Ordinary People

The Jarrett family is suddenly rocked when their older son Buck is killed in a sailing accident. The tragedy shatters their sense of normalcy and casts a long shadow over Conrad. The event sets the emotional stakes for the rest of the story as the family tries to cope with the loss.

Conrad returns to the family home after spending four months in a psychiatric hospital. He feels alienated from friends and family as he tries to rejoin normal life. He begins seeing Dr. Tyrone Berger for help, and Berger discovers that Conrad was involved in Buck's death. The revelation deepens Conrad's PTSD and sense of guilt.

Conrad starts regular sessions with Dr. Berger to learn how to manage his emotions rather than suppress them. Berger's assessment reveals Con­r ad was involved in Buck's death, bringing the past into his present. Through therapy, Conrad begins to confront his guilt and start to accept his feelings.

Calvin makes earnest attempts to reach out to Conrad and bridge the distance in the family. Beth, however, denies the depth of their loss and tries to maintain a veneer of perfection. The emotional gap widens as one parent seeks closeness and the other avoids vulnerability.

Conrad begins dating Jeannine, a fellow student, seeking normalcy and companionship. Jeannine offers him support and a path toward optimism. The relationship helps him regain trust in others and in himself.

As Christmas approaches, Conrad becomes furious at Beth for not wanting to take a photo with him, and he swears at her in front of his grandparents. The family atmosphere grows tense and fragile under the holiday spotlight. Calvin tries to mediate, but the conflict exposes deeper undercurrents of blame and resentment.

Beth confronts Conrad after discovering he has been lying about where he goes after school. She questions why he avoided her and reveals she never visited him in the hospital. Conrad counters that Beth's past absence has shaped his mistrust and anger.

Beth and Calvin take a trip to Houston to see Beth's brother Ward, with Calvin pressing her about her evasive attitude. The journey exposes the strain in their marriage and Beth's resistance to facing the family’s pain. The visit underscores the distance growing between Beth and her family.

Conrad learns that Karen, a friend from the psychiatric hospital, has taken her own life, jolting him and reminding him of the fragility of recovery. The tragedy intensifies his guilt and fear that he is responsible for others' pain. He must confront renewed grief amid his ongoing therapy.

In the middle of the night, Conrad experiences a breakthrough session with Dr. Berger. He stops blaming himself for Buck's death and begins to accept his mother's frailties. The session marks a turning point in his emotional processing and sense of self.

Beth remains emotionally distant as Conrad seeks affection, prompting Calvin to confront her about whether she can truly love anyone. The exchange underscores the family's unresolved grief and questions the strength of their bonds. It is a pivotal moment that tests parental love and loyalty.

Stunned by the confrontation, Beth packs her bags and leaves for Houston. Calvin and Conrad are left to face the new family reality without her immediate presence. The departure signals a major shift in their domestic life and resilience.

With Beth gone, Calvin and Conrad come to terms with their new family situation. They affirm their father-son bond and decide to navigate the uncertain future together. The ending emphasizes renewed connection and a cautious hope for repair.