Character Relationship Map: Wish Man

Characters

• Sgt. Mason (played by Tom Sizemore) — protagonist

  Sgt. Mason is a police sergeant involved in the internal investigation of the Bullhead incident. He submits a statement supporting the official version of events, alongside Tom Wells, while Frank reje...

• Frank Shankwitz (played by Andrew Steel) — protagonist

  Frank Shankwitz is the protagonist, an Arizona motorcycle cop whose survival of a near-fatal crash forces him to reconsider his purpose. After meeting a seriously ill boy, he promises to obtain motorc...

• Kitty Carlisle (played by Kirby Bliss Blanton) — supporting

  Kitty Carlisle is a new secretary at the police department whom Frank meets after his accident. She becomes connected to his post-crash life while he searches for direction, but their developing relat...

• Frank Shankwitz Sr. (played by Bruce Davison) — supporting

  Frank Shankwitz Sr. is Frank’s estranged father, who appears during Frank’s childhood and demands to see his son. Frank’s mother refuses, citing a court order requiring him to remain in Chicago and ac...

• Tom Wells (played by Frank Whaley) — minor

  Tom Wells is involved in the internal investigation surrounding the Bullhead incident. He submits a statement that supports the same version of events as Sgt. Mason, while Frank insists that their acc...

• Sally (played by Kym Jackson) — minor
• Dr. Parker (played by Pat O'Brien) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Dr. Parker → Frank Shankwitz (Professional Doctor And Patient) — Dr. Parker provides care while Frank recovers and reflects on surviving the accident.

  The plot says Frank recovers under Dr. Parker's care after the motorcycle crash.

• Frank Shankwitz Sr. → Frank Shankwitz (Family Estranged Father And Son) — Their relationship is presented through the father's attempt to see Frank and the mother's fear that he will separate them.

  Frank's father appears and demands to see him. Frank's mother says a court order requires the father to remain in Chicago and accuses him of trying to...

Story Dynamics

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

• Tom Wells → Frank Shankwitz (Conflict Adversarial Witness) — Wells's statement contributes to the case against Frank during the investigation.

  Tom Wells submits a statement that supports the same version of the Bullhead incident as Sgt. Mason, while Frank disputes the account and says he is b...

• Sgt. Mason → Frank Shankwitz (Conflict Adversarial Witness) — Mason's statement supports the account used against Frank in the internal investigation.

  Sgt. Mason submits a statement supporting the same version of the Bullhead incident as Tom Wells, while Frank's report is dismissed as fabrication.

• Kitty Carlisle → Frank Shankwitz (Social Uncertain Personal Bond) — They meet through the police department, but the available account does not establish the nature or outcome of their bond.

  Frank meets Kitty, a new secretary at the police department. The account ends with their relationship uncertain as she prepares to move to Tucson.

• Sally → Frank Shankwitz (Alliance Rescuer) — Sally helps save Frank after the crash, a pivotal event in his survival.

  After Frank's serious motorcycle crash in Parker, Sally helps rescue him.

Story Analysis

The available account follows Frank from a disrupted childhood through a near-fatal crash and a renewed purpose, before an investigation threatens his standing.

Plot Progression

1. A Childhood Divided — Young Frank is beaten, and his dog intervenes. His estranged father seeks contact, but Frank's mother refuses and takes him to Arizona, leaving the dog behind.
2. Survival and Recovery — Frank survives a serious motorcycle crash in Parker, with Sally helping rescue him. During recovery under Dr. Parker's care, he questions the meaning of his survival.
3. A Promise Gives Purpose — Frank meets Kitty at the police department, where he spends time after his recovery. A request involving a seriously ill boy leads Frank to promise motorcycle officer wings, and the meeting gives him...
4. The Investigation Closes In — Statements from Sgt. Mason and Tom Wells support an account that conflicts with Frank's report. The investigation is declared complete, and Clover's testimony appears to strengthen the case against Fr...
5. An Uncertain Departure — Frank remains under pressure as Kitty prepares to move to Tucson. The available account leaves both the investigation's consequences and their relationship unresolved.