Character Relationship Map: Deaner '89

Characters

• Dean Murdoch (played by Paul Spence) — protagonist

  A Grade 11 student in Haylen, Manitoba, Dean is a talented hockey player who hopes the sport might offer a way out of town. He struggles with anger and uncertainty, and learning that he and Jen were a...

• Jen (played by Star Slade) — supporting

  Jen is Dean’s sister, raised alongside him by Glen and Mirna. The siblings get into mischief together, and Dean’s understanding of their family changes when he learns they were adopted. He is told tha...

• Glen (played by Will Sasso) — supporting

  Glen is Dean and Jen’s adoptive father, raising them with Mirna in Haylen. He clashes with Mirna over religion and parenting. When Dean learns that he and Jen were adopted, Glen insists that their ado...

• May (played by Mary Walsh) — supporting

  May is someone Dean spends time with as he navigates teenage anger and uncertainty. They share music and beers, and Dean later wrecks her car, a mistake he says he is still paying for. Her connection...

• Mirna (played by Lauren Cochrane) — supporting

  Mirna raises Dean and Jen with Glen as their adoptive mother. At home, she and Glen clash over religion and parenting while the children get into mischief. The family’s tensions form part of Dean’s ho...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Jen → Mirna (Family Adoptive Mother And Daughter) — Mirna raises Jen as part of the Murdoch family.

  The plot says Jen was raised by Glen and Mirna and that she, like Dean, was adopted.

• Jen → Glen (Family Adoptive Father And Daughter) — Glen raises Jen as part of the Murdoch family.

  The plot says Jen was raised by Glen and Mirna and that she, like Dean, was adopted.

• Dean Murdoch → Mirna (Family Adoptive Mother And Son) — Mirna is part of the family that raises Dean, although the plot also describes conflict between her and Glen over religion and parenting.

  The plot says Dean was raised by Glen and Mirna and later learns that he and Jen were adopted.

• Dean Murdoch → Glen (Family Adoptive Father And Son) — Glen raises Dean and responds to his search for identity by emphasizing his place in their family.

  The plot identifies Glen as one of Dean's adoptive parents. After Dean learns about his origins, Glen insists that their adoptive family is his tribe...

• Dean Murdoch → Jen (Family Adoptive Siblings) — They grow up together in the Murdoch household, and learning they were adopted contributes to Dean's questions about identity and origin.

  The plot says Dean was raised by Glen and Mirna alongside his sister, Jen, and later learns that he and Jen were adopted.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dean Murdoch → May (Social Friend) — May is part of Dean's social life as he struggles with teenage anger and uncertainty; he also wrecks her car.

  The plot says Dean spends time with May, sharing music and beers.

• Glen → Mirna (Conflict Parenting And Religious Disagreement) — Their disagreements over religion and how to raise the children create conflict within the household.

  At home, Glen and Mirna clash over religion and parenting.

Story Analysis

A teenager in small-town Manitoba confronts the limits of his hockey prospects, questions about adoption and origins, and an uncertain search for belonging.

Plot Progression

1. The Hockey Hope of Haylen — The story rewinds from Dean's presentation of success to his life as a Grade 11 student in Haylen. Hockey gives him a local reputation and seems like a possible way out of town.
2. Family Tensions and Teenage Unrest — Dean and Jen get into mischief while Glen and Mirna clash over religion and parenting. Dean spends time with May, sharing music and beers as he faces anger and uncertainty.
3. The Search for Origins — Dean learns that he and Jen were adopted and hears about their birth identities. Glen urges him to regard the adoptive family as his tribe, but Dean is left searching for a sense of belonging.
4. Consequences and Threats — Dean's troubles deepen through reckless escapades and pressure to throw a hockey game. After he refuses, he is threatened, and he also wrecks May's car.
5. The Concert Door Opens — Drawn toward a Dokken concert by grief and confusion, Dean is initially turned away because he is underage and lacks his wallet. A band member offers him entry on conditions, and Dean moves toward the...