First Impressions: A Starting Point
by hold_that_thought
Cordelia/Gunn is, to me, a ship from a simpler time. Oh, sure, there are plenty of places canon could have veered off course in the later seasons of Angel to bring these two together, but the seeds were planted in Season 2 and for that reason, Cordy/Gunn will always remind me of a time in the series when the relationships between the characters, if not their lives overall, were easier.
For two main characters who shared a fairly large amount of screentime, there's a surprising dearth of Cordelia/Gunn fanfiction. Why? One reason is that other, more popular pairings for the two – Cordelia/Angel, Gunn/Wesley – tend to dominate authors' imaginations. But maybe people just have trouble figuring out how these two co-workers and friends could make the leap to something more.
Well, wary Cordelia/Gunn-writers-to-be need look no further than the Season 2 episode "First Impressions." The entire episode seems almost like a pilot for the Cordelia/Gunn relationship, as if the writers were testing the chemistry to see what worked. Although they obviously never chose to further pursue that particular coupling, shying away from inter-Angel Investigations romance altogether until late Season 3, it's interesting to view the episode and character interactions as a preview of a romance that could have been.
For starters, the banter.
Cordy: Paging Mr. Rationalization!
Gunn: Paging Ms. About-to-be-thrown-out-of-a-moving-vehicle!
Need I remind you that, for Cordelia, slinging insults is practically foreplay (see also: Harris, Xander). But Cordelia and Gunn's constant petty bitching is more than shorthand for unresolved sexual tension – it's also proof that Cordy and Gunn would be perfect for each other. Let's face it: even a lovesick Cordelia has claws. The girl has an enviable sarcastic streak and a penchant for being blunt almost to a fault. She wouldn't do well with a guy who was afraid to sass her back. And Gunn certainly has his prickly moments – he couldn't have a girl who was too laid-back or shy to call him on his Macho Deathwish crap. They each need a partner who will go toe-to-toe with them, insult for insult, banter for banter, pop culture reference for pop culture reference.
Gunn: I'm gonna track down Jameel and make him talk.
Cordy: When you do find him, you may wanna be a little more Guy Pierce in L.A Confidential and less Michael Madsen in Reservoir Dogs.
Gunn: I haven't bothered to see a movie since Denzel was robbed at the Oscars for Malcom X.
One of the most telling scenes comes at the end of the episode.
Cordy: You need some serious saving. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me.
Cordelia is beyond loyal to her friends – keyword being "friends." With her new mission statement, she officially accepts Gunn as a part of the team, well before Angel and Wesley acknowledge him as more than an occasional freelance helper.
Again, the writers obviously planted the seeds of Cordelia/Gunn but never followed through. That doesn't, however, undo anything that was said or done in "First Impressions." The episode serves as a warm and witty starting point for a relationship, and any fanfiction writer can finish what was started.
