Family members rarely say exactly what they mean. Use "loaded" everyday phrases. Instead of "I hate you," use "You’re acting exactly like your father."
Every dysfunctional system needs a peacekeeper—the child who smooths things over, changes the subject, and absorbs emotional fallout. The Provocateur (often an addict, a liar, or an unrepentant truth-teller) destabilizes the fragile peace. The storyline arcs when the Mediator finally refuses to mediate, or when the Provocateur’s chaos reveals that the "peace" was always a lie.
The plot is driven by who the characters are—their secrets, flaws, and history—rather than external events.