Line #182 Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E14Innocence


1	[[quoteright:335:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/buffys2e14_8308.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:335:Peekaboo.]]
3
4	->'''Oz:''' ''So, do you guys steal weapons from the army a lot?''
5	->'''Willow:''' ''Well, we don't have cable so we have to make our own fun.''
6
7	Directed by Creator/JossWhedon
8
9	Written by Whedon, Creator/RobDesHotel, & Creator/DeanBatali
10
11	After making love with Buffy earlier that night, Angel stumbles into the alley outside as his soul is ripped from him. When he shows up at the factory, Spike is surprised and Drusilla are stunned that the Judge cannot burn him—Angel has reverted to the evil Angelus. The three are pleased to be a "family" again. Meanwhile, Buffy wakes up to find Angel missing, and starts a desperate search for him. Eventually finding him back at his apartment, Angelus begins his torment of her by hitting her with numerous cutting remarks about the previous night.
12
13	While researching a way to defeat the Judge, Xander and Cordelia get caught kissing in the library by a crushed Willow. Angelus terrorizes Buffy and the Gang at school, and after several realizations about what might have happened to cause it, an emotionally shattered Buffy leaves, unable to cope. Buffy has another dream in which Angel helps her realise that Jenny knows more than she's letting on. The next morning she confronts Jenny at school, who admits she is a member of the Romani clan that cursed Angelus with his soul so long ago.
14
15	Xander hatches a plan using memories from being a soldier on Halloween, posing as an off-duty soldier looking to make out with his girlfriend in order to sneak in and borrow some heavy duty ordnance. Tracking down the Judge at the crowded mall, Buffy and her team blow him to bits with her new "present" – a rocket launcher, while Angelus and Drusilla narrowly escape the blast. The Slayer stalks Angelus through the fleeing crowd. Reaching a stand-off, neither of them is quite ready to kill the other, although Buffy does settle for kicking Angelus in the nuts.
16
17	Buffy home and she feels awful for putting her friends in serious danger from Angelus. Giles assures her that, although she did act irresponsibly, it is obvious that she and Angel loved each other and that he hasn't lost his trust and respect in her. Later, Buffy and her mother sit down to watch a movie. Joyce asks Buffy what she did for her birthday, and Buffy simply answers that she got older.
18
19	----
20	!Tropes:
21
22	* AndYourLittleDogToo: Giles says Angelus's profile indicates he'll "strike out at the things that made him most human."
23	* AnguishedDeclarationOfLove: Buffy whimpers this as Angelus is headed out the door. ..To which he asides, "Love ya too," without so much as looking back.
24	* AnywhereButTheirLips: Angelus kisses Spike on the forehead. As with all displays of 'affection' between the two rival vampires, it's part HoYay, part TakeThatKiss.
25	* ApatheticCitizens: Nobody seems to even notice The Judge at the mall, with some people walking right by him and not giving a second glance. Even after he's paralyzed them all in place for a few seconds, when he's distracted and the magic ends, nobody thinks to wonder what just happened. Buffy standing on a newsbooth wielding a crossbow doesn't garner any attention either. It's not until she pulls out the bazooka that people finally realize something weird is happening.
26	* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: The guard on post isn't in a humoring mood, but Xander blackmails him by barking out, "Well, if you do, I won't tell Colonel Newsome that your boots ain't regulation, your post wasn't covered, and you hold your gun like a sissy girl."
27	* AssholeVictim: Uncle Enyos.
28	* AuthorAppeal: Creator/JossWhedon really wanted the scene with Buffy using the rocket launcher, and declares it the part of the series he loves the most. Quoth Whedon on the DVDCommentary:
29	-->"The two things that matter the most to me: emotional resonance and rocket launchers. ''Series/PartyOfFive'', a brilliant show, and often made me cry uncontrollably, suffered ultimately from a lack of rocket launchers."
30	* BackhandedCompliment: Angelus to Buffy:
31	-->'''Buffy''': Was I not good?
32	-->'''Angelus''': You were great. Really. ''I thought you were a pro.''
33	* BadNewsIrrelevantNews: Xander reports that the bus depot was a wash-out with regard to tracking down the Judge's pieces, but it wasn't a total loss: "[[{{Hobos}} a 400-pound wino]] offered to wash my hair."
34	* BattleInTheRain: The flaming husk of the Judge sets off the shopping mall's sprinkler system, dousing Buffy as she follows after Angelus. He's nowhere to be found, but suddenly hops out and punches Buffy in the face, knocking her down. Interestingly, this fight defies the usual conceit of combatants never losing their footing in the rain, as there's [[WaterloggedWarzone plenty of slipping around and stumbling on the rain-slicked floor]].
35	* BecauseDestinySaysSo: Uncle Enyos came to Sunnydale to stop Angelus's return, but now realizes that it was foretold.
36	* BestServedCold: Angelus's rage at Buffy for making him experience love.
37	** Also the Romani's rationale.
38	-->'''Uncle Enyos''': To the modern man, vengeance is a verb, an idea. Payback. One thing for another. Like commerce. ''Not'' with us. [[BadassBoast Vengeance is a living thing. It passes through generations. It commands. It kills]].
39	* BigShutUp: Giles concludes that some "event" must have triggered Angel's transformation. The AwfulTruth begins to dawn on Buffy, but she denies knowledge of anything that could have caused it. Giles presses her, but Buffy jumps up and flees from the library, saying, "Giles, please. I can't," in a choked voice. Giles calls after her, but Willow, having put the pieces together, mutters, "Giles, ''shut up.''"
40	* {{BFG}}: M136 [=AT4=] anti-armour launcher with night vision sight. Awesome!
41	* BlahBlahBlah
42	-->'''Cordelia:''' This book mentions the Judge, but nothing useful. Big, scary, no weapon forged can stop him, took an army to take him down. Blah, blah, blah.
43	* BondOneLiner: Buffy after blowing up the Judge. "Best birthday present ever."
44	* BrokenBird: Averted as Angelus fails to break Buffy, but in the long term played straight -- from this point on Buffy has a tendency to [[{{Mangst}} shut herself off emotionally from her friends, and especially her lovers]].
45	* BuffySpeak
46	-->"Sometimes, when I'm sitting in class -- you know, I'm not thinking about class, 'cause that would never happen. I think about kissing you. And it's like everything stops. It's like, it's like freeze frame. Willow kissage."
47	* CerebusSyndrome: And how! The show was always a horror show, but now beloved (by fans and characters alike) Angel has lost his soul and revealed himself as the true BigBad of season two.
48	* ChainLightning: The Judge spreads his arms and send out bolts of soul-burning energy. The bolts jump from person to person, and soon everyone in the vicinity is trapped in a web.
49	* ChekhovsBoomerang: Xander still remembers everything his soldier persona did in "Halloween", including the layout of the base and the name of his commanding officer. Not to mention how to use a rocket launcher.
50	* ChekhovsGunman: According to the WordOfGod the Judge was created specifically so the audience would know Angelus wasn't just [[HydePlaysJekyll Angel pretending to be evil]], in the scene where he can't burn the goodness out because there's none there.
51	* CheshireCatGrin: Drusilla seems to sense the departure of Angel's soul. At the factory, Spike is alarmed by the sound of Dru moaning. She drops to the floor in one of her [[FaintingSeer patented seer seizures]]. Spike asks what's the matter, but all Dru can utter is, "Angel." Slowly, her agonized expression is replaced by an eerie smile.
52	* ConflictKiller: Angelus basically takes over Spike's role as main villain.
53	* CosmicRetcon: The comic story "False Memories" reexamines how the early years of ''Buffy'' were changed by the reality shift that produced Dawn Summers. In the alternate history, it was Dawn rather than Willow whom Angelus throttled inside the school.
54	* CouldntFindALighter: Angelus lights his match by striking it along the table at the factory.
55	* CouldntFindAPen: Smeared in Enyos's blood above his bed are the words "[[DidTheEarthMoveForYouToo WAS IT GOOD FOR YOU TOO?]]"
56	* CradleOfLoneliness[=/=]TroubledFetalPosition: Buffy curls up on her bed weeping, clutching the ring Angel gave to her.
57	* CreateYourOwnVillain: The BigBad for season two, Angelus, has finally appeared and Buffy made it happen. He takes great pleasure in reminding Buffy of this fact.
58	* CurbStompBattle: The Judge is a legendary demon who was defeated the last time by an entire army - most of whom died in the process. If anybody should be on the receiving end of a CurbStompBattle, it's Buffy. Right? Buffy pulls a rocket launcher (stolen from the conveniently easy to break into local Army base), and the "fight" ends before it can even start.
59	* CurseEscapeClause: The escape clause for Angel's is revealed; if he experiences even one moment of perfect happiness, he will be stripped of his soul. In this case, it was making love with Buffy, a person he truly loves.
60	* DarkReprise: The Buffy/Angel theme, "Close Your Eyes", won't ever have quite the same ring again.
61	* DarknessEqualsDeath: Angelus cuts the power to Sunnydale High before attacking.
62	* DescriptionCut: Willow catches Buffy in the hall to ask if she thinks that Angel would have gone after the Judge himself. Cut to Angelus getting zapped by the Judge, who reads him "clean" of humanity.
63	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: Willow runs off after seeing Xander and Cordy snogging. Xander calls after her and gives pursuit.
64	-->"I knew it! I ''knew'' it! Well, not 'knew' in the sense of having the slightest idea, but I knew there was something I didn't know!"
65	* DidntSeeThatComing:
66	** When the Kalderash people cursed Angelus, their revenge was to make him suffer agony and remorse for all eternity. They ''never'' anticipated that Angel's suffering would instead eventually lead him to pursue atonement and to join the Slayer in the fight against the forces of evil and darkness. Of course, even after Jenny makes this case, Enyos ''doesn't'' give a shit. As far as he's concerned, the curse was supposed to make Angel suffer rather than become a hero, and it's going to stay that way come what may and hell to pay.
67	** An understatement when Angel, Drusilla, and the Judge are faced with Buffy shouldering a rocket launcher.
68	* DisappointedInYou: Averted by Giles.
69	-->'''Buffy:''' You must be so disappointed in me.\
70	'''Giles:''' No. (she looks at him) No, no, I'm not.\
71	'''Buffy:''' [[ItsAllMyFault But this is all my fault.]]\
72	'''Giles:''' No. I don't believe it is. Do you want me to wag my finger at you and tell you that you acted rashly? You did. A-and I can. I know that you loved him. And... he... has proven more than once that he loved you. You couldn't have known what would happen. The coming months are gonna, are gonna be hard... I, I suspect on all of us, but... if it's guilt you're looking for, Buffy, I'm not your man. All you will get from me is my support. And my respect.
73	* DisposableSexWorker: Outside in the alley, Angel falls flat on the pavement. A streetwalker standing nearby sees him and skulks over. She asks Angel if he wants her to call an ambulance. and Angel gets to his feet, saying, "No. The pain is gone." The woman takes a drag off her cig and asks if he's sure. In response, ''Angelus'' spins to face her in game face and drains her dry.
74	-->'''Angelus:''' [[BondOneLiner I feel just fine.]]
75	* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: For Xander's plan to work, he says they're going to need wheels. Cordy offers her car, and Willow seethes nearby. Xander gulps and remarks that it "might have to be bigger."
76	-->'''Willow''': No problem. I'll get Oz. He has a '''VAN'''.
77	* DoNotTauntCthulhu: Wheelchair!Spike doesn't hesitate to speak his mind.
78	-->'''Spike:''' What's [[TheNicknamer Big Blue]] up to anyway? He just sits there.\
79	'''Judge:''' I am preparing.\
80	'''Spike:''' ''(rolls his eyes)'' Yeah. It's interesting to me that 'preparing' looks a great bit like sitting on your ass!
81	* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: As per usual with the Hellmouth, a normal teen event (a boy using you for sex and dropping the act once he gets what he wants) is given a much darker twist (your boyfriend truly loved you, but now he's lost his soul and become a murderous demon who wants to break you and kill you after killing all your friends).
82	* DoubleTake: When Buffy shoulders Xander's "present". Angelus and Drusilla pull this, as if to say, "Hold on, a ''rocket launcher''???" Cue OhCrap faces as they rush to take cover.
83	* DreamingTheTruth: Following the dream flashback to Angel losing his soul, Buffy sees herself standing amongst mourners at a sunlit funeral. Angel approaches and intones, "You have to know what to see." She turns her face toward the assembled mourners, then turns to see Jenny Calendar [[WidowsWeeds lifting a black veil]] off her face.
84	* EmergingFromTheShadows: Angelus in GameFace, attacking Willow.
85	* EnvironmentalSymbolism:
86	** Angelus's first victim is standing next to a sign saying BEWARE OF THE DOG. In later seasons this becomes a RunningGag with Spike.
87	** As the lights go out inside the school, Angelus appears at the end of a darkened hallway, his shape blocking a lit '[-EXIT-]' sign.
88	* EurekaMoment: Xander asks Willow if they've made any progress on the Judge. Brief recap of bad news: no weapons forged can defeat him, last time it took an army. Willow begins to mock one of the books, saying, "Where's an army when you need one?"
89	-->'''Xander:''' [lightbulb over head] Whoa, whoa. I... I think I'm having a thought. Yeah, yeah, that's a thought. -- Now I'm having a ''plan''!
90	-->[the [[CutTheJuice lights cut off]]].
91	-->'''Xander:''' Now [[DarknessEqualsDeath I'm having a wiggins]].
92	* EvilCannotComprehendGood: Angelus makes a BadassBoast that's he'll [[BreakTheCutie break Buffy overnight]]. Instead Buffy rallies due to her inner strength and [[ThePowerOfFriendship the help of her friends]] to destroy the Judge.
93	* EvilCostumeSwitch:
94	** But... he ''must'' be evil! Behold the [[HellBentForLeather leather pants]]!
95	** When Angelus snubs Buffy in his apartment, the heart on his claddagh ring is now pointing in the ''opposite'' direction. Traditionally, the heart facing away from the base of the finger means the wearer isn't in a committed relationship. (This may, however, be [[EpilepticTrees unintentional]].)
96	** Angelus continues wearing the claddagh ring throughout the season, possibly as a testament to his evil designs for Buffy.
97	* EvilFeelsGood: Angelus takes obvious pleasure in being freed of the RestrainingBolt of a soul.
98	* EvilGloating
99	-->'''Angelus:''' You know what the worst part was, huh? Pretending that I ''loved'' you. If I'd known how easily you'd give it up, I wouldn't have even bothered.
100	-->'''Buffy:''' That doesn't work anymore. You're not Angel.
101	-->'''Angelus:''' You'd like to think that, wouldn't you? It doesn't matter. The important thing is '''you''' made me the man I am today!
102	* EvilIsHammy: Once he drops the act, Angelus turns on the hamlights. Boreanaz is clearly having a hell of a time.
103	* EvilIsNotWellLit: Used to give Angelus a more sinister presence when he encounters the unknowing Willow and Xander at school.
104	* EvilIsPetty: Instead of [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just killing Buffy]], Angelus makes a point of breaking her heart first.
105	* ExactEavesdropping: Jenny, already clued in that Angel's soul is in danger, skulks around the corner as Will and Buffy discuss his conspicuous absence.
106	** Xander suggests that he and Cordy "kiss and make up." Cordy's not forthcoming with the forgiveness -- but she's fine with "the other part." As they pull apart from a kiss, we see Willow standing there with a shocked and hurt look on her face.
107	** Buffy, Giles, Xander, and the rest of the gang find the Factory deserted, although Spike is actually there, lurking in the shadows. Tellingly, he does '''[[SubvertedTrope not]]''' [[BetrayalByInaction take action to warn Angelus]].
108	* FaceHeelTurn[=/=]SexFaceTurn: After twenty-five episodes of awkward good guy Angel, Creator/DavidBoreanaz gets to go full-on evil as Angelus, and looks like he's [[EvilIsHammy having an absolute blast]] doing it.
109	* FelonyMisdemeanor: Angelus talks his buddies into putting their plans for world domination on hold so he can harass the Slayer. Spike marvels that Angelus must be ''really'' itching to hurt Buffy.
110	-->'''Angelus:''' She made me feel like a human being. That's not the kind of thing you just forgive.
111	* ForGreatJustice: Parodied by Angelus. Spike, mistaking him for the Vampire With a Soul, drops that old clinker, "[[WhyWontYouDie You never give up, do you?]]"
112	-->'''Angelus:''' As long as there's injustice in the world, as long as scum like you is walking-- [notices the wheelchair] well, rolling the streets... I'll be around. Look over your shoulder. I'll be there.
113	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
114	** Enyos says that the return of Angelus has been 'arranged'. In the ''Series/{{Angel}}'' spin-off we encounter [[PowersThatBe several powerful factions]] with the motive to do so.
115	*** Similarly, Enyos and the Kalderash people don't care that Angel's genuinely seeking atonement; all that matters is their vengeance and making him suffer (and no matter how much collateral damage and death ensues along the way). This foreshadows Vampire Hunter Daniel Holtz's similar vendetta and campaign against Angel in Season Three of his show (and how the Fang Gang will be left permanently scarred by Holtz's actions).
116	** Giles ominously notes that "the coming months will be hard, I suspect on ''all'' of us." If he only knew.
117	* GaussianGirl: Buffy spends a lot of time in soft lighting with soft focus to emphasize that virginity's not really a thing, that she still has her innocence, bruised as it is.
118	* GenericDoomsdayVillain: The Judge is an ancient demon with the power to burn the humanity out of people, which is lucky as burning the humanity out of people is pretty much all he seems interested in doing. The rest of the time he just kinda sits around, waiting to destroy the world while more interesting villains hog the spotlight.
119	* GetOut: Buffy and Giles are discussing how to take down the Judge. Jenny appears in the doorway.
120	-->'''Jenny:''' Do you, uh... ''(Giles looks at her)'' Is there something I can do?\
121	'''Buffy:''' ''(without turning around)'' Get out.\
122	'''Jenny:''' I-I just want to help.\
123	'''Giles:''' ''(turning his back on Jenny too)'' She just said get out.
124	* GhostMemory: Xander still retains all the "soldier stuff" that was stuck in his brain ("[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E6Halloween Halloween]]"), including the layout of the whole army base. He's ''pretty'' sure he can can also [[GunStripping strip an M-16 in under a minute]].
125	* GoodSmokingEvilSmoking: Once he's finished gnawing on the streetwalker's neck, Angelus exhales her last tobacco-filled breath for her.
126	** Just to indicate his lack of soul, Angelus lights a cigarette in the presence of Spike and Dru, thus proving that he is Truly Evil.
127	** Smoking continues to be used on ''Series/{{Angel}}'' as a motif for Angel's DarkSide. Angel is later seen lighting up during [[Recap/AngelS02E02AreYouNowOrHaveYourEverBeen flashbacks to the 1950s]], when he was alienated from humans (though to be fair, {{everybody smoke\|s}}d). More notably, Angel sets Darla and Drusilla on fire by puffing on a cigarette and flicking it into [[VaporTrail a pool of gasoline]]. ("[[Recap/AngelS02E11Redefinition Redefinition]]")
128	* GoryDiscretionShot: The body of Jenny's uncle is never properly shown, but, considering Angelus killed him and CouldntFindAPen, it's probably safe to assume that he wasn't left in a pretty state.
129	* GroinAttack: Angelus sneers that Buffy can't kill him, so the Slayer punts him in the balls and makes him wish she did.
130	* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: In the military base, Xander approaches a door marked "Secured Area." On cue, a guard [[DramaticGunCock cocks his gun]] and demands that they identify themselves. Xander persuades the guard that he's a private "on leave" from "the 33rd", and asks that the solider turn a blind eye so he can show his girlfriend (Cordy) some hardware.
131	* GutPunch: Asked about his decision to turn Angel evil, Creator/JossWhedon said that he feels it was necessary to keep the story fresh. Although the fan base wanted Buffy and Angel to be together romantically, Whedon says, "What people want is not what they need."
132	* HeroicBSOD: Overwhelmed by the revelation of the part she played in Angelus's return, Buffy retreats back to her bedroom. She spots the crucifix Angel gave her and [[DramaticNecklaceRemoval pulls his claddagh ring from her finger]]. Sobbing, she falls on the bed, cradling the ring.
133	** Subverted when Buffy pulls herself together despite Angelus's expectations.
134	* HopeSpot: Buffy demands that Jenny re-curse Angel, but Jenny claims "those magicks are lost." Buffy then demands that Jenny take her to a higher authority. SmashCut to Uncle Enyos, puffing on his pipe as the door creaks behind him. "I knew ''she'' would bring you. I suppose you want answers," he smugs, apparently thinking it's Buffy at the door. But instead, he turns to be greeted by Angelus. So long, Uncle Enyos.
135	* HormoneAddledTeenager: Xander puts it matter-of-factly.
136	-->'''Cordelia''': Does looking at guns make ''you'' wanna have sex?
137	-->'''Xander''': I'm seventeen. Looking at ''linoleum'' makes me wanna have sex.
138	* ILikeThoseOdds: With Angelus's return, Spike gloats that it's now "four against one; and those are the kinds of odds I like to play."
139	** Technically, it's more like four against six, but Spike evidently doesn't hold the Scoobies in much regard.
140	* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Buffy desperately attempts this on Angelus, insisting that some part of the Angel she loved must still be in there. Angelus [[ThatManIsDead makes it clear that Angel is gone]].
141	-->'''Buffy''': Angel, there must be some part of you inside that still remembers-
142	-->'''Angelus''': Dream on, schoolgirl. Your boyfriend is ''dead''! And you're all gonna join him.
143	* IdealizedSex: In Buffy's dream, showing how she has idealised their relationship.
144	* InadvertentEntranceCue / WalkInChimeIn:
145	** Spike hopefully asks Drusilla whether she sees what's in store for Angel. On cue, Angelus strolls in, saying, "Well, he moves to New York and tries to fulfill that Broadway dream. It's tough sledding, but one day he's working in the chorus when the big star twists her ankle..."
146	** Angelus, in his game face, grabs Willow by the throat from behind. Angelus tells his present company that he has a message for Buffy. "Why don't you give it to me yourself?" asks Buffy from behind him.
147	-->'''Angelus:''' Well, it's not really the kind of message you tell. [[AndYourLittleDogToo It sorta involves finding the bodies of all your friends]].
148	* IronicBirthday: At the end, Joyce surprises Buffy with a cake. ...Well, technically some sad-looking cupcakes. Lights a candle on one of the cupcakes and tells Buffy to MakeAWish. Buffy says to [[LetThePastBurn let the candle burn]].
149	* IsItAlwaysLikeThis: Oz's first mission for the Scoobies involves lending his van so they can steal a rocket launcher from a US military base.
150	-->'''Oz:''' So, do you guys steal weapons from the Army a lot?
151	-->'''Willow:''' Well, we don't have cable, so we have to make our own fun.
152	* ItDoesntMeanAnything: Xander tries this argument after Willow catches him making out with Cordelia.
153	-->'''Willow:''' No. It just means you'd rather be with [[BelligerentSexualTension someone you hate]]... than be with me.
154	** Also done as a BreakTheCutie tactic by Angelus. Knowing how much TheirFirstTime meant to Buffy, he pretends he was only using her for sex.
155	-->'''Angelus:''' Lighten up. It was a good time. It doesn't mean like we have to make a big deal.\
156	'''Buffy:''' ''(in tears)'' It ''is'' a big deal!\
157	'''Angelus:''' It's what? [[DidTheEarthMoveForYouToo Bells ringing, fireworks, a dulcet choir of pretty little birdies?]] ''(laughs)'' Come on, Buffy. It's not like I've never been there before.
158	* ItsAllMyFault / DisappointedInYou: Buffy blames herself for what happened and expects Giles to agree that she let him down. Giles tells her otherwise.
159	* ItsTheBestWhateverEver: Xander's birthday present for Buffy. The [[RunningGag rocket launcher]].
160	* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: In the wake of Buffy's dream, she stomps into school the next morning, headed straight for Jenny's classroom. She spots Jenny and Giles chatting at the front, grabs Jenny's throat, and slams her backward onto the desk, demanding. "Did you do it? Did you change him?" A stammering Giles meekly dismisses the class. In the commentary for this episode, Creator/JossWhedon says he loved "how violent this is", and in other interviews he praised Robia for being willing to do the scene herself[[note]]Ordinarily, you ''never'' pair an actor with an actor for physical stunts. One or both will be a stunt professional, to minimize risk.[[/note]].
161	* JerkassHasAPoint: Giles tells Xander that the Judge is probably assembled by now. Xander immediately starts planning to storm Spike's factory. "And do what?", Cordelia pipes up, "''Besides'' be afraid and die?" Xander has a snide comeback on the front burner, but Giles interjects that Cordy actually has a point.
162	* KillTheOnesYouLove: Buffy's not prepared to do it yet. But she will be.
163	* LameComeback: The Scoobies butt heads over whether or not to double-back to Spike's lair and risk getting roasted by the Judge; Xander and Willow are ready to stomp off and save Buffy, but Giles and Ms. Calendar are more cautious.
164	-->'''Willow:''' My God, you people are all -- well, I'm upset and I can't think of a mean word right now, but ''that's'' what you are and we're going to the factory!
165	** Xander admonishes Angelus to "Don't do that!" when he's choking Willow. (Angelus pulls an "Are you serious?" face.) Of course Angel would do this himself [[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS3E22GraduationDayPart2 a year later,]] though in his defense he warns off who he says it to.
166	* LastVillainStand: A soaked Angelus hightails it out of there, but is waylaid by Buffy in a concession snack room. Buffy ''nearly'' finishes him, but relents at the last second.
167	* LayoutOfASeason: As per the formula, the 15th episodes have a tendency to pull a mid-season shift of major proportions. In this two-parter, Angel's soul is destroyed after sharing a tender moment with Buffy.
168	* LinkedListClueMethodology: Buffy muses that the Judge will need to go "somewhere crowded" to start his killing, and Willow suggests the Bronze. But the Bronze is closed, so the gang is stumped until Oz suggests TheMall, specifically the movie theater.
169	* LockedOutOfTheLoop: As revealed in this episode, Jenny didn't know ''why'' she was told to keep Buffy and Angel apart before then.
170	* LoopholeAbuse: The Judge reiterating that no weapon forged can stop him. "That was then," Buffy replies, shouldering a rocket launcher, "'''This''' is now."
171	* LoveConfession: Buffy chokes out a tearful "I love you!" as Angelus [[NotStayingForBreakfast casually walks out on her]]. She [[BrokenBird never again tells a boyfriend that she loves them]] until the very last episode of the series (even then, he doesn't believe her, and that one's debatable).
172	* LostInCharacter: Creator/SarahMichelleGellar was so invested in her character's romance with Angel that when he turns evil and abuses her, in the scene where Buffy runs home and cries SMG was so broken up they had to close the set for half an hour.
173	* LostLoveMontage: Buffy flashes back to the previous night she spent with Angel. Angel whispers, "I love you," and to a crashing noise he suddenly turns and vamps out.
174	* LoveMakesYouEvil
175	* LudicrousGibs: The Judge is hyped throughout the two-part episode as being so strong, that no weapon forged could defeat him. He is blown apart in one shot by an anti-tank missile. Guess the standards of "weapon forged" has improved in the past six hundred years.
176	* ManipulativeBastard: Angelus establishes himself as this with considerable flair.
177	-->'''Angelus:''' To kill this girl, you have to ''love'' her.
178	* MassOhCrap: Angelus and Drusilla's reaction to Buffy pulling out the rocket launcher.
179	* MeaningfulAppearance: Buffy and Joyce are dressed in white in the final scene, presumably to show that despite Buffy losing her innocence (not to mention [[VirginInAWhiteDress her virginity]]) she is still pure at heart.
180	-->'''Joyce:''' So what'd you do for your birthday? Did you have fun?
181	-->'''Buffy:''' [[ABirthdayNotABreak I got older]].
182	-->'''Joyce:''' You look the same to me.
183	* MugglesDoItBetter: Bazooka-toting Buffy provides the current page image.
184	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Buffy sleeping with Angel, although neither of them could have known there would be deadly consequences since the Romani didn't tell Angel about his CurseEscapeClause, so this trope really belongs to ''them''.
185	** It's also revealed that the Romani didn't even tell ''Jenny'' the truth; they told her to keep Buffy and Angel apart but didn't tell her why. Jenny insists she'd have told Buffy if she'd known.
186	* TheNicknamer: Spike refers to the Judge as "Big Blue" while Buffy calls it a smurf. The same gag is repeated with Illyria in Season 5 of ''Series/{{Angel}}''.
187	* NoManOfWomanBorn: The Judge states repeatedly that no weapon forged can stop him. Unfortunately for him, weapons can still tear his flesh (which is how he was originally dismembered) -- he just can't be killed, and can easily reassemble himself if the parts are placed back together. And in the modern world we have some much more efficient ways of disassembling people -- such as [[AuthorAppeal rocket launchers]].
188	* MonsterOfTheAesop: Angelus for the "boyfriend dropping his nice personality once he's slept with you" thing.
189	* NotHimself:
190	-->'''Buffy:''' I should've known. When I saw him at the house, he was different. The things he said...
191	* NotStayingForBreakfast: Buffy reaches for Angel but awakens when she finds his side of the bed empty. After scouring the city for him, she eventually finds Angelus back where he left her: his apartment. Buffy sheds tears of relief as she asks why he disappeared, which causes Angelus to act petulant. "You've got a lot to learn about men, kiddo," he quips, insinuating that she didn't satisfy him. Buffy is weeping by this time, and Angelus tells her not to make a big deal out of the situation, to which Buffy proclaims that "It '''is''' a big deal!!" Angelus laughs and coldly tells her she's too immature for him, then throws an "I'll call ya," over his shoulder before leaving. The effect of this is so traumatic it's lampshaded whenever Buffy takes a new lover.
192	* ObliviousGuiltSlinging: Buffy, forgetting all about last episode's SlumberPartyPloy after her night of passion with Angel, gets wide-eyed when her mother asks if she had fun last night.
193	* OhCrap: Angelus and Drusilla's faces when Buffy pulls out the rocket launcher.
194	** Also Xander when the lights go off, Buffy when she realises Angel is gone, Giles when he realises what's happened, Uncle Enos when he realises Angelus is in his room...This episode is basically ''OhCrap: TheMovie''.
195	* OppositesAttractRevenge: Outside in the van, Willow asks Oz in a just-making-conversation tone, "Do you want to make out with me?" Oz gently confides that he gets the feeling she's using him get back at Xander in some way, which is a bit "on the empty side." He tells her that in his fantasy, when he's kissing her, she's kissing ''him''. Oz says [[SubvertedTrope he'll wait]].
196	* OutsideTheBoxTactic: [[ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge Standard Slayer armory is medieval]]. The Judge was considered invincible back then. When Xander hears it took an army to stop him he gets an idea. An idea that led to the page image.
197	* PoorCommunicationKills: When the Romani cursed Angelus, they didn't bother to tell Angel there was a way the curse could be lifted if he experienced pure happiness.[[note]]In fairness, when we're later shown the moment he was cursed, Angelus was running from the Romani village and ostensibly never met with them again. It's also possible they feared Angelus' suffering would be so great he'd actively remove his soul again just to end it.[[/note]] In the modern day, Uncle Enyos still doesn't mention it to anyone until ''after'' Angelus is back, only ordering Jenny to keep Buffy and Angel apart so that the latter's suffering continues, without explaining what will happen if she doesn't.
198	* PostModernMagik: Xander realizes that rocket launchers weren't around last time The Judge appeared. Cue AuthorAppeal.
199	* ProphecyTwist:
200	** "No weapon forged" can kill the Judge. But even back when that was written, they could be used to dismember him. Weapons these days are [[StuffBlowingUp much more efficient]] when it comes to taking people (and big ugly smurfs) apart.
201	-->'''Buffy:''' That was then. This is now.
202	** It could also be because the weapon concerned is [[ExactWords built rather than forged]].
203	* PsychoElectro: The Judge is now strong enough to kill people at a distance.
204	* PsychoStrings: Foreshadowing Angel's change.
205	* ProductPlacement:
206	** During their fight at the mall, you can see advance posters for ''WesternAnimation/QuestForCamelot'' behind Buffy and Angel. Earlier, you can see the poster for ''Film/{{Fallen}}'' behind Angel doubling as a [[MeaningfulName meaningful name]]. Both movies were distributed by Warner Bros. around the time this episode aired.
207	** Also, in the first pan across the mall, we get a bevy of product names at the concession counter, including Tropicana, Pepsi and Dannon water.
208	* PureIsNotGood: It was established in the previous episode that only a true creature of evil could survive the Judge's TouchOfDeath. Angelus proves immune, completely lacking humanity.
209	* QuizzicalTilt: Drusilla cocks her head when the Judge has no effect on Angel. Wot?
210	** Also the Judge's reaction to his first sight of a rocket launcher.
211	* ReformedButRejected: Buffy accuses Jenny of knowing about Angel's curse, and Giles tries to interfere until Jenny admits she was planted there to keep her and Angel apart. When war plans are being laid, Jenny stands in the doorway and offers her help, but both Buffy and Giles tell her to GetOut and then turn their backs on her. Ouch!
212	* RevealingCoverUp: Willow on the Xander/Cordelia snog; "I knew it! ''[snip]'' You two were [[BelligerentSexualTension fighting way too much!]] It's not natural!" This was shown in "Bad Eggs" when Willow was puzzled over the intensity of their SnarkToSnarkCombat during Teen Health class.
213	* RevealingHug: Angelus grimaces in distaste when Buffy hugs him after they meet up again.
214	* RevengeBeforeReason: The original Kalderash curse that inflicted a soul on Angelus was designed to remove said soul if he ever experienced true happiness. Just to be clear: the Kalderash were so focused on ''their'' revenge that they considered it more acceptable to unleash an immortal psychopath back into the world than let him be content for even a moment.
215	-->'''Jenny:''' Uncle, this is insanity! People are going to die.
216	-->'''Enyos:''' Yes. It is not justice we serve. It is vengeance.
217	-->'''Jenny:''' [[YouFool You are a fool.]] We're all fools. ''(rushes out)''
218	* RewatchBonus: Uncle Enyos's belief that the return of Angelus was 'arranged' is a lot more plausible knowing he's a tool of the PowersThatBe, both good and evil, in the [[Series/{{Angel}} spin-off series]], and Twilight in the comic series.
219	* RockBottom:
220	-->'''Cordelia:''' This is great. There's an unkillable demon in town, Angel's joined his team, the Slayer is a basket case -- I'd say we've hit bottom.
221	-->'''Xander:''' I have a plan.
222	-->'''Cordelia:''' Oh, no, here's a ''lower'' place.
223	* RuleOfCool: Buffy blowing up the Judge with a rocket launcher. That is all.
224	* RuleOfSymbolism: The red sheets in the bed where Buffy lost her virginity. In Season 4 whenever Buffy sleeps with someone for the first time, red sheets are shown in a deliberate CallBack.
225	* SayingTooMuch: Willow wonders how Jenny anticipated Angel turning evil, much less knowing exactly where to be with a cross in hand. Buffy is too distraught to see much into it -- at least right now.
226	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Angelus and Drusilla working for the Judge, a demon who thought he was invincible because "no weapon forged" could kill him. He didn't take into account several centuries of improvement in weapon technology, however. When Buffy pointed a rocket launcher at him (which was not forged), he didn't even know what it was. However, Angelus and Drusilla certainly did, and they couldn't run the other way fast enough.
227	* SecretWeapon: The rocket launcher is only revealed in its glory when Buffy hefts it onto her shoulder and blows away the Judge.
228	* ShipSinking: The scene with Oz telling Willow he'll wait until she wants to kiss him for real and not to make Xander jealous was specifically written by Joss to make the audience warm to the character, as many viewers were still hoping for Xander and Willow to date.
229	* ShooOutTheClowns: Angelus and Dru escort the Judge to his upcoming slaughter, leaving a very resentful Spike behind in the factory. Our colorful antagonist spends the next few episodes moldering in his wheelchair.
230	* SickAndWrong:
231	-->'''Xander:''' I know it's weird...\
232	'''Willow:''' Weird? It's against all laws of God and Man! It's (disgusted) ''Cordelia!'' Remember? The 'We Hate Cordelia' club, of which you are the Treasurer?
233	* ShowSomeLeg / FakeOutMakeOut: Xander asks the guard on duty to let him give a trashy-looking Cordy the tour. "Well, you know the ladies. They like to see the big guns."
234	-->'''Cordelia:'''"Hi! I'm not a soldier. [[BadLiar Right?]]"
235	* SmallGirlBigGun: Buffy just about needs Slayer strength to be able to use a weapon that big in comparison to her.
236	* SpottingTheThread: Willow vaguely notices that Jenny seems to have known Angel would lose his soul before everyone else did, but doesn't quite realize the significance. Buffy later has a dream that puts it together for her.
237	* SwissCheeseSecurity: Lampshaded when Xander breaks into the army base via a torn chain-link fence. "The security here really is a joke. I should, uh, report it."
238	** Giving the military the benefit of the doubt, why is there a door that says "[-SECURED AREA-]" when it's unlocked?
239	** Since there have been two separate incidents in which a person stole a ''tank'' from an army base and went on a rampage with it, this isn't too unrealistic.
240	* SwordOverHead: Angelus collapses and Buffy pulls a stake, but then her lip quivers and she lowers the weapon. "You can't do it. You can't kill me," sneers Angelus, so Buffy settles for dealing him an extremely powerful [[GroinAttack kick to the peaches]].
241	-->'''Buffy:''' [[WeWillMeetAgain Give me time.]]
242	* TakeThatKiss:
243	** Spike tells Angelus that it made him sick seeing him as Buffy's "lapdog." At this, Angelus lunges over and grabs Spike by his lapels. But then he kisses him on the forehead, and everyone bursts into laughter.
244	** Once Miss Calendar drives him off, Angelus grabs Buffy by the shoulders and, his face inches away from hers, hisses, "Things are about to get ''very interesting''." He full-on kisses her on the mouth, then shoves her against the wall railing before mwu ha ha'ing it out of there.
245	* TechnologicallyBlindElders: Almost a ''parody.'' The Judge was last defeated centuries before his clash with Buffy and boasts that no weapon man has forged could stop him. It hadn't occurred to him that weapons had advanced at all in that time and doesn't even seem to realize the danger he's in ''as'' Buffy reduces him to pebble sized chunks with a rocket launcher.
246	-->'''The Judge:''' No weapon forged can stop me.
247	-->'''Buffy:''' That was then. This is now.
248	-->'''The Judge:''' (genuinely puzzled as Angelus and Drusilla dodge out of the way) What's that do?
249	-->'''(The Judge Explodes)'''
250	%%* TechnologyMarchesOn:
251	* ThatCameOutWrong: The guard grudgingly lets Xander into the armory, warning him to be back within twenty minutes. Xander, no doubt channeling his favorite spy movie (or the spirit of Creator/JossWhedon), cockily answers, "I just need five." Then, recalling how [[SpeedSex he claimed he was taking Cordelia in for some nookie]], adds, "Uhh, forget I said that last part."
252	* ThisIsGonnaSuck: For once Angelus has this expression all over his face. His thinking goes something like this: "Where the hell did the Slayer get a rocket launcher? Why did I dump her? OhCrap she's actually going to use it. Run!"
253	* TheTriple: Xander having a thought, then a plan, [[OhCrap then a wiggins]].
254	* TwoPartEpisode: The second part.
255	* UnspokenPlanGuarantee: Xander keeps his plan to fight the Judge a secret from everyone at first, justifying it in Cordelia's case by pointing out she'd never want to help if she knew what he was planning. It works with barely any hiccups.
256	* UnstoppableRage: During Buffy's first fight with Angelus, he initially has the upper hand before he goes overboard with his taunts, after which she beats him up and backs him into a corner, but stops just short of killing him, instead settling for kicking him in the groin and walking away.
257	* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: The arrival of the Judge does not appear to raise an eyebrow amongst the blasé West Coast shoppers. Even after he starts draining them all they seem more confused than frightened about what happened. They also don't seem to remember or report that Buffy used a rocket launcher to blow someone up at the mall. The WeirdnessCensor was working overtime.
258	* VampiricDraining: The Judge exposits that he's a living battery, and needs to murder a swath of people before he's at full strength.
259	* VillainExitStageLeft: Spike rolls onto the scene and voices his concern that Angel and Buffy now know the location of the hideout: "We should be ''vacating''." Dru reassures him that Angel won't be making a return visit because he'll be afraid to face the Judge.
260	** Angelus and Dru hit the deck just before Buffy fires her rocket. The Judge bursts into tiny pieces, showering Angelus and Dru where they lie on the floor. Dru, realizing she's covered in charred remains, emits a high-pitched whimper and totters off in her high heels.
261	* VirginVision: Feeling abandoned by Angel, Buffy returns home and starts climbing the stairs to her room when she's stopped by Joyce. Mother and daughter engage in small talk; Buffy is visibly shaken. Joyce uses her Super Mom Powers to discern that something's different with Buffy.
262	-->'''Joyce:''' Is something wrong?
263	-->'''Buffy''': [startled] No. What would be wrong?
264	-->'''Joyce:''' I don't know. You just look... [stares curiously]
265	* WeWillMeetAgain: Inverted - Buffy promises Angelus that she won't be so heartfelt next time.
266	* WeUsedToBeFriends: Jenny's relationships with Buffy and Giles are left sundered thanks to the revelation of her true loyalties and that she's been lying to them all this entire time.
267	* WhamEpisode: The reemergence of Angelus was a huge left turn for season 2.
268	* WhoDares: A crossbow bolt suddenly hits the Judge's chest, causing him to lose his concentration, freeing the bystanders from his evil energy. "Who dares?" shouts the Judge. A bazooka-toting Buffy does, that's who.
269	* WhyDontYaJustShootHim: Spike's puzzlement at why Angelus didn't just kill Buffy when he had the chance. Spike continues simmering in his frustration for the rest of the arc.
270	-->'''Spike:''' Now, I know you haven't been in the game for a while, mate, but we still do ''kill'' people. Sort of our raison d'être , you know.
271	** Subverted with The Judge; Xander thinks this is exactly what they'll do.
272	* YouFool: Jenny outright calls her uncle this.
273	** The Judge also calls Buffy this for shooting him with a crossbow bolt. Fortunately, it was just to get his attention for what she actually planned to hit him with.
274	-->'''The Judge''': You're a fool! No weapon forged can kill me!
275	-->'''Buffy''': That was then. ''[pulls out the rocket launcher]'' This is now!
276	* YouNeverDidThatForMe
277	-->'''Cordelia:''' You were too busy rushing off to die for your beloved Buffy. You'd never die for me.\
278	'''Xander:''' No, I might die ''from'' you. Does that get me any points?
279	* YourTelevisionHatesYou: At the end of the episode, Buffy and Joyce are watching an old black-and-white musical on TV. The movie is ''Stowaway'' (1936) and Alice Faye is singing the romantic song "Goodnight, My Love".
280	* YouWontFeelAThing: A cut line has Angelus saying, "It won't hurt a bit...after the first hour."
281	* YouWouldntBelieveMeIfIToldYou: Angelus on the means by which he lost his soul. Given how Spike tries to get a rise out of him later, it's probably for the best.
282	----

Context Recap / BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E14Innocence