Character Relationship Map: Not Cool

Characters

• Scott (played by Shane Dawson) — protagonist

  A former school acquaintance of Tori who reappears over Thanksgiving and tries to win her over. He researches her interests and plans a date around them, revealing an earnest and thoughtful side benea...

• Tori (played by Cherami Leigh) — protagonist

  A college student who returns home for Thanksgiving carrying painful memories of being mocked in high school. As old relationships and insecurities resurface, she reconnects with Scott and is surprise...

• Joel (played by Drew Monson) — supporting

  A person Tori talks with during the Thanksgiving weekend. He challenges her attempt to dismiss her feelings, pointing out that she seems to care about Scott despite disliking nearly everyone else. Whe...

• Gil (played by Ryan Radis) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Scott → Tori (Tentative Romantic Interest) — Scott's earnest efforts draw Tori toward him, while she struggles with his attempts to seem cool and her wish to change him.

  Scott tries to win Tori over, asks her out, and plans a date around interests he has researched. Tori admits that she likes him, though the provided d...

Story Dynamics

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

• Tori → Gil (Social Acquaintance) — Gil's engagement forms part of the relationship pressures Tori considers during the holiday.

  Tori hears that Gil is getting married, and her conversation with Joel turns to the pressure surrounding Gil's engagement.

• Joel → Tori (Social Trusted Confidant) — Joel prompts Tori to face her feelings and reminds her that Scott is not a project she can change.

  Joel challenges Tori's denial about caring for Scott, and she admits her feelings during their conversation. The exchange also shows that they underst...

Story Analysis

A Thanksgiving homecoming brings Tori's old insecurities back while she tests a tentative connection with Scott and considers whether she can accept him as he is.

Plot Progression

1. Homecoming and Old Wounds — Tori returns from college for Thanksgiving and is met with memories of high school humiliation. News of Gil's engagement brings old relationships and insecurities back into view.
2. Scott's Carefully Planned Courtship — Scott reappears and asks Tori out, researching her interests to shape the date. Tori questions his behavior but begins to notice a thoughtful side beneath his efforts to seem cool.
3. A Date and an Unexpected Connection — Scott explains why a quiet moment he noticed among Black Friday shoppers stayed with him. Their date goes well, and his admission that he wanted to give Tori a special time matters to her.
4. Tori Faces Her Feelings — As Thanksgiving ends, Tori worries about leaving and returning to school. Joel challenges her denial, leading her to admit she likes Scott while recognizing her wish to change him.