Character Relationship Map: Reunion

Characters

• Don Hollander (played by Kevin Dobson) — protagonist

  A married, unemployed former space engineer and high school basketball star, Don is the story's central character. He travels to his twentieth reunion, reconnects with former sweetheart Peggy, and bec...

• Peggy Sager (played by Joanna Cassidy) — supporting

  A divorced mother and Don's former high school sweetheart, Peggy is excited when he contacts her before their reunion. She sleeps with Don, but later witnesses him kiss her daughter Anne and confronts...

• Anne Samoorian (played by Linda Hamilton) — supporting

  Peggy's 17-year-old daughter and a high school cheerleader, Anne is dating basketball star Steve when she develops a crush on Don. She spends time with Don, distances herself from Steve, and visits Do...

• Vincent Scozzola (played by George DiCenzo) — supporting

  One of Don's former high school basketball teammates, Vincent shares the glory of their 1959 team with Don and their old friends. At the reunion, he joins the other men in trying to relive their high...

• Walker Hanson (played by Rick Lenz) — supporting

  A former teammate and friend of Don, Walker joins the old basketball players as they try to relive their high school glory and compete against today's team. He is closeted, and Don's conservative opin...

• Bob Hollander (played by Lew Ayres) — supporting

  Bob is Don's father. Anne accompanies Don when he goes to meet him, placing Bob in a scene that brings Don's daughter-crush into proximity with his family relationships. The plot summary provides no f...

• Steve Cowan (played by Nick Cassavetes) — supporting

  A star player on the high school basketball team, Steve is Anne's boyfriend. Anne distances herself from him as she spends more time with Don, and rumors about her lead Don to become distraught and pl...

• John Wiepert (played by George Wyner) — supporting

  A former high school basketball player, John becomes the fifth member of Don's reunion-era team. Don finds him and brings him into the effort to compete against the current high school players, helpin...

• Evelyn Hollander (played by Melendy Britt) — minor

  Don's wife and the mother of their two teenage children, Evelyn argues with him over how to respond to their rebellious children, including their sexual activity and drug use. She encourages Don to at...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Don Hollander → Bob Hollander (Family Father) — Bob connects Don's present identity with his family and past.

  Don meets with his father Bob, and Anne accompanies him to that meeting.

• Anne Samoorian → Steve Cowan (Romantic Teenage Couple) — Their relationship is destabilized by Anne's attraction to Don.

  Anne is in a relationship with Steve, the basketball team's star player, though she distances herself from him to spend time with Don.

• Don Hollander → Anne Samoorian (Romantic Object Of Attraction) — Their inappropriate attraction exposes Don's need for youthful validation.

  Don becomes attracted to Anne, Anne develops a crush on him, and they kiss publicly after the basketball game.

• Peggy Sager → Anne Samoorian (Family Mother) — Peggy's concern for Anne becomes central to the final confrontation.

  Peggy is identified as Anne's mother, and she worries about Anne's whereabouts and presumed sexual activity.

• Don Hollander → Peggy Sager (Romantic High School Sweethearts) — Their reunion revives an unresolved romantic connection.

  Don immediately contacts Peggy after reading the yearbook because she was his high school sweetheart.

• Don Hollander → Evelyn Hollander (Family Spouse) — They are married but experiencing severe marital strain.

  Don is described as married to Evelyn, and they have two teenage children.

Story Dynamics

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

• Vincent Scozzola → Walker Hanson (Alliance Former Teammates) — Their shared athletic past links them within the reunion group.

  Vincent and Walker are both identified as Don's pals from the 1959 high school basketball team.

• Don Hollander → John Wiepert (Alliance Basketball Teammate) — John completes the team needed for the exhibition game.

  Don finds John Wiepert to serve as the fifth player on his former high school team.

• Don Hollander → Walker Hanson (Alliance Former Teammate) — Their old friendship is tested by Don's conservative opinions.

  Walker was one of Don's high school basketball pals and participates in the reunion basketball effort.

• Don Hollander → Vincent Scozzola (Alliance Former Teammate) — Vincent helps Don recreate their remembered athletic success.

  Vincent shared Don's high school basketball glory and joins the former players in challenging the current team.

• Don Hollander → Steve Cowan (Conflict Basketball Opponents) — Steve becomes the immediate athletic and romantic rival to Don.

  Don plays a rough game against Steve after hearing rumors involving Anne.

Story Analysis

A middle-aged man's return to his hometown exposes his fear of aging, damaged relationships, and dependence on youthful validation.

Plot Progression

1. A Marriage Losing Balance — Don faces unemployment, aging, and repeated arguments with Evelyn about their teenage children. A reunion letter offers an escape from domestic tension and awakens his attachment to the past.
2. The Past Reopens — Don returns to his hometown and reconnects with Peggy, his former sweetheart. Their sexual encounter is quickly complicated when Don becomes attracted to Peggy's daughter Anne.
3. Youth Recreated — Don reunites with former basketball companions and organizes a game against the current high school team. His fixation on youth also damages his friendship with Walker.
4. The Cost Of Desire — Anne approaches Don, while Peggy misreads the consequences of Anne's night away. Don's jealousy and wounded pride erupt during the basketball game.
5. Confrontation And Return — After Don kisses Anne publicly, Peggy confronts him about his immoral behavior. Don admits that Anne boosts his ego, then leaves town for Los Angeles.