Character Relationship Map: Dying to Remember

Characters

• Lynn Matthews (played by Melissa Gilbert) — protagonist

  Lynn is a successful Manhattan clothing designer whose recurring nightmares lead her to seek hypnotherapy and uncover memories of a previous life as Mary Ann. During a vacation in San Francisco, she i...

• Inspector Jeff Alberts (played by Scott Plank) — supporting

  Alberts is a police inspector who takes an interest in Lynn's investigation after she reports her suspicions. He examines the old case, uncovers that Mary Ann was pregnant, and works with Lynn and Cor...

• Dr. James Portman (played by Jay Robinson) — supporting

  Portman is the doctor Lynn visits for hypnotherapy after her recurring nightmares about a woman falling down an elevator shaft. During the sessions, Lynn learns that the falling woman is herself in a...

• Mark Gage (played by Ted Shackelford) — supporting

  Gage is a prominent real estate developer who was Mary Ann's husband. His wealthy family opposed the marriage, and he says Corso killed Mary Ann after she refused money to leave him and threatened to...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Lynn Matthews → Inspector Jeff Alberts (Professional Investigator And Witness) — Jeff investigates the mystery while Lynn supplies crucial personal and archival information.

  Lynn reports her suspicions and discoveries to Inspector Jeff Alberts, who takes an interest in the case and investigates its old files.

• Lynn Matthews → Dr. James Portman (Professional Patient And Therapist) — Dr. Portman helps Lynn access memories connected to the elevator nightmare.

  Lynn visits Dr. James Portman for hypnotherapy to understand her recurring nightmares.

Story Dynamics

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

• Inspector Jeff Alberts → Mark Gage (Conflict Police Suspect) — Jeff's investigation threatens Mark's secrecy.

  Jeff investigates the death connected to Mark's marriage and becomes involved after Lynn reports her suspicions about Mark.

• Lynn Matthews → Mark Gage (Conflict Suspicious Adversaries) — Lynn's investigation places her in escalating conflict with Mark.

  Lynn suspects Mark is behind the harassment after her tires are slashed, while Mark follows her, retrieves her files, and questions her motives.

Story Analysis

A woman follows recurring visions into a concealed murder investigation that links her present identity to a deadly past.

Plot Progression

1. Nightmares Demand Answers — Lynn's recurring elevator nightmare disrupts her professional life. Hypnotherapy suggests that the falling woman is connected to Lynn's previous life.
2. The San Francisco Trail — Lynn travels to San Francisco and locates the building from her dreams. A further dream and archival research identify the historical mystery, but the official record conflicts with her memories.
3. Records Behind Closed Doors — Jeff begins examining the old case while Lynn uncovers marriage records linking the dead woman to Mark. Mark notices Lynn's resemblance and becomes increasingly concerned about her investigation.
4. Evidence And Threats — Harassment escalates when Lynn's tires are slashed. Jeff discovers pregnancy evidence, transforming the apparent suicide into a case requiring renewed investigation.
5. The Shaft Repeats Itself — Lynn is brought to the elevator shaft from her nightmare. Mark reveals the concealed past, a shootout follows, and Lynn fights to survive the final confrontation.