10 Best Angel Episodes
3. Sanctuary
It’s unsurprising that a pivotal moment in Faith’s storyline should be a triumph, given that she was one of the Buffyverse’s most interesting, complex characters. With the rogue Slayer having completely collapsed into despair and self-hatred at the end of the previous episode, Sanctuary saw Faith trying to escape her dark path with Angel's help.
The scenes between Angel and Faith were beautifully touching, as he comforted her and guided her to a measure of redemption. Faith wasn't the only character in Sanctuary to show growth, as Wesley refused to betray Angel and help the Watchers' Council seize Faith, despite the horrific torture he'd been put through by her. The contrast with the arrogant bumbler who’d prevented Angel from getting through to Faith back in Sunnydale couldn’t have been starker.
The episode also featured an ugly conflict between Buffy and Angel, as Buffy came to L.A. seeking vengeance against Faith. The exchanges between them were memorably uncomfortable, as they came to blows and Angel demanded that Buffy stop causing him pain and leave.
Ironically, of the two Slayers, it was Faith who had found peace at the episode's conclusion, having finally chosen to do the right thing and accept responsibility for her actions.