Birthday

Season 3, Episode 11, Aired

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9.1
out of 10
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On her birthday, Cordelia's visions become so painful that they propel her into an astral state and a life-threatening coma. Visited by a demon guide, astral Cordy is mystically granted the opportunity to live her dream of a rich and famous actress if she is willing to give up her history with Angel and her visions.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (14)

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  • Angel the sitcom

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By joxerlives, Jan 21, 2012
    BIRTHDAY

    The Good;
    Cordy's sitcom is great and some excellent crazy acting from DB. Also nice to see Doyle again if only in a clip.

    The Bad;
    Feels a bit laboured in places. How can the message in one dimension still be there in another (Jasmine?)

    Best line:
    Skip; "Get out of here. No really, get out of here"

    Apocalypses: 5

    Angel Cliches

    In disguise; 8

    DB get's his shirt off; 12

    Cordy's tattoo; yep when she's ripping the wallpaper off so that makes 10. Note it's not CC doing the somersault on her show's credits because you don't see her tattoo.

    Cheap Angel; 7

    Fang Gang in bondage: no although Wes and Gunn use manacles to restrain mad Angel.
    Cordy: 5
    Angel: 11
    Wes: 6
    Gunn; 3
    Lorne; 2

    Fang gang knocked out: CC for the whole ep
    Cordy: 12
    Angel: 14
    Wes: 5
    Doyle; 1
    Gunn; 1
    Lorne; 2

    Kills:
    Cordy: 5 vamps, 3 demons
    Angel; 32 vamps, 45 and 1/2 demons, 7 humans
    Doyle; 1 vamp
    Wes; 10 demons+3 vamps, 2 humans
    Kate; 3 vamps
    Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
    Gunn; 8 vamps+ 7 demons.

    Fang Gang go evil:
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 2

    Alternate Fang Gang: Angel possessed by CC
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 8

    Characters killed:
    45

    Recurring characters killed;
    8;

    Total number of Angel Investigations:
    6, Angel, Cordy, Wes, Gunn, Fred and Lorne

    Angel Investigations shot:
    Angel: 11
    Wes; 1

    Packing heat;
    Wes; 5
    Doyle; 1
    Angel; 1
    Gunn; 1

    Notches on Fang Gang bedpost:
    Cordy: 3 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis
    Angel: 5; Buffy, Darla and The Transcending Furies
    Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde

    Kinky dinky:
    Fred mentions she didn't wear underwear for 5 years. Gunn goes through CC's lingerie. To judge by CC's cleavage exposing outfit on her show this must be sweeps week?

    Captain Subtext;
    If Cordy wasn't around does this mean Doyle's last act was to kiss Angel? Love the CC as Wonder Woman cake the gang get for Cordy, too bad Joss went off the idea of making the film. Gunn comments that Fred is so cool. Wes refer to Gunn as his 'partner'. CC and Angel kiss

    Know the face, different character; 4

    Parking garages;
    5,

    Buffy characters on Angel; 16
    Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, The Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony

    Questions and observations;
    So this is a world where CC never joins AI. No Fred so presumably after Wes and Gunn rescue her she goes back to Texas? In a world without Cordy's influence does this mean Merle, Elana etc are all still alive? Pentagrams always bad news. What are Buffy and the Scoobs doing about mad Angel in this alternate reality? CC is now part demon as is Faith, Buffy etc. This is ep 55 so exactly half way through the series.
    Marks out of 10; 6/10
    moreless

  • There was never, and there will never be another woman like Cordelia Chase.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Rogue_Beeyatch, Feb 05, 2011
    This is the episode that explains why Cordelia Chase is my ultimate idol, and why she is one of the best characters in last couple of thousand years. One day, when I grow up, I wanna have courage to make choices Cordelia made in this episode. Her devotion isn't blind, it's inspiring and beautiful. Gorgeous as ever, she somehow menages to maintain her fabulous fashion taste and her image as "powerful b!tch princess", while defending humanity and risking her life, never being afraid to say what's on her mind, to stand for her friends - or stand up to them, and always making the most logical choice without unnecessary tragic pomp.

    This episode is a must-see for all Cordelia fans, and for all Whedonverse fans, too. Cause it's hard to appreciate a genius, until you meet his formidable creation. Meet my almost-perfect idol: Miss Cordelia Chase.moreless

  • Birthday

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Dec 14, 2010
    Birthday was a perfect and classic episode of Angel. I really enjoyed watching this episode which focused on developing Cordelia's character. This was a chapter from her own hero's quest and it is pivotal to the season and series as a whole. I thought the story was well thought out, and it was interesting to see Skip as Cordelia's Guide. There was a lot of awesome supernatural action, touching drama, and a surprise ending with new implications. There was also some development between Fred and Gunn as they worked to find out what was going on with Cordelia. I think Fred is so cool too!!!!!!!moreless

  • Cordelia gets the offer of a lifetime.

    9.4
    "Superb"
    By TwistedConverse, Jul 21, 2008
    Birthday is an excellent episode that gives us a nice break from the rather arc heavy episodes of present and focuses on our main co-star, Cordelia. The episode shows how far she has come and reminds us of key moments in her life.

    Charisma Carpenter proved what an amazing actress she is with this episode. We all know she can do excellent comedy performances but here she gets to show her dramatic talents and really livens this episode and makes it all the more enjoyable. This episode concludes Cordelia's journey from nasty girl to caring woman and finishes her character's arc, letting us see her from now on as the woman she is rather than the woman she was becoming. A lot of people complain that after this point Cordelia becomes "Saint" Cordelia but I don't feel that's true. She becomes a motherly figure to the rest of the gang and to Connor and a wifely figure to Angel, and can sense when someone has problems and tries to help them with it. As seen in previous episodes, she's always been good at reading people and now she uses this talent to help her friends with their problems.

    The first scene is a nice call back to S1 Cordelia, a failing actress. The award speech scene reminds us of her roots and brings up memories of her self centredness in the first season, when all she could think about was being rich and famous. Then when the gang bring in her birthday cake, it has an image of a superhero on it, reflecting on the champion she has become. This scene sets up the episode nicely.

    Cordelia also finally gets everything she's ever wanted in this episode; fame, money, power but when she gets it, she realises that it isn't her path anymore. Giving up her seemingly perfect life to help others with her visions shows what a remarkably selfless person she has become. We also see what Angel is without her- an insane man chained in a room. It's important to realise that Angel isn't insane through the visions but through the loneliness in his life when Doyle died and Cordy wasn't there for him. The blue room was a marvellous scene and shows us that Cordelia was pre-destined to get the visions. Her demonhood is a message for adulthood and this episode charts her moves as she takes the next step in her life.

    Skip makes a pleasent return in this episode and it becomes clear in certain scenes that he's not as nice as he makes out he is. His aggresiveness at certain times hint that he's not as innocent as he makes out and as we find out later, he isn't just a simple guide. He seems to presentat key points in Cordelia's life without directly forcing her to do anything, but somehow manipulating events in his favour.

    Angel also showed us how much Cordelia means to him during his deserate quest to release her from her astral state and her visions and refusing to give up without a fight. It's obvious to the audience now that he loves her and I really wish he had told her here but no such luck. Well have to wait over 2 seasons for them to even kiss!

    Birthday is a fantastic episode that provides us with insight into Cordelia's character and is a pivotal point in the Jasmine arc of next season. Definitely should be watched.moreless

  • What could of been.

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By FriendsSvuLost8, Jul 11, 2008
    It's Cordelia's birthday and she gets a very painful vision that knocks her out. Fred and Gunn find out that she has been taking pain pills and a CAT scan reveals that she's dying. Meanwhile a demon named Skip (Likes the Matix, doesn't love Gladiator) changes time to what could of happened if Cordy and Angel never met. Cordelia is an Emmy award winning actress with her own sitcom Cordy (God knows how, we've seen the play). A great what if episode that shows us that Angel really needed Cordelia. We also learn that Cordy has changed a lot from her Sunnydale days.moreless
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  • TRIVIA (7)

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    • Cordelia asks Skip to demonize her so that the visions don't kill her. However, Doyle was half demon and the visions appeared to affect him similarly to how they affected Cordelia as a human. When Cordelia is demonized they give her no problems. Perhaps it is the type of demon they put into her?

    • Where and/or how did Phantom Dennis get the party hat, confetti, banner, etc. to suprise Cordelia when he is unable to leave the apartment

    • When Angel is possessed by Cordelia, he writes an address on a wall. The address is gone in the next shot when he's blown backward.

    • When Cordelia goes to grab the pen, her hand seemlessly passes through, but you can see the strings of her jacket noticeably touch the desk.

    • If you look really closely, in the scene when Wesley pushes away Cordy with one arm-and starts to slay the demon, notice something black flies out of her hand. If you pause it and zoom in on your DVD, it resembles a microphone box or a cell phone. Hard to tell.

    • Throughout the scenes with Wesley in the alternate universe you can see that the actor is hiding his "missing" arm in his shirt behind his back.

    • In "The Prodigal", Cordelia's birthday was established as being May 22nd, so why are they celebrating it so far from the season finale? Time goes by differently in television than in real life, but it's odd that Cordelia's birthday this season is the week Buffy's birthday was in seasons one through four of Buffy.

  • QUOTES (15)

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    • Cordy: So, demonize me already. Skip: (after a beat) It was an honor being your guide, Cordelia Chase.

    • Cordelia: (talking aloud to herself) I want something. Hypo-something. Hypothermia? Nev: (into his cell phone) Josh, let's get a large tub of ice water in Ms. Chase's dressing room, pronto. Cordelia: No, that's not it. Nev: (into his cell phone) Canceling ice water. Cordelia: Hyper . . . hyperbaric? Nev: (into his cell phone) Josh, make it an oxygen tent. Cordelia: No, that's not it either. Nev: (into his cell phone) Canceling tent. Cordelia: Hyperion! That's it. Nev: The hotel. Cordelia: Yes, I want to go there. Nev: Terrific. When would you like me to... Now? Now you would like to... Without security? Without an entourage of me? Right, I'll give 'em a call. (into cell phone) Josh, car, side door, now!

    • Gunn: Hey, is it true that you and Wes were... You know, that you had a little... Cordelia: Humiliating kiss where he drooled all over my chin? Yeah, but I've worked really hard to repress it. Wes: Right. As much as I love this forced death march down memory lane--.

    • Lorne: Jumping Judas on a uni-cycle!

    • Cordy: (To Angel) You're furious? I get body-jacked on my birthday and you're furious?

    • Angel: I had this dream that Cordy was here. She was trying to tell me something, something really important. Cordelia: Yes, and, and . . . Angel: It's weird. Cordelia: How are you a Champion? In what way are you a Champion?

    • Angel: Did you get the information? Lorne: Oh, why, yes, Angel. My horn should grow back in a couple of days. So kind of you to be concerned.

    • Angel: Cordy. Look, I know that you can't hear me, but, there is something I have to say. You really piss me off, you know that?

    • Cordy: You guys, I'm all right. I'm fine. I'm... dead?

    • Skip: We've been over this. I respect what you're trying to do. It's noble and heroic and all that other Russell Crowe/'Gladiator' crap. Cordy: You've seen...? Skip: Didn't love it.

    • Cordelia: The Powers That Be popped me out of my body and sent me to a mall? Skip: Actually this is more a construct of a mall. You know, like in The Matrix Cordelia: You've seen The Matrix? Skip: Loved that flick. When Trinity's all 'Dodge this!' and the agent goes and crumples to the...and I'm not really instilling any awe any more, am I?

    • Cordy: You're Death? You've come to take me. Skip: (demonically) Ha ha ha! (normal voice) Just kidding. I'm Skip. You're Cordelia Chase, right? Sorry it took me so long, I... This you? )(points to Cordelia's body on the bed)) Most people go astral, their spiritual shapes tend to be an idealized version of themselves you know, straighten the nose, lose the gray, sort of a self-esteem kind of thing. You're pretty confident, aren't you?

    • Angel: Oh, whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa! Dirty people! Not touching the baby! Cordy: But pig-drinking bloodsuckers are okay? I meant that in a nice way.

    • Gunn: C'mon you telling me you never hid anything in your underwear drawer? Fred: I don't know. I mean for five years I didn't even have... Can we not talk about my underwear please?

    • Cordy: Uh...what a cruel dilemma! Presents, or sweet little baby-face.... (starts to get headache-vision) Oh. Take the baby! Angel: You're choosing birthday gifts over my kid? Cordy: Take the baby! Take the baby!

  • NOTES (14)

    ADD NOTES

    • Skip, the demon guide, shares the same name as co-producer Skip Schoolnik.

    • Music: Theme from Cordy -- "Baby Stay a While" by Marti Noxon (written by David Greenwalt) When Cordy enters the alternate reality Hyperion -- "Tears Down My Cheek" by First Come Music Library

    • There is a sign on the information booth with the TV screen on which the kiss between Cordelia and Doyle is shown. It says "You are here."

    • This episode scored a rating of 3.6/5 in the overnight Nielsen ratings, ranking 6th out of 18 WB shows for that week.

    • Cordelia's birthday cake has Wonder Woman on it. Coincidentally Charisma Carpenter has said that she wants to play Wonder Woman in the movie version.

    • When Cordelia is checking to see if she has any demon deformities, she checks for horns and a tail, which are also the first things that Buffy checked herself for in the Buffy season 3 episode "Earshot", when she, too, was to gain an aspect of the demon.

    • The "alternate reality" sitcom Cordy! was actually filmed on the set of Dharma & Greg.

    • This is the second time an alternate version of reality has been created in order to give Cordelia what she thinks she wants. The first was in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episode 'The Wish' (3x09).

    • When Skip says the PTB turn back time "not much", he is of course referring to season 1 episode 'I Will Remember You' (1x08) in which the PTB turned back time so that Angel could stop himself becoming human.

    • On the DVD set, There was a deleted scene. It was actually a scene from the show "Cordy". But Marti Noxon and Tim Minear believed that the scene would appear to be like a fake comedy, and that's not how they wanted it portrayed. This is why it wasn't aired....also they had to cut nominal things out to fit the time.

    • Nice bit of continuity: Wes attributes the loss of his arm to a "nasty encounter with a Kungai demon a few years back." Pop in your season one DVDs and you'll find that 'Parting Gifts' (1x10) the episode where rogue demon hunter Wesley shows up in town, has him on the trail of a Kungai demon when he runs into Angel.

    • Cordelia now becomes part demon as a side effect of being able to control her visions.

    • Here we see a rather alternate outcome to 'Hero' (1x09), in which Angel inherited (don't wanna know how...) Doyle's visions. But they made him crazy. We also see Wes and Gunn joined him but Wes has lost an arm.

    • The theme tune to "Cordy" was written by David Greenwalt and sung by Marti Noxon

  • ALLUSIONS (1)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Cordy Theme: (Cordy takes off her hat, spins around, and throws it up into the air) This is a reference to the end of the Mary Tyler Moore opening credits. For years the opening credit sequence of this series ended with Mary taking off her hat and throwing it up in the air where the image froze. This often copied gesture became almost synonymous with the idea of a young, attractive, "liberated" woman.

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