Character Relationship Map: Splendor

Characters

• Veronica (played by Kathleen Robertson) — protagonist

  A 22-year-old struggling actress navigating a complex romantic life in Los Angeles, ultimately forming and sustaining an unconventional polyamorous relationship while balancing personal ambitions and...

• Abel (played by Johnathon Schaech) — protagonist

  A sensitive freelance rock critic and aspiring novelist who pursues Veronica romantically after meeting her at a nightclub and adapts to sharing her in a polyamorous arrangement.

• Zed (played by Matt Keeslar) — supporting

  A dim-witted drummer in a punk rock band who has a spontaneous physical encounter with Veronica at a nightclub and later integrates into her unconventional romantic life.

• Mike (played by Kelly Macdonald) — supporting

  Veronica's best friend who attends the Halloween party with her and serves as a supportive but initially skeptical confidant regarding her unconventional romantic choices.

• Ernest (played by Eric Mabius) — supporting

  A charming, wealthy young film director Veronica meets during an audition, who becomes smitten with her and offers her a life of conventional stability and romance.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Veronica → Ernest (Romantic Partner) — Ernest offers Veronica a conventional romantic alternative.

  Ernest becomes smitten with Veronica, takes her to dinner and Maui, and Veronica agrees to marry him.

• Veronica → Zed (Romantic Partner) — Zed becomes the second central partner in Veronica's unconventional relationship.

  Veronica has sex with Zed at the nightclub, later dates him, lives with him, and resumes their relationship after the wedding crisis.

• Veronica → Abel (Romantic Partner) — Abel is one of Veronica's central romantic partners.

  Veronica gives Abel her phone number, dates him, lives with him, and later resumes their relationship.

Story Dynamics

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

• Mike → Zed (Alliance Ally) — Mike coordinates with Zed during the final relationship crisis.

  Mike secretly calls Zed, along with Abel, so they can reach the wedding and plead for another chance.

• Mike → Abel (Alliance Ally) — Mike helps Abel regain an opportunity to reconcile with Veronica.

  Mike secretly calls Abel and Zed and urges them to rush to the wedding.

• Zed → Ernest (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Ernest's relationship with Veronica directly displaces Zed's relationship with her.

  Veronica leaves both Abel and Zed for Ernest, leading Zed to join Abel in rushing to stop the wedding.

• Abel → Ernest (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Ernest becomes Abel's rival for Veronica's commitment.

  Veronica leaves Abel and Zed for Ernest, and Abel later rushes to the wedding with Zed to ask Veronica for another chance.

• Abel → Zed (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Their initial rivalry reflects competition for Veronica's affection.

  Abel and Zed are antagonistic when they first meet face-to-face because both are involved with Veronica.

• Veronica → Mike (Social Best Friend) — Mike is Veronica's closest confidant and personal support.

  Mike attends the Halloween party with Veronica and later provides emotional support when Veronica questions her relationships.

Story Analysis

Veronica navigates competing forms of romance and ultimately chooses a shared relationship with Abel and Zed.

Plot Progression

1. A Night Of New Possibilities — Veronica attends a Halloween party with Mike and meets Abel and Zed. Her encounters with both men immediately disrupt her attempt to restart her dating life.
2. The Shared Romance Begins — Veronica dates Abel while also seeing Zed. After initial antagonism, the three accept a shared romantic arrangement and begin living together.
3. Stability Creates A Crisis — Mike remains skeptical as Veronica's unconventional household develops. Meeting Ernest at an audition introduces a conventional alternative just as pregnancy strains the existing relationship.
4. The Cost Of Convention — Veronica stays with Mike and finds comfort with Ernest during a Maui getaway. She then leaves Abel and Zed and agrees to marry Ernest despite lacking love for him.
5. Love Reclaims The Future — On the wedding day, Mike summons Abel and Zed. Their declaration of love leads Veronica back to them, and the final image establishes their shared family.