Character Relationship Map: Safe Passage

Characters

• Mag (played by Susan Sarandon) — protagonist

  Mag Singer is the wife of Patrick and the mother of seven sons. On the verge of divorcing Patrick, she plans to move to the city and build an independent life, but the bombing involving Percival bring...

• Patrick (played by Sam Shepard) — supporting

  Patrick is Mag's husband and the father of their seven sons. His marriage to Mag is nearing divorce, as she is preparing to leave for the city and pursue a life of her own. His family history remains...

• Alfred (played by Robert Sean Leonard) — supporting

  Alfred is the eldest of the Singer sons and is engaged to Cynthia. He returns to the family home with his brothers after the terrorist bombing at the Marine base, joining the anxious wait for news abo...

• Cynthia (played by Marcia Gay Harden) — supporting

  Cynthia is Alfred's fiancée and is connected to the Singer family through their engagement. The plot identifies her as part of Alfred's life while the family gathers after the bombing and waits for ne...

• Simon (played by Nick Stahl) — supporting

  Simon is the youngest Singer son and the only one of the brothers who is not yet grown and living independently. He remains part of the family household as the older brothers gather after the bombing,...

• Gideon (played by Jason London) — supporting

  Gideon is one of the Singer sons and feels personally responsible for Percival's decision to enlist. Because of that connection, he blames himself when the bombing raises the possibility that Percival...

• Percival (played by Matt Keeslar) — supporting

  Percival is one of Mag and Patrick's sons and is stationed at a Marine base in the Middle East. A terrorist bombing there causes the family to fear that he may have died, prompting his brothers to gat...

• Izzy (played by Sean Astin) — supporting

  Izzy is the second-youngest of the Singer sons and followed his father into science. He is among the brothers who gather at the family home after the bombing at the Marine base, participating in the t...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Alfred → Cynthia (Romantic Fiance) — Their engagement connects Cynthia to the Singer family's anxious gathering.

  Alfred is described as engaged to Cynthia.

• Patrick → Izzy (Family Father) — Their shared connection to science reflects Patrick's influence on Izzy.

  Izzy is described as having followed his father into science, establishing Patrick as his father.

• Mag → Izzy (Family Mother) — Izzy returns to the family home while everyone awaits news about Percival.

  Izzy is identified as one of Mag's sons and as the second-youngest son.

• Mag → Patrick (Family Wife) — Their marriage is strained by Mag's desire for independence and a new life in the city.

  Mag is described as Patrick's wife, although she is on the verge of divorcing him.

• Patrick → Alfred (Family Father) — Patrick's fatherhood places him within the family gathering and its unresolved history.

  Patrick is the father in the Singer family, and Alfred is one of the Singer sons.

• Gideon → Percival (Family Brother) — Gideon's fear for Percival is intensified by his belief that he influenced Percival's enlistment.

  Gideon and Percival are both identified as Mag and Patrick's sons.

• Mag → Simon (Family Mother) — Simon is one of the family members affected by the uncertainty surrounding Percival.

  Simon is identified as Mag's youngest son and remains connected to the Singer home.

• Mag → Percival (Family Mother) — Mag's concern for Percival drives the family's emotional crisis.

  Percival is one of Mag's sons and is stationed at the Marine base affected by the bombing.

• Mag → Gideon (Family Mother) — Their family bond is tested as Gideon struggles with guilt over Percival.

  Gideon is one of Mag's sons and gathers at the Singer home after the bombing news.

• Mag → Alfred (Family Mother) — Mag's relationship with Alfred is part of the family's effort to reunite during the crisis.

  Mag is the mother of seven sons, and Alfred is identified as one of her sons.

Story Analysis

A family crisis forces the Singers to confront old wounds, fear for Percival, and the fragile bonds holding them together.

Plot Progression

1. A Marriage At The Edge — Mag prepares to leave Patrick and pursue an independent life in the city. The family's private tension establishes the emotional situation before the external crisis arrives.
2. The Bombing Brings Them Home — News of a terrorist bombing at a Marine base creates fear because Percival is stationed there. The remaining sons gather at the Singer home to await information.
3. Old Wounds In The Waiting — The family's uncertainty exposes Gideon's guilt and brings unresolved hurts into discussion. Flashbacks connect the present crisis with Mag's years raising her sons.
4. A Family Holds Together — Mag, Patrick, and the sons remain together while the television provides no immediate confirmation about Percival. Their shared waiting gradually strengthens their family connection.
5. Safe Passage Home — The family finally learns that Percival is safe. Relief and celebration replace fear as the Singers recognize their renewed bonds.