Character Relationship Map: Answer This!

Characters

• Paul Tarson (played by Christopher Gorham) — protagonist

  Paul Tarson is a graduate student who has spent eight years on his dissertation without making enough progress to graduate. He treats trivia as a serious intellectual pursuit and joins the Ice Tigers...

• Naomi (played by Arielle Kebbel) — supporting

  Naomi becomes a romantic possibility for Paul Tarson after he apologizes following an awkward exchange and asks her out. She accepts, but insists that their date include attending a Michigan game, an...

• Izzy 'Ice' Dasselway (played by Evan Jones) — supporting

  Izzy 'Ice' Dasselway is a former schoolmate whom James Koogly remembers as an exceptional athlete. Despite a loud and intimidating attitude, Izzy joins Paul Tarson and James on the Ice Tigers. Izzy he...

• James Koogly (played by Nelson Franklin) — supporting

  James Koogly is Paul Tarson’s friend and trivia partner at the beginning of the story, when they play an old edition of Trivial Pursuit together. He encourages Paul to enter a local trivia tournament...

• Dr. Elliot Tarson (played by Ralph Williams) — supporting

  Dr. Elliot Tarson is Paul Tarson’s father and confronts him about failing to make progress on his dissertation. After speaking with Paul’s advisor, he tells Paul that this will be his final semester o...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Paul Tarson → Naomi (Romantic Interest) — Paul and Naomi begin a possible romantic relationship.

  Paul apologizes after an awkward exchange, asks Naomi out, and Naomi agrees to a date.

• Paul Tarson → Dr. Elliot Tarson (Family Son) — Paul is Elliot's son, and their family relationship is strained by Paul's academic delay.

  Dr. Elliot Tarson is explicitly identified as Paul's father and confronts him about his lack of dissertation progress.

Story Dynamics

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

• Paul Tarson → Izzy 'Ice' Dasselway (Alliance Teammate) — Paul and Izzy cooperate as members of the same team.

  Paul, James, and Izzy form the Ice Tigers and compete together in the trivia tournament.

• James Koogly → Izzy 'Ice' Dasselway (Alliance Recruiter) — James brings Izzy into the team's competitive effort.

  James remembers Izzy as an exceptional athlete and helps recruit him for the trivia team.

• Paul Tarson → James Koogly (Social Friend) — James is Paul's established friend and recurring companion.

  Paul begins the story playing Trivial Pursuit with his friend James Koogly.

Story Analysis

Paul tries to complete his academic work while finding confidence, companionship, and purpose through competitive trivia.

Plot Progression

1. Trivia Against Responsibility — Paul spends years on his dissertation while treating trivia as a serious intellectual pursuit. Elliot's confrontation exposes the academic consequences of Paul's delay.
2. The Ice Tigers Assemble — Paul decides that he must graduate, but James redirects his trivia obsession toward a local tournament. Izzy joins them, and the Ice Tigers are formed.
3. A Narrow Qualification — The Ice Tigers struggle as a fraternity team takes the lead. Izzy's help on a difficult mascot question allows them to qualify in third place.
4. Romance and Rising Confidence — Paul apologizes to Naomi and receives agreement to a date involving a Michigan game. Meanwhile, the team practices intensely and rises toward second place.