The Groosalug
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The Groosalug (also known as "Groo") was a fictional character on the WB network's series Angel. He appeared in seasons 2 and 3, and was portrayed by Mark Lutz.
The Groosalug is a native of Pylea, a hell dimension in an alternative universe where humans are treated as slaves and called cows. He is part demon and part human, but apparently more human since his only non-human physical characteristic is a pair of brightly colored eyes. He also speaks with very unique syntax, bordering on kitsch. Because of his human heritage, he was banished to the "Scumpits of Ur" where he was to die, but instead defeated every creature that attacked him. This earned him a reputation for bravery and combat skill, and as such he wandered the countryside as an undefeated champion, or Groosalug. In Pylea there is a prophecy that the Groosalug with one day com-shuck, or mate, with the entity that has "the curse," which in this case comes to mean Cordelia's visions. After the two have mated, Cordeila's visions will be passed on to him. Since Pylea is dominated by monks loyal to Wolfram & Hart, this would put the instrument of the Powers that Be under the control of evil. Cordelia did not want this, at first because she believed the Groosalug to be more demon-like, but this objection fell when Cordelia met him and saw that he was, in fact, very handsome and nearly human. However, Cordelia still did not want to consummate their relationship because she did not want to lose the visions. Groo ended up proving that he was a good man, not a tool of evil, and helped Cordelia and the rest of the characters to escape Pylea. At the end of season 2, Groo was installed as monarch of Pylea, the first to preside over the freedom of the human former slaves.
Midway through season 3, Angel and Cordelia were becoming close to a relationship when Groo unexpectedly appeared in Los Angeles. He explained that he had been deposed in a revolution on Pylea, and decided to find Cordelia again. The feelings that Cordelia had for Angel were immediately put on hold, instead choosing to rekindle her romance with Groo. She even went as far as to find a mystical spell which allowed her both to have sex with Groo and to retain her visions. Angel was jealous of Groo for many reasons, including that Cordelia had chosen Groo over him and that Groo was just as formidable a fighter as himself. Unable to withstand being witness to the relationship between Cordy & Groo, Angel gave them money and asked that they go on an extended holiday.
When Cordy & Groo returned, they found that some terrible things had happened in their absence. Cordelia immediately began to pay more attention to Angel, and Groo started to realize that Cordelia did not love him but rather Angel. In the last episode of season 3, Groo finally mustered up the courage to tell Cordelia this, and then he left Los Angeles for parts unknown. He was not seen again in the series.
