Episode Three: Where Are We Going, and Why Are We In This Handbasket?

Episode Two ended in a low point for the good guys.  With Daisy captured by the vampires and Al’s Watcher forced to let her demon side out to escape death, Darien just managed to escape with his and Alejandra’s life, and most of their new allies didn’t survive the fight at all.

As the episode opens, Darien has taken Al to his mysterious out-of-town friends, to get patched up and possibly recruit some reinforcements.  Meanwhile, the vampires’ plan for Daisy becomes clear as Jack has fitted her with an enchanted gem that reverses the major aspects of her personality: her altruism has become evil, her friends are now her most hated enemies, and she is compelled to follow orders from the vampires (unbeknownst to them, Jack has made sure that his own orders to Daisy will supersede theirs).  The Master Vampire gives the werewolves several crates of pistols and shotguns, as a gesture of trust to solidify the deal between the two groups.

A mysterious homeless drunk (who fights like a Champion) and a runaway teenager make their first appearances, each in turn foreshadowing future storylines. 

Al’s Watcher, now fully under the sway of her inner demon, sows further dissent by egging Daisy on to seek revenge against Al.  The vampires send the pair of them to Al, hoping to use their position of trust as a means to destroy the Slayer.  Jack manages to get word of their current evil state of mind to the Detective, who passes the word to Al.  She and Darien are prepared to deal with the problem when they finally return to the city.  Along Daisy and the Watcher meet up with the mysterious homeless man, who falls in with them for the time being.

Daisy, the Watcher, and Sean (the homeless guy) go to Al and Darien, expecting to surprise and soften them up for the impending assault by the vampires (a plan of which Sean, who hates vampires in general and these vampires in particular, is unaware).  In the meantime, Jack’s efforts against the vampires come to light, and he barely escapes with his life.  While on the run, he crosses paths with the Initiative squad, who help him get away and learn of the vampire’s plans from him.   

Al and Darien manage to subdue Daisy and the Watcher, knowing that they were under evil influences.  Darien and Sean fight each other to a standstill before realizing that Sean had been tricked into perceiving them as an enemy, and Darien manages to convince Sean that despite being a vampire, they are on the same side. Jack arrives at Al’s place along with the Initiative squad, and the werewolves arrive as well, seeking to help fight the vampires.  They help arm the good guys for the fight with the very weapons the vampires gave them.  Jack also removes the gem that is keeping Daisy under evil’s control, so she can join in the fight alongside her friends.  With Al’s entire apartment building packed with good guys, werewolves, and guns, they dig in to defend… and when the vampires arrive in force, the defenses are more than adequate.  Both the Master Vampire and his Lieutenant fall in the ensuing battle, leaving their scattered Minions fleeing to reorganize under new management. 

Secrets and Surprise Developments:

On to Episode Three