“He is a dark horse, our son.”
Why it's great
A proud father calls his quiet son a dark horse, teasing him for keeping a secret.
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Our quiet intern turned out to be a dark horse.
00:00 / 02:39
00:00 / 02:39
Tom and Gerri Discuss Joe's Girlfriend, Explained
Another Year · 2010
Chapter 18 of 25 · 2'39"
Once the guests are gone, Tom and Gerri trade notes on the evening. The news is that Joe has a girlfriend, and Mary cannot hide her discomfort — "He's only known her for five minutes." When Mary finally leaves, the couple settles into their own verdict: "He is a dark horse, our son."
Key moments
Start here, then watch the full scene- 2:13–2:37
Tom and Gerri Call Joe a Dark Horse
24s
Tom and Gerri Discuss Joe's Girlfriend, explained
What happens
After the guests leave, Tom and Gerri clear up and compare notes: Joe has brought home a girlfriend, Katie, and they seem to connect. Mary does not take it well, pointing out that Joe has only known her for five minutes. Once Mary goes, Tom and Gerri share the disappointing news of the day and call their son a dark horse.
What's really going on
The scene is the quiet after the party, when the hosts finally say what they think. The subject is Joe's new girlfriend, and the two reactions tell you everything: Gerri is relaxed, while Mary cannot help measuring the relationship and finding it too fast — 'He's only known her for five minutes.' Mary is the one who does not fit, and her unease at Joe's happiness is the scene's quiet point. Once she has gone, Tom and Gerri can be affectionate again, and the teasing line, 'He is a dark horse, our son,' lets them be proud without making a fuss. The earlier talk of disappointing news sits underneath, reminding us that their settled life is not untouched by sadness. The chapter ends on the couple's ease with each other, which is exactly what Mary lacks.
Key lines & what they mean
- “He is a dark horse, our son.”
- Tom and Gerri's affectionate verdict on Joe: he has surprised them by quietly finding a girlfriend.
- “I think you'll find that we men are.”
- Tom's joking reply, claiming that being a dark horse is a trait of men in general.
- “He's only known her for five minutes.”
- Mary's dismissive line, cutting Joe's new relationship down to its short duration.
- “I think Joe knows what he's doing, actually.”
- Gerri's calm defence of Joe, arguing he is more sensible than Mary assumes.
Theme
- Loneliness — After the guests leave, Mary's unease at Joe's new love exposes how alone she is among the couples.
- Family love — Tom and Gerri's quiet pride in their son, and their ease together, show the settled warmth Mary lacks.
What this chapter teaches
Teaching points
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Language points
Click a card to jump to its moment in the videoGolden lines
A great line in its own right — why and how to use it“I think you'll find that we men are.”
Why it's great
He dresses up a boast as a polite prediction, and that mismatch is the joke.
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Informal
Use it yourself
I think you'll find that I paid for dinner last time.
“He's only known her for five minutes.”
Why it's great
A five-minute romance is hyperbole, and it quietly says the mother thinks it is far too fast.
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Neutral
Use it yourself
They've only known each other for five minutes, so let's not plan the wedding.
“I think Joe knows what he's doing, actually.”
Why it's great
A calm defence of someone's judgement, held together by quiet confidence.
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Neutral
Use it yourself
I think she knows what she's doing, actually; just give her time.
Up next · 19be glad whenThe scene: Visiting Ronnie Before the FuneralTakeaways
What you walk away with- A dark horse keeps quiet and surprises you
- A turn-up for the books means a real surprise
- Head off is a casual British goodbye
- Tag questions push for agreement, not answers
- Polite talk often hides the real opinion
People also search
Questions, then the linesWhy is Mary unhappy about Joe's girlfriend?
She does not think the relationship can be serious yet. She keeps pointing out that Joe has only known Katie for five minutes, which hints at her own discomfort at his happiness.
What does "a dark horse" mean?
It means someone who keeps their feelings or talents hidden and then surprises you. Tom and Gerri call Joe a dark horse because he has quietly found a girlfriend without telling them.
What disappointing news do Tom and Gerri mention?
After Mary leaves, they refer to something sad and upsetting, and call it disappointing. The film keeps the exact event off-screen, but it casts a shadow over their evening.
Who is Katie, and what do the parents think of her?
Katie is Joe's new girlfriend. Gerri calls her lovely, and Tom agrees she is 'a laugh,' suggesting the couple are pleased with their son's choice even as Mary is not.
How does the mood change once Mary has gone?
With Mary gone, the tension lifts. Tom and Gerri talk warmly about Joe and Katie, and Tom jokes that all men are dark horses. Their easy teasing shows a settled marriage, the opposite of Mary's restlessness.