The Dirty Detail story

talesoftheunexpected7x01 · 1984-05-12

Fred Pearson, a Vietnam veteran, is a broken man after years of punishment from his sergeant. One day, he walks into a bar and sees the sergeant, still very much the arrogant bully he always was. Directed by: Leo Penn. Story by: Henry Slesar.

11 total · 8 major · 3 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
coping with post-traumatic stress major Fred had flashbacks to the Vietnam War.
fighting one's inner demons major Fred was tormented by his experience fighting in the Vietnam War.
husband and wife major Fred's wife tired to help him through torments stemming from his time in the war.
murder major Fred decided to kill his bullying old sergeant.
the desire for vengeance major Fred wanted to get back at his nasty old sergeant, Sgt. Guedo.
the role of war veterans in society major We saw how two war veterans had ended up with lousy jobs and mental problems.
the Vietnam War major This was a story about Vietnam War veterans.
workplace harassment major Fred thought that his sergeant had singled him out for abuse during his time in the army.
persecution complex minor Fred thought that every other person had it in for him, or so said his wife.
poetic justice minor Fred tried to murder his old sergeant but the gun backfired and killed Fred instead.