Character Relationship Map: The Babysitter

Characters

• Liz Benedict (played by Patty Duke) — protagonist

  Jeff's wife and Tara's mother who secretly hires Joanna. Her stress and Joanna's manipulation lead to a drinking problem, and she becomes a victim of Joanna's schemes, eventually found sedated in bed.

• Dr. Jeff Benedict (played by William Shatner) — supporting

  Liz's husband and the family patriarch. He initially resists Joanna's advances but eventually yields to her seduction. After firing her, he is knocked unconscious but later regains consciousness to di...

• Tara Benedict (played by Quinn Cummings) — supporting

  The 12-year-old daughter of the Benedict family. She is initially helped by Joanna but later witnesses her negligence and malice. She survives the attack and witnesses Joanna's arrest.

• Scotty (played by David Wallace) — supporting

  The grandson of Dr. Lindquist. He dies during a sailing trip with Joanna after being struck by the jib boom and left floating in the water while Joanna ignores his pleas for help.

• Joanna Redwine (played by Stephanie Zimbalist) — supporting

  An 18-year-old live-in nanny with a dark past. She manipulates the family, causes the neighbor boy's death, seduces Jeff, and violently attacks the household before being stopped by the police.

• Mrs. Welford (played by Virginia Kiser) — supporting

  A former foster mother of Joanna. She provides Doc with a warning and reveals a dark secret about Joanna killing a baby under her care.

• Dr. Lindquist (played by John Houseman) — supporting

  The Benedict family's observant neighbor who suspects Joanna's true nature. He conducts a secret investigation, uncovers her criminal past, and ultimately assists the police in stopping her violent ra...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mrs. Welford → Joanna Redwine (Family Former Foster Mother) — Welford is part of Joanna's troubled foster-care past and warns Lindquist about her.

  Mrs. Welford acknowledges that she fostered Joanna some years earlier.

• Dr. Lindquist → Scotty (Family Grandfather) — Lindquist's concern about Joanna intensifies after Scotty dies during the sailing trip.

  The plot identifies Scotty as Dr. Lindquist's grandson.

• Joanna Redwine → Dr. Jeff Benedict (Romantic Seductress) — Joanna uses sexual manipulation to destabilize the household and gain influence over Jeff.

  Joanna waits for Jeff in the master bedroom and attempts to seduce him; later, Jeff yields to her seduction.

• Joanna Redwine → Tara Benedict (Professional Live-In Nanny) — Joanna begins as Tara's caregiver but later neglects and endangers her.

  Joanna is hired as a live-in nanny and initially weans Tara off television and takes her outdoors.

• Liz Benedict → Joanna Redwine (Professional Employer) — Liz employs Joanna for childcare and housekeeping, creating the central access point into the family home.

  Liz meets Joanna and hires her as a live-in nanny without consulting Jeff.

• Dr. Jeff Benedict → Tara Benedict (Family Father) — Jeff is Tara's father and later protects her during Joanna's attack.

  The plot states that Liz and Jeff have a 12-year-old daughter named Tara.

• Liz Benedict → Tara Benedict (Family Mother) — Liz is Tara's mother and is responsible for arranging childcare for her.

  The plot states that Liz and Jeff have a 12-year-old daughter named Tara.

• Liz Benedict → Dr. Jeff Benedict (Family Wife) — They are married partners whose relationship becomes strained by suspicion, alcohol, and Joanna's manipulation.

  The plot identifies Liz as Jeff's wife, and they have relocated together from Chicago to Seattle.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dr. Lindquist → Liz Benedict (Social Warning Witness) — Lindquist tries to warn Liz, although she interprets his investigation as malicious gossip.

  Lindquist meets with Liz and Jeff to discuss the information he found about Joanna, but Liz rejects his account.

• Joanna Redwine → Scotty (Conflict Killer) — Joanna causes Scotty's death and refuses to help him.

  During a sailing trip, Joanna releases the jib boom into Scotty's head and silently sails away while he floats in the water.

• Joanna Redwine → Dr. Lindquist (Conflict Suspect) — Joanna becomes the focus of Lindquist's growing suspicion and investigation.

  Dr. Lindquist watches Joanna warily, investigates her background, and develops a bad gut feeling about her.

Story Analysis

A suspicious nanny infiltrates a stressed family, manipulates its members, and is exposed through escalating violence and investigation.

Plot Progression

1. A New Nanny Arrives — The Benedict family settles in Seattle, and Liz hires Joanna as a live-in nanny without consulting Jeff. Joanna initially appears helpful by changing Tara's routine and taking her outdoors.
2. Suspicion Behind Polite Smiles — Lindquist notices troubling behavior and hears contradictory stories about Joanna's past. His concerns begin a private investigation into her foster-care history.
3. Manipulation Takes Root — Joanna encourages Liz to drink and exploits tension between Liz and Jeff. She also attempts to seduce Jeff and recasts the encounter to deepen Liz's mistrust.
4. Death on the Water — Mrs. Welford connects Joanna to a disturbing childhood secret, but Liz rejects the warning. Joanna then neglects the household and causes Scotty's fatal sailing accident.
5. The Household Under Siege — Jeff finally yields to Joanna before firing her after a series of disturbing provocations. Lindquist discovers bodies, and Joanna attacks the Benedict household before Jeff and the arriving authoritie...