Maverick (Tom Cruise)’s Timeline and Summary
- Maverick (along with Goose) encounters a few MiG-28's, and chases them away. Cougar gets in trouble, Maverick disobeys orders and goes back to save him, and then Maverick gets in trouble. He still gets to go to Top Gun.
- After arriving at Top Gun, Maverick starts a rivalry with Iceman, defeats Jester during the first exercise, but then gets in trouble again (for going below the hard deck and for doing a flyby).
- Eventually Maverick buckles down and starts to follow the rules—for the most part.
- Things start to heat up between Maverick and Iceman (especially on the volleyball court), and between Maverick and Charlie. They have their first date, and Maverick opens up about his father.
- Maverick and Charlie consummate their relationship after Charlie admits she's fallen for Maverick.
- Maverick gets better and better, but then makes the big mistake of leaving his wingman (Wolfman) during hop 19 to try to go after Viper. Jester gets him in missile lock.
- Maverick feels really crummy about his mistake
- Maverick's crummy feelings only get worse after the training accident during hop 31 in which Goose dies. He takes responsibility, even though the Navy exonerates him.
- That's when Maverick starts to lose his edge, and eventually he quits Top Gun, without saying goodbye to Charlie no less.
- After a visit with Viper, Maverick learns the truth about his father. He also learns that he can graduate if he wants as he's acquired enough points.
- Maverick shows up for graduation, and during the celebration is given orders to depart (along with Iceman, Slider, Hollywood, and Wolfman). A situation is developing in the Indian Ocean.
- Maverick is on standby, and is eventually launched to go help Iceman against a large number of MiGs. Maverick appears to be on a different planet, but he quickly regains focus and helps Iceman by shooting down 3 MiGs.
- Maverick is congratulated, and Iceman finally accepts him. Maverick throws Goose's dog tags into the ocean as a final farewell.
- In a bar in California, somebody turns on "You've Lost that Lovin Feeling." Maverick goes to investigate, and it's Charlie. They reunite as the movie ends.