ship_manifesto

Pairing: Fred/Wesley (Angel)
Title: Stigmatized
Author: Milla
E-mail: recklessbeauty@yahoo.com

It’s not quite ever right between them. They’re human to the last, being as stubborn, wrong, angry, selfish, scared, and desperate as they can be. He’s been known to idolize her while she uses him. And to the last? I maintain that Fred and Wesley are soulmates in the truest sense of the word.

There’s no prophecy predicting the two of them will get together. There’s no particular reason why they should or why they should even be in love with each other. They share a bone-deep connection of fears and hopes. They want to live a normal life in spite of-- or maybe because of the darkness they see in themselves. They fall in love with other people, but they always come back to each other.

Winifred “Fred” Burkle. Love her or despise her, but this woman has strength and character that was there long before Illyria appeared. When we first meet Fred in season 2’s “Over the Rainbow” we find a survivor. Called by herself and others as a “girl,” “cow,” “slave,” and last but not least, “crazy,” there’s one trait that’s rarely acknowledged in Fred. She’s managed to live five years in a world where Cordelia scrapes by on the virtue of her visions. How does she do it? By using what are Fred’s favorite tactics-- a passive-agressive approach, reliance on escape through fantasy, calculated ruthlessness, sheer will and incredible intelligence. She lives in a makeshift home complete with food, water, bedding, and a collection of mathematical equations. She approaches a fellow slave partly out of altruism and partly from self-interest (what if Cordy had information on the portals?). She refuses to bend to terror at her execution only to babble comforting nonsense about handsome men to her rescuer. (“Over the Rainbow,” “Through the Looking Glass”)

As the seasons progress, events push Fred from her realm of secure passivity. She admits how much her time in Pylea has changed her, how she can never go back (“Fredless”). She faces her fear and gently confronts Wesley in “Billy,” offering only her support and forgiveness in “Offspring” as well.

Although she backslides often (“Double or Nothing” come to mind, where Fred bends to pressure to reject Wesley, when she had previously been his most vocal advocate) Fred’s progress is forced forward by the “turgid supernatural soap opera” (“Players”) she’s living. She allows her ruthless side to appear in “Deep Down” and “Supersymmetry.” Fred’s journey is about taking back the power so she can pick and choose when to relinquish it. Her greatest moment appears in “Shiny Happy People.”

Instead of constructing situations in terms her mind can deal with, Fred stands alone before her friends-turned-traitors by Jasmine’s blood and frees them with a weapon-- a weapon that, a season earlier, she handed over to Angel. (Compare Fred’s use of the crossbow in “That Old Gang of Mine” to “Shiny Happy People.” Both times she takes the weapon out of desperation, but later on she points it as her “savior” Angel) She successfully manages her isolation from her protectors, and becomes an equal partner in their fight against Jasmine. Only afterwards can Fred stand proudly in Wolfram and Hart, gun in hand-- and promptly manage to giggle her way around the awkwardness of it. She’s faced her darkest side, her worst fears, and come out of it a grown-up version of the geeky, pot-smoking girl she was.

Sadly, Fred loses some of this growth due to the mind-wipe, but that’s Joss for you. Some of it’s still left, and what there is becomes the foundation for Wesley/Fred in the fifth season. But more of that later.

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. Although he first appeared on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” as Faith’s failed watcher (“Bad Girls”), he became better known as a “rogue demon hunter” on “Angel.” Or, well, the comic relief. Clumsy, self-effacing, and surprisingly vulnerable, Wesley stumbled into “Parting Gifts” as a buffoon and left “Sanctuary” as someone well on his way to a more complete life. He becomes a member of the Angel-Cordelia-Wesley reluctant “family,” fights by Angel’s side, bickers with Cordelia, and faces torture at Faith’s hands only to insist that no harm come to Angel from his former allies at the Watcher’s Council (“Parting Gifts,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Five by Five,” “Sanctuary”). When Angel forces his team away in season 2’s “dark Angel” arc, Wesley’s journey continues from being Angel’s “humble servant” to being the leader of Angel Investigations. He acquires a girlfriend, (“Guise Will Be Guise”) a slight sense of style, and a sense of his own self-worth, but up until the Pylea arc of season 2, Wesley’s inferiority complex (see “Eternity”) remains strongly in play.

It’s in Pylea that the second (real) half of Wesley’s character arc begins. For the sake of his team and the cause in Pylea, he sends men in to die and plays dice with Angel’s continued existence. It’s here that Angel begins to accept Wesley as an equal or a leader, and it’s here that Wesley’s close friendship with Gunn chills. In Pylea, Wesley’s values (which first appeared in BtVS s3’s “Choices”) make their first real mark. He’s willing to sacrifice his own life and the lives of the others for what he believes is the greater good. This good isn’t always a cause-- often it’s Angel himself, or a mission Angel proposed. The real damage Wesley’s childhood has wrought in him becomes apparent. Wesley, until the day he dies, considers his life to ultimately stand below many others in worth. In season 4’s “Release” he doesn’t hesitate to say that Angel’s reappearance is more important than Wesley’s life.

This willingness to sacrifice doesn’t equal humility-- Wesley as a leader is as arrogant as any in his refusal to confide in Fred and Gunn. His own jealousy and pride lead him to keep news of the prophecy (“the father will kill the son” in “Loyalty”) to himself, trusting in his own negotiations and investigations to protect Connor. His failure there leaves him abandoned with a slit throat and a sense of utter despair. Though he enters into a self-destructive affair with Lilah (“Tomorrow”) and a reckless sense of apathy, Wesley’s good nature (he is, heart and soul, a white hat. Or more than often gray, but at the end, he will stand for a better world regardless of his own personal feelings) soon asserts itself. At the end of season 4, he’s rejoined the gang as an equal (“Apocalypse, Nowish”) and is as much a part of their decision to join Wolfram and Hart as any other. He’s conceded the truth of his love for Lilah, and made a real effort to save her (more than Lilah expects, as she hints at in “Home”). After he bids farewell to Lilah (and his own foray into darkness), he returns to the gang. Unbeknownst to him, he’s lost some of his more pivotal memories, a change which makes the season 5 transition often baffling and always frustrating. Wesley steps into the room, somber but ready to consider the deal, and ends up with an armful of Fred.

That’s when things start to get interesting.

Why Wesley and Fred? Setting chemistry (which is usually in the eye of the beholder) aside, canon has set them up to be a romantic couple (which ultimately comes together in “Smile Time”) from fairly early on in Fred’s introduction to the series. She is introduced as Wesley begins his leadership arc, and is consequently exposed to the “new Wesley” without the benefit of knowing the previous one. Fred is characterized as having a similar intellect as Wesley, and at the end of “There’s No Place Like Pltz Glrb” the two of them are blocked standing together, similarly excited by the content of the priest’s books. There’s no grand love at first sight but Wesley takes note of Fred. That “strange wild girl” (“Through the Looking Glass”) has made an impression.

In season three, we open with a Wesley who remarks that Fred is a “nice girl” (“Heartthrob”). He’s clearly had a few interactions-- enough to make an impression. Over the next few episodes it becomes clear that Wesley’s spent a little time with Fred. It’s enough to try and draw her out of her craziness, so that even when Wesley’s focus is chiefly Cordelia (“That Vision Thing”) he still manages to help Fred become a little more accustomed to talking. Fred, for her part, is comfortable enough to lightly tease Wesley and Gunn.

Fred’s comfort level with Wesley is second only to Angel and Cordelia in the early stages of their relationship. She has little to do with Gunn and Lorne unless fear forces her into interaction, but she’s perfectly happy babbling at Wesley-- unless it descends into “that awkward kind of quiet” (“Carpe Noctem”). Is it just a verbal gag or a reminder that in spite of Fred’s craziness that she is a woman, and she does share qualities with Wesley? For the most part, however, Fred trusts Wesley implicitly as a member of Angel’s team. She clings to him in “That Old Gang of Mine,” trusting that he will keep her safe. Only, of course, to stand on her own two feet with the crossbow. Even here, we’re seeing strains of the benchmarks of the Fred/Wes relationship-- Fred trusts Wesley and can rely completely on him, but when it appears that only she can control the situation, she takes up a weapon and stands alone. Later on, Fred will attempt the same situation with Gunn at her side, and end up turning to Wesley for assistance instead (“Supersymmetry”). More on this later, but canonically Fred’s trust of Wesley (which likely stems from his intellect, as Fred is, at heart, a scientist and something of an intellectual snob) is a lynchpin of their relationship.

All appears to being going well between Fred and Wesley in early season 3. Her crush on Angel quickly fades into a brother/sister relationship, “Fredless” brings Fred into a most functional sanity (although her PTSD reappears several times and in ways not always readily apparent), and episodes like “That Old Gang of Mine” hint at a union of equals and friends between Fred and Wesley.

If this relationship took place in a romantic comedy (or a heart-stirring drama), we’d know for certain that Fred and Wesley would end the season together. Wesley has just gone through a major shift in how he approaches the world-- what better way to maintain his baseline of interactions by a love interest? Fred inspires a gentle affection, an appearance of Wesley the chivalrous lover, and someone to bond with over issues that no one else in the Fang Gang can understand. But this is a Mutant Enemy production, and it’s Fred’s time in Pylea that sabotages a season 3 relationship.

“Billy” enters the picture. We’re set up at the beginning of the episode to believe this may be it, the episode where we get confirmation of Wesley and Fred’s feelings for each other. Wesley admits under pressure that he thinks of her as a “rather extraordinary young woman” but is still reluctant to put any romantic pressure on her. It’s only through Cordelia’s insistence that he tell her of his feelings for her that he begins to consider it. When he comes into the office with Billy’s blood sample, Fred anticipates the need for a slide, and the two of them share a smile of fellow-feeling. They’re at ease working together, sharing the microscope and animatedly discussing Billy’s likely demon qualities, until the blood takes effect. Wesley puts Fred back in the position of the hunted, taunting her and threatening her life. It’s one of Fred’s deepest fears, that someone she trusts (and is likely attracted to) is sending her back to her de facto position in Pylea. She outwits Wesley but her image of him as someone “safe” is shattered. She may forgive and encourage Wesley to come back, but he is no longer the protector as he once was.

This is pivotal. Fred, at this point, is tired of fighting, and she uses passive-agressive techniques (appealing to Angel’s instincts to protect), her own appearance and approach as a damsel in distress (clinging to Wesley), and appealing to Cordelia as “all girls together” for protection. Whether or not she does it consciously, Fred is an opportunist for her own survival. She doesn’t want to carry responsibility for it anymore. This puts Fred and Wesley in an interesting position. They’re equals in Fred’s mind, but Wesley is no longer as possible romantic partner.

Fred reacts to this by turning to Wesley’s equal in power in the gang, Gunn. Wesley, meanwhile, has turned his innocent attraction to Fred into a quest for forgiveness. He needs Fred to give that same trust again, but Fred refuses, and she turns to Gunn in “Waiting in the Wings.” Although Wesley accepts this, saying to Gunn, “it’s just important to me that she’s taken care of,” (“Couplet”) (ironically, at this point, Fred and Wesley share the same priority-- for Fred to be protected), his own guilt and jealousy take Wesley on a separate path.

In the events of “Forgiving,” though, we’re reminded of the bond between Fred and Wesley. Power and trust issues aside, the two of them connected. It’s Fred who exclaims “he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to me (italics mine) . . . not unless he had a hell of a big urgent reason.” It’s not Gunn, Wesley’s brother figure that expresses the most trust in him, it’s Fred, the woman whose trust has been broken. Fred believes in Wesley’s essential goodness. And when it’s revealed that Wesley did betray her (in Fred’s mind) by not sharing the prophecy, Fred is surprisingly kind. This is a woman who does not react well to personal betrayal (see “Deep Down” and “Supersymmetry”) but she does understand Wesley’s motivations. She becomes his advocate of sorts, reminding Gunn that they have an ally, hinting that perhaps Cordelia should visit him. Her performance in this role is hampered by a very real fear of ostracization from the gang, but she has the courage to say his name when the rest are happy to pretend he’s never existed. It doesn’t help Wesley in his downward spiral, but reminds us that Wesley and Fred share a different kind of bond than the “family” one.

Between Wesley’s relationship with Lilah and Fred’s with Gunn, the two don’t see much of each other until “Supersymmetry,” the episode that broke all the Fred/Wesley rules. Much to the dismay of Angel and Gunn, Fred allows her own darkness to come out. She talks casually and purposefully about murdering Professor Seidel, the man who sent her to Pylea. When Angel and Gunn don’t assist her, Fred comes to Wesley, who equips her with a portal spell. In return, she leaves him with a newly piqued interest, a reminder that she isn’t always the charmingly bright Fred that gave the lecture on stage. When push to turns to the proverbial shove, Fred and Wesley agree that it’s better to kill the darkness than let it swallow you whole. Nor does Fred seem too concerned about Wesley’s reminder that this murder will change her. She’s already faced her darkness in Pylea-- this is just revealing it to her friends. It’s about Fred’s power, and at the end of the episode, it’s Wesley that’s allowed her to have it, and Gunn who’s denied it to her.

Fred and Wesley’s relationship continues to evolve because of Seidel’s death and their respective roles in it. As Fred withdraws from Gunn, Wesley begins to see winning her as both a means to redemption and a way to be with Fred. Fred just wants a way out-- her relationship with Gunn has become too hard. (“Apocalypse, Nowish”) Ironically, neither of them stops to consider how much a relationship between them with work. Both Fred and Wesley objectify the other, forgetting their past friendship and common ground in a way to forget.

When Fred and Wesley kiss in “Soulless” we see every aspect of how much they’re forgotten of their origins.

WESLEY: (Regarding Angelus’ revelations about his feelings for Fred) “How I feel about you.”

FRED: “Yes, which is very sweet. There’s nothing wrong with i--”

WESLEY: “Yes, there is.” (He walks up to Fred, puts his hand on her neck, and kisses her briefly. She kisses him back.”

Part of what I love about Fred and Wesley is how versatile their relationship is-- gentle friendship in season 3, a completely fucked up desperation in season 4, and two adult people together in season 5 (unaware of the events that have brought them there). Here they cling to each other, wanting an escape from their lives. It’s not until “Calvary” that they’re reminded of who they really are in spite of the darkness. When Angelus reveals the truth of Wesley’s relationship with Lilah, Fred’s recklessness (to her) of being with someone who isn’t safe dissipates. At the same time, Wesley looks almost his old self as he avoids Fred’s eye. They’re not built for a cheap fantasy-- Fred and Wesley, regardless of their choices, share too much in heart and experience to throw it away. Wesley reminds Fred of his complicated relationship with Lilah (and, coincidentally, a reflection of what nearly happened with the two of them) with his “it’s not always about holding hands.” (“Players”) But the essential is still there, as we see in “Shiny Happy People.” Fred, desperate for someone to believe her, turns first to Wesley. She knows that if anyone will believe and come with her, it’s him.

Lilah’s death and the birth of Jasmine put a stop to any further developments between the two of them for the rest of season 4-- Wesley is trying to understand his love for Lilah and Fred faces her own terror at being the odd woman out in the world. But it’s not until the mind-wipe in “Home” that the world shifts enough to throw Fred and Wesley back together.

At first season 5’s Fred/Wesley seems a repeat of season 3. There’s a teasing approach to Wesley from Fred (“Life of the Party”), which turns into another love interest for Fred, Knox. Things are different. Knox is clearly a rebound, someone fun for Fred. We never see any heartfelt confessions of love, nor any indication that Fred is looking for anything more than a good time. And this time, Wesley is willing to step back. Until, that is, Fred is put in danger by Wesley’s faux-father (“Lineage”) and we see exactly how much Wesley cares. It’s ironically something Fred understands completely. Who better to understand that hair-trigger reaction than Fred, who is still a survivalist? She understands it, she eases him past the guilt, and she accepts it. Now Wesley’s returned to his season 3 baseline with a reminder of his dark side, and Fred is in the position she’s always wanted to be in. Fred is happy, whole, and successful, and she’s ready to be in a relationship that may or may not be safe. She understands Wesley’s darkness because she shares it and she shares the need to move beyond it. Both Wesley and Fred want to have it all-- the need to give everything to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the world-- and the need to flirt in the hallways (“A Hole in the World”). They can share a kiss in front of bug monsters while wielding flame throwers and guns, share scientific and magical breakthroughs, speak each other’s languages.

Fittingly, it’s Fred who approaches Wesley in “Smile Time,” bringing their relationship to a complete circle. Of course, there’s the fact that they were cheated of a true revelation by the mind-wipe, the little fact that Fred dies shortly thereafter, and Wesley soon follows her.

It’s Illyria that gives us the promise of something more for the two of them through her lie-- and somehow, that’s fitting for one of the most contradictory couples in the Buffyverse.

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