Character Relationship Map: Never Been Chris'd

Characters

• Naomi (played by Janel Parrish) — protagonist

  A co-founder of Best Pal who is nervous about seeking funding. She reflects on her ambitions and grows closer to Chris Silver, but feels overwhelmed by his expectations for the future and doubts about...

• Liz (played by Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes) — supporting

  Naomi's longtime friend and Best Pal co-founder. She reassures Naomi about their pitch but is considering a major change that could let the founders cash out and choose a new path.

• Chris Silver (played by Tyler Hynes) — supporting

  A longtime acquaintance of Naomi who works on electrical projects, makes handmade tea boxes, and has embraced veganism since leaving the forces. His relationship with Naomi becomes serious, but they a...

• Linda (played by Linda Ko) — supporting

  Preparing to move to Palo Alto during the holiday season.

• Karly (played by Samantha Kendrick) — supporting

  A boutique owner who becomes part of Naomi and Liz's holiday plans.

• Venture Capitalist (played by Solange Sookram) — supporting
• Jojo (played by Madison MacIsaac) — supporting

  A person from Naomi and Liz's college years who has been accepted to Stanford.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Liz → Venture Capitalist (Professional Funding Applicant) — Liz participates in the company's attempt to secure funding.

  Liz joins Naomi in preparing the Best Pal pitch for a Venture Capitalist.

• Naomi → Venture Capitalist (Professional Funding Applicant) — The Venture Capitalist represents an important opportunity for Best Pal's expansion.

  Naomi and Liz prepare to pitch Best Pal to a Venture Capitalist, and Naomi is nervous about asking for funding.

• Naomi → Chris Silver (Romantic Partner) — Their romance becomes Naomi's main personal storyline.

  Naomi grows closer to Chris Silver, goes on a date with him, and their connection becomes serious quickly.

• Naomi → Liz (Professional Business Co-Founder) — They are long-term co-founders whose professional partnership drives the central conflict.

  Naomi and Liz built the Best Pal friendship app together and spent years developing the company after moving to the Bay.

Story Dynamics

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

• Naomi → Jojo (Social College Connection) — Jojo is part of Naomi's returning college social network.

  Jojo is among the people from Naomi and Liz's college years who reappear during the holiday period, and the friends learn of Jojo's Stanford acceptanc...

• Liz → Linda (Social College Connection) — Liz and Linda share a college-era connection.

  Linda is included among the people from Naomi and Liz's college years with whom they reconnect during the holidays.

• Naomi → Linda (Social College Connection) — Linda belongs to Naomi's returning college-era social circle.

  Naomi and Liz reconnect with people from their college years and learn that Linda is preparing to move to Palo Alto.

• Liz → Karly (Social Holiday Acquaintances) — Their connection is shown through shared seasonal activities.

  Karly becomes part of the holiday plans involving Liz and the wider group.

• Naomi → Karly (Social Holiday Acquaintances) — Karly is connected to Naomi through the holiday social circle.

  Karly, who owns a boutique, becomes part of Naomi and the friends' holiday plans.

Story Analysis

A holiday story about ambition, friendship, romance, and the painful uncertainty of choosing a future.

Plot Progression

1. A Pitch Worth Believing — Naomi and Liz prepare to pitch Best Pal and discuss ambitious plans for the app. Naomi's funding anxiety is softened by Liz's confidence and their shared history.
2. Old Friends Return — The holiday season brings college connections back into Naomi and Liz's lives. News about Stanford, Palo Alto, and Karly's involvement adds movement to their social world.
3. Holiday Pressure — Family obligations, Hanukkah celebrations, parties, and company difficulties compete for the friends' attention. Their shared business remains important but increasingly uncertain.
4. A Future With Chris — Naomi's renewed connection with Chris becomes romantic and emotionally serious. Conversations about ambition, marriage, children, and practical needs expose incompatible expectations.
5. Two Uncertain Futures — Naomi confides in Liz while Liz reveals a possible exit from Best Pal. Both the partnership and the romance reach unresolved turning points.