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As Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and the gang continue to fight demons in L.A. and Fred (Amy Acker) adjusts to life back in her home dimension, Angel (David Boreanaz) works off his grief over the death of Buffy by fighting demon monks in Sri Lanka. Returning home, Angel soon finds himself at odds with an old crony from his days as evil blood-sucker Angelus. During a mission to save some hapless college kids from a pack of vamps, Angel stakes a woman only to realize belatedly that she is Elisabeth (Kate Norby), beloved mate of arch-fiend James (Ron Melendez). In flashbacks, Angel remembers his days terrorizing Europe with Elisabeth, James and his own lover, Darla (Julie Benz) -- and their flight from relentless vampire-hunter Holtz (Keith Szarabajka). Back in the present, James vows vengeance upon Angel and visits the sinister Dr. Gregson (Bob Morrisey) for "the cure," a procedure that grants him temporary invulnerability but guarantees his imminent demise. Angel manages to survive the ferocious attack leading up to James' death throes, but not before his former friend makes him take a hard look at his feelings about Buffy. Meanwhile, in Nicaragua, Darla seeks a shaman to counsel her about a startling development -- although she's a vampire, she's pregnant. Originally broadcast September 24, 2001, on the WB network, "Heartthrob" marked season three, episode one of the supernatural comedy drama. Actress Amy Acker, a guest star in previous episodes, joins the regular cast starting with this episode. "Heartthrob" also marks two other firsts: the inaugural widescreen episode and the first to air after parent show Buffy the Vampire Slayer switched networks from the WB to rival UPN.