Every family operates on an unspoken set of rules. In some families, the rule is “We do not discuss money.” In others, it is “The eldest sacrifices for the youngest.” Your job is to have a character break the contract. The moment someone says, “We need to talk about Dad’s will,” or “I’m not coming to Christmas this year,” the contract is shattered. The drama is the fallout.

The central thesis of modern prestige drama: What is done to the parent, the parent will do to the child, unless the child does the impossible work of breaking the cycle.