The Dark Horse

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“The Dark Horse”
Tanner '88 episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 1 / 2
Written by Garry B. Trudeau
Directed by Robert Altman
Production no. 1A / 1B
Original airdate February 15, 1988
Episode chronology
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– "For Real"
List of Tanner '88 episodes

"The Dark Horse" was the two-part episode premiere of the HBO series Tanner '88. It originally aired on February 15, 1988, and these episodes were the first of the series to air.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

In this episode, we are introduced to Democratic presidential candidate Jack Tanner as his campaign approaches the New Hampshire primary. The episode begins with director Deke Connors showing Tanner's campaign tape to the campaign staff. Tanner's campaign director, T.J. Cavanaugh, premieres the tape at a focus group. Things at the focus group don't go well, and the voters seem to feel that Tanner is trying to take advantage of their sympathy. Also at the focus group, a young woman named Andrea Spinelli asks if she can stay after because she feels very depressed.

Meanwhile, Jack and his daughter Alex go to meet with a New Hampshire farmer named Bob and his wife. Jack and Alex also meet up with Hayes Taggerty, a reporter for the Boston Globe who will be traveling with them and covering Jack's campaign.

Tanner and his staff return to their hotel room after what seems like a difficult day of campaigning. Things look grim until Jack makes a passionate speech to his staff in their motel room, and Deke gets it on video without Jack noticing.

[edit] Cast

Here is a list of the credited cast for the episode:

[edit] Principal cast

[edit] Guest cast

  • Robert Gerringer - Farmer Bob
  • Patricia Falkenhain - Mrs. Bob
  • Michael Poisson - Engineer
  • Betty Lee Vogue - Quilt Shop Owner
  • Stephen Altman - Rogan
  • Frank Barhydt - Frank Gatling
  • Wiley Moore - Focus Group Participant
  • G. David Hughes - Himself

[edit] Uncredited guest cast

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