Charisma's character should've left after season 3 because I felt like there wasn't any reason valid enough for Cordelia to have come back
I disagree. Just like practically every other character on AtS, Cordelia's drive to do good was partly driven by genuine heroism, and partly by ego and vanity (only more so in Cordy's case, because of her inherent personality flaws) and a need for a sense of being redeemed for past sins. The idea of them all being destroyed by their own hubris is a constant theme, and an effective one.
We all came to despise Cordlelia.
Fans say this a lot, and I honestly do not understand where they're coming from. Why does everyone hate Cordelia for the actions of Jasmine? I mean, that'd by like hating Angel for Angelus' actions, only it's a thousand times more insane in this case, because where Angelus is part of Angel, Jasmine is an entirely separate entity.
a lack of acting ability in Charisma Carpenter. The character was very forced, and I believe it was hard for CC to play the character of Cordelia in the way she used to.
It's not Charisma's fault. The writers didn't know what they were doing with the character (and were pretty much making everything up as they went along), so Charisma had absolutely no idea of how to play her. And I think she did a pretty good job, considering what she was tasked to do.
I thought Cordelia's ascention was a bad story to begin with. Just like the whole becoming demon to stand the visions. Bad story-line there.
I've seen a lot of criticism of how they handled Cordy in late s3, and I don't get most of it. Sure, she lost a lot of personality after her demonization, but I don't blame the storyline for that. Characterization is a seperate issue from storyline (at least in this case). And I just don't see anything inherently wrong in the demonization storyline.
I also don't think that she became "Saint Cordelia" as some people call it.I think of it as her growing into an extraordinary woman.We can't expect her to stay all bitca-y for ever.
This is part of why I find it so difficult to discuss Cordy's evolution with some people. Either it's "they ruined her and turned her into St. Corduffy," or it's "she had to grow up sooner or later." Isn't there an in-between? Couldn't Cordelia be both mature, compassionate, heroic,
and confident, assertive, fun and sarcastic? Can't we have it all?
But her manipulation of conner now that was freaky! Just seeing her smarmy grin and wer'e special! yuk!
Why do so many complain about Cordevil being evil and ConCord being gross, when
that was the point? S4 isn't all sunshine and rainbows and puppies; it was wrong and dark and apocalyptic. And I respect the writers for going where most fear to tread.
Joss said he had to do it because fans were "chasing after him with torches" because of all Angel/Cordy stuff, I laughted at it in that time because ATS fans will never do that, they are all for it.
I've seen a lot of less casual, more critical viewers seriously slam on C/A (especially B/A'ers). Just for the record.
Well, that's a difficult question. Charisma Carpenter and Joss Whedon both were very close-mouthed about their relationship. There were hints in some interviews that things were strained between them, when she got pregnant. For example Charisma was fired from the crew without even knowing about that decision in advance. She got a simple phone call and was totally caught in surprise about the fact that Cordelia wasn't in the 5th season.
This is where I actually do think that Cordelia (as a character) and Charisma (as an actress) were totally screwed over. It's not Cordevil or s4 with which I take issue. It's the insanity that is not giving Cordy another arc in s5.
