Ep 12. Calvary

Angel season 4 episode 12, "Calvary," follows the titular character and his team as they struggle to deal with the aftermath of previous episodes. The villainous Jasmine has taken control of the city of Los Angeles and is using her powers to manipulate the populace into an obedient, fanatical cult. Angel, along with his allies Wesley, Fred, Gunn, and Lorne, are among the few holdouts who have not succumbed to Jasmine's mind control.

The episode opens with Angel and his team preparing to launch an attack on Jasmine's headquarters, hoping to free the remaining free-willed humans and overthrow the cult. However, their plan is complicated when they discover that one of their own, Connor, has been turned into one of Jasmine's most devoted followers. Despite their initial shock and disappointment, the team realizes that Connor may be their best chance to infiltrate Jasmine's inner circle and strike from within.

The team then splits up to carry out their respective roles in the mission. Wesley and Fred work on developing a potion that will nullify Jasmine's mind control, while Gunn goes undercover with a group of Jasmine's followers to gather intelligence. Lorne, meanwhile, uses his powers of psychic intuition to discern Jasmine's movements and plans.

Angel and Connor, meanwhile, make their way to Jasmine's inner sanctum, a heavily guarded room where she is holding a number of high-value hostages, including members of the city council and police force. While Angel tries to reason with Connor and break through Jasmine's hold on him, Connor remains resolute in his dedication to their new leader.

As the team begins to execute their plan, they discover that Jasmine has been anticipating their attack. She unleashes a series of devastating countermeasures, including a group of powerful demon mercenaries and a brainwashed Angel Investigations employee who turns on the team.

Despite these setbacks, Angel and his team press forward, fighting their way through the demon fighters and facing down their own brainwashed comrade in a fierce battle. The most dramatic confrontation comes when Angel and Connor come face to face with Jasmine, who uses her formidable powers to try to sway Connor back to her side. In this pivotal moment, Connor has to choose between his father and the cult he has come to believe in.

The episode climaxes with a dramatic showdown between Jasmine and Angel, as the two engage in a brutal fight that tests not only their physical abilities but also their strength of character. In the end, the team emerges victorious, though at great cost. Several characters are injured or killed in the battle, and the emotional toll of the experience leaves everyone shaken.

"Calvary" is a tense and action-packed episode that highlights the ways in which Angel and his team are willing to make sacrifices for what they believe in. As they fight against the insidious grip of Jasmine's mind control, the characters are forced to confront their own failures, weaknesses, and doubts. Despite the high stakes and the grim tone of the episode, there are also moments of humor and camaraderie that remind us of the bonds of loyalty that hold the team together. Overall, "Calvary" is a standout episode in the season, and one that sets the stage for even more intense challenges to come.