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[[Image:Chell.png|right|250px|Chell as seen in Portal 2]]
[[File:Chell.png|thumb|right|150px|Chell as seen in ''Portal 2''.]]


{{Quotation|'''GLaDOS'''|You really are doing great... Chell.|sound=GLaDOS_sp_sphere_2nd_encounter_completion01.wav}}
{{Quotation|'''GLaDOS'''|You really are doing great... Chell.|sound=GLaDOS_sp_sphere_2nd_encounter_completion01.wav}}


'''Chell''', documented as '''Test Subject #1''' but previously as '''#1498''', was a test subject of the [[Aperture Science]] computer-aided Enrichment Center, later involved in the testing of the company's [[Handheld Portal Device]]; commonly known as the Portal Gun.
'''Chell''', documented as '''Test Subject #1''' but previously as '''#1498''',<ref>[[Portal 2: Lab Rat]], page 21. https://www.thinkwithportals.com/comic/#22</ref> was a test subject of the [[Aperture Science]] computer-aided Enrichment Center, and was involved in the testing of the Company's [[Handheld Portal Device]] (commonly known as the Portal Gun).


She is the silent protagonist of ''[[Portal]]'' and the single-player campaign of ''[[Portal 2]]''. Very little is known of her past, beyond {{spoiler|her possible abandonment at birth and}} her stubborn will to live.
She is the silent protagonist of ''[[Portal]]'' and the single-player campaign in ''[[Portal 2]]''. Very little is known of her past, beyond {{spoiler|her possible abandonment at birth}} and her stubborn will to live.


Throughout the series, Chell is antagonized by the AI and facility overseer [[GLaDOS]], during her testing courses. Wielding only the Handheld Portal Device; commonly referred to as the Portal Gun - she eventually utilizes this device as a means of traveling and bypassing various sections in the facility for escape.
Throughout the series, Chell is {{Spoiler|antagonized by the central core and facility overseer [[GLaDOS]]}} during her testing courses. Wielding only the Handheld Portal Device, she eventually utilizes this device as a means of avoiding hazards and {{Spoiler|bypassing various sections of the facility in order to escape.}}
 
According to one timeline, she likely has soulless clones made from her DNA.<ref>[[Portal 2: Lab Rat]], page 21. https://www.thinkwithportals.com/comic/#22</ref>


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
Most of Chell's history remains a mystery. {{Spoiler|During the final events of ''[[Portal]]'', [[GLaDOS]] mentions numerous times that Chell was abandoned at birth, and continued again throughout ''[[Portal 2]]''. She later mentions in ''Portal 2'' that Chell was also adopted, though the credibility of GLaDOS' word is left up to the interpreter.}} Many of GLaDOS' comments throughout ''Portal 2'' and the latter stages of ''Portal'' are in an effort to belittle, annoy, or distract Chell from achieving her goal, {{Spoiler|whether or not statements of her adoption and orphan status are true or not is up for debate.}}
Much of Chell's past remains a mystery. {{Spoiler|During the final events of ''[[Portal]]'', [[GLaDOS]] mentions numerous times that Chell was abandoned at birth, and also mentions that she was adopted, and such references continue throughout ''[[Portal 2]]'', although the credibility of GLaDOS' word is unclear. Many of GLaDOS' comments throughout ''Portal 2'' and the latter stages of ''Portal'' are in an effort to belittle, annoy or distract Chell from achieving her goal, and whether or not statements of her adoption and orphan status are true or not is up for debate}}.
 
During the events of Portal 2, {{Spoiler|it is implied that Chell may be the daughter of a scientist who worked at Aperture Science, due to a science project in the [[Portal 2 Chapter 4 Test Chamber 21 (Escape)|pre-takeover escape sequence]].}}


=== ''Portal'' ===
=== ''Portal'' ===
At some time frame in 2010, during the introductory sequence of ''[[Portal]]'', Chell is awakened in a [[Relaxation Vault]] - previously having been unconsciously deployed into it. Curious, she maneuvers around the vault and witnesses the test chamber she has been prepped into. After a mere ten seconds of her awakening, Chell is greeted by a robotic but seemingly automated female voice who addresses to the protagonist in the regard that she is a test subject. The AI, who was later abbreviated as "[[GLaDOS]]", then points out that the goal of these tests that she will perform for the company of [[Aperture Science]] are to bring an educational experience to their test subjects currently running the courses.
{{Spoiler|Some time after GLaDOS' takeover of Aperture Science, Chell is awakened in a [[Relaxation Vault]] after being unconsciously placed into it. Curious, she explores the Vault, and within only ten seconds of awakening, Chell is greeted by a robotic and seemingly automated female voice who informs her that she is a test subject. A voice, (later to be revealed as GLaDOS) then states that Chell will be undergoing testing for the benefit of Aperture Science's research program.}}


The intimidating AI, GLaDOS, then finally generates two oval-shaped teleportation fabrics (portals) on a solid flat surface, with an entrance portal in the Relaxation Vault and an exit just in front of the exterior of the vault. Chell maneuvers away from the vault, however, she may have possibly noticed the empty observation rooms - lacking the staff that were supposedly recording her performances. After completing her first test of understanding a [[Cubes|cube]]-and-[[Heavy Duty Super-Colliding Super Button|button]] based mechanic, she was then put through a series of tests to further understand the usage of portals.
GLaDOS then generates two oval-shaped teleportation fabrics ([[portals]]) on a solid flat surface, with an entrance portal in the Relaxation Vault and an exit just in front of the exterior of the Vault. Chell exits from the Vault, however {{Spoiler|she notices empty observation rooms which lack the staff that should be recording her performance.}} After completing her first test and acquiring an understanding the [[Cubes|cube]]-and-[[Heavy Duty Super-Colliding Super Button|button]] based mechanic, she is put through a series of tests to further explore and understand the use of portals.


[[File:Portal Chell.png|thumb|right|100px|Chell as seen in ''Portal''.]]
[[File:Portal Chell.png|thumb|right|100px|Chell as seen in ''Portal''.]]


Having completed two tests, Chell was finally ready and put into a test chamber where she is to equip the [[Handheld Portal Device|Portal Gun]]. And later within her testing course, she is put through more dangerous tests with the presence of [[goo]] beneath test chambers, deployment of [[High Energy Pellet]]s into the test, and more. However, thanks to the [[Advanced Knee Replacement]] components applied to the back of her lower leg to her ankles, Chell was safe from any potential injury and pain from falling at high velocity from the results of portals and momentum. She was also finally able to replace her single-powered Portal Gun (fires blue portal, where orange portal is generated by the test chamber) with a dual-powered Portal Gun (fires orange and blue portals). Further through the testing, Chell is promised by [[GLaDOS]] that the cake would be served at the conclusion of the tests.
{{Spoiler|Having completed two tests, Chell reaches a test chamber in which she acquires the [[Handheld Portal Device|Portal Gun]]. Later on during the testing course, she is put through a series of more dangerous tests including hazards such as [[Goo]] and [[High Energy Pellet]]s, among others. Skillfully avoiding these hazards, Chell is assisted by the [[Companion Cube]] and by the Aperture Science [[Advanced Knee Replacement]] components applied to the back of her lower legs to her ankles, which allow Chell to avoid injury when falling from great heights. Eventually, the single-portal variant of her Portal Gun is upgraded to create a set of linked portals. As an incentive to complete the tests, [[GLaDOS]] promises Chell that [[cake]] will be served once all tests chambers have been completed.}}
 
As the testing progresses, Chell {{Spoiler|stumbles across various areas with defunct [[Panels|wall panels]], and manages to sneak into them. As she enters these maintenance areas, she finds refuge areas commonly known as the [[Doug Rattmann|Rat Man]]'s Dens, previously used as hiding places by Aperture technician Doug Rattmann. The scribblings on the walls in these Dens appear to be warnings for Chell, telling her that "the cake is a lie" and that "she's watching you". Chell, now made more aware of her situation, is forced to continue testing and play along with GLaDOS' plans. The Rat Man's warnings are eventually revealed to be correct, as GLaDOS attempts to murder Chell upon her completion of the final test chamber, despite earlier promises of cake.}}
 
{{Spoiler|Chell successfully escapes the dramatically slow death trap, and is informed by GLaDOS that pretending to kill Chell is simply part of the test. Dubious as to the veracity of this claim, Chell escapes the testing course, and travels through the Aperture Science Facility in an attempt to reach the surface and escape. Eventually however, Chell realizes there there is no chance of escape as long as GLaDOS is in control of the Facility, and is forced to confront GLaDOS in the [[Central AI Chamber]].}}
 
{{Spoiler|Upon entry to the chamber, Chell is greeted by the passive-aggressive rogue AI. GLaDOS claims that she will provide Chell with a surprise, however a [[Cores#Morality Core|Morality Core]] unexpectedly detaches from GLaDOS' chassis. Chell destroys it using a nearby [[Emergency Intelligence Incinerator]], however the Core is revealed to be a safeguard designed to inhibit GLaDOS' homicidal tendencies. With the Core destroyed, GLaDOS releases [[neurotoxin]] into the chamber in an attempt to kill Chell. At the same time, a [[Turrets#Rocket Turret|Rocket Turret]] emerges from a core hatch beside GLaDOS and begins to target Chell. Using the Portal Gun, Chell redirects the projectiles through linked portals, causing the rockets to strike GLaDOS, each of which detaches more Personality Cores from the chassis. Although inflicting damage, the loss of the Cores merely increases GLaDOS's desire to kill Chell. After destroying each detached Core one-by-one, Chell destroys the final Core (the [[Cores#Anger Core|Anger Core]]), and GLaDOS is sent literally spiraling into her demise, as the destruction of her generators triggers a gravitational vortex, which deposits Chell on the surface.}}
 
{{Spoiler|Chell slowly regains consciousness in the parking lot of the Enrichment Center, with with a lifeless GLaDOS beside her. As Chell's vision clears, the [[Party Escort Bot]] thanks her for "assuming the party escort submission position", and begins dragging her back into the now-ruined Aperture Science Facility. As Chell is dragged away, it is revealed that the destruction of the Central Core (GLaDOS) resulted in the automatic activation of other Personality Cores, tasked with the management of the Enrichment Center while GLaDOS is offline. The final scene depicts the Companion Cube and a cake deep within the bowels Facility, waiting for Chell to claim them.}}
 
=== ''[[Portal 2: Lab Rat|Lab Rat]]'' ===
During the course of the comic, we are introduced to former Aperture scientist, Doug Rattman. {{Spoiler|He witnesses the apparent destruction of GLaDOS, and later, {{Spoiler| after escaping from the facility himself,}} witnesses the recapturing of Chell by the Party Escort Robot. Following the robot, he finds that Chell has been placed into an [[Aperture Science Extended Relaxation Center| Extended Relaxation Vault]]. However, as a result of the explosion {{Spoiler|at the conclusion of Portal}}, all of the relaxation vaults' life support systems are offline. Doug patches Chell's vault onto a reserve grid (as he was unable to open the vault), allowing Chell to survive the years prior to her reawakening in Portal 2.}}


However, it later became apparent that GLaDOS would not keep to her promise. Chell stumbles upon various areas with defunct [[Panels|wall panels]], and manages a way to sneak into them. As she enters these backstages of a test chamber, she finds refuge areas commonly known as the [[Doug Rattmann|Rattmann]]'s dens - previously the resting areas for Aperture technician Doug Rattmann. The scribblings of the walls in these dens appear to be a warning for Chell, telling her that "the cake is a lie" and how "she's watching you". Chell now made a bit more aware of her situation, is forced to continue the testing and play along with GLaDOS' plans. And indeed, the warnings were correct as GLaDOS finally decides to lower Chell into a fire pit upon completing the final test chamber, where the cake was said to appear.
=== ''Portal 2'' ===
{{Spoiler|Many years after the events of the original games, Chell is revived by [[Wheatley]], a [[Personality Core]]. After a brief introduction, he convinces Chell to escape with him from the ruined facility. The pair eventually find themselves in the remains of GLaDOS' chamber. Wheatley then inadvertently reawakens GLaDOS, who immediately recognizes Chell. Discarding Wheatley, GLaDOS plunges Chell back into the depths of Aperture, to resume testing.}}


Chell successfully escapes the dramatically slow death trap, and was no longer dependent on GLaDOS as the latter makes constant attempts to convince her that "faking" her attempt to kill Chell was part of the test. Upon her escape from the testing tracks, she travels around the facility in hopes of reaching the surface. However, realizing there was no chances of this, she is forced to confront GLaDOS in the Central AI Chamber as the latter awaits her arrival.
{{Spoiler|Chell finds herself testing in the ruined facility with GLaDOS, but after several chambers, Wheatley rescues Chell to help him sabotage GLaDOS' weaponry, allowing for a coup to take place later. GLaDOS eventually manages to trap Chell and bring her into her lair. After finding that her preferred methods of murder are unusable, Chell and GLaDOS find themselves at a standstill. Wheatley reappears, and after Chell initiates a core transfer, replaces GLaDOS as the Central AI of Aperture. However, he goes mad with power, dismantles the remains of GLaDOS' head and reconfigures it into a potato battery, and accidentally sends both GLaDOS and Chell to the decomposing underbelly of the facility, "Old Aperture," which had been sealed off for many decades.}}


Now prepared to face GLaDOS, Chell is greeted by the passive-aggressive rogue AI. GLaDOS fakes attempting to give Chell her surprise, however, before finishing the countdown, a [[Cores#Morality Core|Morality Core]] was coincidentally detached from the Central AI's body. Chell destroys it via the [[Emergency Intelligence Incinerator]] located behind the Central AI Chamber. However, it was a mistake as it was the one thing GLaDOS needed to be disposed of so she can gain further control over the Enrichment Center, as she ultimately unleashes neurotoxin into her chamber to kill Chell off. This causes a [[Turrets#Rocket Turret|Rocket Turret]] to emerge from a core hatch beside her, but Chell was resourceful and redirected the rocket projectiles through a portal behind her, firing towards GLaDOS instead. She does this repeatedly to continue detaching more personality cores previously attached to her body. However, the further cores she lacked, the more relentless she became. But after Chell destroys the [[Cores#Anger Core|Anger Core]], GLaDOS was sent spiraling, literally, into her demise as the destruction of her generators triggered a gravitational pull - where they both end up on the surface before the protagonist went unconscious.
{{Spoiler|In Old Aperture, Chell is introduced to [[Cave Johnson]], the now-deceased founder and CEO of Aperture and his assistant [[Caroline]]. Throughout the tests, Chell finds and re-activates the [[Repulsion Gel|Repulsion]], [[Propulsion Gel|Propulsion]] and [[Conversion Gel|Conversion Gels]]. She is reunited with GLaDOS during her travel through Old Aperture, and the two forge a plot to overthrow Wheatley in exchange for Chell's freedom.}}


Chell then slowly regained consciousness, and witnesses herself in the parking lot of the Enrichment Center with a lifeless GLaDOS beside her. As Chell regained a clear vision, the [[Party Escort Bot]] thanks her for "assuming the party escort submission position" immediately before dragging her back into the now-ruined facility. Little did she know, the destruction of the Central Core, GLaDOS, automatically caused the facility to reactivate warehouses full of personality cores to manage the Enrichment Center as GLaDOS was killed.
{{Spoiler|After departing from Old Aperture, the duo locate a test chamber that Wheatley is overseeing and attempt to disable him via a logical paradox. This fails, however, and they quickly find themselves solving Wheatley's own cobbled-together tests. Much like in the first game, Wheatley tries to kill Chell and GLaDOS, saying that he had found the [[Cooperative Testing Initiative| perfect replacements]] for Chell. After a lengthy chase through the upper facility, Chell and GLaDOS are again in the Central AI Chamber with Wheatley. Chell furthers Wheatley's "corruption" by attaching corrupted cores to his frame, allowing for a second core transfer. Before Chell can do this, however, Wheatley detonates bombs that he had "booby-trapped the stalemate button" with in a last ditch effort to maintain control. However, Chell fires one last set of portals above and below Wheatley. These portals link together the Moon and the Central AI Chamber, and both Chell and Wheatley are sucked through into outer space. Seconds afterward, GLaDOS regains control of her chassis, rescues Chell, and closes the portals, leaving Wheatley to be lost in space. After a monologue, GLaDOS (supposedly) makes good on her promise, and delivers Chell, via high-speed elevator, to the surface above Aperture Science. As the elevator ascends, it enters an ampitheatre-like space, where a [[Turret Opera|choir of turrets]] sing [[Cara Mia|a farewell song]] to Chell. Chell's elevator emerges in a shed in a large field of wheat. Chell's [[Weighted Companion Cube|Companion Cube]] is also sent up moments afterword, presumably as a token of "thank you" from GLaDOS. After expelling the Companion Cube, the elevator door slams violently, probably to indicate that GLaDOS does not want Chell to return to the Enrichment Center again.}}


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
Line 36: Line 52:
|height=150
|height=150
|width=150
|width=150
|File:Chell first person.png|alt1=Chell|Chell holding the Portal Gun, first-person view in ''Portal 2''.
|File:Portal 2 Potato Viewmodel.png|alt1=Alternate viewmodel|{{Spoiler|Chell first-person view in ''Portal 2'' with [[GLaDOS]] as a potato attached to it.}}|spoiler2=yes
|File:Portal Chell.png|alt2=Chell in ''Portal''.|Chell as she was seen in ''[[Portal]]''.
|File:Alésia Glidewell Chell reference pose.jpg|alt3=[[wikipedia:Alésia Glidewell|:Alésia Glidewell]] posing for a Chell reference shot.|[[wikipedia::Alésia Glidewell|Alésia Glidewell]] posing for a Chell reference shot.
|File:Alésia Glidewell Chell reference pose.jpg|alt3=[[wikipedia:Alésia Glidewell|:Alésia Glidewell]] posing for a Chell reference shot.|[[wikipedia::Alésia Glidewell|Alésia Glidewell]] posing for a Chell reference shot.
|File:Chell_from_Personality_Test.jpg|alt4=Chell image from the official Aperture Science Collaborative Disposition Test.|Chell image from the [http://www.thinkwithportals.com/coop_survey.php official Aperture Science Collaborative Disposition Test].
|File:Chell_from_Personality_Test.jpg|alt4=Chell image from the official Aperture Science Collaborative Disposition Test.|Chell image from the [http://www.thinkwithportals.com/coop_survey.php official Aperture Science Collaborative Disposition Test].
Line 48: Line 61:
|File:Lab Rat - Chell's File - Stubborn.png|alt10=Chell's file showing her high level of tenacity from the ''Lab Rat'' comic.|Chell's file showing her high level of tenacity from the ''Lab Rat'' comic.
|File:Lab Rat - Chell's File - Stubborn.png|alt10=Chell's file showing her high level of tenacity from the ''Lab Rat'' comic.|Chell's file showing her high level of tenacity from the ''Lab Rat'' comic.
|File:Lab Rat - Chell's Name on the List.png|alt11=Chell on the test subject list when Rattmann sabotages the list from ''Lab Rat''.|Chell on the test subject list when Rattmann sabotages the list from ''Lab Rat''.
|File:Lab Rat - Chell's Name on the List.png|alt11=Chell on the test subject list when Rattmann sabotages the list from ''Lab Rat''.|Chell on the test subject list when Rattmann sabotages the list from ''Lab Rat''.
|File:Chell on the Cover of The Sacrifice.png|alt12=The cover of "The Sacrifice" featuring various Valve characters, including Chell.|The cover of "The Sacrifice" featuring various Valve characters, including Chell.
|File:Full Zoom of Chell on the Cover of The Sacrifice.png|alt13=Full zoom of Chell on the cover of "The Sacrifice".|Full zoom of Chell on the cover of "The Sacrifice".
|File:The_Sacrifice_Concept_Art.jpg|alt14=Concept art for "The Sacrifice".|Concept art for "The Sacrifice".<ref>http://www.destructoid.com/dark-horse-publishing-valve-steam-powered-comic-205623.phtml</ref>
|File:Chell and GLaDOS Gelaskin.png|alt15=Artwork of Chell and GLaDOS on an iPad gelaskin.|Artwork of Chell and [[GLaDOS]] on an iPad gelaskin.
|File:GLaDOS Lithograph Aperture's Requiem.png|alt16=Chell and GLaDOS on the "Aperture's Requiem" lithograph.|Chell and [[GLaDOS]] on the "Aperture's Requiem" lithograph.
|File:Red-Nosed P02.jpg|alt17=Chell in the "Randolph the Red-Nosed Turret" comic.|Chell in the "[[Randolph the Red-Nosed Turret]]" comic.
|File:LEGO Minifig Chell.jpg|alt18=LEGO Chell minifig|LEGO Chell minifig.
|File:LEGO Dimensions Chell.png|alt19=Chell in LEGO Dimensions|Chell in [[LEGO Dimensions]].
}}
}}


== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
* {{Spoiler|One of the ''Bring Your Daughter to Work Day'' science-fair entries within ''Portal 2'' is signed, "by Chell"; indicating Chell was the daughter of an Aperture Science employee. The entry seemingly began as a potato, interacting with "an element from daddys work" and has now grown massively out of control and taken up roots in the structure.}}
* {{Spoiler|One of the ''Bring Your Daughter to Work Day'' science-fair entries within ''Portal 2'' is signed, "by Chell"; indicating Chell was the daughter of an Aperture Science employee. The entry seemingly began as a potato, interacting with "an element from daddy's work" and has now grown massively out of control and taken up roots in the structure. This is also hinted at by GLaDOS at the end of the third test chamber of the first Portal where she says "Well done, remember, the Aperture Science Bring Your Daughter to Work Day is the perfect time to have her tested." and in the sixth chamber in which she states "Unbelievable. You, SUBJECT NAME HERE must be the pride of SUBJECT HOMETOWN HERE."}}
* {{Spoiler|The [[turret]] opera at the end of ''Portal 2'' mentions Chell by name, calling her "cara mia" {{N}} "my dear" in Italian. This implies a deeper connection between Chell and GLaDOS than was previously let on.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtAXSyFCWXY</ref>}}
* Chell is modeled after actress {{W|Alésia Glidewell}}, and appears to be of mixed-race white European and East or Southeast Asian background, with dark hair and blue eyes.
* Chell is modeled after actress {{W|Alésia Glidewell}}.
* In ''[[Portal]]'', Chell may sometimes emit small screams when hurt. However, these voice clips are simply archive recordings from [[Half-Life 2]]'s female citizens, who were voiced by Mary Kae Irvin. This was then one of many things that received a retroactive continuity in ''[[Portal 2]]'', as Chell no longer emits any pain groans whatsoever.
* In ''[[Portal]]'', Chell may sometimes emit small screams when hurt. However, these voice clips are simply archive recordings from [[Half-Life 2]]'s female citizens, who were voiced by Mary Kae Irvin. This was then one of many things that received a retroactive continuity in ''[[Portal 2]]'', as Chell no longer emits any pain groans whatsoever.
 
* Chell used to be the second partner seen in Co-Op. She was replaced by [[P-body]] early in development.
== See Also ==
* In the original ending sequence, {{Spoiler|the Stalemate Resolution Button was to be destroyed by Wheatley, in which the Announcer would say the stalemate would be resolved if the Stalemate Resolution Associate would say "Yes." This led to a blackout in which, upon pressing a button, Chell would say "Yes." This was cut due to playtesters finding it hard to find out who was actually saying yes. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vboI7UUziHk</ref>}}
* Chell appears alongside several other ''Portal 2'' characters in the ''Portal 2 Level Pack'' for [[LEGO Dimensions]].
* GLaDOS states to Chell {{Spoiler|that she had found two test subjects in cryogenic storage with her last name, implying that her parents may have worked at Aperture, and were not killed upon the Bring Your Daughter to Work Day disaster.}}
* Though she is who the player is playing as her name is almost never said in [[Portal]] or in [[Portal 2]], presumably to allow the player to feel as it is them.
== See also ==
* [[Portal 2: Lab Rat]]
* [[Collaborative Disposition Test#Chell|Collaborative Disposition Test]]
* [[Collaborative Disposition Test#Chell|Collaborative Disposition Test]]
* [[Audiosurf Flag]]
* [[Audiosurf Flag]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 12 July 2024

Chell as seen in Portal 2.
You really are doing great... Chell.
GLaDOS

Chell, documented as Test Subject #1 but previously as #1498,[1] was a test subject of the Aperture Science computer-aided Enrichment Center, and was involved in the testing of the Company's Handheld Portal Device (commonly known as the Portal Gun).

She is the silent protagonist of Portal and the single-player campaign in Portal 2. Very little is known of her past, beyond her possible abandonment at birth and her stubborn will to live.

Throughout the series, Chell is antagonized by the central core and facility overseer GLaDOS during her testing courses. Wielding only the Handheld Portal Device, she eventually utilizes this device as a means of avoiding hazards and bypassing various sections of the facility in order to escape.

According to one timeline, she likely has soulless clones made from her DNA.[2]

Overview

Much of Chell's past remains a mystery. During the final events of Portal, GLaDOS mentions numerous times that Chell was abandoned at birth, and also mentions that she was adopted, and such references continue throughout Portal 2, although the credibility of GLaDOS' word is unclear. Many of GLaDOS' comments throughout Portal 2 and the latter stages of Portal are in an effort to belittle, annoy or distract Chell from achieving her goal, and whether or not statements of her adoption and orphan status are true or not is up for debate.

During the events of Portal 2, it is implied that Chell may be the daughter of a scientist who worked at Aperture Science, due to a science project in the pre-takeover escape sequence.

Portal

Some time after GLaDOS' takeover of Aperture Science, Chell is awakened in a Relaxation Vault after being unconsciously placed into it. Curious, she explores the Vault, and within only ten seconds of awakening, Chell is greeted by a robotic and seemingly automated female voice who informs her that she is a test subject. A voice, (later to be revealed as GLaDOS) then states that Chell will be undergoing testing for the benefit of Aperture Science's research program.

GLaDOS then generates two oval-shaped teleportation fabrics (portals) on a solid flat surface, with an entrance portal in the Relaxation Vault and an exit just in front of the exterior of the Vault. Chell exits from the Vault, however she notices empty observation rooms which lack the staff that should be recording her performance. After completing her first test and acquiring an understanding the cube-and-button based mechanic, she is put through a series of tests to further explore and understand the use of portals.

Chell as seen in Portal.

Having completed two tests, Chell reaches a test chamber in which she acquires the Portal Gun. Later on during the testing course, she is put through a series of more dangerous tests including hazards such as Goo and High Energy Pellets, among others. Skillfully avoiding these hazards, Chell is assisted by the Companion Cube and by the Aperture Science Advanced Knee Replacement components applied to the back of her lower legs to her ankles, which allow Chell to avoid injury when falling from great heights. Eventually, the single-portal variant of her Portal Gun is upgraded to create a set of linked portals. As an incentive to complete the tests, GLaDOS promises Chell that cake will be served once all tests chambers have been completed.

As the testing progresses, Chell stumbles across various areas with defunct wall panels, and manages to sneak into them. As she enters these maintenance areas, she finds refuge areas commonly known as the Rat Man's Dens, previously used as hiding places by Aperture technician Doug Rattmann. The scribblings on the walls in these Dens appear to be warnings for Chell, telling her that "the cake is a lie" and that "she's watching you". Chell, now made more aware of her situation, is forced to continue testing and play along with GLaDOS' plans. The Rat Man's warnings are eventually revealed to be correct, as GLaDOS attempts to murder Chell upon her completion of the final test chamber, despite earlier promises of cake.

Chell successfully escapes the dramatically slow death trap, and is informed by GLaDOS that pretending to kill Chell is simply part of the test. Dubious as to the veracity of this claim, Chell escapes the testing course, and travels through the Aperture Science Facility in an attempt to reach the surface and escape. Eventually however, Chell realizes there there is no chance of escape as long as GLaDOS is in control of the Facility, and is forced to confront GLaDOS in the Central AI Chamber.

Upon entry to the chamber, Chell is greeted by the passive-aggressive rogue AI. GLaDOS claims that she will provide Chell with a surprise, however a Morality Core unexpectedly detaches from GLaDOS' chassis. Chell destroys it using a nearby Emergency Intelligence Incinerator, however the Core is revealed to be a safeguard designed to inhibit GLaDOS' homicidal tendencies. With the Core destroyed, GLaDOS releases neurotoxin into the chamber in an attempt to kill Chell. At the same time, a Rocket Turret emerges from a core hatch beside GLaDOS and begins to target Chell. Using the Portal Gun, Chell redirects the projectiles through linked portals, causing the rockets to strike GLaDOS, each of which detaches more Personality Cores from the chassis. Although inflicting damage, the loss of the Cores merely increases GLaDOS's desire to kill Chell. After destroying each detached Core one-by-one, Chell destroys the final Core (the Anger Core), and GLaDOS is sent literally spiraling into her demise, as the destruction of her generators triggers a gravitational vortex, which deposits Chell on the surface.

Chell slowly regains consciousness in the parking lot of the Enrichment Center, with with a lifeless GLaDOS beside her. As Chell's vision clears, the Party Escort Bot thanks her for "assuming the party escort submission position", and begins dragging her back into the now-ruined Aperture Science Facility. As Chell is dragged away, it is revealed that the destruction of the Central Core (GLaDOS) resulted in the automatic activation of other Personality Cores, tasked with the management of the Enrichment Center while GLaDOS is offline. The final scene depicts the Companion Cube and a cake deep within the bowels Facility, waiting for Chell to claim them.

Lab Rat

During the course of the comic, we are introduced to former Aperture scientist, Doug Rattman. He witnesses the apparent destruction of GLaDOS, and later, after escaping from the facility himself, witnesses the recapturing of Chell by the Party Escort Robot. Following the robot, he finds that Chell has been placed into an Extended Relaxation Vault. However, as a result of the explosion at the conclusion of Portal, all of the relaxation vaults' life support systems are offline. Doug patches Chell's vault onto a reserve grid (as he was unable to open the vault), allowing Chell to survive the years prior to her reawakening in Portal 2.

Portal 2

Many years after the events of the original games, Chell is revived by Wheatley, a Personality Core. After a brief introduction, he convinces Chell to escape with him from the ruined facility. The pair eventually find themselves in the remains of GLaDOS' chamber. Wheatley then inadvertently reawakens GLaDOS, who immediately recognizes Chell. Discarding Wheatley, GLaDOS plunges Chell back into the depths of Aperture, to resume testing.

Chell finds herself testing in the ruined facility with GLaDOS, but after several chambers, Wheatley rescues Chell to help him sabotage GLaDOS' weaponry, allowing for a coup to take place later. GLaDOS eventually manages to trap Chell and bring her into her lair. After finding that her preferred methods of murder are unusable, Chell and GLaDOS find themselves at a standstill. Wheatley reappears, and after Chell initiates a core transfer, replaces GLaDOS as the Central AI of Aperture. However, he goes mad with power, dismantles the remains of GLaDOS' head and reconfigures it into a potato battery, and accidentally sends both GLaDOS and Chell to the decomposing underbelly of the facility, "Old Aperture," which had been sealed off for many decades.

In Old Aperture, Chell is introduced to Cave Johnson, the now-deceased founder and CEO of Aperture and his assistant Caroline. Throughout the tests, Chell finds and re-activates the Repulsion, Propulsion and Conversion Gels. She is reunited with GLaDOS during her travel through Old Aperture, and the two forge a plot to overthrow Wheatley in exchange for Chell's freedom.

After departing from Old Aperture, the duo locate a test chamber that Wheatley is overseeing and attempt to disable him via a logical paradox. This fails, however, and they quickly find themselves solving Wheatley's own cobbled-together tests. Much like in the first game, Wheatley tries to kill Chell and GLaDOS, saying that he had found the perfect replacements for Chell. After a lengthy chase through the upper facility, Chell and GLaDOS are again in the Central AI Chamber with Wheatley. Chell furthers Wheatley's "corruption" by attaching corrupted cores to his frame, allowing for a second core transfer. Before Chell can do this, however, Wheatley detonates bombs that he had "booby-trapped the stalemate button" with in a last ditch effort to maintain control. However, Chell fires one last set of portals above and below Wheatley. These portals link together the Moon and the Central AI Chamber, and both Chell and Wheatley are sucked through into outer space. Seconds afterward, GLaDOS regains control of her chassis, rescues Chell, and closes the portals, leaving Wheatley to be lost in space. After a monologue, GLaDOS (supposedly) makes good on her promise, and delivers Chell, via high-speed elevator, to the surface above Aperture Science. As the elevator ascends, it enters an ampitheatre-like space, where a choir of turrets sing a farewell song to Chell. Chell's elevator emerges in a shed in a large field of wheat. Chell's Companion Cube is also sent up moments afterword, presumably as a token of "thank you" from GLaDOS. After expelling the Companion Cube, the elevator door slams violently, probably to indicate that GLaDOS does not want Chell to return to the Enrichment Center again.

Gallery

Trivia

  • One of the Bring Your Daughter to Work Day science-fair entries within Portal 2 is signed, "by Chell"; indicating Chell was the daughter of an Aperture Science employee. The entry seemingly began as a potato, interacting with "an element from daddy's work" and has now grown massively out of control and taken up roots in the structure. This is also hinted at by GLaDOS at the end of the third test chamber of the first Portal where she says "Well done, remember, the Aperture Science Bring Your Daughter to Work Day is the perfect time to have her tested." and in the sixth chamber in which she states "Unbelievable. You, SUBJECT NAME HERE must be the pride of SUBJECT HOMETOWN HERE."
  • Chell is modeled after actress Alésia Glidewell, and appears to be of mixed-race white European and East or Southeast Asian background, with dark hair and blue eyes.
  • In Portal, Chell may sometimes emit small screams when hurt. However, these voice clips are simply archive recordings from Half-Life 2's female citizens, who were voiced by Mary Kae Irvin. This was then one of many things that received a retroactive continuity in Portal 2, as Chell no longer emits any pain groans whatsoever.
  • Chell used to be the second partner seen in Co-Op. She was replaced by P-body early in development.
  • In the original ending sequence, the Stalemate Resolution Button was to be destroyed by Wheatley, in which the Announcer would say the stalemate would be resolved if the Stalemate Resolution Associate would say "Yes." This led to a blackout in which, upon pressing a button, Chell would say "Yes." This was cut due to playtesters finding it hard to find out who was actually saying yes. [4]
  • Chell appears alongside several other Portal 2 characters in the Portal 2 Level Pack for LEGO Dimensions.
  • GLaDOS states to Chell that she had found two test subjects in cryogenic storage with her last name, implying that her parents may have worked at Aperture, and were not killed upon the Bring Your Daughter to Work Day disaster.
  • Though she is who the player is playing as her name is almost never said in Portal or in Portal 2, presumably to allow the player to feel as it is them.

See also

References