Character Relationship Map: The Year Between

Characters

• Clemence (played by Alex Heller) — protagonist

  A college sophomore diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is sent home by her mother, undergoes psychiatric treatment, and struggles to maintain sobriety and stability amidst family tensions and old fri...

• Sherri (played by J. Smith-Cameron) — protagonist

  Clemence's mother and craft store owner who takes decisive action by reporting her daughter's erratic behavior, bringing her home, and pushing for medical intervention.

• Don (played by Steve Buscemi) — supporting

  Clemence's father and local schoolteacher who attempts to maintain a relentlessly positive outlook to cope with his daughter's diagnosis and the resulting family strain.

• Carlin (played by Emily Robinson) — supporting

  Clemence's younger sister who fears inheriting her older sister's mental health struggles and channels her anxiety into achieving high academic standards.

• Neil (played by Wyatt Oleff) — supporting

  Clemence's younger brother who is wary of her unstable presence and maintains an ambivalent, guarded attitude to protect his own emotional space.

• Beth (played by Kyanna Simone Simpson) — supporting

  Clemence's coworker at a local thrift store, representing a minor but meaningful social anchor during her recovery phase.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Clemence → Beth (Professional Coworkers) — Their workplace relationship provides Clemence with limited social contact during recovery.

  Clemence obtains a part-time job at a thrift store and forges a strained connection with coworker Beth.

• Clemence → Neil (Family Siblings) — Their sibling bond is complicated by Neil's concern about Clemence's instability.

  Neil is identified as Clemence's younger brother and remains ambivalent in her presence.

• Clemence → Carlin (Family Sisters) — Their sibling relationship is marked by anxiety, distance, and concern about inherited mental health struggles.

  Carlin is identified as Clemence's younger sister and fears that Clemence's attributes may be imparted to her.

• Clemence → Don (Family Daughter) — Their family bond is tested by Clemence's diagnosis and the resulting household strain.

  Don is identified as Clemence's father and attempts to remain relentlessly positive after her diagnosis.

• Clemence → Sherri (Family Daughter) — A strained mother-daughter relationship shaped by intervention, concern, and resistance.

  Sherri is identified as Clemence's mother and brings her home after being notified about Clemence's behavior at college.

Story Analysis

Clemence struggles to rebuild stability after a bipolar diagnosis while family tension, recovery, and old social patterns collide.

Plot Progression

1. College Collapse — Clemence's erratic behavior alienates people during her sophomore year. A report to administration and Sherri forces her to leave college and return home.
2. A Diagnosis at Home — Clemence discovers that her former bedroom has become a home office and is sent to the basement. Psychiatric evaluation leads to a bipolar diagnosis and lithium treatment.
3. Family Under Strain — The family offers Clemence a tepid welcome while responding to her diagnosis in different ways. Don remains positive, Carlin becomes fearful, and Neil stays guarded.
4. Fragile Recovery — Clemence begins psychological treatment, finds part-time work, and forms a strained connection with Beth. She also manages to stay sober from alcohol and illicit drugs.
5. Old Patterns Return — Clemence reconnects with an old partying friend, putting her sobriety and limited support network at risk. Her progress becomes increasingly unstable.