Cordelia Chase

Ah, Cordelia: perhaps the most complex character on this or the parent show (Buffy, where the character began). She is so beguiling and bewildering, that many of us are captivated entirely, and cannot get enough of her. For those in the same boat, make sure and visit Cordeliacs Anonymous.

Cordelia has had quite an arc. In the beginning (Welcome to the Hellmouth) we see a likeable young woman, ready to befriend the new girl (Buffy). This quickly turns sour when her nasty side is revealed.

Gradually, though, patient audiences saw more. This popular girl, caught up in the material world, had a lonely and fragile spirit behind thick walls. She reveals to Buffy in a vulnerable moment that she "can be surrounded by people and be completely alone". With all her money and popularity, no one really knows her, or cares to.

It was the evil in Sunnydale that awakened Cordelia's helpfulness, her goodness. It was a long time coming, but Cordy became one of the "Scooby Gang", the circle of Slayerettes who aided Buffy in her mission. Cordelia may have always put her own needs first, but she was ready to lend a hand when it was needed.

If Xander Harris hadn't cheated on her with his oldest friend, Willow Rosenberg, who knows where Cordelia would be now?

But, alas, after the break-up which made her more of an outcast than dating him and hanging around with Buffy had, another untimely event occurred: her father got busted for tax fraud. Yes, all of the Chase family funds were confiscated, and the former Queen C was left high and dry.

This is where the core of Cordelia's being wins out. What is often perceived as selfishness or shallowness is merely a strong instinct to survive. Whatever it takes, Cordelia Chase will make it through, will be on top. She is not a loser; could never be. That's just not a part of who she is.

All through her life, Cordelia had been a winner. Now, she moved to LA to pursue a career as an actress. She knew she would be a success. Unfortunately, not all dreams come true in the City of Angels.

Cordelia had once been attracted to Angel. Before she knew he was a vampire, she was Buffy's rival for Angel's attentions (though there was never really any contest). They became friends, however, though not close. But when they met up in LA, all that changed.

Through her association with Angel (and the ill-fated Doyle), Cordelia has become a much more rounded person. Her strength and determination, her dedication, is now aimed equally outwards and inwards. She still wants to help herself, but has learned to use her gifts (which, thanks to half-demon Doyle, now include visions from the Powers That Be) for the benefit of all.

But don't expect her to forget about herself. That could never happen, for Cordelia knows what she wants. And Queen C will always, always, get what she wants.