History Recap / AngelS05E13WhyWeFight

* EnemyMine: Angel forces the soldiers and the vampires to work together. While Spike ([[SourSupporter reluctantly]]) follows Angel's lead and the humans cooperate with the vamps despite their misgivings, Nostroyev doesn't toe the line and is offed quickly, with the Prince of Lies initially helping but later going berserk when he discovers the Nazi plans and being similarly put down as a result.

* LooksLikeOrlok: The Prince of Lies is probably the most explicit version of this trope in the Buffyverse, with trademark pointed ears and long fingers. Like other Buffyverse examples of inhuman-looking vampires such as Kakistos and the Master, his appearance is credited to extremely great age.

* ContinuityNod: 1943-Spike still isn't aware that Angel has a soul (which fits with Spike's introductory ''[[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]]'' episode "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E3Schoolhard School Hard]]", where he initially thinks Angel is Angelus), though the 1940s version of the Initiative does know.

-->'''Nostroyev:''' ''(to Angel)'' You may hve made a name for yourself muscling around weaker vampires...\\

* ShoutOut: The title to ''Series/WhyWeFight''.

* SuperSoldier: The human soldiers speculate that Angel is one, given his ability to survive the ocean's depths in order to reach them on the sub, not realizing that he's a vampire like the creatures that attacked them.

In the present, Lawson confronts Angel in his office. Angel recognizes him and learns that Lawson has been keeping tabs on him over the past 60 years. Back on the sub, Angel introduces the crew to Spike and the Prince of Lies, telling them to put the vamps to work. Angel and Lawson move the dead crew members out of the way as Lawson says that he is not sure how to feel about Spike being there, since he killed the captain. Angel reminds him that they have to follow orders and bring the sub in. Lawson replies that "there's a difference between orders and purpose." He can handle dying, as long as it is for a greater purpose. Angel tells him that the job they do will help win the war, so they need to work together.

In the present, Lawson asks Angel if he only did what he did on the sub for himself. He wants to understand "why we do what we do." Angel attacks Lawson and starts to stake him with a coffee table leg, but Lawson asks if he really wants to do that. Angel reminds him that the last time they saw each other, Angel promised he would kill Lawson the next time they met. Lawson says that he would never come to Angel without having something up his sleeve. He takes Angel to a conference room, where Angel sees that Wesley, Fred, and Gunn are all tied up and standing on office chairs. Lawson explains that the gang have wire around their necks, so if they get knocked off their chairs, they'll be decapitated.

Back on the sub, the crew takes command of the submarine while Spike complains to Angel that he wants to steer the sub and be addressed as "Captain." Angel puts him to work and tries to assure Lawson that he can control Spike. They two hear screaming from the next room and rush over to discover that the Prince of Lies is beating up the captured Nazi. He and Lawson try to get the Prince of Lies away from the Nazi, but Angel has to stake him to stop him. Angel has to explain to Lawson that the Prince of Lies was a vampire. Spike points out that the Prince of Lies was holding a report in German and demands that the Nazi tell them what it contains. Lawson translates an impromptu interrogation while Spike "menaces" the Nazi officer, who reveals that the Nazis have been doing experiments on vampires, trying to learn how to control them. The Nazis eventually plan to use the controlled vampires in the Nazi army. Spike is furious about what the Nazis are doing, and assumes that the Americans have similar plans. Accordingly, Spike reiterates his desire to kill the crew, but Angel and Lawson stop him. Lawson insists that the Americans would never experiment on vampires or try to control them, saying: "You don't win a war by doing whatever it takes. You win by doing what's right." Angel tells Spike to burn the report, which he does (while singing "God Save the King"), much to the dismay of the Nazi officer. By this time, Spike has figured out that Angel is playing both sides, and expresses both surprise and respect for the move.

They hear an explosion, and a distracted Spike accidentally sets his clothes on fire instead of burning up the whole report. Enemy destroyers are spotted and the crew tries the submarine, but after more explosions the sub is rendered motionless. The sub starts taking on water and Angel helps fix the pipes to stop the flow. As Spike notes that the Nazi has disappeared, Lawson looks for his screwdriver. He turns around and the Nazi stabs him in the stomach with the missing screwdriver. Angel tries to get the dying Lawson to tell him how to get the sub home. Lawson says that he's the only one who is capable of doing what needs to be done. Angel vamps out and bites Lawson, then makes Lawson drink from him. Angel heads back to the main room and tells the crew to get ready to surface. The newly-sired Lawson repairs the sub and thanks Angel. However, he now wants to eat the rest of the crew, since he and Angel do not need them anymore. Angel takes Lawson to the main room, warning the rest of the crew to keep their distance from him, and forces him to leave the sub to swim the 20 miles to dry land. He warns Lawson that the sun will come up in eight hours, and tells him that if he ever sees him again, he will kill him. As Lawson leaves the sub. Spike laughs at Angel's actions, telling him that he is "still a dick," and is irritated when Angel also forces him to leave.

In the present, Angel tells Lawson that he never wanted to sire Lawson, but Lawson notes that it seems fair to sacrifice his life to help the Americans. Angel tells him that killing the gang will not change the past; Lawson says that it will hurt Angel, which might be enough for him. "It never is," Angel replies. They fight, and Lawson accuses Angel of making him nothing because Angel gave him a little bit of his soul. Lawson tries to stake Angel, who turns the stake around so it is pointing at him. "Go on, Chief. Give me a mission," Lawson says. Angel stakes him. The next day, Spike goes to Angel's office, explaining that Fred filled him in on the events of the previous night. He thinks that Lawson was there for revenge, but Angel says that he came there for "a reason."

* AnachronismStew: During the flashback sequences there is little or no attempt to use the language of 1943. Anachronistic phrases like "back in the day," "hold it together," "don't lose your cool," a joke that assumes everyone is familiar with a melon-baller, etc. abound.
* BatmanGrabsAGun: Angel siring Sam Lawson, an engineer, after a stab wound prevents him from finishing his repairs to the sub's engine. Once a vampire, Lawson completes his repairs. This is the only time Angel ever sired someone after gaining a soul. (He even refused to re-sire Darla, who was going to die anyway).

* BlessedWithSuck: As a vampire Lawson is unable gain any pleasure from his violence, a fact which he attributes to Angel having a soul when he sired him. Unfortunately for Lawson, he didn't absorb enough of Angel's soul to suppress his dark impulses. He's kind of irritated.
* BloodSplatteredInnocents: Lawson gets splattered with blood [[GoryDiscretionShot from his captain's death]].

** 1942-Spike declares "I'm not going to be experimented on by the government!" and 1942-Angel replies "And I'm not going to get trapped at the bottom of the ocean!". Both statements make perfect sense in context but are hilarious, because the viewer knows that about sixty years later [[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS4E7TheInitiative Spike will be experimented on by the US government]], and [[Recap/AngelS04E01DeepDown Angel will spend several months trapped underwater]].
** The "Demon Research Initiative" is an apparent precursor to "The Initiative" in Season 4 of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. The Nazi's experiments on vampires (involving brain surgery, stimulation and control) sound similar to what was done to Spike. The implication is that the US government found the blueprints and decided it was a good idea.
* ContinuityNod: Spike still isn't aware that Angel has a soul (which fits with his introductory BTVS episode "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E3Schoolhard School Hard]]") though the 1940s version of the Initiative does know.

* DeathSeeker: Lawson's motive.
* DestinationDefenestration: Angel chucks Lawson through one of the internal windows.

-->'''Lawson:''' Find that's true about most things these days. [[NostalgiaFilter I don't mean to sound like an old man]], but... (sighs) We used to live in simpler times, didn't we? Never thought I'd miss being on that sub. Things made a kind of sense.

* EnemyMine: Angel forces the soldiers and the vampires to work together. While Spike ''[[SourSupporter mostly]]'' follows Angel's lead, Nostroyev doesn't toe the line and is offed quick, with the Prince of Lies initially helping but later going berserk and is similarly put down as a result.

* GotVolunteered: Angel isn't interested in fighting, so the US Government wraps heavy chains around his legs and throw him overboard. The only way to get them off is to get the help of the sailors on board the submarine.

* IHateYouVampireDad: Angel sired Lawson ''after'' being cursed; this had devastating consequences for the "child", who eventually came looking for revenge. (During World War 2, Angel had to turn an engineer to ensure the U-boat he was on made it to the States.) The newly-turned Lawson could gain no pleasure from feeding, perhaps as a result of Angel's curse, and so resented him even more.

* LooksLikeOrlok: The Prince of Lies is probably the most explicit version of this trope in the Buffyverse, with trademark pointed ears and long fingers. Like other Buffyverse examples, his appearance is credited to age.

* RefugeInAudacity: Spike spends a good chunk of the episode wearing a [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi Officer's]] coat, swastika and all, but observes that he just likes the jacket after he killed its original wearer.

* SchmuckBait: Spike says that he was captured by the SS when he attended a "free virgin blood party" in Madrid.

* SwissCheeseSecurity: Wolfram & Hart's lousy security strikes again. Probably revenge for how Team Angel kept making them look ridiculous in the early seasons.

'''Angel:''' No, you'd be amazed at how many people break into this building on a regular basis.

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Lawson's last thoughts when dying.
* TranshumanTreachery: After being turned Lawson only sees his former comrades-in-arms as lunch. "They look so small."
* TrustPassword: Angel gives the correct codewords and countersign for Lawson's mission to get his cooperation.

* WholeEpisodeFlashback: To 1943

* YouAreInCommandNow: Lawson is briefly put in charge of a captured German submarine following the murder of his captain by Spike. Once aboard, Angel assumes control of the sub thanks to the command codes provided for him by the U.S. military.

On the submarine, Angel asks for the captain and is informed that he is dead and that Lawson is now in charge. Angel issues an order and provides a verification code that assures the crew that he is on their side and that they are supposed to defer to his authority from now on. He heads for the hatch to confront the creature and comes face-to-face with a dark-haired Spike, clad in a black leather Nazi jacket. "Angelus," Spike remarks. "They'll let anyone in here." Angel disbelievingly asks Spike if he is a Nazi; Spike says that he just ate one and took his jacket. Spike assumes that Angel was grabbed by the S.S. the same way he was - at a "free virgin blood party."

On the submarine, Angel asks for the captain and is informed that he is dead and that Lawson is now in charge. Angel issues an order and provides a verification code to assure the crew that he is on their side. He heads for the hatch to confront the creature and comes face-to-face with a dark-haired Spike, clad in a black leather Nazi jacket. "Angelus," Spike remarks. "They'll let anyone in here." Angel disbelievingly asks Spike if he is a Nazi; Spike says that he just ate one and took his jacket. Spike assumes that Angel was grabbed by the S.S. the same way he was - at a "free virgin blood party."

* NotSoDifferent: Lawson declares that only the evil Nazis would use vampires in war. The Nazi scientist looks directly at Angel and bursts out laughing.

-->'''Spike:''' [[GameFace I'll menace]], you talk.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* ContinuityNod: Spike still isn't aware that Angel has a soul (which fits with his introductory BTVS episode "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E3Schoolhard School Hard]]") though the 1940's version of the Initiative does know.

* {{Ghostapo}}: The Nazis hope to build an army of mind-controlled vampires. A subversion in that it's noted that the US is trying to achieve the same thing, (they'll try again [[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS4E7TheInitiative half a century later]]).

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Spike tells Angel to swab his deck.

* DeathSeeker: [[spoiler:Lawson's motive.]]

* RefugeInAudacity: Spike spends a good chunk of the episode wearing a [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi Officer's]] coat, swastika and all.

* CallForward: 1942-Spike declares "I'm not going to be experimented on by the government!" and 1942-Angel replies "And I'm not going to get trapped at the bottom of the ocean!". Both statements make perfect sense in context but are hilarious, because the viewer knows that about sixty years later [[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS4E7TheInitiative Spike will be experimented on by the US government]], and [[Recap/AngelS04E01DeepDown Angel will spend several months trapped underwater]].

* CutHisHeartOutWithASpoon

* IHateYouVampireDad

* PatrioticFervour
* PerpSweating

* SoundOnlyDeath

* SubStory

* TemptingFate

* ThoseWackyNazis
* TwoScenesOneDialogue: Switching between Lawson talking with Angel about events on the sub in the present day and the flashback scenes.

* VillainCred

Sam Lawson, a mysterious man from Angel's past, arrives at Wolfram & Hart and takes Wesley, Fred and Gunn hostage. In a flashback to 1943, it is revealed that Angel was forcibly recruited by the Demon Research Initiative to recover a captured German U-boat with American sailors on board. The ship also has a secret cargo of three vampires: Spike, the Prince of Lies, and Nostroyev, who were kidnapped by a Nazi team. Can Angel save the crew and get the submarine safely into Allied hands?

* ContinuityNod: Spike still isn't aware that Angel has a soul (which fits with his introductory BTVS episode "School Hard") though the 1940's version of the Initiative does know.
* CreateYourOwnVillain

* YouAreInCommandNow: Lawson is briefly put in charge of a captured German submarine following the murder of his captain by Spike. Once aboard, Angel assumes control of the sub thanks to the command codes provided for him by the U.S. military.

A vampire Angel turned back in World War Two seeks revenge.

* {{Batman Grabs a Gun}}: Angel siring Sam Lawson, an engineer, after a stab wound prevents him from finishing his repairs to the sub's engine. Once a vampire, Lawson completes his repairs. This is the only time Angel ever sired someone after gaining a soul. (He even refused to re-sire Darla, who was going to die anyway).

** The "Demon Research Initiative" is an apparent precursor to "The Initiative" in Season 4 of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. The Nazi's experiments on vampires (involving brain surgery, stimulation and control) sound similar to what was done to Spike.

* HeroOfAnotherStory: Two sailors think that Angel, who was able to board their submarine 400 feet underwater, is another super-soldier, like Steve Rogers, e.g. ComicBook/CaptainAmerica. Apparently, the Buffyverse intersects with the Marvel Universe.
** Or they could just read comic books. It doesn't mean that Captain America exists in the Buffyverse (even if Angel now exists in comic form).

* ImprovisedWeapon: Angel knocks Nostroyev down with a fire axe, breaking the handle in the process which he then uses to stake him.

* BeethovenWasAnAlienSpy: Nostroyev claims to have been [[RasputinTheMadMonk Rasputin]]'s lover.

** The "Demon Research Initiative" is an apparent precursor to "The Initiative" in Season 4 of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. The experiments on vampires (involving brain surgery, stimulation and control) sound similar to what was done to Spike.

* HeroOfAnotherStory: Two sailors think that Angel, who was able to board their submarine 400 feet underwater, is another super-soldier, like Steve Rogers, e.g. CaptainAmerica. Apparently, the Buffyverse intersects with the Marvel Universe.

* HeroOfAnotherStory: Two sailors think that Angel, who was able to board their submarine 400 feet underwater, is another super-soldier, like Steve Rogers/CaptainAmerica. Apparently, the Buffyverse intersects with the Marvel Universe.