Angel (TV Series)

Why We Fight (2004)

Eyal Podell: Sam Lawson

Quotes 

• Lawson : Aren't ya gonna ask me how I got in here?

  Angel : No. You'd be amazed at how many people break into this building on a regular basis.

• Angel : Killing them's not going to change the past.

  Lawson : But it'll hurt you. Maybe that's enough.

  Angel : Never is.

  Lawson : Then maybe I found my mission again after all these years.

  Angel : Being an evil sonofabitch not keeping you busy?

  Lawson : We all need a reason to live, even if we're already dead. Mom, apple pie, the Stars and Stripes... that was good enough for me, 'till I met you. Then I had this whole creature-of-the-night thing going for me, the joy of destruction and death, and I embraced it. I did all the terrible things a monster does: murdered women and children, tortured fathers and husbands just to hear 'em scream, and through it all... I felt nothing. Sixty years of blood drying in my throat like ashes. So what do you think? Is it me, chief? Or does everyone you sired feel this way?

  Angel : You're the only one I ever did this to... after I got a soul.

  Lawson : Do I have one, too?

  Angel : I don't think it works that way, son.

  Lawson : Didn't think so.

  [Lawson attacks Angel] 

• Lawson : Funny what goes through a man's mind when his life's hanging in the balance. Boys talked about that a lot back on the boat. Always figured it'd be the special moments you freeze in time: your mom singing you to sleep at night, sneaking into the movies with your best friend, the way your girl's hair shimmers in the sun. But the truth is, the only thing that really goes through your head is: "Wow... this really sucks." And then you're gone.

• [last words] 

  Lawson : Come on, chief. Give me a mission.

• Lawson : They swore to give their lives for their country... just like me. Besides, I'm hungry.

  Angel : They're still your men.

  Lawson : But they're not the mission, are they?

• Lawson : There's a difference between orders... and purpose, sir. I didn't sign on 'cause I needed directions. Hell, growin' up, I used to make fun of the military boys. Always figured they wouldn't know how to tie their shoes if someone didn't give 'em the go-ahead. Then I saw pictures of what the Krauts were doing. Evil's spreading, sir... and it's not just over there. It was on my ship, it killed my crew, and we gotta stop it! And I've been scared out of my mind since I signed on for this duty, but I can keep it together, I can even handle dying, if I know it's for a greater purpose.

• Lawson : [to Angel]  You gave me just enough, didn't you? Enough of your soul to keep me trapped between who I was and who I should be. I'm nothin'... because of you.

• Lawson : Did they at least torture you? Please tell me they did.

  Angel : Never gave them a chance. Jumped ship, off the coast of Maine. Went underground till the war was over.

  Lawson : Like any other coward.

  Angel : Wars are won and lost by men.

  Lawson : You mean, like me? No, wait, that doesn't apply anymore, does it?

  Angel : I never wanted to do this to you.

  Lawson : Oh, put your hanky away. I know how important the technology they pulled from the sub was to helping us stop the Germans. Sounded like a fair shake. One person damned to make the world safe for future generations.

  [shows off Angel's gang, tied up] 

  Lawson : Except these guys.

• Lawson : You don't win a war by doing whatever it takes. You win by doing what's right.