Character Relationship Map: Hickok

Characters

• Wild Bill Hickok (played by Luke Hemsworth) — protagonist

  A former fugitive who becomes the marshal of Abilene and tries to impose order by confiscating guns, confronting violent men, and protecting defenseless citizens. He refuses Phil Poe’s bribe, drives a...

• Phil Poe (played by Trace Adkins) — supporting

  A powerful Abilene businessman whose liquor enterprises depend on disorder. He opposes Wild Bill’s reforms, offers him money to change policy, spreads rumors about his eyesight, arranges liquor shipme...

• Doc Rivers O'Roark (played by Bruce Dern) — supporting

  A doctor who examines Wild Bill and reveals that his worsening vision could lead to total blindness within five years. He is involved in the discovery of Wild Bill’s medical weakness.

• Mattie (played by Cameron Richardson) — supporting

  A woman who sells hats in a shop established for her by Phil Poe and plans to marry him. Despite her complicated connection to Phil Poe, she remains close to Wild Bill.

• John Wesley Hardin (played by Kaiwi Lyman) — supporting

  A remarkably fast gunman approached by Phil Poe as a possible replacement for Wild Bill. He becomes involved in Phil Poe’s growing plan against the marshal.

• Sullivan (played by Bertrand-Xavier Corbi) — supporting

  A drunken gunman who attempts to ambush Wild Bill. Wild Bill confronts him and warns that no one should serve him more liquor than he can handle.

• Joey (played by Hunter Fischer) — supporting

  A young admirer of Wild Bill who idolizes the marshal and wants to join his patrol.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mattie → Phil Poe (Romantic Fiancees) — Phil Poe supports Mattie's shop and is her intended husband.

  Mattie sells hats in a shop Phil Poe established for her and plans to marry him.

• Wild Bill Hickok → Mattie (Romantic Complicated Affection) — Their emotional connection persists despite Mattie's intended marriage to Phil Poe.

  Mattie remains close to Wild Bill despite their complicated connection, while she plans to marry Phil Poe.

• Wild Bill Hickok → Doc Rivers O'Roark (Professional Doctor And Patient) — Doc Rivers provides the medical information that changes Wild Bill's situation.

  Doc Rivers O'Roark examines Wild Bill and reveals that his worsening vision could lead to total blindness within five years.

• Phil Poe → John Wesley Hardin (Professional Recruiter And Gunman) — Phil Poe seeks Hardin as a possible instrument against Wild Bill.

  Phil Poe approaches John Wesley Hardin, described as a remarkably fast gunman, and suggests that Wild Bill may soon need to be replaced.

Story Dynamics

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

• Wild Bill Hickok → Sullivan (Conflict Law Enforcement Opponents) — Sullivan's violence directly tests Wild Bill's attempt to impose order.

  Wild Bill confronts Sullivan after the drunken gunman attempts to ambush him and warns against serving anyone more liquor than he can handle.

• Wild Bill Hickok → Joey (Social Admiring Influence) — Joey looks to Wild Bill as a heroic example and possible leader.

  Young Joey idolizes Wild Bill and wants to join his patrol.

• Wild Bill Hickok → John Wesley Hardin (Conflict Potential Opponents) — Hardin is positioned as a rising threat to Wild Bill.

  Phil Poe presents John Wesley Hardin as a possible replacement for Wild Bill, linking the two men through the planned challenge to Wild Bill's positio...

• Wild Bill Hickok → Phil Poe (Conflict Political Rival) — Wild Bill's law enforcement threatens Phil Poe's commercial influence.

  Phil Poe opposes Wild Bill's reforms because his liquor business depends on disorder. He offers Wild Bill more money to soften his policies, but Wild...

Story Analysis

A lawman tries to impose order in Abilene while business interests exploit violence, personal weakness, and a growing conspiracy against him.

Plot Progression

1. Escape Toward Abilene — Wild Bill survives a violent accusation, traps authorities, and escapes. An old Civil War connection helps him board a train and move toward a new phase of his life.
2. A Marshal Challenges Disorder — As marshal of Abilene, Wild Bill confiscates weapons and confronts violence against defenseless citizens. His clashes with Sullivan and the town's violent culture establish his uncompromising policy.
3. Business Interests Strike Back — Phil Poe resists Wild Bill's reforms because disorder supports his liquor enterprises. Wild Bill rejects Poe's financial offer while his complicated connection with Mattie and Joey's admiration reveal...
4. Threats Beneath the Badge — Texas drovers threaten Wild Bill but are driven away. Phil Poe then approaches John Wesley Hardin, turning local resistance into a more organized threat.
5. The Secret Weakness — Doc Rivers reveals that Wild Bill's worsening vision may lead to blindness. Wild Bill hides the diagnosis, but Phil Poe spreads a rumor about his night vision while continuing his liquor operations.