Character Relationship Map: Hippocrates

Characters

• Benjamin (played by Vincent Lacoste) — protagonist

  A medical intern who begins his rotation under his father's service. Initially enthusiastic, he faces the harsh realities of hospital work, making a critical error that leads to a patient's death. He...

• Abdel Rezzak (played by Reda Kateb) — protagonist

  An Algerian medical intern and colleague of Benjamin. Pragmatic and compassionate, he advocates for patient comfort, such as installing a morphine pump for Mrs. Richard. He participates in end-of-life...

• Dr. Denormandy (played by Marianne Denicourt) — supporting

  Benjamin's superior officer within the hospital. She enforces institutional protocols, instructs Benjamin to lie about the missed ECG, and presides over the disciplinary hearing regarding the end-of-l...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Abdel Rezzak → Dr. Denormandy (Professional Colleague) — They share medical responsibilities but differ over patient-care decisions.

  Abdel and Dr. Denormandy disagree over the treatment procedure for the seriously ill patient.

• Benjamin → Dr. Denormandy (Professional Superior) — Dr. Denormandy supervises Benjamin within the hospital hierarchy.

  Dr. Denormandy is Benjamin's superior and summons him to review the patient's death.

• Benjamin → Abdel Rezzak (Professional Colleague) — They work together as fellow medical interns in the same hospital service.

  Benjamin meets Abdel Rezzak as another medical intern, and they jointly care for hospital patients.

Story Analysis

A young intern confronts medical error, institutional failure, guilt, and the possibility of professional renewal.

Plot Progression

1. The First Night — Benjamin begins his internship with enthusiasm and meets Abdel. A malfunctioning ECG device prevents him from fully examining a patient during a night shift.
2. The Weight of Silence — Benjamin learns that the patient has died and is questioned by Dr. Denormandy. Her instruction to conceal the missed ECG creates an ethical crisis and strains Benjamin's relationship with Abdel.
3. Pain and Responsibility — Benjamin and Abdel care for a seriously ill patient while disagreeing with Dr. Denormandy over pain management. The removal of the morphine pump intensifies the conflict surrounding medical responsibi...
4. A Decision in the Night — After the patient loses consciousness, Benjamin and Abdel discuss ending treatment with the family under the Leonetti law. Their decision leads to a disciplinary hearing and unequal consequences.
5. Guilt Breaks Through — Benjamin's guilt overwhelms him after Abdel is sanctioned. He confesses to the widow, damages hospital equipment, and is struck by a truck while fleeing.
6. A Fragile Recovery — Hospital staff challenge the conditions that produced the errors and obtain the withdrawal of Abdel's sanction. Benjamin recovers, changes service, and regains his professional enthusiasm.