subplot

46 Moby Thesaurus words for "subplot":
      action, anagnorisis, angle, architectonics, architecture, argument,
      atmosphere, background, catastrophe, characterization, color,
      complication, continuity, contrivance, denouement, design,
      development, device, episode, fable, falling action, gimmick,
      incident, line, local color, mood, motif, movement, mythos,
      peripeteia, plan, plot, recognition, rising action, scheme,
      secondary plot, slant, story, structure, subject, switch,
      thematic development, theme, tone, topic, twist