Skip (Buffyverse)
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Skip was a fictional character on the WB Network's television program Angel. He appeared in seasons three and four, and was played by the actor David Denman.
Skip is a formidable and powerful demon, whose body is plated in armor. He appears in four episodes of the series. The demon sports a confident, charismatic personality and frequently makes humorous reference to human popular culture and turn-of-phrase. The history and nature of Skip is largely unknown since much of what Skip spoke was later revealed to be a lie. Skip was revealed to be a servant of Jasmine who was used to trick Cordelia Chase into becoming a vessel for the infestation and birth of Jasmine.
Skip was first seen in the season three episode "That Vision Thing". Angel was forced to rescue an evil boy named Billy Blim from torment in a demon dimension in order to save Cordelia's life. Skip guarded Billy's prison of fire. When Angel first entered this dimension, he and Skip had a very pleasant conversation where Skip claimed that he worked for The Powers That Be. Skip's pleasant demeanor (juxtaposed with his intimidating appearance) was a surprise for Angel, who had to fight him anyway. Angel won, and was able to trade Billy for Cordelia's life.
Later, Skip claimed he threw this fight. How Billy and Wolfram and Hart's hijacking of Cordelia's visions related to the birth of Jasmine was never revealed. It is possible that Jasmine and Skip used the opportunity to hijack the visions themselves or it is possible that Skip used this incident simply to build trust by claiming to work for the The Powers That Be.
Skip's second appearance was in the episode "Birthday" where he informed Cordelia that she would die if she continued receiving visions from the Powers. He then served as Cordelia's guide through a "what-if" scenario where she had never inherited her visions and had become a celebrity. After realizing that fighting evil was her true calling, Cordelia asked to keep her visions. Skip offered to make her part-demon so that she could continue to bear the visions and Cordelia agreed.
Later, it becomes apparent that Skip tricked Cordelia into becoming part-demon. Though, it is unknown whether Skip ever actually worked for the Powers, Skip seems to know much about their actions and events of the Buffyverse. Skip reveals he knew about the Powers turning back time for Angel and Buffy's return from heaven. It is possible Jasmine provided him with this knowledge.
In the season three finale, Skip once again returned to Cordelia, this time to inform her that she had been chosen to ascend to a higher realm and become a higher being. Cordelia agrees and ascends to become all seeing but is unable to act and very bored.
Later, Skip revealed that he tricked Cordelia into ascending so she could be infested by Jasmine on the higher realm. Cordelia finally was able to perform a single action of moving a slot machine part and immediately returned to Earth.
After Cordelia returned and appeared to have become evil, Angel and the remainder of the group realized that something bad had happened to Cordelia on the higher realm. Angel sought out Skip for an explanation. In the episode "Inside Out", Angel once again entered Skip's dimension and questioned him about Cordelia's changes. Skip feigned ignorance, but Angel realized that Skip was hiding something, and a fight ensued. During the fight, Angel was able to defeat Skip, pulling off a small piece of his armor near his ear. Angel then brought Skip back to Los Angeles where he was bound to this dimension and questioned. Skip revealed that he was part of a conspiracy to bring Jasmine into the world. He also claimed that most of the important plot points of the entire series were directed by Jasmine (though he did not mention her by name). How much of Skip's story was true is unknown as much of it contradicted previous and later events. Some of the gang were skeptical. Skip also revealed that killing Cordelia was the only way to stop Jasmine's birth. When Angel went to find Cordelia, an earthquake broke the spell which had bound Skip, and he began fighting with the remaining members of the group, including Fred, Gunn, Lorne, and Wes. Seemingly unstoppable, Skip was only killed when Wes was able to target a bullet in the exact place where Angel had broken his armor in the earlier fight. Wes and Gunn then dismembered Skip's body in the basement with a buzzsaw.
[edit] Notes
Skip was a tribute to Skip Schoolnik, a producer and director for Buffy and Angel. Schoolnik is credited as co-producer on a number of episodes, including "That Vision Thing", the episode that introduced the character.
Schoolnik directed 5 episodes for Angel including "Habeas Corpses ", "Slouching Toward Bethlehem", "Destiny", "Quickening", and "Underneath".
