Angel

Auroras 5x07 ’Angel’ Spoilers: The Roger Wyndam-Pryce Sides

We open with an exchange between Wesley and Fred, her arm in a sling from the accident with a grappling-hook (episode 5.06) and instructions to take "a boatload of antibiotics." Wesley’s remorse over what happened and his inability to protect her offends Fred, who finds his apology patronizing and chivalrous. He tells her she shouldn’t have been there in the first place, and she tells him, angrily, that is isn’t for him to decide.

Poor Wes, he never gets a break or the girl.

While she’s venting, a man steps into the doorway behind her, one whom Wesley obviously recognizes by the expression on his face. He has one of those looks we all get when someone really unwelcome shows up at your door and you know they aren’t going to leave anytime soon, so you’re forced to suffer their company.

Meanwhile, Fred continues that she isn’t his ’damsel in distress’ and that he’s coming off like a self-pitying child. At this point I kind of want to slap her for damaging my Marlboro Mans sensitive feelings. A selfless hottie who adores you, what else do you want?!!

SCENE 1:

And then comes the greeting we somewhat expected to hear one day or another: "Hello, father."

The always observant Fred doesn’t realize he’s addressing someone behind her and claims she wishes that she was his father, that way she could tell him to grow up and start acting like an adult. Girl has got some attitude after all. When the man behind her speaks up and admits that he’s tried and it’s never worked, her eyes go wide and she turns, slightly startled.

This is Roger Wyndam-Pryce, a late fifties, early sixties stern Britain (think Travers, only worse) who is owed some serious dues for helping bring Wes into existence.

Wesley’s tone is hostile as he inquires what he’s doing there, while Fred is still vocally processing the fact that it’s Wesley’s father. Roger extends his hand and introduces himself while making a snide comment about Wesley’s manners being his strong point. We already know from past references that Wesley and daddy dearest aren’t the best of friends, and here that knowledge is reinforced by Wesley’s cold reaction.

Fred apologizes for not realizing he was there, explaining how she and Wesley were discussing about having to fire an employee, but she trails off when she looks at Wesley, picking up on the tension. She excuses herself and says it was nice to meet him, and she exits with a quick, somewhat concerned look to Wesley, leaving them to catch up.

After Roger states, ’ "A self-pitying child." I had your mother crochet that on a pillow for you once, ’ any hopes that this will be a happy reunion are quickly crushed.

Wesley asks once again about why he’s there, to which Roger informs him that since he’s his son he may visit him when he pleases. Wes raises his eyebrows, knowing there’s got to be something else behind it; his father doesn’t exactly seem the type who would stop by merely for a social call. Roger relents, admitting that they have business to discuss, then proceeds to step into the office.

Turns out there is a group in the process of contacting all former Watchers to reform the destroyed Watchers Council, and Roger has been sent to find Wesley for a possible reacceptance. There’s strings, of course: An evaluation, and we all know how fair those can be.

Wesley stiffens immediately, curious to what makes the Council believe he’d want to go back. Roger admits that Wesley’s tenure as a Watcher ranks among the most embarrassing failures in Council history, but that the Council is offering him the chance to redeem his name, anyway. There’s a pause before he adds ’Our name.’ Not so selfless after all, are we? Wesley tells him he isn’t interested, and there’s hesitance as he claims that he’s happy with the work he’s doing here, at Wolfram & Hart. There’s a bit of sarcasm as Roger remarks that he felt great pride when he heard of his son’s latest position, then he wanders out of the room to observe his surroundings before referring to Wolfram & Hart as the "haven of evil". But the comment is vaguely a fascinated question, which makes me wonder what else he came to LA for . . . .

SCENE 2: INT. WOLFRAM & HART - LIBRARY - DUSK

Wesley’s library. You’ve done good, boy.

The room is described as having an ornate, classic feel to it, with a few cases of mystical items lining the walls that include gourds, powders, and scrolls. We see the Library Source Books from "Home" and episode six as they enter, and Wesley goes over to them, clearly business like.

Now there’s something sexy about a man who knows that the Dutrovic markings in the Library Source Books suggest an Eastern origin, isn’t there? Wesley thinks that they may find something in the Journals of Saitama, but Roger is barely paying him any mind. He’s taking in the room when he offhandedly remarks how Winifred (how very stuffy English guy of him) seems to have a thing for Wesley.

Now isn’t that insightful?

Wes remains focused on the subject at hand, but he manages to remark that she’s a special person, which leads Roger to conjecture that she means a lot to him. Wesley dismisses the comment, but his father presses on, questioning whether she is aware of his feelings toward her. This throws Wes off a bit. He insists its none of Rogers business, leading him to accuse Wesley of always being a coward when it comes to women. If he likes her, simply tell her. Smartly, Roger opts to drop the subject when he realizes it’s going nowhere.

Continuing with his work despite the distractions, Wesley holds up a Source Book and requests The Siatama Codex. When he opens it, the text appears magically on the page.

His father is intrigued by this, and Wesley explains how they are source books, templates he uses to call forth the texts in the archives. He informs Roger that the archives are so extensive they have access to nearly any text in exist.

Roger looks the books over and criticizes Wesley on keeping such powerful books out in the open, suggesting that he doesn’t understand their importance. We also learn that something called the Sword of Revelations is supposedly hanging on the wall.

Offended, Wesley assures him that he keeps the most powerful items in his division secure in a vault and that he knows what he’s doing. Roger expresses concern over whether the vault is safer than the very room they are standing in, and if a lock is on the ’door over there’. Wesley guarantees that the texts are quite safe where they are, as it isn’t easy to gain access to the building.

Famous last words, perhaps?

END:

I’ll write more once I get the sides, but for now, Faith is the one in control of my spoilers until I can find the time to distribute them myself. All repost requests can be sent to Faith@buffy-online.com, but otherwise, please include only a link back.