Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Charisma Carpenter shares candid ideas on Cordelia Chase, recalling a dialog about a facet of the character she didn’t like. Carpenter ended up as some of the priceless gamers in your complete Buffyverse, though she did not essentially begin off that means.
Again within the first season of Buffy, particularly, Cordelia was typically the designated imply lady and the individual that Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) saved probably the most. The makes an attempt to completely flesh out the character did not start to take form till the WB collection returned for season 2, crystallizing when Carpenter joined the spinoff Angel.
As a part of The Bitch Is Again: A First Rewatch Podcast, Carpenter seemed again on the season 1 episode “By no means Kill a Boy on the First Date.” Carpenter recalled having a dialog about how sexualized she felt her character was. Within the quote beneath, Carpenter notably mentions how, at occasions, Cordelia’s relationship with Xander was centered on intercourse:
I do keep in mind having a dialog again within the day. When Cordelia is at all times…you understand her and Xander in future episodes are at all times in closets attempting to make out, or makes reference to having intercourse in her automobile and stuff, she’s so over sexed. Like I swear, Cordelia is a sexual predator at this level. I’m fearful for her. However I really feel like there may be that second the place as an actor, you wish to come to your character’s protection, and also you wish to say, “Umm hey, guys, can we cease making Cordelia appear like she’s tremendous sexy and has no hormonal company or management?”
Seen in its totality, Cordelia had a bumpy experience on Buffy. She began off as a little bit of an antagonist, feuding with Buffy over the affections of assorted male visitor characters. Though there have been hints of extra to the character, it would not totally type till she stands up for her relationship with Xander midway by the second season.
Though they by no means even have intercourse, it is evident from a number of essential scenes that Cordelia cares far more about Xander than he does for her and should even love him. That’s by no means totally explored. After they break up, early in season 3, Cordelia reverts to being an antagonist of kinds.
She has some nice moments. However, largely, even in what’s arguably Buffy‘s finest season, Cordy is stored in a sideplot about how the older Wesley (Alexis Denisof) lusts after her. It speaks to how typically the Scooby Gang was sidelined, particularly in these early seasons.
There’s not a totally Cordy-centric installment throughout her run on the present. Even those that appear like they’re, resembling the superb Buffy episode “The Want” or the hilarious “Homecoming”, each in season 3, in the end solely give her among the focus. Seth Inexperienced, as Oz, has commented up to now about how he felt he typically had a minimal presence because the supportive werewolf good friend.
It speaks to the ability of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the actors that their supporting turns are nonetheless so beloved. Nonetheless, with just a few small tweaks, like involving Carpenter extra earlier than her Angel exit, would have helped to deal with among the criticisms in regards to the character’s inconsistent depiction.