Character Relationship Map: Creator

Characters

• Dr. Harry Wolper (played by Peter O'Toole) — protagonist

  Eccentric medical professor obsessed with cloning his late wife Lucy. He hires assistants, faces rivalry, secures a research grant, abandons his cloning project, marries Meli, and relocates to a remot...

• Meli (played by Mariel Hemingway) — supporting

  Young woman hired by Harry who provides an ovary sample for his cloning research and moves in with him. She develops romantic feelings for Harry, marries him, and accompanies him to Northfield.

• Boris Lafkin (played by Vincent Spano) — supporting

  Struggling pre-med student employed as Harry's assistant. He receives dating advice, courts Barbara, protests her life support removal, and ultimately follows Harry to Northfield.

• Barbara Spencer (played by Virginia Madsen) — supporting

  Attractive student courted by Boris. She suffers a brain aneurysm, is hospitalized, and eventually wakes from a coma after Harry buys Boris time with her.

• Lucy Wolper (played by Karen Kopins) — supporting

  Harry's deceased wife who died in childbirth decades ago. Her cells are used in Harry's cloning experiments before he ultimately scatters them in the sea.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Boris Lafkin → Barbara Spencer (Romantic Partners) — Their courtship becomes a crisis when Barbara is hospitalized; Boris's devotion is evident as he insists on speaking with her and she eventually wakes.

  Boris courts Barbara with Harry's advice, and Barbara gradually becomes smitten with him. After she suffers an aneurysm and falls into a coma, Boris p...

• Dr. Harry Wolper → Meli (Romantic Research Subject Turned Wife) — Their relationship begins through Harry's cloning research and develops into love and marriage as Harry questions his project.

  Harry employs Meli, who agrees to contribute an ovary sample for his research and moves in with him. She falls for him, and they marry.

• Dr. Harry Wolper → Lucy Wolper (Family Husband And Deceased Wife) — Harry's grief over Lucy drives his attempt to clone her, but he ultimately abandons the project and releases her cells into the sea.

  Lucy was Harry's wife and died in childbirth 30 years earlier. Harry uses her cells in his cloning experiments before scattering them in the sea.

• Dr. Harry Wolper → Boris Lafkin (Professional Employer And Assistant) — Boris assists Harry's research, while Harry advises him on courting Barbara; Boris ultimately follows Harry to Northfield.

  Harry hires Boris as his personal assistant to obtain laboratory equipment and help with experiments in the backyard shed.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dr. Harry Wolper → Barbara Spencer (Alliance Advocate) — Harry intervenes to give Boris an opportunity to reach Barbara while she is in a coma.

  When Barbara is comatose and her life support is to be turned off, Harry gains time for Boris to talk to her; she eventually wakes up.

Story Analysis

A grieving professor's cloning ambition gives way to changing relationships, ethical doubts, and a new beginning.

Plot Progression

1. A Grieving Professor's Experiment — Harry remains devoted to the idea of cloning his deceased wife, Lucy. He hires Boris to assist with the experiments and gives him advice about courting Barbara.
2. Meli Enters Harry's Life — Meli joins Harry's research under an arrangement involving an ovary sample and moves into his home. Her growing feelings lead Harry to reconsider the ethics of his project and his understanding of lov...
3. The Northfield Reassignment — A rival's effort to take over Harry's laboratory results in Harry being reassigned to Northfield. Harry's research grant follows him, frustrating the plan to sideline his work.
4. Boris Fights for Barbara — Barbara suffers an aneurysm and falls into a coma. Boris protests the recommendation to end life support, and Harry secures time for Boris to speak with her before she wakes.
5. A New Life at Northfield — Harry releases Lucy's cells into the sea and marries Meli. The story ends with everyone choosing to follow him to Northfield.