Character Relationship Map: Coma

Characters

• Dr. Susan Wheeler (played by Geneviève Bujold) — protagonist

  A surgical resident at Boston Memorial Hospital and the central investigator of the mystery. After Nancy Greenly and another healthy patient become brain dead during routine procedures, Susan traces t...

• Dr. George (played by Rip Torn) — supporting

  The hospital’s chief of anesthesiology, whose authority is challenged when Susan Wheeler requests access to patient charts. He is offended by her questions and becomes one of the people Susan suspects...

• Dr. Harris (played by Richard Widmark) — supporting

  The hospital’s chief of surgery, who first reprimands Susan Wheeler for her conduct but also appears sympathetic to her grief and stress. He later reveals his true role by drugging Susan, arranging fo...

• Kelly (played by Frank Downing) — minor

  A hospital maintenance worker who confirms Susan Wheeler’s suspicion that the coma cases are connected to the hospital. After tipping her off, Kelly is fatally electrocuted by an unknown man. His warn...

• Nurse (played by Betty McGuire) — minor
• Nancy Greenly (played by Lois Chiles) — supporting

  Susan Wheeler’s friend and a young, healthy patient who becomes brain dead after undergoing a routine procedure at Boston Memorial Hospital. Nancy later dies, and her death deepens Susan’s determinati...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Dr. Harris → Nancy Greenly (Professional Medical Authority) — Harris represents the surgical authority surrounding Nancy's fatal case.

  Nancy becomes brain dead after a routine procedure at the hospital, and Harris is identified as the chief of surgery involved in the hospital's surgic...

• Dr. Susan Wheeler → Dr. Harris (Professional Supervisor) — Harris has institutional authority over Susan.

  Dr. Harris, identified as the chief of surgery, reproaches Susan, warns that she could be dismissed, and requires her to speak with a psychiatrist.

• Dr. George → Dr. Harris (Meta Secret Identity) — The two names refer to the same revealed identity.

  Susan realizes that the person known as Dr. George is actually Dr. George Harris.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Dr. Harris → Kelly (Conflict Institutional Opponent) — Kelly's death indicates that evidence threatening Harris's operation is being suppressed.

  Kelly gives Susan information that confirms her suspicions, and he is subsequently fatally electrocuted by an unknown man connected to the conspiracy.

• Dr. Susan Wheeler → Nurse (Social Visitor And Guide) — The nurse is Susan's first direct contact at the institute.

  At the Jefferson Institute, the nurse greets Susan, explains that the facility is closed to visitors, and mentions a physicians' tour.

• Dr. Susan Wheeler → Kelly (Alliance Informant) — Kelly provides crucial confirmation and investigative direction.

  Kelly tips Susan off that her suspicions are correct, prompting her to search the hospital basement.

• Dr. Susan Wheeler → Dr. George (Conflict Professional Adversary) — Susan's investigation brings her into conflict with Dr. George.

  Susan offends the Chief of Anesthesiology by asking to review relevant patient charts.

• Dr. Susan Wheeler → Nancy Greenly (Social Friend) — Nancy's condition motivates Susan's investigation.

  The plot identifies Nancy Greenly as Susan's friend. Susan is devastated after Nancy becomes brain dead following a routine procedure.

Story Analysis

A surgical resident uncovers a hospital-linked organ trafficking conspiracy after healthy patients are rendered brain dead.

Plot Progression

1. A Pattern Of Comas — Susan loses her friend Nancy after a routine procedure and notices another healthy patient becoming comatose. Her chart review reveals repeated cases centered on operating room number eight.
2. Authority Closes In — Susan's questions offend Dr. George and draw disciplinary pressure from Dr. Harris. Nancy's death and the morgue inquiry provide a possible explanation involving carbon monoxide.
3. The Hidden Mechanism — A visit to the Jefferson Institute and Kelly's warning push Susan deeper into the investigation. She finds a remotely controlled carbon monoxide system connected to operating room number eight.
4. The Organ Market — Susan survives an attack and infiltrates the Jefferson Institute during a physicians' tour. She discovers that the facility is a cover for an international human organ black market.
5. The Surgeon Unmasked — Susan reports her discovery to Harris, who drugs her and prepares an operation in room eight. The gas line is destroyed, Susan awakens, and police arrest Harris.