Cordelia Chase Deserved Better: Her Evolution and Underrated Impact on Buffy

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’d say “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” isn’t just about Buffy Summers; it’s equally about the adventures of the Scooby Gang. Over seven thrilling seasons, we follow not only Buffy but also her companions as they navigate their lives from adolescence into young adulthood. They encounter love, heartbreak, and even multiple apocalypses along the way!

One notable character, Cordelia Chase, started off appearing self-absorbed and high-society, yet she underwent remarkable growth throughout her three seasons on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Despite initially being written off by the Slayer and her companions, Cordelia’s transformation was one of the most impressive character arcs in the series.

Cordelia Was Unapologetically Cordelia

“Don’t You Have an Elsewhere to Be?”

In my opinion, during my initial encounter with Cordelia in “Welcome to the Hellmouth,” she generously offers to lend Buffy her textbooks. However, this act of kindness is just the beginning for our newcomer; Cordy swiftly becomes friends with Buffy, showing her the ropes and offering protection. Unfortunately, the kind-hearted Cordelia starts to fade away as soon as Willow enters the scene. She mockingly criticizes Willow’s attire and belittles her singleness. As I stand there in silent disapproval, it becomes clear that Cordelia is not all she seems – she transforms into a cruel bully before our very eyes. Interestingly, despite her harsh treatment of others, Cordelia doesn’t push away Xander or Jesse initially.

It wasn’t until Buffy, in an unfortunate turn of events, accidentally staked Cordelia at the Bronze that the mean-spirited side of Cordelia directed itself towards Buffy.

Although Luke attacked and Buffy rescued her, Cordelia didn’t progress much in the third episode. In fact, an evil witch left Cordelia blind as a means of ousting her from the cheerleading squad. Despite her fear, Cordelia’s sharp tongue returned with her regained sight. Throughout season one, Cordelia remained a self-centered bully, but in “Out of Mind, Out of Sight,” viewers and Buffy got to witness the kinder side of Queen C. In an unusual turn of events, an invisible girl began targeting people close to Cordelia as a prelude to attacking the May Queen herself. Recognizing she needed help, Cordelia approached Buffy. However, the Scoobies didn’t take it easy on Cordy; they made her apologize before agreeing to assist her.

While performing guard duties, Cordelia confides in Buffy about feeling lonely despite her popular status, expressing the void in her life due to popularity. In a typical, blunt manner that’s uniquely Cordelia, she tries to connect with Buffy before being taken away by some unknown force towards the ceiling. After Buffy successfully stops Marcie from disfiguring Cordelia’s face, Cordelia gratefully thanks Buffy for their assistance, acknowledging their help was not expected and expressing her gratitude. When other popular friends overhear this conversation, they question if she’s now associating with “these nobodies”. Cordelia quickly lies and insults Buffy and her group twice before departing.

Even though Cordelia maintained an image of composure, her moments of vulnerability made her more relatable and marked the beginning of her transformation. In the season finale “Prophecy Girl,” it became clear that they were living above a Hellmouth. As her boyfriend and others were cruelly killed in the lead-up to the event, the Master, who was roaming the Earth, forced Cordelia to confront reality. During the final scenes of the episode, Willow and Jenny found themselves surrounded by a group of vampires heading towards the library, preparing for the Hellmouth’s opening. Impulsively, Cordelia sped up in her car and rescued the pair without hesitation. She then assisted the Scooby Gang in fending off the vampires and the impending apocalypse until Buffy could eliminate the Master.

By the close of season one, she wasn’t exactly kinder, but she couldn’t ignore what was truly unfolding in Sunnydale. She was more than just a bully, demonstrating courage and self-assurance. Although image mattered to her, she wasn’t above seeking aid and expressing gratitude towards those she might have considered beneath her.

Cordelia Softens in Season Two When She Dates Xander

“Tact Is Just Not Saying True Stuff. I’ll Pass.”

In season two, though she doesn’t often socialize with the Scooby Gang, Cordelia becomes an unintended ally, stepping up to aid them whenever necessary. This could range from honing stakes for an approaching battle to standing firm against a horde of child demons. Despite her reservations about Buffy and her companions, Cordelia demonstrates her unwillingness to ignore the threat of evil, choosing instead to actively participate in the fight against darkness.

On one particular instance, Cordelia is forced out of bed to drive Xander to Buffy’s place. During their visit, they are ambushed by a demonic assassin who transforms into countless worms. Overwhelmed and cornered, they seek refuge in the basement where they passionately, yet antagonistically, share a kiss. This initial spark ignites numerous clandestine meetings before their companions discover their secret liaison. Before they realized it, they had developed feelings for each other and officially started dating. In a vulnerable instant, yielding to peer pressure, Cordelia ends her relationship with Xander. By the finale of “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” Cordelia scolds the Cordettes and admits that prioritizing someone else’s popularity over her own was a turning point in her life.

By dating Xander, Cordelia seamlessly integrated into the Scooby Gang’s inner circle, participating in research sessions, attending group meetings, and assisting with monster hunts and spell casting. Despite her focus on fashion and maintaining popularity, she found herself drawn to a greater purpose – helping people. This wasn’t just an optional role for her; rather, it was a natural extension of the kindness hidden beneath her superficial selfishness. Cordelia, in essence, was deeply moved by Xander and was prepared to continue their relationship, even if he were to transform into a sea monster.

Cordelia Left Buffy at the End of Season Three

“Oh God, Is the World Ending? I Have To Research a Paper on Bosnia for Tomorrow, but if the World’s Ending, I’m Not Gonna Bother.”

In season three, although Cordelia isn’t utilized as much as she could be, she undergoes significant development. The story begins with Buffy missing in action, leaving the Scooby Gang to handle patrols on their own. Every night, Willow, Xander, and Oz are on duty, keeping watch for vampires during Buffy’s absence. Upon Cordelia’s return, they bring her into the group to help draw out and fight the resurrected undead, with varying results.

In the early part of season three, Cordelia, who was often employed for comic relief, attended all the Scooby gatherings and hunts. The Scoobies even lent a hand when she was campaigning for Homecoming Queen. However, this developed into a fierce rivalry between Cordy and Buffy, causing a division among everyone’s allegiances. In an attempt to resolve their conflicts, the Scoobies locked them in a limo. Unfortunately, the night took a dark turn when Cordelia was mistaken for Faith and found herself entangled in a plan to assassinate the Slayers.

Throughout the night, Cordelia might grumble and moan quite a bit, yet she manages to share some meaningful conversations with Buffy. Given her close resemblance to Buffy, Cordy seems to grasp her feelings better than the other Scoobies do. In a courageous move, she even scares off a vampire when Buffy is unconscious. During this harrowing incident, Cordelia confesses her love for Xander. Unfortunately, their relationship wouldn’t endure for long. In “Lovers Walk,” Cordelia and Oz rescue the couple from Spike. For the subsequent episodes, Cordelia occasionally reappears to poke fun at Xander in a few scenes.

1. For much of the night, Cordelia can be heard complaining and whining, but she manages to have some valuable conversations with Buffy. Since she’s very much like Buffy, Cordy understands her feelings in ways that other Scoobies don’t. In a brave act, she scares off a vampire when Buffy is unconscious. During this tense situation, Cordelia admits her love for Xander. Unfortunately, their relationship wouldn’t last long. In “Lovers Walk,” Cordelia and Oz save the pair from Spike. For the following episodes, Cordelia makes occasional appearances to tease Xander in a couple of scenes.

After experiencing heartbreak and losing their wealth, Cordelia’s upcoming hurdle is discovering her identity independent of money. With her father’s sudden financial ruin just before graduation, she finds herself with a stack of college acceptance letters that she can’t afford. To save up for a prom dress, Cordelia takes a job at a local boutique. Eventually, Xander purchases the dress for her, allowing her to attend prom with a touch of humility. In the series, Cordelia consistently attends Scooby meetings and assists Buffy in transforming the student body into an army. During a significant event, she even manages to stake her first vampire.

Through her remarkable transformation across three seasons of Buffy and further growth in Angel, Cordelia evolved into a compassionate, selfless, and benevolent influence on the world. Unfortunately, despite her potential, she was often overlooked and misused on Buffy, and her character took an unfortunate turn for the worse in Angel. Known for her rich and nuanced character development, Cordelia was deeply loved by fans. However, the writers seemed to let her down by making decisions that contradicted her established character, having her possessed, and even having her sleep with her “son” before being unceremoniously written out of the show.

Due to the hidden mistreatment she experienced on the set of Angel, certain incidents now hold a more sinister connotation. They were intended as a vindictive attempt to humiliate the actress, apparently as retaliation for her audacity to maintain a life and family beyond the confines of the show.

2025-06-07 03:39