A thought about 'saint!Cordy'

[elisi]

People have been bitching about Saint!Cordy in the AOQ thread for 'Provider':

> Cordy was always
> the one making sure they got paid for what they did (she went 30 miles
> out of her way by cab just to collect a payment and ended up with a 3rd
> eye for her trouble!) but now suddenly she's the one "keeping things in
> perspective" ???? It makes me sick that they are turning her into a
> goody two shoes when she never was one, especially since it doesn't suit
> her at all. Cordy being the "heart" is just wrong, no matter what the
> writers say through Fred.

Now I'm not going to argue that 'Provider' is a good episode, all I'll focus on is this bit that I'm guessing is what makes people annoyed:

Cordy: "Angel - I'm glad you wanna take care of your son. I am. I just wanna make sure we don't lose sight of the mission."
Angel: "Well, we have to earn a living. I mean, not just for Connor, but for all of us."
Cordy: "I agree. But first and foremost we work for the Powers, help the helpless. Promise me we won't neglect that."

Soooo, what happened to 'money is IMPORTANT!!!'Cordy? Well partly she has been changing a lot over the last many years - not to mention dating Xander! She'll do what she wants, no matter how lame. Anyway, what we must remember is that in the previous episode(!!!!) she gave up fame and fortune to continue as Angel's link to The Powers. And not just that, but she chose to become part-demon in the process. She now has an awful lot invested in that side of things. When Angel talks about making money, she can't help but take it slightly personally: 'Don't forget about me!' she's saying. Because in a very literal sense Cordelia has become the mission. They help the helpless through her, they work for The Powers through her. And I think that Cordelia likes to feel important [ETA: Maybe a better word would be 'needed']... not that she isn't becoming a better person, but there is a good deal of pride wound up in being 'special'. I really don't think she's quite a saint-like as she wants to think she is... ;)

Comments

[shapinglight]

I always found Cordelia's character development very believable. Can even (if I grit my teeth and try to ignore all the stuff I hated that they did with her in season 4) see what happened to her with Jasmine as a result of a touch of hubris on her part, just as Skip said. Why on earth should she think she'd qualified to become a higher power etc?

On the other hand, I agree entirely with Stormwreath. People who inveigh against the changes in her character in season 3 are either crazy Bangel 'shippers, who are invested in having her not change because then Angel couldn't possibly fall in love with her or people who wanted the Scoobies to stay at High School forever and never change.

Eh, dear! Hadn't realised I was still so bitter.

[elisi]

Jasmine exploited her *superbly* well (there is a post forthcoming), but I honestly can't get too bothered about Pod!Cordy - Pod!Cordy and Real!Cordy are like Illyira and Fred: Two completely entities.

people who wanted the Scoobies to stay at High School forever and never change.
Which I guess in many cases includes the Bangel shippers... To be honest I quite like the tragedy of C/A - the ship that never happened.

[shapinglight]

Me too. It's sad, because she was so very good for him.

[elisi]

Poor them...