Character Relationship Map: Surviving

Characters

• Rick Brogan (played by Zach Galligan) — protagonist

  Rick is a smart, handsome teenager who is idolized by his younger siblings, Philip and Sarah. Lonely and under family pressure, he finds solace in Lonnie and develops a romance with her. As their rela...

• Lonnie (played by Molly Ringwald) — supporting

  Lonnie is a troubled, withdrawn teenager struggling to move beyond the painful memory of a suicide attempt. She finds solace in Rick, and their relationship develops into a young romance as both face...

• Tina Brogan (played by Ellen Burstyn) — supporting

  Tina is Rick's mother and one of his protective parents. As Rick and Lonnie grow closer and increasingly withdraw from family and friends, she and David become uncomfortable with their relationship. T...

• Harvey (played by Paul Sorvino) — supporting

  Harvey is Lonnie's father and shares concern about his troubled daughter. He and Lois decide that boarding school would be the best place for Lonnie, a choice that makes the young couple desperate not...

• Lois (played by Marsha Mason) — supporting

  Lois is Lonnie's mother. Concerned about her troubled daughter, she and Harvey decide that boarding school would be the best place for Lonnie. Their decision makes Rick and Lonnie fear that they will...

• David Brogan (played by Len Cariou) — supporting

  David is Rick's father and, together with Tina, worries as Rick and Lonnie become increasingly withdrawn from their families and friends. He and Tina grow uncomfortable with the teenagers' relationshi...

• Sarah Brogan (played by Heather O'Rourke) — supporting

  Sarah is Rick Brogan's younger sibling and, along with Philip, idolizes Rick. The synopsis identifies her as part of Rick's family but gives no further actions or individual role in the events surroun...

• Philip Brogan (played by River Phoenix) — supporting

  Philip is Rick Brogan's younger sibling and, along with Sarah, idolizes Rick. The synopsis identifies him as part of Rick's family but gives no further actions or individual role in the events surroun...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Sarah Brogan → Rick Brogan (Family Younger Sibling) — Sarah looks up to Rick as an admired older sibling; the synopsis provides no further individual actions between them.

  The synopsis says Sarah is Rick's younger sibling and, along with Philip, idolizes him.

• Philip Brogan → Rick Brogan (Family Younger Sibling) — Philip looks up to Rick as an admired older sibling; the synopsis provides no further individual actions between them.

  The synopsis says Philip is Rick's younger sibling and, along with Sarah, idolizes him.

• Lois → Harvey (Family Spouses) — They share concern for Lonnie and make the boarding-school decision together, which contributes to the young couple's fear of separation.

  The synopsis identifies Lois and Harvey as Lonnie's parents and says they jointly decide that boarding school would be best for her.

• Tina Brogan → David Brogan (Family Spouses) — They act together as protective parents, sharing concern about Rick and opposing his relationship with Lonnie.

  The synopsis identifies Tina and David as Rick's parents and says they jointly worry about the teenagers' relationship and decide Lonnie is a bad infl...

• Harvey → Lonnie (Family Father) — Harvey shares concern about Lonnie and participates in the boarding-school decision that intensifies the couple's fear of being separated.

  The character information identifies Harvey as Lonnie's father and says he and Lois decide boarding school would be best for her.

• Lois → Lonnie (Family Mother) — Concerned about Lonnie, Lois supports sending her to boarding school, a decision that makes Lonnie and Rick fear separation.

  The character information identifies Lois as Lonnie's mother. She and Harvey decide that boarding school would be best for their troubled daughter.

• David Brogan → Rick Brogan (Family Father) — David joins Tina in opposing Rick's relationship with Lonnie; after the suicide pact, he is among the devastated family members left to cope.

  The character information identifies David as Rick's father and says he and Tina worry about Rick as he grows closer to Lonnie. They decide Lonnie is...

• Tina Brogan → Rick Brogan (Family Mother) — Tina's protectiveness leads her to oppose Rick's relationship with Lonnie, contributing to the pressure surrounding the young couple.

  The character information identifies Tina as Rick's mother. She and David worry about Rick's relationship with Lonnie and decide Lonnie is a bad influ...

• Rick Brogan → Lonnie (Romantic Young Lovers) — Their romance becomes a refuge from loneliness and family pressure, then deepens into a bond they fear losing when their parents plan to separate them.

  The synopsis says Rick and Lonnie find solace in each other and that a young romance develops. They make a fatal suicide pact when they fear being sep...

Story Analysis

Two lonely teenagers find refuge in a romance that their families' decisions cannot prevent from ending in tragedy.

Plot Progression

1. Two Teenagers in Pain — Rick is admired by his younger siblings, while Lonnie struggles with the memory of a suicide attempt. Both teenagers face loneliness and family pressures.
2. A Refuge in Romance — Rick and Lonnie find solace in each other and develop a young romance. As their bond grows, they become more withdrawn from friends and family.
3. Parents Draw Their Lines — Both sets of parents become increasingly uncomfortable and concerned about the relationship. Rick's parents decide Lonnie is a bad influence, while Lonnie's parents choose boarding school for her.
4. A Tragic Pact — The young couple, desperate not to be separated, make a fatal decision and take their own lives. Their deaths leave both families devastated.
5. The Families Afterward — The surviving family members are left to face the loss and the shattered lives that follow. They must try to find a way to go on.