Robert Rayburn

Robert Shaunathan Wersheed Rayburn is a main character in the first season of Bloodline.

History[]

The son of an alcoholic father, Robert went through a lot of abuse in his early life, prompting him to join the Navy. After his service in the Navy, Robert retired and created The Rayburn House, a family business that was fairly successful. He was married to Sally Rayburn and had 5 children; Danny, John, Kevin, Sarah, and Meg.

Biography[]

Danny returns home to Islamorada, Florida, for the 45th anniversary of his parents' Robert and Sally Rayburn's seaside hotel, The Rayburn House – a pier will be dedicated in their honor to mark the occasion. Danny is the black sheep of the family, with a poor reputation among them, including his three younger siblings: John, Kevin, and Meg. Danny wants to make his return permanent as he wishes to stay to help his parents at their inn. Robert is reluctant to let Danny stay, but leaves it up to the three siblings to decide Danny's fate.

The siblings decide against Danny staying as they conclude that he will only break their mother's heart in the end. John breaks the news to Danny, but lies to him by telling him it was their father who wanted him gone, rather than the siblings. Danny confronts his father, who tells him that he doesn't want him to stay either and offers him money to leave. Ultimately Danny does not leave, although he gets a ride to the bus stop from John. Danny's confrontation with his father inadvertently causes Robert to have mini-strokes, eventually resulting in his death.

The Rayburns' past is full of dark secrets that are revealed throughout the season. Danny's dysfunctional relationship with his family primarily stems from the untimely death of his younger sister, Sarah, when he was a teenager. Danny took Sarah out on a boat. Her seahorse necklace fell into the water, and when she attempted to retrieve it, she drowned. Robert lost control and beat Danny over her death. Sally covered up this abuse by having John, Kevin, and Meg lie to the police about their brother's injuries.

It is revealed that Danny had a son and the only one of the Rayburn family who knew about it was Robert. Through flashbacks of Nolan, Danny's son, the Rayburns learn more about Danny's past, including him asking Robert to borrow some money for his restaurant. Robert made him choose between that or his continuing to send money to Eve for Nolan's support. Danny chose for his son.

TBA