2011
Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker heroically crash-lands a failing plane while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, saving most passengers but sustaining severe injuries. As the NTSB investigates and his toxicology report reveals his impairment, Whip's legal team attempts to protect him from criminal charges, even as his addiction escalates and he alienates a fellow addict, Nicole. At the NTSB hearing, Whip ultimately confesses his alcoholism and drug use, accepting responsibility rather than blaming a deceased flight attendant. Years later, Whip, now sober, leads an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in prison and is visited by his proud son, Will.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Whip Whitaker, a brilliant but alcoholic pilot, survives a catastrophic inâflight failure and crash-lands his plane, becoming a reluctant hero.
Open full beat sheetWhip Whitaker is listed as Protagonist / Airline Pilot. A 40-something airline pilot struggling with severe alcoholism and drug addiction. In the parsed data, Whip Whitaker is connected to 55 scenes, 54 dialogue lines, 54 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
55 scenes / 54 dialogue linesNicole Maggen is listed as Supporting Character. A beautiful, tired woman struggling with heroin addiction. In the parsed data, Nicole Maggen is connected to 20 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
20 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCharlie Anderson is listed as Union Representative. A former military pilot and regional representative for the pilots' union. In the parsed data, Charlie Anderson is connected to 11 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
11 scenes / 7 dialogue linesHugh Lang is listed as Attorney. A Chicago-based attorney specializing in criminal negligence. In the parsed data, Hugh Lang is connected to 10 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
10 scenes / 9 dialogue linesKen Evans is listed as First Officer. A clean-cut, young, religious first officer. In the parsed data, Ken Evans is connected to 9 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
9 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMargaret Thomason is listed as Flight Attendant. A mature flight attendant. In the parsed data, Margaret Thomason is connected to 7 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
7 scenes / 4 dialogue linesHarling Mays is listed as Supporting Character. Whip's drug dealer and friend. In the parsed data, Harling Mays is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesEllen Block is listed as NTSB Hearing Officer. The head of the NTSB investigation. In the parsed data, Ellen Block is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 20.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTrina Marquez is listed as Flight Attendant. A flight attendant who has a romantic encounter with Whip. In the parsed data, Trina Marquez is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWill Whitaker is listed as Whip's Son. Whip's 16-year-old son. In the parsed data, Will Whitaker is connected to 2 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
2 scenes / 8 dialogue linesAvington Carr is listed as Airline Owner. The wealthy, righteous owner of the airline. In the parsed data, Avington Carr is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDeana Coleman is listed as Whip's Ex-Wife. Whip's ex-wife. In the parsed data, Deana Coleman is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 56.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesNicole Maggen prepares to leave her motel room, struggling with addiction and financial stress.
Nicole MaggenNicole loads her car and makes a phone call to arrange a drug purchase.
Nicole MaggenWhip Whitaker wakes up in a hotel room with Trina, consumes alcohol and drugs, and argues with his ex-wife on the phone.
Whip Whitaker, Trina MarquezWhip performs a pre-flight walk-around of the plane while hungover.
Whip WhitakerWhip interacts with the flight attendants before the flight.
Whip Whitaker, Trina Marquez, Margaret ThomasonWhip and Ken Evans prepare for takeoff.
Whip Whitaker, Ken Evans, Margaret ThomasonNicole visits a porn set to buy drugs from Kip.
Nicole MaggenThe flight encounters severe turbulence and weather issues.
Whip Whitaker, Ken EvansWhip and Evans struggle to control the plane during severe turbulence and a mechanical failure.
Whip Whitaker, Ken EvansThe plane breaks through the clouds and the passengers cheer.
Whip and Evans discuss the flight and Whip prepares to leave the cockpit.
Whip Whitaker, Ken Evans, Margaret ThomasonNicole confronts her landlord Fran.
Nicole MaggenWhip spikes his orange juice with vodka.
Whip Whitaker, Trina MarquezNicole overdoses on heroin.
Nicole MaggenThe plane suffers a catastrophic mechanical failure.
Whip Whitaker, Ken Evans, Margaret ThomasonWhip decides to perform a barrel roll to stabilize the plane.
Whip Whitaker, Ken Evans, Margaret ThomasonThe plane flies inverted over the city.
Nicole MaggenThe plane loses engine power and prepares for an emergency landing.
Whip Whitaker, Ken EvansWhip and Evans struggle to control the failing plane as it descends toward a church.
Whip Whitaker, Ken EvansWhip wakes up in the hospital and is visited by Charlie Anderson and NTSB officials.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie Anderson, Ellen BlockHarling Mays visits Whip in the hospital.
Whip Whitaker, Harling MaysWhip meets Nicole while sneaking out to smoke.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip and Nicole encounter a dying man in the hospital stairwell who discusses God, death, and addiction.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip is discharged from the hospital and picked up by Harling Mays amidst a media frenzy.
Whip Whitaker, Harling MaysHarling and Whip discuss where Whip will stay; Whip decides to go to his father's farm.
Whip Whitaker, Harling MaysWhip arrives at his father's farm and systematically destroys all his alcohol and drugs.
Whip WhitakerWhip meets with Charlie and attorney Hugh Lang to discuss the NTSB investigation and a damaging toxicology report.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie AndersonWhip watches news coverage of the crash while ordering a drink at the bar.
Whip WhitakerWhip drinks at a bar while watching news coverage of the plane crash.
Whip WhitakerReporters interview passengers and neighbors about the crash.
Reporter Kent Johnson provides an update on the investigation.
Whip buys alcohol and drives to Nicole's apartment.
Whip WhitakerWhip arrives at Nicole's apartment and intervenes in an argument.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip rescues Nicole from her landlord and pays him off.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip and Nicole drive away together.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenNicole comforts Whip at his home.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenHugh Lang arrives to take Whip to the crash site.
Whip Whitaker, Hugh LangHugh shows Whip the crash site and discusses the legal strategy.
Whip Whitaker, Hugh Lang, Ellen BlockA meeting with Avington Carr and union representatives regarding the crash.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie Anderson, Hugh Lang, Avington CarrWhip leaves the meeting.
Whip Whitaker, Hugh Lang, Avington CarrWhip watches home movies while drinking heavily.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip wakes up with a hangover and sees Nicole outside.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip drinks water in the kitchen.
Whip WhitakerWhip and Nicole discuss their pasts and addiction.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip attends Trina's funeral and confronts Margaret.
Whip Whitaker, Margaret ThomasonWhip and Nicole meet; Nicole gives him a lighter.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip attends an AA meeting but leaves abruptly.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip sees Ken Evans on the news.
Whip WhitakerWhip visits Ken Evans and they pray together.
Whip Whitaker, Ken EvansWhip shows Nicole his restored plane and they argue.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenWhip pleads with Nicole to go to Jamaica.
Whip Whitaker, Nicole MaggenNicole leaves a note and departs.
Nicole MaggenWhip wakes up, finds Nicole's note, and trashes the room in a fit of rage.
Whip WhitakerWhip arrives at the NTSB hangar to meet Charlie and Hugh.
Whip WhitakerWhip meets Charlie and Hugh to discuss the upcoming NTSB hearing.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie Anderson, Hugh LangWhip visits his ex-wife and son, leading to a confrontation.
Whip Whitaker, Deana Coleman, Will WhitakerCharlie confronts Whip about his behavior at the ex-wife's house.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie AndersonWhip checks into the hotel before the hearing, struggling with sobriety.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie Anderson, Hugh LangCharlie and Hugh find Whip's room empty and discover he has been drinking in the adjoining room.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie Anderson, Hugh LangCharlie and Hugh discover Whip in a state of collapse in the bathroom.
Charlie Anderson, Hugh Lang, Whip Whitaker, char_13Harling Mays arrives to provide cocaine to revive Whip for the hearing.
Whip Whitaker, Charlie Anderson, Hugh Lang, Harling MaysWhip testifies at the NTSB hearing, eventually confessing to his alcoholism.
Whip Whitaker, Ellen Block, Charlie Anderson, Hugh LangWhip leads an AA meeting in prison, reflecting on his past, his sobriety, and his acceptance of his sentence.
Whip WhitakerWhip is in his cell looking at photos when a guard informs him he has a visitor.
Whip WhitakerWhip meets his son Will for an interview for Will's college essay.
Whip Whitaker, Will WhitakerNO! NO! NO! You decided he needed private school...lemme talk to Knuckles. He's not? Tell'em the phone works both ways. Oh he's my son because you need a tuition check...that's great Deana. I'm glad you tracked me down in Orlando at 7 in the fucking morning to shake me down for money. Does he even like the fucking school? No I've never seen it. Yeah I wonder why not too. I gotta 9 o'clock flight, sit tight 'till I get back to Atlanta. How am I a liar? What? No, I'll call you.
But these hearings can be tough. You just need to stay sharp and on course and answer the questions correctly. It's no longer a question of your condition but the condition of the plane.
It's Nic, do you have any? Good morning to you too. You're what? Well, where are you guys shooting today? Where? Text me the address. You have some...Okay.
How you feelin' Whip? Initial reports look like you pulled some move up there, kid. You saved a lot of lives.
Captain Whitaker, that sky gonna hold? You're not gonna make me spend another night in Orlando?
That was my ex-wife. But you Trina, you could be my second or third wife if you'd just C'mere.
Sweetie, will you get me a coffee, black, lots of sugar. And some aspirin. You want something?
I've been up since the crack 'a dawn. What check? Tuition? How much does it cost to go there?
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