Detonator (2003) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A postal inspector pursues a bomber through false leads, concealed evidence, and an unresolved threat against a public gathering.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Explosions and the Mailed Clue

A radio report introduces multiple explosions before a bomb devastates Anne Harrington's office. Beau Stoddard begins tracing the device through postal evidence and DeJuan Michaels's delivery recollection.

Key Events

• Valentine's Day Broadcast — A radio report announces several explosions across Southern California without initial casualties. Location: Southern California radio broadcast
• Explosions Spread — Multiple explosions establish a wider public threat before the central attack is revealed. Location: Southern California
• Harrington Office Bombing — A bomb destroys Harrington's office, killing fifteen people and injuring many others. Characters: Anne Harrington Location: Anne Harrington's office
• Stoddard Opens Investigation — Postal inspector Stoddard investigates evidence that the device arrived through the mail. Characters: Beau Stoddard, Anne Harrington Location: Harrington's office
• Michaels Recalls Delivery — Michaels recalls delivering a fifteen-pound box covered in red hearts to Harrington's office. Characters: DeJuan Michaels, Anne Harrington, Beau Stoddard Location: Postal investigation
• Mailed Device Confirmed — The delivery recollection strengthens the theory that the office bomb arrived by mail. Characters: Beau Stoddard, DeJuan Michaels Location: Postal investigation

The Wrong Suspect

The investigation points toward James Grimes because of his history with Harrington and his threats against her. A raid kills Grimes, but Stoddard doubts that the apparent suspect was the bomber.

Key Events

• Grimes Becomes Suspect — Investigators focus on Grimes, whom Harrington helped imprison and who had threatened her. Characters: James Grimes, Anne Harrington, Beau Stoddard Location: Bombing investigation
• Surveillance of Grimes — Federal agents surveil Grimes as the investigation treats him as the likely bomber. Characters: James Grimes, Beau Stoddard Location: Grimes's residence
• Raid Ends in Death — A raid on Grimes's house ends in a gunfight and Grimes's death. Characters: James Grimes, Beau Stoddard Location: Grimes's house
• Stoddard Rejects Solution — Stoddard doubts that the dead Grimes was responsible for the bombing. Characters: Beau Stoddard, James Grimes Location: Bombing investigation

Evidence Beneath the Files

Stoddard argues that Harrington was personally targeted and clashes with the handling of the federal case involving Robert Brickland. Concealed information and disputed files keep the real perpetrator at large.

Key Events

• Personal Motive Theory — Stoddard argues that the bombing targeted Harrington personally rather than seeking publicity. Characters: Beau Stoddard, Anne Harrington Location: Investigation office
• Federal Case Tensions — Stoddard works with federal officials despite tensions involving Brickland and the case's handling. Characters: Beau Stoddard, Robert Brickland Location: Federal investigation
• Files May Be Concealed — Evidence and disputed files suggest that important information may have been concealed. Characters: Beau Stoddard, Robert Brickland Location: Federal investigation
• Forrester Found Dead — Jack Forrester is found shot in the head, giving the investigation another deadly turn. Characters: Jack Forrester, Beau Stoddard Location: Unspecified crime scene
• Bomber Still Free — Stoddard and his colleague conclude that the bomber remains free and active. Characters: Beau Stoddard, Jack Forrester Location: Investigation scene

The Stadium Threat

Jack Forrester's murder confirms that the bomber remains active and may be targeting Brickland. Stoddard identifies Steve Kerwin and warns Brickland at the hockey stadium, where an unresolved confrontation begins.

Key Events

• Brickland Becomes Target — The investigation indicates that Brickland may be the bomber's next target. Characters: Beau Stoddard, Robert Brickland, Steve Kerwin Location: Investigation offices
• Hockey Game Approaches — The danger converges on a major international hockey game hosted by Brickland. Characters: Robert Brickland Location: International hockey venue
• Calls for Public Unity — Brickland hosts guests as public calls for unity follow the city's recent tragedies. Characters: Robert Brickland Location: Hockey stadium
• Stoddard Warns Brickland — Stoddard identifies Kerwin as the bomber and urges Brickland to evacuate the stadium. Characters: Beau Stoddard, Robert Brickland, Steve Kerwin Location: Hockey stadium
• Unresolved Stadium Confrontation — As the game begins, a visitor claiming to be Kerwin's son confronts Brickland; the danger remains unresolved. Characters: Robert Brickland, Steve Kerwin Location: Hockey stadium

Story Breakdown

• Public Explosions — The story begins with a series of explosions that turn a regional danger into a personal tragedy.
  • Radio Warning — A broadcast reports several Southern California explosions without initial casualties.
  • Office Devastation — A mailed bomb destroys Anne Harrington's office and causes mass casualties.
• Postal Investigation — Beau Stoddard follows the physical evidence toward the package that delivered the bomb.
  • Michaels's Recollection — DeJuan Michaels recalls delivering the distinctive red-heart box.
  • Mailed Device — The evidence indicates that the bomb arrived through the postal system.
• Grimes False Lead — Prior threats and a criminal history make James Grimes the initial suspect.
  • Threatened Harrington — Grimes had been imprisoned through Harrington's efforts and had threatened her.
  • Dead Suspect — A raid ends in a gunfight that kills Grimes without resolving the bombing.
• Hidden Case Evidence — Stoddard challenges the official direction of the case and suspects that key information was concealed.
  • Personal Target — Stoddard argues that Harrington, rather than publicity, was the attack's central target.
  • Federal Tensions — Disputed files and tensions involving Brickland complicate the investigation.
• Violence Escalates — A new killing proves that the bomber remains free and that the threat is continuing.
  • Forrester Murder — Jack Forrester is found shot in the head.
  • Active Bomber — Stoddard and his colleague conclude that the perpetrator has not been stopped.
• Stadium Endgame — The investigation converges on Brickland and a crowded hockey game, ending before the danger is resolved.
  • Kerwin Identified — Stoddard identifies Steve Kerwin as the bomber and warns Brickland.
  • Unresolved Visitor — A visitor claiming to be Kerwin's son confronts Brickland as the game begins.

Directed by

Jonathan Freedman

Key Cast

• Randall Batinkoff — Beau Stoddard
• Elizabeth Berkley — Jane Dreyer
• Stan Shaw — Robert Brickland
• Bokeem Woodbine — Jack Forrester
• Denis Forest — Steve Kerwin