Expert: Lady Callista - 7/9/2007

Question
I haven't seen every single episode Angel but I've seen lots and lots of episodes. However the last couple seasons are a little confusing to me. The question I have is..what ended up happening to Fred? She's now that blue ancient demon thing. I heard she died or something but I would love to be filled in as to what happened.

Thanks so much!

Danielle

Answer
Hi Danielle.  Yeah, I can see that being confusing if you missed the main episode where the change happens.  Here's how it went...

You probably know that once Angel Investigations took over the LA branch of Wolfram and Hart, Fred was put in charge of the science labs.  Well, one day a sarcophagus was brought into the lab and Fred examined it.  As she did so, a hole opened in the cover and a breath of wind blew into her face.

Throughout the episode, we learn that the sarcophagus was a prison for the demon Illyria, who was one of the original pure-breed demons.  (In Buffy, when Giles talks about the Old Ones, or when the Mayor is ascending to become a demon, those are original pure-breed demons.)  We learn that the wind Fred inhaled was the essence of Illyria, which acts like a parasite and slowly takes over her body.  

Wesley, who she'd been dating at the time, stays with her as Angel and Spike work to find a cure.  They eventually do so, but learn that the only way they can cure her would kill thousands of other people in the process because they would be tainted with Illyria's energy.  As a result, they make the difficult choice to let Fred die to save lots of other people, knowing it's what she would want them to do.  She dies in Wesley's arms, and her body is then taken over by Illyria.  

Illyria first tells the others that in taking Fred over the way she did, Fred's soul was consumed so that she can't be resurrected or anything, yet later reveals to them that she can take the form of Fred whenever she wants, and that she has many of Fred's memories, so in a small way it's like Fred isn't really gone.

I hope that answers all your questions about Fred, and if there is anything further about this topic or any others don't hesitate to ask me.

~Lady Callista