Tales from the Darkside: “The New Man” (S1E01)
Following its Halloween pilot, Tales from the Darkside officially launched its series run with “The New Man,” a chilling, psychological tale of confusion, family, and altered reality. Compared to the campy, moralistic tone of the pilot, this episode dives into darker, more unsettling territory. It’s less about ghosts and goblins, and more about the horror of losing control over your own life—and mind. Let’s break down what makes this episode so uniquely disturbing, where it succeeds, and where it falters.
Plot Summary
“The New Man” follows Alan Coombs, a recovering alcoholic who is trying to put his life back together. He’s got a steady job, a nice house in the suburbs, and he’s mending his relationship with his wife and son. Things seem to be going well—until a young boy named Jerry shows up and calls him “Dad.”
Alan is understandably confused. He has no memory of this child and insists to everyone, including his wife and coworkers, that Jerry is not his son. But the boy knows things only a family member could know. His wife behaves as if Jerry has always been their child. Alan’s reality starts to unravel. The more he denies the existence of Jerry, the more everyone around him looks at him with suspicion and concern. Is this all part of an elaborate gaslighting scheme? A supernatural occurrence? Or is Alan’s grip on reality simply slipping?
By the end of the episode, Alan is completely undone. His breakdown leads to him being taken away—presumably institutionalised—and the last image we see is Jerry happily joining the Coombs family for dinner, as if he had always been there. It’s a chilling twist that leaves viewers questioning the very nature of reality.
What Works
Psychological Horror Over Jump Scares
Unlike the pilot episode, which leaned heavily on Halloween aesthetics and spooky fun, “The New Man” goes straight for psychological tension. The horror here is quiet, creeping, and deeply personal. It’s the fear of being replaced, of not being believed, and of being trapped in a reality that no longer aligns with your own memory or identity. This kind of slow-burn dread is timeless, and the episode handles it well.
A Strong Performance by Vic Tayback
Vic Tayback, known for his role on Alice, brings emotional weight and believability to the character of Alan Coombs. He plays the unravelling man with a mix of anger, fear, and desperation that feels grounded and relatable. His performance is key to making the viewer sympathise with Alan’s plight, even as the evidence mounts against him.
Themes of Addiction and Redemption
There’s an underlying layer to the story that ties into Alan’s past as an alcoholic. It’s easy for the characters around him to doubt his perceptions and memories, especially when he starts behaving erratically. This creates a sense of isolation that mirrors what recovering addicts often feel. The episode smartly uses this backstory to add ambiguity—maybe Alan really is slipping back into delusion, or maybe he’s the only one seeing the truth.
A Chilling Ending
The final moments of the episode are particularly effective. Seeing Jerry fully accepted into the family, with Alan erased from the picture, leaves a pit in your stomach. It’s ambiguous, eerie, and stays with you long after the credits roll. There’s no need for a monster under the bed—this episode shows that the real terror might be the erasure of self.
What Doesn’t Work
Underdeveloped Supporting Characters
While Alan is well fleshed-out, the supporting cast—especially his wife and coworkers—feel a bit flat. They seem to accept Jerry’s existence with minimal questioning, which strains believability. A bit more hesitation or emotional conflict from them could have added to the suspense and made Alan’s descent more tragic and less abrupt.
A Slightly Rushed Conclusion
The episode’s climax comes quickly and doesn’t leave much room for reflection. Alan is institutionalised almost immediately after his final outburst, and we don’t get to see much fallout or emotional resolution. A bit more time in the final act could have elevated the episode from creepy to truly haunting.
Lack of Explanation
Of course, part of the horror is not knowing whether the events are supernatural, psychological, or metaphorical—but the episode might leave too many questions unanswered. Who is Jerry really? Is he a manifestation of Alan’s guilt, a supernatural replacement, or something else entirely? While ambiguity is often powerful, some viewers might find the lack of explanation frustrating rather than mysterious.
Final Thoughts: A Strong, Subtle Start
“The New Man” is a bold and thoughtful choice for the first official episode of Tales from the Darkside. It shifts the tone away from Halloween gimmickry and into darker, more psychological territory. While it has some narrative flaws and could benefit from more fully developed side characters, the central premise is compelling and executed with eerie precision.
Who Would Enjoy This Episode?
- Fans of psychological thrillers – If you enjoy tales of identity, reality distortion, and gaslighting, this one is for you.
- Viewers who like ambiguous horror – There’s no clear monster here, just a creeping sense that something is terribly wrong.
- People interested in character-driven stories – Alan’s descent is the heart of the episode.
Who Might Not Enjoy It?
- Viewers who need clear answers – The episode leaves much unresolved.
- Fans of fast-paced horror – The slow burn might feel uneventful to those looking for immediate thrills.
- Anyone uncomfortable with mental health themes – Alan’s breakdown is portrayed in a raw and unsettling way.
Final Verdict: A Quietly Chilling Descent into Doubt
“The New Man” might not have the theatrical flair of other horror anthologies, but it more than makes up for it with psychological depth and emotional resonance. It taps into a primal fear—the fear that the world no longer recognises you, and maybe never did. For fans of quiet, cerebral horror, this is a standout early episode that shows the true potential of Tales from the Darkside.
