shut down the chamber.

Fred realizes that somebody other than Eve must have activated the failsafe. Wesley realizes that this person slipped past the security systems, and Lorne suggests the faux Doyle. The gang ask Spike for more information about his supporter, and Spike reveals that "Doyle" got his hand chopped off, from which everyone (except Fred, who never met him) quickly deduces that "Doyle" is in fact Lindsey McDonald. Angel locks down the building, and Wesley suggests performing a spell to counter-act Lindsey's tattoos. Angel puts Harmony in charge of guarding Eve, while making his way with Spike to fight the failsafe. Cordelia grabs a katana from the wall behind Angel's desk, after deciding to accompany Angel to help with the fighting.

Angel, Cordelia, and Spike enter the room with the net of laser beams, triggering the system, and zombies appear. The three begin fighting off the zombies, but Angel realizes that time is running short. Spike offers to take on the hoard of zombies, leaving Angel and Cordelia to deal with Lindsey.

Lindsey watches as the tank raises, unaware that Angel and Cordelia have crept up behind him. Lindsey mocks Angel, who throws a backhand at Lindsey. Lindsey catches Angel's hand, before throwing Angel across the room. Lindsey notes that he has changed. Angel, on the floor and reeling from Lindsey's toss, tells Cordelia to escape, but Lindsey points at the door and it locks. Lindsey palms a pocketknife and Cordelia throws Angel the katana from his office. Lindsey's pocketknife transforms into a sword. Angel instructs Cordelia to shut down the failsafe while he confronts Lindsey in a sword fight. Cordelia gets an electric shock from the control panel. Both Angel and Lindsey end up on top of the holding tank. Lindsey and Angel reminisce during their fight of their first meeting, when Angel kicked Lindsey's client out a window. Steam vents out of the holding tank, and tentacles are visible through the glass walls.

In Wesley's office, Wesley reads a checklist from a scroll while Fred collects the ingredients, Lorne paces with a lit stick of incense, and Gunn watches. Wesley realizes they need arterial blood of a demon. Gunn pulls out a dagger, and prepares to collect some of Lorne's blood for the spell.

Angel and Lindsey are still fighting in the basement. Lindsey's shirt gets unbuttoned and Angel notices Lindsey's recent tattoos. Angel ends up with Lindsey's pocketknife sword and Lindsey with the katana. Lindsey stabs Angel through the heart with the katana, before knocking Angel off of the balcony. Lindsey starts mocking Angel's transformation from champion to corporation, while Angel still has a sword running through his chest. Angel stands up, removes the sword, and notes that the sword wasn't made out of wood. Lindsey and Angel begin fighting hand-to-hand. Cordelia removes the crystal from the control panel, and the failsafe slowly lowers itself back into the floor. Angel knocks Lindsey over and beats him into the ground, casually informing Lindsey that all of his tattoos and tricks amount to nothing in the end, because Angel will always beat the bad guys, before tossing Lindsey aside. Lindsey asks if Angel is going to kill him, and Cordelia points out that Angel does not need to. Lindsey's tattoos float off of his body, leaving Lindsey unprotected from detection.

In Wesley's office, Wesley reads from the scroll and performs the spell as Fred sprinkles ingredients. As he performs the final incantations, Fred begins to see Wesley in a new light. A portal appears above Lindsey, who is still in the basement. Angel suspects the Senior Partners want Lindsey for 'a word', and Lindsey can only hope they're not angry as he gets sucked upwards into the portal, which closes after him.

Team Angel escort a pouting Eve to the elevator in the lobby, and Eve threatens revenge before leaving. Spike notes his foolishness for believing Lindsey's "Spike's a champion" shtick. Fred suggests all gathered head to a bar, for drinks. Angel reveals that he is no longer quitting. Fred, Gunn, Harmony, Lorne, Spike, and Wesley leave in the elevator, leaving Angel alone with Cordelia.

In Angel's office, he notes that he feels better, but didn't help anyone. Cordelia notes that Angel helped himself. Angel believes that he can beat whatever Wolfram & Hart have in store, and Cordelia agrees but laments that she won't be around to see it, as she has to leave. Angel doesn't understand, telling him he needs her, but Cordelia assures him she doesn't; the Powers That Be owed her a favor and she used it to get him back on track. She promises he'll understand soon, and asks him to explain to the others when he does. Cordelia leaves, but returns briefly to give Angel a long kiss. A ringing telephone interrupts, and Cordelia tells Angel he has to answer it. As Angel turns around to answer the phone, Cordelia says "Oh, and you're welcome."

Answering the phone, Angel is told by the voice on the other end that Cordelia has died. Angel is confused, telling the voice he's with Cordelia now, but when he turns around she is gone. Realizing the truth, Angel confirms that Cordelia never woke up from her coma. Heartbroken, Angel hangs up the telephone and says: "Thank you."

Continuity[]

  • This is the first time the Angel Investigations team sees Cordelia as herself since "Tomorrow," when she left to a higher dimension. She returned amnesiac in "Slouching Toward Bethlehem," became possessed by Jasmine in "Spin the Bottle," and fell into a coma in "Inside Out."
  • Exceptionally, Wesley last saw Cordelia as herself in "Couplet"; she was on vacation from "Couplet" until "Double or Nothing," while he became estranged from Angel Investigations from "Sleep Tight" until "Apocalypse, Nowish."
  • Angel will be the only one to see Cordelia ever again, in After the Fall, Part TwelveThirteen.
  • Cordelia mentions Harmony tried to kill her the last time they saw each other, which happened in "Disharmony."
  • Cordelia watches the promotional video for Angel Investigations featuring Doyle. She taped it in "Hero," shortly before Doyle sacrificed himself to save Angel, Cordelia, and a group of Lister demons.
  • Cordelia calls Spike being a hero and Angel being the CEO of Wolfram & Hart a "freaking Bizarro world." In "The Wish," she called the Wishverse the same thing.
  • Lindsey and Angel talk about the first time they met and Lindsey says Angel kicked his client out a window. He means Russell Winters, as seen in "City Of."
  • As it will be revealed in "Power Play," when Cordelia kisses Angel in this episode, she leaves him with a single vision that shows him that the Circle of the Black Thorn is the true power behind the upcoming apocalypse.
  • The Senior Partners capture Lindsey, and his fate will be revealed in "Underneath."
  • The fact that Wesley claims Cordelia looks "really hot" possibly supports Skip's claim in "Birthday" that astral bodies take on idealized versions of themselves.
  • In "Gingerbread," Cordelia warned Giles that, if he keeps getting knocked out, one day he will "wake up in a coma"; she does just that in this episode.

Appearances[]

Individuals[]

Organizations and titles[]

Species[]

Locations[]

Objects[]

Rituals and spells[]

Death count[]

  • Five nuns, killed by Greenway.
  • A Wolfram & Hart scientist, killed by Lindsey.
  • Four zombies guards, killed by Spike.
  • Cordelia Chase, died in her coma.

Behind the scenes[]

Production[]

  • This is the 100th episode of the series. James Marsters also appeared in the 100th episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Gift."
  • Sarah Michelle Gellar was asked to reprise her role as Buffy Summers initially but was unable to accommodate due to personal reasons. Instead, Charisma Carpenter was asked to return. Writer/director David Fury explains that since "we couldn't get Sarah," the episode was instead written for Cordelia Chase. He adds: "This turned out to be a Godsend because Charisma was fantastic."[2]
  • Charisma Carpenter was initially reluctant to return because she was worried that they would kill off her character. After she read the script, she agreed to come back anyhow, as she felt her death was noble, stating it was "bittersweet... a love letter to Cordelia."[3]

Pop culture references[]

  • Lorne mentions getting Cordelia a lunch date with Colin Farrel, but she does not recognize the actor. Colin Farrell made his breakthrough in the 2002 film Minority Report, which debuted one month after she initially left to a higher dimension.
  • Spike plays with the 2001 video game console Xbox.
  • Spike says the game he is playing involves gorillas throwing barrels, referring to the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong.

Goofs[]

  • As Spike plays video game, he comments on gorillas throwing barrels, and sound effects can be heard from the television. Although it is never shown, it can be assumed he is playing the original Donkey Kong from Nintendo. However, he has on top of the TV and in his hands an XBOX from Microsoft, which would never have an original Donkey Kong released on it.

Music[]

  • Robert J. Kral — "Farewell Cordelia"
  • Robert J. Kral — original score

International titles[]

  • Czech: "Rádo se stalo" (You're Welcome)
  • Finnish: "Ole hyvä vaan" (You're Welcome)
  • French: "Le retour de Cordélia" (The Return of Cordelia)
  • German: "Menschen wie wir" (People Like Us)
  • Hungarian: "Ördögi terv" (Devil's Plan)
  • Italian: "Bentornata" (Welcome Back)
  • Portuguese (Brazil): "De Nada" (You're Welcome)
  • Russian: "Не стоит благодарности" (You're Welcome)
  • Spanish (Latin America): "No hay de que" (You're Welcome)
  • Spanish (Spain): "El despertar" (The Awakening)
  • Turkish: "Rica Ederim" (You're Welcome)

Adaptations[]

Gallery[]

Promotional stills[]

Behind the scenes[]

References[]

  1. "angel: You're Welcome." TheWB.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2004.
  2. "MEANWHILE Interviews... Buffy Post Mortem." Meanwhile... The Online Home of Mike Jozic, September 2004. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011.
  3. Patrick Lee, "At 100 (episodes), Angel bites into a new future while remembering the past." Sci Fi Weekly, February 2, 2004.
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