In my previous post, I spoke about the brief blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment that gave Amelia Ruth more character development.
But in this post I'll discuss another character, one far less known or popular:
Frederick Bargland
(not to be confused with Frederick Beluga)
When it comes to characters from Eternal Diva, Frederick isn't exactly one that people remember fondly. He was shown to be rich and selfish and didn't care if other people got hurt, as long as he won the game.
But there are a few details that are often overlooked that add a lot more sympathy to his character.
Firstly, it is implied that Frederick has a terminal illness. It's never stated what it is, but he says that he only has six months to live. That's why he's willing to play the game for Eternal Life; he has nothing to lose if he fails the game.
Knowing this information changes the context of some of his scenes.
For example: The first time we see him he says that he was struggling to stay awake during Janice's performance. This could be due to him finding the show boring and wanting the game to start. Or it could possibly be because he is so unwell that he gets tired easy and struggles to stay awake. With only six months to live his body is probably very weak.
There are a few other hints to this as well, such as him being the most desperate to eat after the boat ride and he is often shown sitting whilst everyone else is standing.
(Whistler is sitting too but that's because he's depressed.)
When Frederick does lose the game, his reaction is completely different to those around him. While the others look scared about their fate, he just hangs his head in defeat. Even if Descole's men don't kill him, he knows he will die anyway. His last hope is gone.
His final appearance is during the credits, where he is seen in a hospital bed. It seems his condition has worsened. However, he seems happy. Perhaps he has accepted his fate and is enjoying what time he has left.
Annie is with him. They exchanged a few harsh words during the game, but it seems they are now friends. Annie even brought some of her books for him to read.
Is it just me, or does the illustration on the front of the books resemble the city of Ambrosia?
Perhaps Annie wrote a book about their adventure seeking Eternal Life and what they learned on the way. Frederick is reading it and can see that he will live forever, in the pages of Annie's book.
By the time Miracle Mask takes place, Frederick has almost certainly passed away. While he didn't gain Eternal Life, he was able to make a close friend and found out what it really means to live forever. So I think he got a good ending after all.
Also, he gave us one of the best reaction GIFs from the entire series.
