An older father tells his kids the long story of his life as a single man in New York — the night his best friend got engaged, and the night he met a woman who would change everything.
Watch with your teacher. Don't worry about understanding everything the first time.
Section 1
Warm-Up
Before you watch — talk with your teacher
💍
When a close friend gets engaged or married, how does it usually make you feel — happy, a little jealous, nostalgic? Why?
Section 2
Vocabulary
Words from the episode
An older father begins a very long story for his children: the night his best friend proposed to his college girlfriend, and how that same night led him to meet someone unexpected. Between bars, taxis, and a memorable first date, he learns that the right moment doesn't always wait for a plan.
M — Meaning
Read each sentence. Choose the best meaning for the highlighted word.
1. She believed it was her destiny to become a doctor, even as a child.
2. Our neighbor is a bit eccentric — he collects vintage typewriters and only wears bow ties.
3. Let's say, hypothetically, that you won the lottery tomorrow — what would you do?
4. After months of doubt, she finally decided to take the leap and quit her job.
5. There was a lingering smell of coffee in the kitchen long after breakfast.
6. He introduced his fiancée to his parents for the first time at dinner.
7. At thirty-five, he was still a happy bachelor with no plans to settle down.
8. She gave him a small signal across the room, letting him know it was time to leave.
P — Pronunciation
Click each word to hear it. Tap i to learn more.
destinyiRelated wordfate is a close synonym, often used the same way./ˈdɛs.tə.ni/nounthe future that is meant to happen to someone
eccentriciToneeccentric is usually said with affection, not as an insult./ɪkˈsɛn.trɪk/adjectiveunusual or strange in an interesting way
hypotheticaliWord familyhypothesis (noun) → hypothetical (adjective)/ˌhaɪ.pəˈθɛt.ɪ.kəl/adjectiveimagined or supposed, not necessarily real
leapiCommon phrase"take the leap" = make a big, often risky life decision./liːp/noun / verba bold, often risky decision or jump
lingeringiWord familylinger (verb) → lingering (adjective)/ˈlɪŋ.ɡər.ɪŋ/adjectivelasting longer than expected
fiancéeiSpelling notefiancé = man, fiancée = woman. Both pronounced the same way./fiˌɑːnˈseɪ/nouna woman engaged to be married
bacheloriCommon phrase"bachelor party" = a celebration before a man's wedding./ˈbætʃ.əl.ər/nounan unmarried man
signaliWord familysignal (noun) → to signal (verb)/ˈsɪɡ.nəl/nouna sign or gesture that gives someone information
F — Form/Fill: Fill in the Gaps
Click a word from the bank, then click the blank.
1.He always believed they were meant to be together — it was simply ___________.
2.Their uncle is a little ___________; he names all of his houseplants.
3.Just as a ___________ question, what would you do if you won a free trip anywhere?
4.After years of hesitation, she finally took the ___________ and moved to a new city alone.
5.A ___________ doubt stayed in his mind even after they made up.
6.He proudly introduced his ___________ to the rest of the family at dinner.
7.As a lifelong ___________, he never imagined he would fall in love so suddenly.
8.They had a secret ___________ to let each other know when it was time to go.
Word Bank
U — Use
Answer with your teacher, using the word in your response.
1
Do you believe in destiny, or do you think we control our own future completely?
2
Do you know anyone eccentric? What makes them unique?
3
Hypothetically, if you could move to any country tomorrow, where would you go?
4
Have you ever taken a big leap in your life — a risky decision that turned out well?
5
Is there a memory that has a lingering effect on you, even after a long time?
6
If you got engaged, how would you imagine introducing your fiancé/fiancée to your family?
7
Do you think being a bachelor (or single) for a long time changes how someone sees relationships?
8
Have you ever given or received a signal like this with someone, without saying anything out loud?
Section 3
Discussion
Talk about the episode
1
The episode shows a group of friends supporting each other through a big life change. Do you think your friends would react the same way to your big news?
2
The main character believes there's a "perfect moment" for big romantic gestures, like a first kiss. Do you agree, or is it better to act in the moment?
3
The show is structured as an older narrator telling his children a long story about his past. Does this storytelling style make you more curious about how it ends?
4
Several characters in this episode have strong opinions about marriage and commitment. Whose attitude did you relate to the most?
5
If you had to give one piece of advice to the main character about love, what would it be?