I have only seen a few of the episodes before Season 5, but from what I've seen, I think Cordy's storyline has been mishandled for a while now. The storyline with her visions went on for faaar too long. I watched a Season 2 episode where her visions were giving her these painful scars and burns, and I thought, wow, how interesting. Then, I watch a Season 3 ep, and the problem hasn't gotten any better. I'm almost glad that she's of the show.(note I said "almost," so spare me the hate messages.) I think if she had stayed on, Season 5 would have been far too cluttered. I'm still awaiting her return, but I won't shed any tears if she doesn't become a lead character again.