Frick Character Analysis in Long Way Down

Frick was shot and killed by Shawn in retaliation for Frick killing Buck. And, if Will’s assumptions are correct, Frick may be the man whom Carlson Riggs was avenging by killing Shawn—though there’s little evidence to suggest that Riggs killed Shawn or that Frick even knew Riggs. Frick is a heavyset man with light skin and a mop of curly brown hair. Frick’s ghost gets on the elevator at the third floor, and he and Buck tell Frick’s story together. Frick seems like a generally kind and soft man who wanted to be seen as tough, which is why he got involved with the Dark Suns gang. His “Dark Deed” of initiation was to rob Buck, but when Buck laughed at Frick, Frick got scared and shot him. Though Frick plays along and is happy to tell Will his story, he’s far less interested in actually acknowledging or getting to know the other ghosts in the elevator. He still seems to resent that he was never initiated into the Dark Suns before his death at Shawn’s hands. Frick’s ghost horrifies Will by showing him the gunshot wound that Shawn gave him.

Frick Character Timeline in Long Way Down

The timeline below shows where the character Frick appears in Long Way Down. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...get the stranger’s attention, and the man finally turns. Buck asks if the man is Frick, and the man reluctantly says he is as he shakes Buck’s hand. Smiling, Buck asks... (full context)

Before Frick can say anything, Will asks how Buck knows Frick and why Frick is in the... (full context)

...and jewelry, which he loved to show off. Now, Will is shocked to learn that Frick killed Buck. Buck throws a hand on Frick’s shoulder and asks Will if Shawn never... (full context)

Masculinity and Coming of Age Theme Icon

...kid had handed it over right away. Will asks what this has to do with Frick. Buck tells Will to hold on and says that he gave Shawn the gold chain... (full context)

Frick says that for his initiation, his Dark Deed was, funny enough, just to rob Buck.... (full context)

Frick brushes off the laughter and says that nobody can fault him for trying to earn... (full context)

Frick laments that Shawn killed him before he got his “Shining” and rubs under his right... (full context)

...asks Will how he knows that Riggs got Shawn. Will says it makes sense—Riggs avenged Frick’s death. Dani pipes up and asks Frick if he knows Riggs. Will gives a quick... (full context)