A reformed alcoholic is visited by his young son Jerry; but he doesn't have a son called Jerry.A reformed alcoholic is visited by his young son Jerry; but he doesn't have a son called Jerry.A reformed alcoholic is visited by his young son Jerry; but he doesn't have a son called Jerry.
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- TriviaSince there is no clear explanation as to what Jerry is, fans of Tales from the Darkside have come up with a number of theories for Jerry's meaning. Some of the most popular theories are:
That Jerry is Alan's scapegoat. He is not really there, but he is the personification of Alan blaming his drunken behavior on anything except drinking. He ends up missing work, he ends up at the police and his family leaves him. Alan won't admit he was drinking the entire time and all these things happened because he was drinking, not because of Jerry, who doesn't exist.
That Jerry is a personification of booze, trying to make Alan lose his mind so that he'll start drinking again.
That Alan's whole family, Jerry included, isn't real, and that Alan is dreaming them up while he's drunk.
That Alan's boss who offered him the booze is the mastermind behind the whole scheme, and that he's sent Jerry to bother Alan. This theory came from the scene where Alan drinks and then says "waste not, want not". Jerry also looks like a younger version of Alan's boss.
That Jerry is some sort of monster that feeds on the souls and minds of alcoholics.
That Jerry is an allegory for all the torment Alan caused his family.
That Jerry is Alan's tulpa, or more simply put, his imaginary friend that has come to life and now wants to be part of the family.
That Sharon wants her marriage to Alan to end, so she and Petey teamed up and hired Jerry to drive Alan crazy.
That Alan is hallucinating Jerry.
That Jerry is Alan's conscience come to haunt him.
Laurel Productions has never confirmed that any of these theories are true, or what Jerry is supposed to be.
- SoundtracksTales from the Darkside Theme
Composed by Donald Rubinstein
Written by Erica Lindsay
Co-written by Donald Rubinstein
Featured review
Who Is Jerry?
Alan Coombs is working at the office of a real estate agency with his co-worker Brad that offers a drink to him before leaving, but he refuses. When Brad is leaving the office, Alan's young son Jerry arrives to meet his father and enters the office. However, Alan does not have a son named Jerry and takes him to the police precinct believing he is participating of a prank. When he arrives at home, his wife Sharon, and his teenage son Petey are ready to have dinner, but a police officer calls Sharon and brings Jerry home. Alan asks who the boy is and Sharon and Petey believe he is drinking and hallucinating again. Who is Jerry?
"The New Man" is the second episode of "Tales from the Darkside" with an intriguing storyline. However, the screenplay does not give any clue to the viewer to find who Jerry is. I am not sure if even the writers know. It is only an attempt to use the style of many European movies that give hints to generate discussions among viewers. But in this case, there are not hints and only theories of who Jerry might be. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "The New Man"
"The New Man" is the second episode of "Tales from the Darkside" with an intriguing storyline. However, the screenplay does not give any clue to the viewer to find who Jerry is. I am not sure if even the writers know. It is only an attempt to use the style of many European movies that give hints to generate discussions among viewers. But in this case, there are not hints and only theories of who Jerry might be. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "The New Man"
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- claudio_carvalho
- Mar 9, 2022
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What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of The New Man (1984) in Australia?
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