ANGELUS (to Gunn): Othello and Desdemona. My favorite couple. Oh, wait. Desdemona wasn’t in love with the other guy. So much for “stand by your man”. Then again, you probably like her on her knees.

The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice

SparkNotes: Othello, Plot Overview

Shakespeare: Othello -Bradley on Othello

Farther down the corridor, Fred kneels next to Gunn, performing impromptu first aid on his wound.
GUNN: That’s good. That should hold. You okay? You hurt?
FRED: I’m fine. I just thought… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t fall apart like this.
GUNN: (smiles) You scared I’m gonna die on you?
FRED: Charles, don’t even…
GUNN: (dramatic) And all I ask is one last kiss as the light is dimming.
He laughs.
FRED: You think that’s funny?
GUNN: It’s just a scratch!
FRED: I thought it was… I—
GUNN: Hey. Hey.
He reaches over and pulls her close, caressing her cheek.
GUNN: You really that worried about me?
FRED: You probably think I’m an idiot.
GUNN: I think if you care that much, the wound is definitely deep.
FRED: The light is dimming?
GUNN: And all I ask… is one… last…
He leans forward and their lips meet in a tender kiss.
Pull back to reveal Wesley standing nearby watching them. He slowly turns and
walks away.

Farther down the corridor. The sound of a sword tip dragging along the floor. A pair of black-clad legs shamble into frame.
The figure drops to its knees: reveal Wesley. He bows his head in anguish as the
music of the ballet swells to a tortured crescendo.

Waiting in the Wings (S3,Ep13)

Wesley talks on the phone in his office while Gunn and Fred wait in chairs in front of his desk.
WESLEY: (into phone) Yes, Ms. Frakes. We are, too. You’re welcome. Good bye.
(hangs up) Well, Ms. Frakes is very happy. You saved her fiancé’s life.
FRED: So he’s gonna be okay?
WESLEY: Yes.
GUNN: That’s good.
WESLEY: Yes.
A long pause.
WESLEY: Well, good work. You should probably get cleaned up, then.
Fred and Gunn stand.
FRED: Yeah. Good idea.
WESLEY: Charles. A word?
FRED: Well, good night.
GUNN: Good night. (to Wesley) What is it?
WESLEY: When you knew this was more than just a tryst you should have told me.
GUNN: It happened so fast. The thing just grabbed the guy and he was gone.
WESLEY: That’s… that’s not what I meant.
GUNN: Oh. You mean… well, I’m not so sure that’s any of your business.
WESLEY: No. You’re probably right. Still… she could get hurt. I trust that won’t happen?
GUNN: What are you, her brother?
WESLEY: Apparently.
GUNN: (beat) Wesley, I—
WESLEY: She chose. It’s just important to me that she’s taken care of.
GUNN: She will be.
WESLEY: Good.
Wesley picks up his pen and goes back to translating the open book in front of him. Gunn watches for a moment, then leaves.

Couplet (S3,Ep14)

GUNN: So I’m the muscle, huh?
Wesley turns to find Gunn sitting in the shadows behind the desk.
WESLEY: Sorry?
GUNN: Angel’s the man on the card. It’s his world. I’m not a leader no more. I don’t have that champion’s heart like Cordy and the brains, why that was you. So that leaves muscle.
WESLEY: What about Fred?
GUNN: Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? She’s pretty brainy, too. Maybe you two are kindred souls. Maybe that’s why she went to you for help getting revenge on that professor. Killing takes brains.
Wesley picks up the bottle.
WESLEY: I did what you weren’t prepared to do.
Gunn stands up and approaches Wesley.
GUNN: You have no idea what I— what I would do for her.
WESLEY: Is there some reason I should need to know?
GUNN: You think I don’t smell this a mile off? You think I don’t know why you keep coming back here?
WESLEY: Because you keep needing my help.
Wesley tries to leave but Gunn blocks him.
GUNN: I’m going to say this once. You move on Fred and I will put you down hard.
WESLEY: I’m glad to see you have such faith in your relationship.
GUNN: Keep pushing, English!
WESLEY: Do you think you could get out of my way?
Wesley tries to push past Gunn but Gunn grabs his arm.
GUNN: You know, once—
Gunn freezes as Wesley triggers his wrist blade and holds it to his throat.

WESLEY: Not all of us have muscle to fall back on.
Wesley retracts the blade and Gunn lets go of him.
GUNN: What happened to you, man?
WESLEY: I had my throat cut and all my friends abandoned me.

Spin the Bottle (S4,Ep6)

Revenge

Gunn and Fred come back from their rat excursion.
GUNN: Nasty pink-nosed bastards… I felt them crawling on me.
Fred heads upstairs.
FRED: I’m gonna take a long bath and scrub till my skin stops twitching.
GUNN: (hopefully) We have bubbles?
FRED: (awkward) I was kinda looking forward to a quiet soak alone.
GUNN: (covers) Oh. Yeah, okay.
FRED: It’s just the tub’s not that big and… (off his look) Forget it. We’ll squeeze in.
GUNN: No, you go ahead. I’ll grab one later.
FRED: Can we not do this?
GUNN: You mean have a meaningful conversation the way that two people who love each other are supposed to?
FRED: Fine. We’ll do this.
GUNN: Fred, what do you want from me?
FRED: Nothing.
GUNN: Yeah, you’ve made that pretty clear.
FRED: That’s not what I meant.
GUNN: You sure? We don’t talk. We sleep on opposite sides of the bed. We haven’t even touched each other since…
FRED: Since we murdered Professor Seidel.
GUNN: No, since I did.
FRED: For me.
GUNN: I couldn’t let you carry that.
FRED: It wasn’t your choice.
GUNN: Fred, it’s not who you are. It isn’t in your heart.
FRED: But it’s in yours?
GUNN: It is now.
She tears up and brushes past him, running off into the night.
FRED: I’m sorry.
GUNN: Fred!
(...)
Gunn and Lorne both answer the phones which ring constantly.
GUNN: (into phone) I’m sorry. I know but we’re pretty swamped right now. Well, if Snowball hasn’t tried to eat your spine yet, hit her with the catnip till we get there.
LORNE: (into phone) No, I don’t think that much mucous is ever a good sign. No, please, describe it in detail. (to Gunn) Hey, this isn’t letting up. How about rustling up some adorable reinforcements?
GUNN: (curt) I don’t know where she is.
LORNE: Well, that’s where the rustling comes in.
GUNN: If Fred wanted to be here, she would.
LORNE: (into phone) Yeah, that sounds horrible. Hold please. (to Gunn) You two okay?
GUNN: Ask her that. Maybe she’ll talk to you.
LORNE: (into phone) Angel Investigations, hold please. (to Gunn) Hey. I don’t know what’s going on between cupcake and her icing but you know how she feels about you and it doesn’t take horns and beautiful singing voice to be able to read that.
GUNN: It’s just… it’s been hard since that thing with her professor.
LORNE: Yeah, well being stuck in Pylea is pretty crappy but being sent there on purpose by someone you trust? Hey, at least Dr. Ego got a taste of his own portal.
GUNN: Yeah. He got what he deserved, didn’t he?

WESLEY:Enlighten me.
ANGELUS:Foul rag and bone shot to the heart. That’s where you live.
WESLEY:Meaning?
ANGELUS:You want to impress the girl. Move in, get her to love you. After a couple of days of chocolate-covered cherries…
He slams his hands against the bars and Wesley raises the crossbow.
ANGELUS:…you’ll bend her over the kitchen counter and—
WESELY:Is that supposed to rattle me?
ANGELUS:Kind of bony for my taste but… different strokes.
WESLEY:The Beast called you an adversary.
ANGELUS:I bet he loves to rub that shiny bald head against her softmilky skin. Mmmm… good.
Wesley looks up at the camera, worried. The others watch Angelus and Wesley on the monitor.
ANGELUS:(on camera)Come on, Wes. It’s not like your schoolgirl crush is a secret.
FRED:(nervous)Charles, remember. We can’t believe anything Angelus says.
GUNN:How about the stuff that’s true? Can we believe that?
CORDELIA:He distorts everything. He lies with the truth. It’s part of what makes him so dangerous.
LORNE:(to Fred)Yeah, don’t let him get to you, kiwi.
GUNN:He’s not the only one that’s gettin’.
FRED:Charles…
GUNN:I know, I know.
FRED:It’s just words.
WESLEY:(on camera)You found a vulnerability and exploited it. Well done.
WESLEY:Can we move on now?
ANGELUS:(laughs)I’m just getting started. I’ll tell you this. All that digging you’ve been doing on the horny giant? Wrong place.
WESLEY:And the right place?
ANGELUS:I could tell you… but it wouldn’t be sporting.
WESLEY:But you were adversaries, you and the Beast.
ANGELUS:A guy like me… friends, enemies… hard to keep track.
WESLEY:If he was an enemy, I’d be doing you a favor by destroying him.
ANGELUS:You know, you’re not fooling anyone. Get some new clothes, cool haircut, hit the gym… you’re still the same loser none of the other kids wanted to sit with at lunch.
WESLEY:Yet you’re locked in that cage and I’m out here.
ANGELUS:So? You got no leverage. What are you going to do? Kill
me?
WESLEY:If I have to.
ANGELUS:(laughs) Wait till they drop, Wes, then try that line again.
WESLEY:I’ll put your soul back. You won’t talk? No problem. We’ll bring Angel back and be no worse off than we were.
ANGELUS:Making you a failure again.
WESLEY:You want to waste my time, you can rot down here.
He turns to leave.
ANGELUS:Nice stamina, Wes. No wonder Fred’s not interested.

"Soulless" (S4, Ep11) from Angel

"Soulless" (S4, Ep11) from Angel

Feelings Revealed

Fred enters the office where Wesley is looking though some old books.
FRED:Hey.
WESLEY:Hey. Angelus mentioned something about a sword in Angel’s fantasy. I thought… He shrugs and sets the book down.
FRED:I wanted to thank you. If you hadn’t have come in when you did…
She glances nervously out into the lobby. Wesley notices.
WESLEY:He’s not there.
FRED:(nervous)It’s… Charles heard what Angelus said. The stuff about—
WESLEY:Me.
FRED:Yeah, and—
WESLEY:How I feel about you.
FRED:(nods)Yes. Which is very sweet. There’s nothing wrong with it.
WESLEY:Yes, there is.
He suddenly steps forward and kisses Fred passionately. She doesn’t resist. In fact, she responds, wrapping her arms around him. She suddenly breaks off, guilty, as Gunn walks in from the lobby. Wesley turns back to his books.
GUNN:Hey, who’s watching the monitor? (off their looks) What’s going on?
FRED:(evasive)Nothing.
GUNN:Did he just—
FRED:Of course not. Charles, let’s… you’re right. The monitor.
GUNN:You better tell me what the hell I just walked in on.
FRED:We were just…
GUNN:(sarcastic)What? Researching?
WESLEY:You want to do this, deal with me. Leave Fred out of it.
Gunn stalks over to Wesley, furious.
GUNN:You ought to be leaving Fred out of it!
FRED:Hello? I’m here.
GUNN:(to Wesley)You think I don’t see the way you look at her?
FRED:Charles, please…
GUNN:And you, running off to him every time you need help, like I’m not good enough.
FRED:(desperate)No! That’s not… this isn’t the time.
GUNN:(to Wesley)I’m telling you, stay away from her.
GUNN:…a long time since you were out for anyone but yourself.
WESLEY:I owe you nothing. Not anymore.
Gunn lunges at Wesley but Fred pushes him back out into the lobby.
GUNN:You just take what you want, huh? Don’t matter who it belongs to.
Wesley follows them out, refusing to back down.
WESLEY:I didn’t realize Fred came with a deed.
FRED:Stop it! What’s wrong with you?
GUNN:(to Wesley)You don’t realize a lot of things, like the fact that nobody wants you here!
WESLEY:’Cause you do such a bang-up job without me.
The shouting draws Lorne and Cordelia.
LORNE:Hey, hey, come on, guys. Let’s not say anything we—
GUNN:Shut up, Lorne! Great idea, Wes. Stealing Angel’s kid. Oh, was losing him a part of your plan, too?
WESLEY:Go ahead. Throw some more blame around. It’s what you’re best at.
GUNN:You want to say that again?
He takes a menacing step toward Wesley.
FRED:Oh, god…
WESLEY:Face it, Gunn, you can’t give her what she needs.
Gunn decks Wesley.
FRED:Charles!
Wesley holds his mouth, then Gunn lunges again. Wesley ducks the blow
and lands two of his own to Gunn’s abdomen. Gunn pushes him up
against the counter and they grapple and trade punches.
FRED:Stop it! This is insane!
CORDELIA:You’re doing exactly what Angelus wants!
LORNE:Oh, for the love of Mike Tyson!
Fred grabs Gunn’s arm as he readies another punch and his fist catches
her in the mouth on the backswing. She collapses to the floor, holding her
bloody mouth. Cordelia and Lorne kneel next to her and help her up.
Gunn stares at her and realizes what he’s done.
GUNN:Fred…
Cordelia looks up at Gunn, then her eyes focus past him on the monitor
where Connor is approaching the cage in the basement.

"Soulless" (S4, Ep11) from Angel

Gunn sits watch over Angelus with his flamethrower slung across his lap.
ANGELUS: You know what I like about you? You play to your strengths. You know what they are and you stick to them. You don’t find that much these days. Everybody always trying to expand their horizons, actuate their potential and all that other touchy-feely crap. But not you. You don’t try to change… because you know your place. That’ll go a long way toward keeping you alive. Well, a lot longer than the others. (laughs) Man, you guys really are on a streak. You let L.A. nearly burn to the ground… lost the sun… let the creepy-crawlies practically take over the city. But, you know, that’s okay. At least you got the love of a good woman… till she dumps you for a guy with a bigger horizon.
GUNN: It’s her life.
ANGELUS: Oh, wait. Did I miss it? Did she already let you down easy? Cheer up, buddy. Not like we didn’t see it coming. Especially after what happened to her old professor. (off his look) Come on. Even Angel’s not that stupid. The way things changed between you two, the furtive looks, all that guilt. Mmm… there’s nothing like your first murder. Don’t worry. I won’t tell what our little girl did.
GUNN: She didn’t—
ANGELUS: Yeah! So it was you. Steppin’ up and bein’ the man.
GUNN: I did what I had to do.
ANGELUS: I guess Fred didn’t quite see it that way, huh? Wow. You do a chick a favor, you think she’d be grateful. But no. She still goes for the broody smart guy, all mysterious and tortured. I guess when you think about it, for the first time in your life, you just weren’t dark enough.
Gunn’s hand tightens on the trigger of the flamethrower and he sends a blast of flaming gasoline into the cage. Angelus backpedals, avoiding being incinerated by mere inches.
ANGELUS: (laughs) Maybe there’s hope for you, after all, Chuck.
(...)
Fred and Wesley review their research.
FRED: This is hopeless. The Orb of Thesulah is the only way I can find to restore Angel’s soul but that only works if it’s moved on to an afterlife or something, not floating in a jar somewhere.
WESLEY: We’ll find a way to bring Angel back.
FRED: How?
WESLEY: The way we always do. Skill, perseverance… luck.
FRED: (smiles) Not a lot of that going around.
WESLEY: We’ll be all right.
FRED: (pointed) As long as we stick together.
WESLEY: Fred, what happened between me and Gunn… I didn’t mean… that’s not what I wanted. Could you tell him that?
FRED: I don’t think he’ll listen. We’re not… we’re not together anymore.
Wesley is taken aback by the news.
WESLEY: Oh. Not because of what I did?
FRED: Things just haven’t been right. Not for a while.
Wesley moves toward her.
WESLEY: I think this is part where I’m supposed to say I’m sorry. And I’m really trying to be but…
He leans in as if to kiss her but Lilah and Cordelia enter, interrupting. Fred turns away, back to the books.
LILAH: Any progress?
FRED: Not really.
LILAH: Pity.
WESLEY: I made some headway cross-referencing but there’s no telling how long it’ll take to get anything definitive.
CORDELIA But you have made some progress?
LILAH: (smiles) Sure looks like he’s trying.
She glances at Fred who looks away, embarrassed.

Calvary (S4,Ep12)