10 times Cordy Was A Hero

[David]

https://screenrant.com/angel-times-cordelia-true-hero/


Angel: 10 Times Cordelia Was The True Hero Of The Show
BY TABATHA BOWEN – ON OCT 28


Angel was more than a successful spinoff of Buffy the Vampire Slayer — it
was a genuinely good show. Although the monster-of-the-week format was still
present, it dealt with darker, more adult themes than Buffy. The show
focused on Angel living in Los Angeles, working to redeem himself by helping
the hopeless. After running into Cordelia Chase at a Hollywood party, she
joins him in his efforts and Angel Investigations is born.

It could be argued that Angel was just as much about Cordelia's own path to
redemption as it was Angel's. Her character grows and changes beautifully
throughout the course of the show. In Sunnydale, she was cruel, shallow, and
self-centered. By the end of Angel, she is a selfless champion, and just as
much a hero as Angel. Below are ten times Cordelia was the true hero of
Angel.


10 SHE WAS THE ONLY REASON ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS GOT PAID

Is it inappropriate to charge people for saving their life? Cordelia didn't
think so — and neither do we. Cordelia was the first one to suggest charging
for his services in season one. Because of her, they were able to keep Angel
Investigations operating, complete with electric, office plants, and really
crappy coffee. Because Cordelia was making a paycheck, she was also able to
spend more time helping Angel.

Of course, she was often guilty of tunnel vision, as seen in season two
episode "Reprisal," when she was lured into a dangerous situation with only
the promise of paycheck convincing her to go. Eventually, Team Angel took
their operation to the next level when they purchased The Hyperion Hotel.
Who knows if any of what followed would have been possible without Cordy?


9 SHE'S WASN'T A CRYBUFFY

Season one episode "Room w/a Vu" introduced one of Angel's most underrated
characters: Phantom Dennis, Cordelia's invisible, ghostly roommate. Like
most champions, Dennis' origins were unpleasant.

After Cordelia moved into her new apartment, she was haunted by a malevolent
spirit — the ghost of Dennis' mother. Dennis' mom was evil (she buried her
son alive in a brick wall inside the apartment) and showed Cordelia no
mercy. She tried to convince Cordelia that she was worthless, insignificant,
and would be better off dead. Dennis' mother almost won until Cordelia
finally stood up and announced: "I'm no sniffling, whining little cryBuffy.
I'm the nastiest girl in Sunnydale history. I take crap from no one."


8 SHE DIDN'T GIVE UP ON GUNN

After Cordelia had a vision of Gunn in danger, she named herself his
protector for the duration of "First Impressions" in season two. Their
differences were highlighted throughout the episode; Cordelia's
impulsiveness, Gunn's sense of duty he feels toward his old gang.
Ultimately, they found common ground: fighting bad guys and being champions.
At the end of the episode, Cordelia told Gunn that she wasn't giving up on
him and his reckless behavior. She was going to see to it that he didn't
destroy himself.

There's no doubt that Gunn would have found a way to be okay without
Cordelia's intervention, but he may not have made the decision to become a
part of Angel Investigations.


7 SHE WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO KILL ANGELUS

Buffy technically killed Angelus when she had no choice in Buffy the Vampire
Slayer — but she was the Slayer. It was her duty. Cordelia, on the other
hand, was Angel's closest friend in Angel.

Although she loved Angel, she never underestimated Angelus, having seen his
handiwork firsthand in Sunnydale. On more than one occasion (like after his
brief stint as Angelus in season one episode "Somnambulist"), she doesn't
hesitate to tell Angel that she would stake him in a heartbeat if necessary.


6 SHE CHOSE TO KEEP HER VISIONS

After collapsing on her birthday due to the physical toll of her visions,
Cordelia is presented with an alternative version of her life. In the
alternate version, all of her dreams came true: she's a famous television
celebrity, she's beloved by all, and she's living a monster-free life. In
this alternate reality, it was Angel who received Doyle's visions instead of
Cordelia. The vision drove Angel mad and he lives life a feeble shell of his
former self.

Rather than bestow this fate upon Angel, Cordelia chooses to continue her
original life as a champion and keep the visions. In order to do so, she
must become half-demon so her body can support handle the visions' toll. She
does it anyway.


5 SHE ABOLISHED SLAVERY IN PYLEA

At the end of season two, Cordelia was transported to Lorne's homeworld,
Pylea. Because she is a human, she is enslaved by the world's inhabitants,
who call humans "cows". It's as a slave that she meets Fred, who eventually
returns home with Team Angel and becomes an integral part of the team.

After everyone realized Cordelia could see the future, she was instead made
the queen of Pylea. Although her reign was cut short due to her decision to
return to Los Angeles, she left Pylea a better place by abolishing all
slavery and leaving the noble Groosalugg in charge of the realm.


4 "ACTUALLY, I'M FEELING SUPERIOR BECAUSE I HAVE AN ARROW POINTED AT YOUR
JUGULAR."

Season three episode 'Billy' centered on Angel's most misogynistic — and
truly evil — villain. Billy was rescued from Hell by Angel on behalf of
Wolfram & Hart, part of a trade for Cordelia's wellbeing. Billy has the
ability to curse men with an unsatiable murderous rage against women. Billy
doesn't discriminate; he infects both bad heroes and villains, including
Lilah. Cordelia — who feels partly responsible for Billy's escape from
Hell — decides she has to do something. She attempts to rile Lilah to join
her but is unsuccessful.

During their final showdown, Billy goads Cordelia. "So you can dress like a
man? Talk like a man? Does that make you feel superior?" To which Cordelia
responds: "Actually, I'm feeling superior because I have an arrow pointed at
your jugular. And the irony of using a phallic-shaped weapon? Not lost on
me." In the end, Lilah fires the shot that takes Billy down, thanks in large
part to Cordelia's earlier visit.


3 CHANGED HER LIFE AFTER "TO SHANSHU IN L.A."

"To Shanshu in L.A." was the final episode of season one. Wolfram & Hart
attack Cordelia, causing her to become overwhelmed by constant, agonizing
visions. She ends up hospitalized. At the end of the episode, after Angel
and Wesley successfully rescue her, she breaks down. She is distraught by
the amount of pain and suffering the people of the world feel daily. She
tells Angel that she wants to help them all.

This episode marks a pivotal moment in Cordelia's life. Although she retains
the best parts of her forward personality, she is humbled. From 'To Shanshu
in L.A.' on, she is a more compassionate, determined person.


2 ACCEPTED THE ROLE OF HIGHER BEING

By the end of season three, Cordelia realizes that she is in love with Angel
and she is ready to tell him how she feels. Angel has come to the same
realization. On the way to meet one another, time stops for Cordelia. She is
greeted by the demon guide Skip, who informs her that she is ready to ascend
as a Higher Being and leave Earth behind. Although she is pained to leave
Angel behind, she accepts her new role, understanding how much more good she
could do as a Higher Being.

Although fans of the show know that she was actually being played by Skip
and Jasmine, it's a full-circle moment for Cordelia.


1 SHE GOT ANGEL BACK ON TRACK

In 'You're Welcome', Cordelia finally "wakes up" from her magically induced
coma. She is surprised to find that Angel and the rest of the team have
moved their operation to Wolfram & Hart. "You made a deal with the devil,"
she tells a disillusioned Angel.

By the end of the episode, Cordelia tells Angel that she can't stay. She
explained that The Powers That Be owed her one, and she used the opportunity
to "get her guy back on track." She and Angel finally have their kiss and
she vanishes shortly after. Angel gets a phone call, informing him that
Cordelia died without ever having awoken from her coma. Cordelia's visit was
successful. It renewed Angel's fighting spirit and gave him the push he
needed to become a champion once more.



David