Why didn't Angel and Cordelia work out?

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Robb Stark

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**SPOILERS**

And not just because Cordy dies. The way they grow closer and closer over the Angel series was incredible, and the culmination of it in the S3 finale, with them going to meet each other, was the peak of Cangel I think. But after that, despite the feeling still clearly being there, it wasn't quite the same. Connor butting his way into it was a big part of the problem I think, and it killed the momentum they had going.

"Awakening" was pretty much the end of Cangel (Angel breathing "Buffy" while he has his...climax...in his dream reality didn't help). Cordy went through some strange character directions after that and it always seemed like Cangel should have been more.

Would you agree that they should have had more together, or were they just perfect friends?
 
For starters, they were never honest with themselves or each other about their feelings. Those around them were mentioned it numerous times and seemed to encourage them but they sorta seemed in denial about it. Of course, all the events of season 4 and Connor certainly put out whatever spark they had.

I think they writers should have spent more time developing them as a romantic couple if they wanted the viewers to believe it; they never really fully committed to the pairing until after they were no more.
 
Taake
Taake
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The Joss and Charisma thing is absolutely terrible and it makes me roll my eyes to the ceiling whenever he tries to play the feminist card. Lol. But the original storyline with Cordelia didn't seem to bode well for Cangel either? Cordelia coming back crazy from being in the heavens and trying to end the world and having to fight Angel and all.

Cangel is one of my favorite, favorite ships ever but I think narratively it was doomed the instant both of these characters realized how much they were willing to sacrifice in order to keep fighting for the mission. I love Angel and Cordelia both as friends and lovers, I don't really agree that it has to be one or the other.
 
Joss doesn't allow any couple to be happy. Angel/Cordelia got off pretty easy compared to the other ships he oversaw.
 
Cangel could've worked, but as stated before they didn't get the chance. They were perfect for each other in my eyes, they are my favourite couple in both shows. I think people are just to focused on Bangel happening that they aren't ready for Angel to be truly happy with his best friend :heart: But yeah, on the other hand, Joss being a complete jerk when Charisma got pregnant played a huge part probably. 🙂 he didn't care how fans felt about Killow, so kt feels strange that it was for the audience Cangel didn't happen.

When did the "awakening" happened btw? Is that in the comics? I don't remember it, but as a Cangel fan I might've repressed it 😉
 
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david4wt
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Robb Stark
It was in S4 of Angel, when he has to lose his soul. He has his "perfect" dream scenario, and when he's having sex with Cordy, he says Buffy's name
Apart from all the behind the scenes reasons that nixed C/A in the bud: the network insisting Joss give Angel a romantic interest in S3 and Joss having to contrive C/A because of it, the weirdness of the story line and that 70% of the build up being Fred and Lorne telling Angel and Cordy the love each other, Connor, W&H, that unfortunate Oedipus episode, etc etc etc... there is the fact that Cordy and Angel had as much sexual chemistry as a wet fish. What was it that TWP said, "Nearby forest fires have been quenched by their lack of sexual chemistry". Kind of harsh, but for me, completely true.

But mostly, I don't think they worked as lovers because they were such spectacularly wonderful friends. I really think they had the most beautiful, touching friendship in the whole verse, and I don't think a sexual relationship between them could ever compare. If anything, if undermined the true magic of their relationship, especially when you have things like Angel saying Buffy's name when he loses his soul in that dream. If Cordy is going to be something to Angel she has to be best and most important something to him. No one could ever compete with her as his friend, but as a lover? Buffy is always there, whatever Angel and Cordy could have as a couple would never surpass or overshadow what Angel and Buffy had, and that just isn't Cordy. Nor is it Angel and Cordy. They deserve to be the best they can be to each other, and for me, that will always be friends.
 
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Hale Caesar
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ladydorotea
That's the first time I've heard that line. Now I wish I'd have come up with it myself.
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SlayerOfVampyrs
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VisionGuy
VisionGuy
I disagree with you completely. Because it's you.
Taake
Taake
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I love Cangel but as to why it didn't work it's been said already.

I don't deny that I think Buffy is Angels big love and always will be. I just don't see it as a reason as to why Angel and Cordelia wouldn't work. As for their friendship I agree that it was great. I just don't see why it would stop them from being a good couple. Although I can understand people feeling that way since they never got a real chance to show how it would work.

---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 PM ----------

Hale Caesar said:
In an interview Joss said people didn't like Cangel, so he ended up "axing" them (which I think is absolutely ridiculous)
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Joss going by what fans want? Isn't he telling us that what we want isn't always what we need or something like that.
 
Cangel didn't work for exactly the same reason that no other relationship worked out. Because Joss Whedon is an evil, sadistic little troll who takes his greatest pleasure in teasing his fans with the "love that could have been," while constantly creating barriers against its ultimate fulfillment. Buffy and Angel can't work because of his curse. Willow and Oz can't work because he's a werewolf. Buffy and Riley can't work because she can't truly open herself up to him. Willow and Tara can't work because of Willow's magic addiction and, ultimately, Warren's bullet. Xander and Anya can't work because he's too immature to make the commitment. Fred and Gunn, Wes and Lilah, Lindsey and Eve, Fred and Wes, Cordie and Doyle, Willow and Kennedy, Buffy and Spike, Xander and Willow, Giles and Jenny, Faith and basically anybody, and the list keeps growing. Let's face it, my friends, Joss just absolutely refuses to let ANYBODY have a "happily ever after," or even a "going down swinging" together. It's like Angel's curse. If anyone in the entire Whedonverse has a truly happy relationship with even the slightest chance of making the long haul together, the entire Buffyverse will collapse in on itself faster than the Sunnydale Crater. And it's Joss, not a band of grief stricken Gypsies, who imposed the curse.
 
T
The Scourge
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Kean said:
. there is the fact that Cordy and Angel had as much sexual chemistry as a wet fish. What was it that TWP said, "Nearby forest fires have been quenched by their lack of sexual chemistry". Kind of harsh, but for me, completely true.
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I agree with Kean's whole post, like the part about it feeling contrived (and sudden as if she was just conveniently there and they needed Angel to have a 'romantic' interest cause dear lord, menfolk and womenfolk cannot only be friends or single in the land of TV) but mainly and especially I agree about the lack of sexual chemistry.

Perhaps it was in part because Charisma and David seemed to be really good friends but there was just... nothing there. (And the scene where Cordy realizes that she's 'in love with Angel' is the worst single piece of acting throughout five years of Ats*)
 
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SlayerOfVampyrs
Definitely agreed. Absolutely terrible. I remember cringing the first time I saw it. Haven't watched it in a while. Kind of want to now to see if I still do.
prophecygrrl said:
The Joss and Charisma thing is absolutely terrible and it makes me roll my eyes to the ceiling whenever he tries to play the feminist card. Lol. But the original storyline with Cordelia didn't seem to bode well for Cangel either? Cordelia coming back crazy from being in the heavens and trying to end the world and having to fight Angel and all.
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Is that the original story line? I had no idea.
 
I loved them together, but never saw their relationship as romantic, as previously said they were just great friends, closer than most friends could ever hope to be. Definitely more so than Buffy and her friends. Their relationship is definitely one of the most interesting.
 
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