They/Them/Us (2021) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A divorced father navigates changing family relationships, a new partnership, and a crisis that brings the family toward greater honesty.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Family Out of Balance

Charlie tries to manage life with Danny while Deborah challenges his absence. Danny's behavior and Maddie's pronoun request add to the family's adjustments.

Key Events

• Divorced Family Tensions — Charlie struggles to manage life with Danny as Deborah challenges his absence. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Danny Goldman, Deborah Location: Unspecified
• Danny's Rebellious Behavior — Danny's marijuana use and rebellion deepen conflict between his parents. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Danny Goldman, Deborah Location: Unspecified
• Maddie's Pronoun Request — Charlie adjusts to Maddie's request to be referred to as “they”; Danny jokes that he wants “us.” Characters: Charlie Goodman, Maddie Harper, Danny Goldman Location: Unspecified

Building a New Household

Charlie begins a relationship with Lisa, and they grow close enough to plan a shared home. Lisa's kink group and concerns about whether that part of her life fits the relationship complicate their plans.

Key Events

• Charlie Meets Lisa — Charlie begins a new relationship with Lisa. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Lisa Harper Location: Unspecified
• Lisa Explores Kink — Lisa attends a group led by Dr. Rawlings, known there as Dr. Fun. Characters: Lisa Harper, Dr. Rawlings / Dr. Fun Location: Kink group
• A Shared Household Plan — Charlie and Lisa grow close and decide to move in together. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Lisa Harper, Maddie Harper Location: Unspecified
• Lisa Questions the Group — Lisa considers leaving the group because she fears Charlie's relationship cannot accommodate her kink interests. Characters: Lisa Harper, Charlie Goodman Location: Unspecified

Trying to Find Acceptance

Charlie takes an interest in Lisa's kink interests, but a suspicious package addressed to Danny interrupts their intimate moment. Charlie's attempts to help and gain approval are not always welcomed.

Key Events

• Charlie Learns About Kink — Charlie takes an interest in learning about kink and experiments with Lisa. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Lisa Harper Location: Unspecified
• Deborah Arrives With News — Deborah interrupts Charlie and Lisa with news of another suspicious package addressed to Danny. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Lisa Harper, Deborah, Danny Goldman Location: Unspecified
• Approval Remains Elusive — Charlie tries to help and win approval, but Maddie and others are frustrated by his efforts. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Maddie Harper Location: Unspecified
• Families Adjust Together — Charlie and Lisa continue trying to build a shared life amid family complications and insecurities. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Lisa Harper, Danny Goldman, Maddie Harper Location: Unspecified

The Hospital Crisis

Danny is injured and taken to Columbus Children's, while Deborah is upset that she cannot reach Charlie at first. Charlie rushes to the hospital as the family faces the strain in their relationships.

Key Events

• Danny Is Injured — Danny is injured and taken to Columbus Children's. Characters: Danny Goldman, Deborah Location: Unspecified
• Charlie Rushes to Hospital — After Deborah cannot reach him at first, Charlie rushes to the hospital. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Deborah, Danny Goldman Location: Columbus Children's
• Family Confronts the Strain — The family confronts the consequences of strained relationships while Danny is kept overnight. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Deborah, Danny Goldman Location: Columbus Children's

Facing a Changed Family

Danny is kept overnight, and the family confronts the consequences of their strained relationships. Charlie recognizes that he has gained a new circle of people who care about him.

Key Events

• A Chance to Move Forward — The family acknowledges change, and Charlie recognizes his new circle of people who care about him. Characters: Charlie Goodman, Deborah, Danny Goldman, Lisa Harper, Maddie Harper Location: Columbus Children's

Story Breakdown

• Divorced Family Tensions — Charlie and Deborah struggle over parenting and the effects of Charlie's absence.
  • Danny's Rebellion — Danny's marijuana use and behavior intensify the parents' conflict.
  • Parental Disagreement — Deborah argues that Charlie's absence has hurt the family.
• Maddie's Request — Charlie must adjust to Maddie's request to be referred to with the pronoun “they.”
  • Pronoun Adjustment — Charlie navigates Maddie's request.
  • Danny's Joke — Danny jokingly asks to be called “us.”
• Charlie and Lisa — Charlie begins a relationship with Lisa and tries to build a shared life with her.
  • Growing Closer — Charlie and Lisa grow close.
  • Moving In Together — They decide to bring their households together.
• Lisa's Kink Exploration — Lisa attends a group and worries that her relationship with Charlie may not accommodate this part of her life.
  • The Group — Lisa attends a group led by Dr. Rawlings, known there as Dr. Fun.
  • Shared Experiment — Charlie takes an interest in learning about kink, and he and Lisa experiment together.
• Complications at Home — Family tensions and Charlie's efforts to connect make the new household arrangement difficult.
  • Suspicious Package — Deborah interrupts Charlie and Lisa with news of another package addressed to Danny.
  • Approval Struggles — Maddie and others are frustrated by Charlie's attempts to win their approval.
• Danny's Hospital Crisis — Danny's injury brings the strained family relationships into sharp focus.
  • Taken to Hospital — Danny is injured and taken to Columbus Children's.
  • Charlie Arrives — Charlie rushes to the hospital after Deborah cannot reach him at first.
• Honesty and Reconciliation — The family confronts its circumstances and considers how to move forward.
  • Overnight Stay — Danny is kept overnight as the family faces the consequences of its strained relationships.
  • A New Circle — Charlie realizes that he has gained a new circle of people who care about him.

Directed by

Jon Sherman

Key Cast

• Joey Slotnick — Charlie Goodman
• Amy Hargreaves — Lisa Harper
• Jack Steiner — Danny Goldman
• Shanna Strong — Anna Goldman
• Abi Van Andel — Deborah