Character Relationship Map: Renegade

Characters

• Luke (played by Terence Hill) — protagonist

  Luke is a drifter and petty con artist who travels freely through the Southwestern United States. He reluctantly becomes Matt's guardian and escorts him to Arizona, then investigates attacks on their...

• Lawson (played by Robert Vaughn) — protagonist

  Lawson is the respectable businessman behind Lawson Enterprises, but he is secretly responsible for framing Moose and imprisoning him over the property. He seeks control of the land for development, a...

• Matt (played by Ross Hill) — supporting

  Matt is Moose's son and is placed under Luke's guardianship while his father is in prison. Although initially unhappy about travelling with Luke, he accompanies him to Arizona, interferes with the vis...

• Moose (played by Norman Bowler) — supporting

  Moose is Matt's father and Luke's friend. After winning an Arizona ranch in a poker game, he asks Luke to become Matt's legal guardian and watch the property while he serves a prison sentence for a cr...

• Sheriff (played by Royce Clark) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Luke → Matt (Power Legal Guardian) — Luke reluctantly assumes legal responsibility for Matt during Moose's imprisonment.

  Moose asks Luke to become Matt's legal guardian and watch over him and the ranch.

• Moose → Matt (Family Father) — Moose is Matt's imprisoned father and entrusts Luke with his son's protection.

  Moose asks Luke to become the legal guardian of his son Matt until Matt reaches eighteen.

Story Dynamics

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

• Sheriff → Lawson (Unknown Local Authority Connection) — The scene places the sheriff in an information link involving Lawson, without confirming their allegiance.

  The sheriff's warning is followed by a call to someone identified as Mr. Lawson.

• Luke → Sheriff (Social Warned Suspect) — The sheriff treats Luke cautiously when Luke first enters the area.

  After Luke asks for directions, the local sheriff warns him to stay out of trouble.

• Lawson → Matt (Conflict Threatening Adversary) — Matt is endangered because he is Moose's son and remains with Luke.

  Lawson's people pressure Luke to sell the property, and Lawson's forces pursue Luke and Matt during the escape.

• Moose → Lawson (Conflict Framed Opponent) — Lawson's scheme against Moose drives the central legal and property conflict.

  The plot states that Lawson framed Moose and had him imprisoned because of the property Moose won.

• Luke → Moose (Social Friend) — Their friendship motivates Luke to protect Moose's son and property.

  Moose is identified as Luke's friend and asks Luke for help while serving a prison sentence.

• Luke → Lawson (Conflict Arch Enemy) — Luke becomes Lawson's principal opponent when he defends Moose, Matt, and the ranch.

  Luke confronts Lawson after discovering that Lawson framed Moose and tried to take control of the property.

Story Analysis

A carefree drifter is forced to protect his friend's son and property while exposing an old military betrayal.

Plot Progression

1. A Guardian's Unwanted Mission — Luke's carefree drifting life changes when Moose asks him to become Matt's legal guardian. Luke and Matt reluctantly begin the journey to Arizona.
2. A Property Under Pressure — Luke and Matt reach the neglected lakeside property and meet local residents. Lawson's representatives pressure Luke to sell, while increasingly strange attacks threaten them.
3. The Captain Behind the Scheme — After Joe Brown is destroyed, Luke investigates Lawson Enterprises. He learns that Lawson framed Moose and is actually the former platoon captain connected to a military betrayal.
4. The Chase to the Construction Site — Luke escapes Lawson's building and tries to protect Matt during a pursuit involving cars and a helicopter. Lawson eventually traps Luke by shooting out his tires.
5. Exoneration on the Open Road — Luke and Matt help defeat Lawson and then head to the state prison after Moose is exonerated. A final confrontation with the truckers nearly fails when Luke runs out of fuel.