Character Relationship Map: Old Maids

Characters

• Bettina Eriksen (played by Helle Virkner) — protagonist

  Bettina is at the center of the mystery surrounding the household at Ellekilde, where she is surrounded by Johanne, Emma, Bitten, and the staff. A disturbing letter bearing her signature claims that s...

• Johanne (played by Maria Garland) — supporting

  Johanne is one of the women at Ellekilde who helps manage the crisis after Onkel Theodor is found dead. When the others fear that a search of the house will expose them, she insists they behave as tho...

• Emma (played by Else-Marie Juul Hansen) — supporting

  Emma is one of the women at Ellekilde involved in the effort to keep the circumstances of Onkel Theodor’s death from being exposed. As the household searches for his will, which is in Osby’s office, s...

• Bitten (played by Tove Maës) — supporting

  Bitten is one of the women at Ellekilde who participates in the effort to manage the crisis after Onkel Theodor’s death. As the women try to protect Bettina and keep the truth from the police, Bitten...

• Petersen (played by Arthur Jensen) — supporting

  Petersen is a member of the household whose condition becomes another source of alarm. After a card game, he is found cold, and the residents initially struggle to determine whether he is merely sleep...

• Onkel Theodor (played by Hans W. Petersen) — supporting

  Onkel Theodor is Bettina’s uncle, and the fate of his estate is a major concern at Ellekilde because it is in danger of being sold. When he cannot be accounted for, the women discover that he is dead...

• Doktor Jørgensen (played by Lars Lunøe) — supporting

  Doktor Jørgensen is a doctor associated with Ellekilde, the household that also serves as a nursing home. He warns that one of the residents has serious liver and pancreatic problems, although the sum...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Bettina Eriksen → Doktor Jørgensen (Professional Doctor And Resident) — The doctor attends to residents at Ellekilde, but the plot does not establish that Bettina is the patient he warns about.

  Doktor Jørgensen warns that one resident has serious liver and pancreatic problems; the plot places Bettina among the residents but does not identify...

• Bettina Eriksen → Onkel Theodor (Family Niece And Uncle) — Bettina is vulnerable to being blamed when her uncle is found dead, and the household's efforts include finding his will.

  The plot identifies Onkel Theodor as Bettina's uncle and says his estate is at risk of being sold.

Story Dynamics

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

• Petersen → Johanne (Social Household Crisis) — Petersen's apparent collapse adds another crisis for Johanne and the household to face while they are concealing Theodor's death.

  Petersen is found cold after a card game, and the household becomes alarmed while trying to determine whether he is merely sleeping.

• Bitten → Onkel Theodor (Narrative Participates In Concealment Plan) — Bitten's assigned staging task forms part of the effort to conceal the circumstances surrounding Theodor's death.

  After Onkel Theodor is found dead, the women conceal his body and arrange a burial; Bitten is given instructions for a staged scene at Ellekilde.

• Emma → Onkel Theodor (Narrative Retrieves His Will) — Emma is assigned to recover the will as the household tries to manage the consequences of Theodor's death.

  The women need to find Onkel Theodor's will in Osby's office, and Emma is sent to retrieve it.

• Emma → Bitten (Alliance Co-conspirators) — Both carry out separate tasks in the household's plan after Onkel Theodor's death.

  Emma is tasked with retrieving the will, while Bitten is assigned instructions for a staged scene at Ellekilde.

• Johanne → Bitten (Alliance Co-conspirators) — Their actions are coordinated as part of the attempt to mislead investigators and buy time.

  Johanne directs the women to behave normally, and Bitten is given instructions for a staged scene at Ellekilde.

• Johanne → Emma (Alliance Co-conspirators) — They participate in coordinated efforts to conceal the death and secure the will.

  Johanne insists the women act as though nothing is wrong, while Emma is sent to retrieve the will as the household tries to keep its secret.

• Bitten → Bettina Eriksen (Alliance Protective Ally) — Bitten follows a role in the household's plan as they try to conceal the truth and protect Bettina.

  The women are trying to protect Bettina, and Bitten is given instructions for a carefully staged scene at Ellekilde.

• Emma → Bettina Eriksen (Alliance Protective Ally) — Emma takes part in the plan to manage the crisis surrounding Bettina and the estate.

  The women try to keep their secret and protect Bettina, and Emma is sent to retrieve Onkel Theodor's will.

• Johanne → Bettina Eriksen (Alliance Protective Ally) — Johanne directs the effort to conceal the death and shield Bettina from suspicion.

  Johanne insists that the household act as though nothing is wrong after Onkel Theodor's body is discovered; the women are trying to protect Bettina fr...

Story Analysis

At Ellekilde, Bettina and the women attempt to conceal Onkel Theodor's death while a police investigation threatens to expose them.

Plot Progression

1. A Letter at Ellekilde — A disturbing letter signed by Bettina claims both suicide and murder, while daily life at Ellekilde provides a comic backdrop to an unresolved mystery. The estate's uncertain future and the residents'...
2. The Hidden Death — When Onkel Theodor cannot be found, the women discover his death and hide his body in a cooling box. They fear Bettina will be blamed and try to behave as if nothing is wrong.
3. A Burial and a Missing Will — The women move the body and arrange a burial to delay scrutiny. They also seek Theodor's will in Osby's office, assigning Emma to retrieve it and Bitten to stage a scene at Ellekilde.
4. The Investigation Closes In — Petersen is found cold after a card game, increasing the household's alarm as police questioning continues. After an ally reports the truth, the women have little time before the grave may be opened,...