Clashing husband-and-wife inventors of a new process to design life-saving drugs need to settle their differences in time to fight off a global corporation using espionage tactics to bury an invention that will save millions of lives.

It’s a suspense thriller in a similar vein to Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious. So, the relationship plot is what makes the journey worthwhile and the action plot provides the framework to dramatize the relationship. Plus, trying to keep it relevant to the times by addressing a hot topic – greedy global corporations and why we like them just the way they are – despite all the criticism and condemnation.

Thanks. I take your point. I say, clashing but they are actually scheming against each other – within the confines of office and home -which racks up the suspense. I only used ‘clashing’ to establish conflict without racking up the word count with additional detail.

The scheming – which involves deception and betrayal – allows the relationship plot elements to blend into the action plot – more deception and betrayal in the shape of espionage warfare waged between the husband and wife’s small start-up firm and the global corporation.

Made slight revisions to the previous post. But, yes, they are scheming against each other and have hired a corporate security agency to engage the corporation. So, yes, there’s a whole lotta deception and double-crossing going on. And I’m trying to think of post-70s spy thrillers that are driven purely by suspense and can’t seem to think of any. I’m a huge fan of Hitchcock and 70s thrillers like The Manchurian Candidate, Three Days of the Condor and The Parallax View.

Talking about double protagonists. dpg, are you familiar with Notorious? Are Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant double protagonists in Notorious?

Hi Jean,

I really do appreciate your analysis but I?m just not sure you can generate this degree of analysis on the basis of the logline alone.

Also, I?m not sure that you?re taking into account recent changes in the logline.
Two people are having differences and they need to resolve them quickly before they can effectively battle a third party who is taking advantage of their conflict to push his own agenda ? burying the process. So the dramatic questions arising from the logline – for me – are – do they resolve their differences in time to confront the corporation and what is the final outcome?

Talking about antagonists and protagonists. Each plot line has its own antagonists and protagonists. The husband and wife conflict is the relationship plot which has its own protagonist and antagonist. The action plot also has a protagonist and antagonist. In fact, there?s more than one antagonist in the action plot.

Plus, parties in support of the protagonist later emerge to be antagonists. It?s not over-complicated ? it?s the nature of the spy genre which is all about deception and betrayal. There?s always plenty of switching sides and double-crossing.

Having said all that, I do find your 3 possible outcomes fascinating. I think number 2 comes closest but it?s too straight-forward. The story actually has a double-twist ending and involves the idea of ?Character is Fate in the denouement.

Talking about Notorious, I referred to that film in the context of my project being a suspense thriller like Notorious. And, the fact that Notorious has a strong relationship plot and my project cultivates the same purpose. I?m not trying to copy or borrow from any of those films. They are a source of inspiration.

I agree with both of you – Jean and dpg – that the husband and wife cannot reach their objective goal until they resolve their differences. And, I believe that?s pretty clear in the logline.

Just a thought: Have you guys seen Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy? And could any logline do justice to the plot convolutions and relationships?

Here’s my go: In late 60s Britain, a retired spymaster returns to action to hunt for a mole at the top of the secret service.

Hi dpg, just read Karl Segers article about double protagonists. It can be tricky. Let’s just say if we can’t be good we can be lucky and end up making the right moves by intuition without understanding.

Raise a glass, guys. Just read all 40 posts – again – and the last few seem to be out of order which I think kind of spoils it for anyone who feels curious to come check us out. A prayer to our blessed Moderator?