Character Relationships in The Explosive Generation
Peter Gifford (played by William Shatner) is a protagonist in The Explosive Generation.
High school teacher advocating for student independent thinking. He faces intense backlash from parents over a classroom discussion on teen relationships but remains silent to protect involved students during a school-wide silent protest. Janet Sommers (played by Patty McCormack) appears in The Explosive Generation.
Female student who pushes to have open classroom discussions about the physical and emotional issues associated with teenage relationships and sex, sparking the central conflict. Dan Carlyle (played by Lee Kinsolving) appears in The Explosive Generation.
Stephen (played by Beau Bridges) appears in The Explosive Generation.
Mr. Morton (played by Edward Platt) appears in The Explosive Generation.
Parent or school figure who misinterprets the classroom discussion and demands sanctions against the teacher. Mrs. Katie Sommers (played by Virginia Field) appears in The Explosive Generation.
Parent who lacks factual information, jumps to ill-informed conclusions about the classroom discussion, and demands sanctions against the teacher. Mrs. Ryker (played by Jocelyn Brando) appears in The Explosive Generation.
Parent who demands sanctions against the teacher after jumping to ill-informed conclusions about the classroom discussion. Charlene (played by Judee Morton) appears in The Explosive Generation.
Character Relationship Map: The Explosive Generation
The Explosive Generation (1961) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Peter Gifford
(played by William Shatner) — protagonist
High school teacher advocating for student independent thinking. He faces intense backlash from parents over a classroom discussion on teen relationships but remains silent to protect involved student...
Janet Sommers
(played by Patty McCormack) — supporting
Female student who pushes to have open classroom discussions about the physical and emotional issues associated with teenage relationships and sex, sparking the central conflict.
Dan Carlyle
(played by Lee Kinsolving) — supporting
Stephen
(played by Beau Bridges) — supporting
Mr. Morton
(played by Edward Platt) — supporting
Parent or school figure who misinterprets the classroom discussion and demands sanctions against the teacher.
Mrs. Katie Sommers
(played by Virginia Field) — supporting
Parent who lacks factual information, jumps to ill-informed conclusions about the classroom discussion, and demands sanctions against the teacher.
Mrs. Ryker
(played by Jocelyn Brando) — supporting
Parent who demands sanctions against the teacher after jumping to ill-informed conclusions about the classroom discussion.
Charlene
(played by Judee Morton) — supporting
Bobby Herman Sr.
(played by Stephen Dunne) — supporting
Parent who demands sanctions against the teacher due to a lack of factual information regarding the classroom discussion.
Mr. Carlyle
(played by Phillip Terry) — supporting
Mr. George Sommers
(played by Arch Johnson) — supporting
Parent who jumps to ill-informed conclusions about the classroom discussion and demands sanctions against the teacher.
Fred - Dean of Boys
(played by Peter Virgo) — minor
Science Teacher
(played by C. Lindsay Workman) — minor
Police Captain
(played by Stafford Repp) — minor
(uncredited extra)
(played by David Geffen) — minor
Terry
(played by Jan Norris) — minor
Marge Ryker
(played by Suzi Carnell) — minor
Mark
(played by Bruce Kerner) — minor
George
(played by Peter Virgo Jr.) — minor
Story Analysis
A teacher's commitment to open dialogue clashes with parental overreaction, culminating in a student-led protest that reveals the truth.
