I’ve completely fallen for SOAPNet’s first original scripted drama, Being Erica — so much so that I crammed it onto my way-too-crowded DVR list, the one I deemed too full to accommodate the likes of Parks & Recreation (despite my Amy Poehler love). And the Canadian import concluded its season Thursday, lost in the roar of mind-blowing big-network finales like Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, and 30 Rock. But Erica’s cliffhanger packed (almost) as much emotional punch as Grey’s — and, hey, even some Lostian mystery!
Erica follows a single career gal (Erin Karpluk) whose unconventional (and kinda sexy) psychotherapist Dr. Tom (Michael Riley) can zap her back to key screw-ups in her life so she can resolve her lingering feelings of guilt and remorse. She’s spent the season mustering up the courage to perform her poems in college, facing the affair that broke up her parents’ marriage, and trying every which way she could to stop best friend/soulmate Ethan from marrying someone else. (He did anyway, but now he’s finally split with that someone else and declared his love for Erica, thank goodness.)
In the finale, Erica faced the most traumatic event of her past: her brother Leo’s death. Dr. Tom agreed to send her back to the day he perished in a fire that ignited when he stomped off to smoke pot in a barn on the family vacation property. But she had to agree to only tell Leo how much he meant to her, not to stop his death. (We all know by now what happens when you screw with the space-time continuum, right? Disappearing from Polaroids, being forced to detonate nuclear bombs on weird islands in the 1970s….) Of course, she couldn’t help herself, and before she knew it, she was wrenched back into a warped version of her present-day life, where her now-grown-up brother was still alive — only to face a different death for Leo, this time killed in a car accident just before getting married. Chastened, she returned to Dr. Tom to apologize — and he gave her a do-over on going back to the past, but he was clearly angry. She fixed it, landed back in the “right” current life — and then discovered she has a creepy new therapist because Dr. Tom has “taken a leave.”
So what the heck happened? Who is this new therapist, and does she have the same magic powers? Where is Dr. Tom, and can I still get an appointment with him if I promise not to mess with my past too much? Consider this my official plea to SOAPNet to give us a season 2 of this rare find — a smart, funny single-girl show that’s shockingly relatable for being about a gal who can time travel.
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Thank you so much for highlighting this show! It’s found the right balance between goofy romantic comedy and real drama. I feel like the characters respond to situations the way actual people respond to situations and that the lessons Erica learns are well earned. I love that the show doesn’t present the time travel as an easy way to “fix” everything that’s ever gone wrong in Erica’s life. Last night’s finale was a great example of what the show does best. Count me in for season 2!
I can’t decide which is sadder: watching Leo die (twice!) or the disappearance of Dr. Tom. This show is just about as close as you get to TV perfection. Oh, Canada, thank you for making it. And SOAPNet, please, please give us season 2!
Send your plea to the CBC (and Canadian government while you’re at it). Then maybe SoapNET can pick it up! I think the CBC could really use the support of some American fans!
In Canada, we got the season finale about a month ago. I cannot believe how much I love this show. I am afraid the new therapist may not be what Erica needs at this time. Her office, with its clean lines and bright white lights, directly contrast the quiet ambience of Dr. Tom’s office, with its dim lighting and cluttered bookshelves. I am hoping that despite the budget cuts to the CBC this series will remain on air and see us through to at least four seasons.
I thought I might be the only Being Erica fan, and I’m so glad to hear I’m not. This is a great show and I have been hoping against hope it would get a second season. It has a great message and I have loved to see Erica mature throughout the season. I hope SOAPNet is listening.
The show has been renewed on CBC for 16 episodes (I think).
I am SOOOOO glad that somebody is talking about this show now. I just happened to catch it on SoapNet one day. I don’t even watch soaps, but it happened to be on the channel and I started watching. I quickly made sure I caught every episode I could, and now it’s part of my Thursday night line-up. It’s a well-made show with sympathetic characters. I find myself feeling exactly the way Erica does as I watch, probably because in some way, we’ve all been in those places in life. I love it, and I hope it comes back. It’s irritating when great shows get cancelled and crap fills up the networks.
Bakerboy, I think the sterile office (and the bland presentation of Nadia) was meant to hammer home the stark contrast between the two therapists –and cue in Erica that she better do something about it. My hope is that the start of season 2 will focus on Erica’s efforts to “bring back” Dr. Tom (and maybe some insight into who he answers to). The show, in this format at least, really won’t work without their interactions.
Thanks for posting the blog Jennifer. You are right — the show is a true find that probably few have seen. The acting is [mostly] great and Erin Karpluk is outstanding. If they have Canadian Emmys I hope she is nominated!
And I love the fact that the results of her effecting changes are unpredictable (in both the past and when she returns to present) — and not always what you’d expect.
Oh, and LOST fans take note: there are some interesting (in some cases almost verbatim) paralells — that exist in the season finales!
Tea, anyone?
Great show, I’ve read it was renewed for a 2nd season already so there’s more to come.
I absolutely love this show! I did read somewhere this morning that it was picked up for season 2! I cried when I watch the finale – ok – I have cried during every episode. We all need Dr. Tom back – I don’t like the new therapist – she seems cold and sterile.
I love this show too. Sometimes it feels like you’re the only one who watches a cool show like Being Erica. But evidently there are other cool people out there too. I really do hope they bring the show back for season 2. I have to know what the repercussions for changing things were for the doctor.
I love Being Erica dearly and feel that the Canadians must get their proper credit: This show originates on CTV not SoapNet.
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!! I found it by accident and got hooked right away! PLEASE say it will be back for another season?! And I really hope that Dr. Tom comes back, too!
Ahh, I absolutely love this show. And I was completely shocked/sad to see Dr.Tom gone D: I can’t decide whats sadder either, Carol. Haha. Can’t wait for season 2. I can’t help but hope Dr.Tom will be back |:
I also loved this show. I just didn’t understand why they didn’t have young Leo playing older Leo. Erica and her sister play the younger and older versions. But most importantly Dr. Tom HAS to be bad this season. That goatee alone is sexy. It took a lot of guts to allow her brother to die that second time. I still hate that her and Ethan got together but it’s all good.
I fell in love with this show several weeks ago and have already watched the entire season online – Erin Karpluk is one of the most endearingly entertaining actresses on television today. I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD here in the States, and for Season 2!
I have not seen this show, but now I want to watch it. It sounds right up my alley.
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I JUST WISH WE COULD HAVE DO OVERS.
A CBC original series, not SoapNet…..and is HAS been picked up for a second season
But shortened due to CBC budget cuts 
I need Erica to have a horrendous night at ‘the Brunny’ (all you torontonians and fellow humber alum know what i am talking about) and some kind of pivotal moment at Spadina station taking the last rocket home after last call…LOVE that Toronto and its landmarks are featured proudly and promimently in this series…its nice as an ontarian and canadian to actually KNOW all the places the show takes us. oh man, she needs to go shopping in Kensington…
I started watching this show by accident,and fell in love with it from the first episode…I have been waiting for its return for a couple of weeks now and I am getting all paranoid that it has been cancelled…PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-let me hang out with Erica Strange for another season!!! I GOTTA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!
OMG!! I had a mini marathon of this show over the holiday weekend and I love, love, love it!! Can’t wait for season 2.