The father image is reinforced with the monologue at the end, Wes' responses to his dad when he calls. So actually Wes gets two hits in short periods of time, one with Fred and one with his dad.

And it will be interesting to see what memories are used from the last two years. But what about the contrast between people killing for Fred?

Gunn killed because he didn't want to "sully" his precioius Fred. He said something about killing changing people and he didn't want Fred changed that way. So he was killing to save Fred from changing.

Wesley, on the other hand, killed to save Fred. She was threatened in a way she couldn't help and he helped her. Ironically, he was also helping her when Gunn killed for her. I have a feeling these two tidbits will come out during this season.

And you're right, Knox is almost a throwaway character. His purpose seems to be to draw Fred from Wes. I don't know if that's in a W&H plot or just a character building but it has seemed that Wes has been as isolated this season as he was post kidnapping Connor. Now that Angel has forgiven him, will that change?

But yes, best ep so far this season.