The Fall of the House of Usher: What happens to Frederick at the demolition site?

The Fall of the House of Usher takes a dark turn in the seventh episode, "The Pit and the Pendulum." This episode focuses on the downfall of Frederick Usher, the oldest of Roderick Usher's children and the heir to the Usher empire. Frederick's cruelty towards his wife, Morelle, finally catches up to him and he faces the ultimate punishment.In the episode, it is revealed that Frederick had been involved in fraudulent activities at Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. He had been forging signatures on clinical trial papers, misleading patients and jeopardizing their well-being. Young Roderick, a key character in the episode, had helped Auguste Dupin in exposing Fortunato Pharmaceuticals' malfeasance. However, to everyone's surprise, Frederick betrays Dupin during his testimony in court. He claims that he was the one who signed the forged papers and accuses Dupin of harassment.This revelation devastates Annabel, Frederick's wife, who had believed in his integrity. Meanwhile, Madeline, Frederick's sister, tries to salvage the situation by meeting with Arthur Pym, hoping to secure a position of power in the company. However, amidst the chaos, Madeline also seeks Verna, a mysterious woman who has caused destruction within the Usher family.The nature of Madeline and Roderick's pact with Verna is unclear, but there is an agreement that involves death. Madeline tries to alter the terms or break the pact by attempting to kill Verna, but fails. The only solution, as Madeline believes, is for Roderick to take his own life with a Ligodone overdose. However, Verna intervenes, refusing to let Roderick escape so easily.Meanwhile, Frederick is also making moves to secure his position as CEO of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. He decides to demolish the lab that was used for a previous party. Before doing so, he continues to torment Morelle, his wife, subjecting her to cruel and painful acts. Verna, disgusted by Frederick's actions, whispers something to him, causing him to unknowingly ingest a paralyzing drug.As Frederick arrives at the demolition site, he plans to retrieve Morelle's wedding ring and relieve himself on the lab. However, the paralyzer kicks in, causing him to collapse. Verna appears and confronts Frederick about his cruelty before impersonating his voice over a walkie-talkie, giving the demolition crew the go-ahead. A swinging beam falls slowly, splitting Frederick's body in half, ultimately leading to his demise.With Frederick's death, the Usher dynasty faces its end. However, it is hinted that Lenore, Roderick's granddaughter, may hold the key to the family's future. During Roderick's conversation with Dupin, Madeline has been working in the basement on an unknown project that involves Lenore. It is suggested that Lenore may have been transformed into something other than human, possibly as part of Madeline's quest for immortality through artificial intelligence.In conclusion, "The Pit and the Pendulum" is a gripping episode that uncovers the secrets and dark intentions of the Usher family. Frederick meets his demise at the demolition site, while the fate of the Usher dynasty hangs in the balance with the fate of Lenore. The episode sets the stage for an intense and mysterious finale, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the conclusion of The Fall of the House of Usher.