Episode Guide: 2ADH03 First Impressions

Overview

Not too much of any C/A goodness in this episode, but even though this is the beginning of the Darla arc there were little insights here and there about their friendship which was noteworthy. [see next section]

But what I thought really cool about First Impressions was the familiar, homely, comfortable way in which Cordelia and Angel acted around each other. The way that Angel almost nonchalantly lets Cordy drive his car although he is notoriously protective of it implies that there is a degree of trust in their friendship which is, well, normal. This to my mind really goes beyond the 'I can't live without you' trust and companionship already established between our favourite vampire with a soul and his seer. Not only is there that 'big time' trust and need between Cordelia and Angel, there are also abundant signs that Cordelia and Angel are friends for real (the car scene being one of them).
Their friendship is a continuous, living, breathing thing - one that we get a glimpse of by the 'normal' way in which they interrelate. These little glimpses (like Angel trusting Cordelia with his car; the implicit communication in the final battle scene when she throws him the axe) really highlight the closeness of their friendship on a day to day crime fighting basis.

These two aren't just stuck together by sheer force of coincidence - they give and take with each other like true friends.

C/A Highlights

1.Angel immediately trusting Cordy with his Plymouth when taking the team to meet Gunn's informant. She's surprised, which means that it's probably the first time he's trusted her with his car.

2. Angel letting Cordy drive his car home. Although it can be argued that much of this was due to excessive tiredness and perhaps, morbid eagerness to get back to dreaming about Darla, there's still that trust thing again. This scene also gives us another one of those little glimpses about the caring in this friendship:

Cordy: "Home sweet hotel."

Angel: "Just bring the car back tomorrow."

Cordy: "You sure you gonna be okay?"

Angel: "Yeah, I'll be fine. I just need to get some sleep."

Cordy as Angel gets out: "That seems to be all you've been doing lately. Not that I'm judging!"

Angel: "Good night."

Cordy calls after him: "Sleep tight! (adds quietly) don't let the bed bugs bite."

3. The fight scene with Deevak at the end. When Angel saw that Gunn was in trouble, he leaped up and shouted:

"Cordy, axe!"

And she, without needing further communication, knew exactly where and when to throw it. So cool.

C/A Goodness Rating

5/10: Not too much actual Cordy and Angel interaction, but I loved the little glimpses here and there about how genuine their friendship has become - his trusting her with his car, the way they work so well together almost effortlessly.