Character Relationship Map: Sleeping with the Devil

Characters

• Dick Strang (played by Tim Matheson) — protagonist

  Antagonist and wealthy fitness chain owner. Manipulates Rebecca into leaving med school and moving to Houston. Exhibits controlling and sadistic behavior, lies about his marriage, pressures Rebecca in...

• Rebecca Dubrovich (played by Shannen Doherty) — protagonist

  Protagonist and nurse. Survives past trauma to focus on her career and triathlon training. Enters a relationship with Dick, endures severe emotional and physical abuse, faces false lawsuits, and is le...

• Stasha Dubrovich (played by Bonnie Bartlett) — supporting
• Wes Dubrovich (played by Steve Eastin) — supporting

  Rebecca’s father. Receives a threatening phone call from Tom, who offers money to force Rebecca out of town. Represents a concerned family member during Rebecca’s crisis.

• Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky (played by David Bowe) — supporting

  Surgeon specializing in paralysis recovery. Hires Rebecca as a nurse and collaborates with her on innovative rehabilitation methods. Develops a romantic relationship with her during their work togethe...

• Liz (played by Kate McNeil) — supporting

  Dick’s sister. Warns Rebecca that Dick is a liar and sadist, advising her to leave him. After Dick abuses Rebecca and sues her, Liz provides her with a new house and furniture. She serves as a protect...

• Tom (played by Michael Bryan French) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Stasha Dubrovich → Rebecca Dubrovich (Family Mother And Daughter) — Stasha is part of Rebecca's family support during her legal crisis.

  Rebecca tells her parents, Wes and Stasha, that she would rather go to jail than have her child born into a lie.

• Wes Dubrovich → Rebecca Dubrovich (Family Father And Daughter) — Wes is a concerned father drawn into the danger surrounding Rebecca.

  The plot identifies Wes as Rebecca's father. He receives a threatening call offering him money to get Rebecca out of town.

• Rebecca Dubrovich → Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky (Romantic Partners) — A supportive romance grows through their rehabilitation work.

  Rebecca works as a nurse for Dr. Petrofsky, and they collaborate on ideas to help paralyzed people walk again. They fall in love and marry after Rebec...

• Rebecca Dubrovich → Dick Strang (Romantic Lovers) — A romance that becomes controlling and abusive.

  Rebecca falls in love with Dick and begins a relationship with him after they meet. Their relationship ends and briefly resumes before Dick's abuse dr...

• Dick Strang → Liz (Family Siblings) — Liz acts against her brother's behavior by supporting Rebecca.

  Liz is identified as Dick's sister. She warns Rebecca about him and later helps Rebecca find a new house.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dick Strang → Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky (Narrative Romantic Rival) — Their connection is through their separate romantic relationships with Rebecca.

  Rebecca's relationship with Dick ends before she falls in love with Dr. Petrofsky. The plot presents Petrofsky as a supportive contrast to Dick, not a...

• Dick Strang → Tom (Unknown Alleged Intermediary) — Tom's threatening call concerns Rebecca, but the plot does not confirm a connection to Dick.

  Tom offers Wes money to get Rebecca out of town and warns him of possible harm to her. The plot does not establish who directed Tom, so their connecti...

• Wes Dubrovich → Tom (Conflict Threatened Contact) — Tom pressures Wes with money and a threat against Rebecca.

  Tom calls Wes and offers him $20,000 to get Rebecca out of town, warning that something terrible could happen to her if he refuses.

• Liz → Rebecca Dubrovich (Alliance Protective Supporter) — Liz offers Rebecca warning and practical help.

  Liz warns Rebecca that Dick is a liar and a sadist. After Rebecca leaves him, Liz sets her up in a new house with furniture.

Story Analysis

Rebecca survives an abusive relationship and life-threatening attacks, rebuilds her life through rehabilitation, and finds justice and a new future.

Plot Progression

1. A Love That Changes Course — Rebecca balances nursing and triathlon training while cautiously opening herself to Dick. She moves to Houston for him and becomes the image of his fitness company, until learning that he is married.
2. The Divorce Becomes a Battle — Rebecca reconciles with Dick after Dina files for divorce, but his fixation on winning the case strains their relationship. Liz warns Rebecca, and Dick's defeat is followed by violence and Rebecca's d...
3. A Life Under Threat — Dick sues Rebecca over furniture and pressures her to deny his paternity, while she refuses to compromise her principles. After her miscarriage, threats escalate into a shooting that leaves her paraly...
4. Recovery and Justice — Rebecca works with Dr. Petrofsky on rehabilitation and falls in love with him. Police catch Dick as he tries to flee, and Rebecca wins her case, receives a substantial award, walks again, completes th...