GWEN RAIDEN (Alexa Davalos). Angel Character.
Gwen Raiden (occasionally referred to informally as Electro-Girl) is a self-identified “freak” who has the ability to disrupt electromagnetic subatomic particles in such a way that she can manipulate electrical currents in both animate and inanimate objects, also attracting lightning bolts to her. Raiden is also the name of a mythological Japanese god of thunder and lightning. This power is not under her direct control and her touch can inadvertently electrocute living beings and disable electronic devices (ranging from hand watches to security clearance devices). This power is analogous to the character of Rogue from the “X-Men” comic books, a clear influence. Both Gwen Raiden and Rogue are unable to come in direct contact with other living beings for fear of seriously injuring or killing them due to their uncontrollable powers.
Gwen supposedly went through two gardeners and four nannies (presumably all killed) before being sent to Thorpe Academy in Wisconsin in 1985, where she accidentally touched a young boy, killing him. After this, much of her origin remains a mystery aside from the fact that she built a great deal of wealth and reputation in her career as a high-end thief. Gwen is a thief for hire and appears to have most of her wealth (which is a great deal) from her contracted thefts. She also enjoys wearing red (seen in her clothes, hair, and make-up) and puts up with little to no attitude from the people she interacts with.
Gwen’s first interaction with Angel Investigations was after killing and immediately reviving Gunn while trying to steal the Axis of Pythia that could help locate Cordelia. Following this meeting, Gwen and Angel shared a fight (first against then beside each other) and a kiss, leading to Angel’s heart momentarily beating. Later, Gwen appeared at the hotel when her client, Mr. Ashet, was killed by The Beast, an agent of Cordelia’s and the seemingly invincible Season Four. She provides a space to keep Manjet, the final totem the Beast needs to kill, safe (he is killed anyway). Her apartment is revealed to be a high-tech, lavish mansion hidden within a rundown apartment building. She later returned again to request Gunn’s help in a mission to steal an object that would help to neutralize her powers by manipulating him into believing they were rescuing a girl and later double-crossing him. The device works and the two eventually share intimate moments, indicating they may have had sex when they spent the night together, Gwen experiencing her first touch at the hands of Gunn.
At the beginning of Season Five. Gwen remains missing in action.
Episode Appearances:
AtS 4002 "Ground State"
AtS 4009 "Long Day’s Journey"
AtS 4016 "Players"