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
A very odd and unusual tale with several different possibilities.
Alan Coombs (Vic Tayback) is a recovering alcoholic at work at a real estate agency. One day a young boy named Jerry (Chris Hebert) shows up at Alan's work claiming to be his son. Alan has no idea who Jerry is even tho his wife and son at home seem to and believe Alan is starting to descend back into his old alcoholic ways, is he or is Alan slowly losing his mind. First of all there's literally a thousand different ways this episode could go. I've heard different ideas from other reviewers, but, my main issue is that the episode really never gives the audience any clarification of what or how this is happening to this man. I mean I guess its one of those "Create your own story" deals, but, it really doesn't give a lot and leaves the viewer mostly confused more then anything. Its overall not a bad show, but, its a real head scratchier.
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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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