Love_Life_Laughter Review of Being Erica

Being Erica (2009–2011)

Moving depiction of love in all its forms and lessons we learn from it

[9/10 · 13 May 2024]

The incandescent Erin Karpluk brings to life the character of Erica, who bottoms out on her 32nd birthday when she is fired from her umpteenth dead end job and is dumped by her boyfriend to boot. But her rock bottom leads to the complete successful restructuring of her life through magical time-travel fueled therapy with Dr. Tom, who helps Erica to go back to the past and redo her list of regrets. As she undergoes this process, Erica - and we along side her - learn that redoing the past is not always so simple, and the new solution not so clear. I found this show to be very profound in the realistic portrayal of self-limitation through outmoded beliefs, and the unconscious havoc those old beliefs create when we act on them without awareness in present day relationships. As Erica goes on to explore her beliefs regarding family, friendships, career, and love relationships, the subtlety of the episodes becomes more palpable. Ultimately Erica and Dr Tom demonstrate the deepest of love for each other, while remaining within appropriate boundaries, letting go so each can grow in the way they need. The series has an epic quality that belies the gags and funny bylines that are sprinkled within each episode. It is one of the few that takes on - and succeeds -in depicting the process of emotional and spiritual growth. It is wonderful to learn along with Erica the subtle gray choices that life presents and the consequences of those choices, and to experience the warmth and tenderness of the Dr Tom relationship. Touching, enlightening, beautiful, endearing and fun. A big and sincere Thank You.