mail me

Langborn makes his move, and Candy realises that things have to change. But strange things are afoot up at the manor - because Lex Madsen is back... (Air Date: 24 April, 2007)

Regulars:

• Candy
• Cynth
• Zak
• Brian
• CC

Other Characters:

• Lex Madsen - perpetual thorn in the side
• Nick - the boy Candy never quite got together with
• Meryll - Brian's wife, Candy's mother
• Josh - vamp researcher from Baltimore, now knows they are real
• Terrence - Gnarshact demon, not such a bad guy really
• Augustus Langborn - the old man himself
• Max - Cynth's ex and fellow bandmate
• Lolly - A bandmate and old rival
• Ramon - flamboyant straight-talking guidance counsellor

Episode Synopsis:

Candy, out for a run and contemplating her troubles, runs into Augustus Langborn. The Warlock promptly humiliates her, wracking her with pain as he divests her of the Ashmedai Phylactery. Then he tells Candy that the demons that are coming won't be so kind - she needs to close off her weakness, which is her dishonesty.

A shaken Candy confesses to Brian and the others what has happened. At school the next day she spends hours with the guidance counsellor, pouring out her soul - and he tells her that she must be honest with others. She heads up to Langborn Estate to see Nick, and is shocked to find him performing magic on the insensate Lex! Confronting him, he says he was just doing simple magic to protect his father, but Candy insists that he understand the risks he is taking. Reluctantly he agrees. They go for a long walk together, and Candy confesses to Nick that she has feelings for him. He kisses her.

Meanwhile, Brian has found that a Wellspring of power exists beneath Langborn Estate as the probable source of Augustus's power. The crew head up to the estate to investigate and find Lex is there, wide awake, recovered from his reverie. He invites everyone in. Josh, Candy and Nick all assemble - but Nick feels something is wrong.

It transpires that Langborn sent Lex into the demon dimensions, and while there Lex learned ruthlessness and lost his humanity - he became the kind of person Langborn wants all humanity to aspire to. Knowing that he is now on a collision course with Candy, he begins a duel to the death with her. Langborn puts them behind a shield so they will not be disturbed, and then casually drags a demon snake out of Josh (just as the witch did with Lex back in episode 3).

Brian manages to stabilise Josh's body while Cass and Cynth combine to take out the Josh snake. Zak, who has told everyone about his nascent magic, squares off cautiously with Langborn. Candy, with Nick giving tacit permission, defeats Lex and when he does not submit she strikes a killing blow. Lex dies. Langborn sets fire to the mansion and Nick flees the scene, running as fast as he can. Candy chases him down and they embrace. Later, Candy gathers her family and shares with them everything she has been going through.

Trivia and Notes:

• The death of Lex is a major plot development. Lex has been a character of great importance to the ongoing Slayers East story since his introduction in episode one of season 2. His death at Candy's hands follows a reversal from his near-redemption earlier in the season, when for the first time he chose the well-being of his son above his own needs.
• Candy's kiss with Nick is the first to appear onscreen. Although it is strongly implied that they almost had a relationship following events in season three, this was never portrayed on screen - the closest they came was a dreamlike slow dance in the court of the Red Queen.
• A brief scene early on implies that Lolly is not coping so well with the drunken makeout session she shared with Zak, last episode...
• Exec Producer Morgan comments on the episode on his livejournal
• Candy's player discusses the episode on her blog
• Zak's player discusses the episode on his livejournal