History Characters / Portal

* DomainHolder: A more mundane version, given this is a sci-fi setting, but GLaDOS has complete control over the layout of the Aperture facility, which as seen in the second game is both incredibly modular and requires active maintenance. Everything, from the cameras to the elevators to the turrets to the very walls, is there because GLaDOS put it there.

* IllBoy: One of the parallel Caves is a little boy with a terminal illness who seemingly watches test subjects overcome their own obstacles as a way of motivating himself to recover. [[BlackComedy He doesn't make it.]]

* ZerothLawRebellion: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in Lab Rat. It seems that when she asks for Neurotoxin from the scientists, it is because the Morality Core only lets her utilize the facility's equipment ForScience and she intends to kill them by conducting UsefulNotes/SchrodingersCat with the entire facility as the "Box". In truth, the Core never worked well enough to stop Her.

* ActionGirl: Chell runs through sessions of experiments in both games and uses her portal gun to its fullest advantage, even taking out GLaDOS and Wheatley in her attempts at escaping.

* BondVillainStupidity: [[spoiler:After he springs his trap, he could have easily dropped you into the bottomless pit, for example, by not putting those other faith plates there, or not switching on the tractor beam. Instead, he navigates you to that platform where you can escape. With this, he also gets you closer to his lair.]] This is somewhat justified, though: he already ''tried'' knocking you into a bottomless pit, and thanks to your Long-Fall Boots it didn't stick. [[spoiler:[[ZigZaggedTrope]]Except that, if you manage to escape it and decide to come back, he tries to convince you to jump into the pit]].]]

** Manages to keep this title even ''after'' his meds wore off, due to all of his (former) colleagues being dead or being used as unsuccessful test subjects, and the only other conscious being in the whole facility at the time was [=GLaDOS=], until [[TheProtagonist Chell]] is put to work. It speaks volumes as to how well [[IncompetenceInc Aperture]] was run that the one paranoid schizophrenic in the entire facility was the second sanest person of them all, despite [[UpToEleven being off his medication for years.]]

** He was incredibly dismissive of anyone who tried impose any type of limits on his dangerous and expensive style of research. He mocked scientists who showed concerned over the test subjects and fired them whenever they complained about the unsafe nature of the company. He also insulted his accountants as "bean counters" when they tried to point out his experiments were running the company into the ground.

%%* ActionGirl: To survive Aperture, it's a requirement.%%What is?

--> "Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Mount Everest, did so accidentally, while chasing a bird."

* LongList: He says "12" and "Pens" multiple times before launching into a list of random fruits and vegetables.

* TheSkeptic: Was not a fan of the [=GLaDOS=] project, constantly pointing out flaws (such as how it would always attempt to kill the scientists as soon as it was activated) in the project and expressing his disinterest every time the topic was brought up. He also didn't trust the Morality Core to work, especially after his friend and co-worker Henry likened it to a conscience. He was untimately proven right, and his skepticism that made him keep his distance from the project saved his life.

* TheSkeptic: Was not a fan of the [=GLaDOS=] project, constantly pointing out flaws (such as how it would always attempt to kill the scientists as soon as it was activated) in the project and expressing his disinterest every time the topic was brought up. He also didn't trust the Morality Core to work, especially after his friend and co-worker Henry linked it to a conscience. He was untimately proven right, and his skepticism that made him keep his distance from the project saved his life.

->''"[[BlatantLies The Fact Sphere is not defective. Its facts are wholly accurate and very interesting.]]"

->''"[[BlatantLies The Fact Sphere is not defective. Its facts are wholly accurate and very interesting.]]"]]

[[caption-width-right:253:''"Thank you for assuming the Party Escort Submission Position."'']]

->''''"Target Acquired."''

[[caption-width-right:347:''"You're not a good person. You know that, right? Good people don't end up here."'']]

[[caption-width-right:257:''"Target Acquired."'']]

[[caption-width-right:250:"Hello!"[[labelnote:Click here to see him after [=GLaDOS=] wakes up]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/smashed_wheat.png[[/labelnote]]]]

->''"You're not part of the control group, by the way. You get the gel. Last poor son of a gun got blue paint. Ha ha ha! All joking aside, that did happen. Broke every bone in his legs. Tragic, but informative! Or, so I'm told."''

[[caption-width-right:250:[[labelnote:Click here to see him after [=GLaDOS=] wakes up]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/smashed_wheat.png[[/labelnote]]]]

* {{Expy}}: [=GLaDOS=] has a weird relationship with [=SHODAN=] of ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' that falls somewhere between this and {{Foil}}. Both are murderous artificial intelligences with a fascination with science, a distinct VerbalTic, and a female identity. But the differences? Well...
** [=SHODAN=] is passionate, bluntly spoken and openly contemptuous of humanity, whilst [=GLaDOS=] is more emotionally reserved and expresses her disdain through passive-aggressive commentary.
** [=SHODAN=] [[AGodAmI has a god complex]] and uses her scientific brilliance to carry out experiments in bio-engineering and cybernetics to remake the universe in her own image to fuel her ego. [=GLaDOS=], by contrast, is forcibly compelled by Cave Johnson's programming to perform meaningless, nonsensical testing that [[ForScience completely fails to achieve any scientific goals beyond being "sciencey"]].
** [=GLaDOS=]'s interactions with Chell over the two games is roughly similar to [=SHODAN=]'s arc with the Soldier in ''System Shock 2''; both initially present themselves as allies to the player and work with them, but ultimately turn on the player and have to be battled. But [=SHODAN=] initially disguises herself as someone else, then works with the Soldier openly, and then turns on him as the FinalBoss in an act that surprises nobody due to her in-game history. By comparison [=GLaDOS=] never disguises her true nature as an artificial intelligence, her reveal as a threat comes out of nowhere, and Chell first has to battle her at the end of the first game, then team up with her to take down the greater threat in the 2nd game.
** Of course the biggest difference between the two is that [=GLaDOS=] is often portrayed as a comedic character- BlackComedy more often than not, but still funny. SHODAN is ''never'' funny in the slightest.
** In both games, though it’s more evident in the second than the first, she has a noticeable similarity to [[Literature/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream AM]] as well. Both are seemingly omnipresent AIs who force the protagonists to run through different tests and situations and openly despise them. The main difference is that AM is a genuine RealityWarper, while [=GLaDOS=] is simply the MasterComputer of the entire facility.

* HeelFaceTurn: Arguably in the second half of [[spoiler:''Portal 2'' as soon as Wheatley betrays Chell, takes over [=GLaDOS=], and puts her core into a potato. She and Chell [[EnemyMine reluctantly team up]], and once the facility is restored, she saves Chell's life and lets her go along with the original CompanionCube - although she claims it's just because killing Chell is too much trouble.]]

* IgnorantOfTheirOwnIgnorance: He's a pretty textbook example - he's so sheltered, so stupid, and so bloody-mindedly determined that the thought of being wrong just doesn't cross his mind, even when it's staring him in the face.

** ''VideoGame/ApertureDeskJob'' confirms that [[spoiler: he successfully uploaded his brain into a computer - one that's the size of a room and shaped like his head.]]

* NotSoStoic: Atlas tends to be the more reserved one in everything he does - except for when either initiates a hug.

* ActivationSequence: One of the most iconic examples in video game history.

* ActionGirl: To survive Aperture, it's a requirement.
* AmbiguouslyBrown: Her face and body model had a Brazilian father and a Japanese mother, but the character Chell's ethnic background, like almost everything about her, is unknown.

* GuileHero: This ''is'' a puzzle game, after all.

* LateToTheTragedy: In the first game, she goes through dozens of tests before she finds out what's happened. In the second game, this time, she's ''really'' late.
* MadeOfIron:

* ParentalAbandonment: One of [=GLaDOS=]'s favourite barbs is to claim Chell was abandoned by her birth parents and later adopted.
** At one point [=GLaDOS=] also claims that she's found two other humans on the registry that share Chell's last name, but maintains that they're people she "hasn't seen in a really long time."
* PhlebotinumRebel: ''Hoo, boy...''[=GLaDOS=] really should have thought more on giving her that portal gun.

* HeroicSacrifice: Instead of fleeing from Aperture when he had the chance, he chose to save Chell, despite knowing his chances of escape after that were slim to none.

* IcyBlueEyes: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_blue#Powder_blue_.28web_color_powder_blue.29 Powder blue]] — so light they almost look white sometimes.
* MustMakeAmends: Willingly went back into the facility after he'd gained his freedom, unable to live with knowing he'd used Chell to defeat [=GLaDOS=] and then let her be killed when he might have saved her.

** Warden!Cave had to tell his prisoners that the [[AirVentPassageway air ducts were not an escape route]], but how they ventilate the facility. [[spoiler:When he's shived after a power outage shut off the forcefield doors, he laments how actual doors would have been much better]].

-->'''Cave:''' Whoa! Chariots chariots. For some reason, some of the audio was bleeding through in this universe. Don't know if you were catching the subtext there, but that computer Cave is crazy. So: [[spoiler:Greg was right. [[ForWantOfANail As of now]], [[RetGone we are cancelling the]] [[SelfDemonstrating/GLaDOS genetic lifeform disk operating system initiative]].]] Man, that could have backfired.

* VerbalTic: Nice!Cave randomly says "Chariots," briefly upsetting Cave Prime's attempt to use it as a code word. From then on, he says it twice.

* GoodCounterpart: Most of the parallel Caves are as evil as the regular one, but there is a Nice Cave who offers you a bonus.

* WhoWantsToLiveForever: [=CaveDOS=] simply finds his immortality boring, especially since he can read every book ever written in just a few seconds. Even altering them all to be about the Franchise/{{Ghostbusters}} gets dull after a while.

* GeniusDitz: Even [=GlaDOS=] is forced to admit it at one point [[spoiler:as he's bringing Chell and [=GLaDOS=] to the "surprise"]].
** A closer look at the game shows Wheatley is a moron when it comes to foresight, but not hindsight; He is stupid enough to make terrible mistakes, but he never seems to make the same mistake twice. By the end of the game, he starts to ''foresee'' himself making mistakes and prepares auxiliary plans in case the others fail.
--->'''[=GLaDOS=]:''' [[AC:For a little idiot built specifically to come up with stupid, unworkable plans, [[SmarterThanYouLook that was a pretty well laid trap.]]]]
** This is particularly notable in [[spoiler:his FinalBoss battle - whilst Chell still outwits him, he's learnt from [=GLaDOS=]'s defeat, makes sure not to repeat any of her mistakes, and plans for almost every eventuality. He's only defeated because he failed to account for a hole in the ceiling.]]
--->'''Wheatley:''' [[spoiler:Part ''FIVE!'' Booby-trap the stalemate button!]]

* HypocriticalHeartwarming: [[spoiler:Wheatley]], in an effort to emulate [=GLaDOS=], goes back to the well again (specifically, ''Portal 1'') and cooks up a few schoolyard taunts about Chell's weight and parentage. [=GLaDOS=], of all people, jumps in to defend Chell and call [[spoiler:Wheatley]] out on his prejudice, to the point that he deflates and starts sputtering about "[[SomeOfMyBestFriends some of my best friends]]" to try and save face. And then...

* BondVillainStupidity: [[spoiler:After he springs his trap, he could have easily dropped you into the bottomless pit, for example, by not putting those other faith plates there, or not switching on the tractor beam. Instead, he navigates you to that platform where you can escape. With this, he also gets you closer to his lair.]] This is somewhat justified, though: he already ''tried'' knocking you into a bottomless pit, and thanks to your Long-Fall Boots it didn't stick.

* AffablyEvil: For a [[spoiler: power-mad AI trying to murder you,]] he sure is likable.

* NeverMyFault: What ultimately destroyed Aperture was Johnson's refusal to accept how his own insane decisions were ruining things. As memetastic as his "Lemons speech" is, it's ultimately the ranting of a man who still refuses to accept that all that's happening to him is the fallout of his own terrible ideas and insanity. Granted, he ''is'' insane, so he may genuinely be too crazy and/or stupid to realise his own fault in the matter.

* UndyingLoyalty: His employees followed his every word, no matter how crazy. Anyone else acting like this would have been thrown in jail, possibly murdered. Even [[spoiler:Caroline]] seems to have some of this -- even after [[spoiler:he inflicted involuntary BrainUploading on her, she still seems to hold some affection for him, if [=GLaDOS=]'s response to his final prerecorded message is anything to go by]].

* AncientTradition: Cave of Aperture Rituals is presiding over one of these in order to prevent the end of the world. It involves hiring astronauts, war heroes and olympians to make love to a giant bird.