Being Erica - Season 3

[Owain Taggart]

It seems that there's at least one more episode, though I don't know if that's part of the season timeline or what, but it's being billed as a Christmas special.

But yeah, good episode. Though I felt it happened a bit too soon. I didn't feel like the group therapy idea for this season was well used, and they could have gone on for another season of group therapy. When she got sent to meet her first patient, she looked like she recognized the person. The look on her face looked like a flash of recognition, so I wonder if it's someone that she's crossed paths with recently.

I do think Erin Karpluk should win an award for her acting on this. She's been outstanding.

 

[Agent Richard07]

I agree that the group therapy arc wasn't well used. A lot of it was simply Adam and Erica and next to nothing with the others. I didn't like the idea much anyway, so I won't miss it. This season's premiere made it seem like it'd be a long haul. I'm glad that wasn't the case.

Is the "Dr. Erica" bit happening too soon? Maybe, but I'm too glad it's here to nitpick. I hope she gets a better chair for her office. That egg-shaped thing was too tacky.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Yeah, the group therapy felt more as a means for Adam and Erica to hook up rather than a bonafide group therapy. Everyone else was just background, which was rather disappointing. I would have liked some side stories taking place with the others, but I guess they did pretty much all they wanted with the concept. I wonder if she'll stick with the look she has for her office. I thought for sure they'd be saving that for next week or even next season. It does need more furniture.

 

[Agent Richard07]

^ There was just a desk, a shelf and the rest was just a white matrixy environment. It looked quite unfinished. I'm sure they'll have something complete and ready for next season. Look at it like the Enterprise bridge from The Voyage Home. They threw in something pretty basic and boring there, then we got something completely new for The Final Frontier.

 

[Worf2DS9]

So how will Erica's life be affected by being a therapist? Will that be a full-time job? How will 50/50 with Julianne be affected? Is anyone allowed to know she's a therapist who has the power of time-travel?? For example, does Dr. Tom's wife know what he does? Looking forward to finding out these answers.

And what's the deal with Brent? Did he have a secret crush on Julianne or something back when they were working together? He seems genuine in his offer to bury the hatchet.

Loved the final shot of the episode, with Erica turning around to the as-yet-unseen individual.

 

[intrinsical]

Interesting.

Personally I am uncertain if I would have passed the test. I would have said what Erica said, but I am not certain if I could really pull off starting from scratch again.

Given Erica's distaste for the sparseness of Dr Naadia's office, I'm pretty certain that's not the final look of Dr Erica's office. Speaking of Dr Naadia, I wonder what she thinks of Dr Erica.

So how will Erica's life be affected by being a therapist? Will that be a full-time job? How will 50/50 with Julianne be affected? Is anyone allowed to know she's a therapist who has the power of time-travel?? For example, does Dr. Tom's wife know what he does? Looking forward to finding out these answers.

As we saw with Dr Tom, its not a full time job and therapists have a normal day-to-day life. I've said before the show is about Erica as well as her circle of family and friends. I fully expect to see Erica living her usual life, running 50/50, etc.

And what's the deal with Brent? Did he have a secret crush on Julianne or something back when they were working together? He seems genuine in his offer to bury the hatchet.

I am uncertain, since I would never have done what Brent did, but he does seem to be infatuated with Julianne and turned spiteful when she did not even notice his feelings for her.


For myself, I have lots of questions. What happen to patients who don't pass the test? Do they get kicked out of therapy? Adam just look terrible in that last scene, looks like their budding relationship is already on the rocks.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Interesting.

I know eh?

For myself, I have lots of questions. What happen to patients who don't pass the test? Do they get kicked out of therapy? Adam just look terrible in that last scene, looks like their budding relationship is already on the rocks.

I feel bad for that one hottie in therapy. Apparently she was a failed actress and now she flunked out of becoming a doctor too.

I was looking around the net for info on the show and came across a number of things...

- The ratings are down, and the cast is disappointed, but Erin Karpluk thinks that the show will get renewed due to high DVR numbers and it being shown in a few dozen countries.

- We should find out the show's fate in January.

- Four scripts for a fourth season have been ordered.

- Apparently, 3x12 was the season finale and the 13th episode will be a Christmas special.

 

[CorporalClegg]

That was a pretty good episode. But I gotta say that I'm really sick of the "crazy protag" bit being used in fantasy-type shows. Really need something more original.

Also, does anyone besides me think Erica's first patient is going to be Brent? It just seems to me that's how the episode was set up. In any case, I gotta think it's someone from the show. Maybe one of Erica's old loves. Or if they really want to get crazy, Friedken.

 

[Owain Taggart]

That was a pretty good episode. But I gotta say that I'm really sick of the "crazy protag" bit being used in fantasy-type shows. Really need something more original.

Also, does anyone besides me think Erica's first patient is going to be Brent? It just seems to me that's how the episode was set up. In any case, I gotta think it's someone from the show. Maybe one of Erica's old loves. Or if they really want to get crazy, Friedken.

It does seem like someone she recognizes based on the look she has when she turns to them. Brent? That would be a hoot. Or Jenny? Ha, I bet it is Jenny. She's had quite a bit of trouble in her life and maybe she needs a therapist to sort it out

 

[intrinsical]

I heart Being Erica, and I think it is one of the best television shows currently being aired. However, this season hasn't been as good as the first two.

The stories went everywhere but lead no where. Nevermind the groupies who went largely unused. There's the setup with Dr Naadia and Dr Arthur, Kai's failure to find Erica in the future were both totally unresolved, the sudden downturn everyone had 3 episodes ago has evaporated with no resolution.

And out of the blue, its Dr Erica??? While I am excited and happy Erica is now a therapist in training, I found the test wanting. These are people who have been in therapy, who have time travel so much, who have learned so much about who they are, and all it took was a few hours to convince them they've reverted to their "looser" state and they are going to stay like that for the rest of their lives?

 

[CorporalClegg]

^
It was definitely a "buyer's remorse" type of episode. I think everyone involved realized the group thing wasn't working (especially with all the Adam B/S) and were just trying to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Actually, I'd be just find if they gave Adam a mind wipe and just threw him out too. I can't stand him.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Interesting.

I know eh?

For myself, I have lots of questions. What happen to patients who don't pass the test? Do they get kicked out of therapy? Adam just look terrible in that last scene, looks like their budding relationship is already on the rocks.

I feel bad for that one hottie in therapy. Apparently she was a failed actress and now she flunked out of becoming a doctor too.

I was looking around the net for info on the show and came across a number of things...

- The ratings are down, and the cast is disappointed, but Erin Karpluk thinks that the show will get renewed due to high DVR numbers and it being shown in a few dozen countries.

- We should find out the show's fate in January.

- Four scripts for a fourth season have been ordered.

- Apparently, 3x12 was the season finale and the 13th episode will be a Christmas special.

Yeah, I was shocked and saddened to hear it wasn't doing well in the ratings, as this is one of the smartest shows on TV right now, anywhere. Erin Karpluk is both gorgeous and talented and isn't a super-thin supermodel, something that's a plus these days. It's a smart show with a lot of heart, and I would have thought it to be one of CBC's highest rated shows, and one that they should be proud of. Although I've heard that many, including the many here in this thread, were displeased with the direction the show was going in. Afterall, a show that's good enough to be remade overseas has got to count for something.

Although I agree with intrisical. Many things were introduced with no resolutions. It's as if they introduced too many things with the writers hoping something would catch hold. The idea of the group therapy presented an idea of the season being epic, but it sort of fizzled out. Although if we look at past seasons, we can see they introduced many things, with not everything being resolved in that same season. There are things that weren't resolved until this season which were introduced in the first and second seasons.

As for Dr Erica, I think that plotline has been well laid out for awhile now, so I'm not going to say it came out of the blue, as people knew it was only a matter of time, but I think rather, what gave me the feeling that it came too soon was the way the test was handled. It was as if the writers suddenly knew they had move forward to bring her to the next point. I think the test would have made more sense if Dr Tom would have let her know that her big test would be coming soon so that it wouldn't be so abrupt for us, and giving her time to prepare.

I agree, it hasn't been the best season, though I think this season did have some amazing moments, my favourites perhaps being the gay pride episode and the Groundhog Day episode. Though they did really fumble some things, which makes it all the more sadder that they had her break up with Ethan. I mean, she breaks up with Ethan and ends up with Adam? Something's wrong with that picture. I can understand them wanting some drama, but Erica and Ethan were the better couple than Erica and Adam, and the reason for the breakup was rather silly considering she's doing the same exact thing with Adam. One thing I'm really happy about though is that Sam and Lenin worked out. They're a sweet couple, and she's so much better off than Josh the Jerk, and oh my, this last episode reminded me of how much of a jerk he was. Btw, the actor portraying Lenin is going to be in Tron Legacy!

 

[Guy Gardener]

Doctor Erica my ass.

I want Marvel Comics to sue.

it's not like little sis wasn't saddled with her fricking slave name but now it's Doctor Fricking erica...

Is saying the words "Doctor Strange" really all too difficult?

She can't work on her friends, it isn't ethical.

What about Adam's missus?

Fiddle with her time line and frack over Adam by accident?

 

[Agent Richard07]

It's a smart show with a lot of heart, and I would have thought it to be one of CBC's highest rated shows, and one that they should be proud of. Although I've heard that many, including the many here in this thread, were displeased with the direction the show was going in. Afterall, a show that's good enough to be remade overseas has got to count for something.

All I have to say is that they'd better renew it. They can't squash it now. They can't. It's getting really good. I've been waiting for Dr. Erica for quite a long time now and I want to see it play out.

Many things were introduced with no resolutions. It's as if they introduced too many things with the writers hoping something would catch hold.

I don't know what they're planning is like, but I get the impression that they know or have some idea of where they want to go and have laid things out accordingly. I never got the impression that they were just throwing things out there. If they are, then they're hiding it well.

The idea of the group therapy presented an idea of the season being epic, but it sort of fizzled out.

I looked back at some of my earlier posts and I'm surprised that I never talked about my disdain for the concept. I was never thrilled with it from the get-go and knew it'd be something that I'd just have to sit through until stage three came around.

Although if we look at past seasons, we can see they introduced many things, with not everything being resolved in that same season. There are things that weren't resolved until this season which were introduced in the first and second seasons.

They resolved what happened to Tom when he jumped off the building, so I'm glad for that. Surprisingly though, Erica wasn't there when we saw the jump this season. As for a quick recap of what's still up in the air...

- Dr. Naadiah wanted Erica in her group therapy sessions. Why? And what's in store for her?

- What's up with her disappearance in the future? What did Dr. Tom find out?

I'm sure we'll get answers to these and I can't wait. I'm also looking forward to seeing how a time-travelling therapist lives.

As for Dr Erica, I think that plotline has been well laid out for awhile now, so I'm not going to say it came out of the blue, as people knew it was only a matter of time, but I think rather, what gave me the feeling that it came too soon was the way the test was handled. It was as if the writers suddenly knew they had move forward to bring her to the next point.

If that's the case, I'm glad they did. I was ready to move on when Erica first entered the group therapy room.

As for her becoming a doctor, yeah, she doesn't seem ready. As I mentioned though, I'm glad it's here. Also, I tell myself that she's still technically in training, so there's hope that she'll get better and develop more of the sage-like quality that we'd expect from a therapist.

I think the test would have made more sense if Dr Tom would have let her know that her big test would be coming soon so that it wouldn't be so abrupt for us, and giving her time to prepare.

Gotta disagree with that. Ideally, no one should be told of a test and given time to prepare. The training itself should be preparation and the student should always be ready. I feel this way about real school too. I thought the doctor test was good and well handled.

One thing I'm really happy about though is that Sam and Lenin worked out. They're a sweet couple, and she's so much better off than Josh the Jerk, and oh my, this last episode reminded me of how much of a jerk he was. Btw, the actor portraying Lenin is going to be in Tron Legacy!

It was nice to see Josh again even if it was just some alternate reality counterpart. As for the actor who plays Lenin, I've seen him in a number of things, including a show called The Best Years.

Doctor Erica my ass.

I want Marvel Comics to sue.

it's not like little sis wasn't saddled with her fricking slave name but now it's Doctor Fricking erica...

Is saying the words "Doctor Strange" really all too difficult?

She can't work on her friends, it isn't ethical.

I've thought about the doctor title too. Maybe they go with first names because their title doesn't come from a formal accredited institution. "Dr. Erica", "Dr. Tom", etc. are informal as well as more personal sounding. Works for me.

I also have to say this... Being able to manipulate space and time, go anywhere, and create your own little sanctuary outside of it all seems really cool.

What about Adam's missus?

Fiddle with her time line and frack over Adam by accident?

It would be nice if he got back with her.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I've been thinking that they're dead and that all this is just whipping the fresh souls into shape, but I was looking at her make the room and I wondered if the entire adventure wasn't VR like the Matrix which they didn't seem to be bashful about raping at all?

Test shmest.

buffy the Vampire Slayer, Wil Riker, The girls from Charmed and Benjamin freaking Sisko are all really just mental patients acting out their fantasies in a thorozine haze, so why not Erica Strange too?

(Hypothetically, imagine this plot was used in Bewitched? Gosh Elizabeth is scrummy)

This happened to me once.

(in a dream)

I was sitting in the lounge with friends and family when the furniture began catching on fire and because no one else noticed I decided to cover up that I was going insane, and despite the fear chose to make believe that everyone around me wasn't bubbling and melting into goo and that I was next because insisting that invisible fire was going tokill every one might make me seem crazy.

This whole test?

(Do you remember Ally McBeal during her "Al Green" Phase whence her life looked not altogether different form an episode of Eli Stone (it was the same fricking set. The law firm of Wolfram Hart from Angel too. Pretty sure?) because she was being stalked by a phantom who just wouldn't stop singing about how she was goong to find love evetually. All the stupid toothpick lawyer found was a bloody cheerleader.

Rule number one, you do not do what the voices tell you to, because John Connor is a paranoid Schitzophrenic and not a time traveller no matter now many robots are trying to kill him blowing shit up around him.

Okay so Doctor Tom taught her that suicide is wrong?

That's what she got from two years of time travelling therapy?

Her great revelation?

Shades of Inception, the odds are that she jumped off the bridge and this new life as a doctor is between tick and tock as she's falling to wards a sudden and abrupt splash like in Ashes to Ashes or Life on Mars.

If she wanted to prove that she was the mistress of her fate (Instead of [wonderfalls]bending over for destiny[/wonderfalls]then she should have broken Doctor Toms nose... The Watchers did this shit to Buffy. Drugged her. Took away her strength and then locked her away in a house with a killer to see if she had the spirit to get the job done without being special because that's how you can really tell if she's chosen... She 'fired" her watchers after that. Quit.

It's not like they paid her.

Imagine if at the end of the Apprentice, Donald is offering the last person standing the job and the 'applicant says "Go fuck yourself" because there has to be a point where you conclude that your selfrespect is worth more than some rag these munnyfunsters want to wipe their asses with? I mean if Erica got through all that she did and then Doctor Tom said your last task before you become a Doctor Erica is that you have to eat these Sheep testicles, but I'm going to spit on them first... She was being humbled and broken by Tom as well as life ever had.

Of course revenge is a dish best served cold.

Erica had best be putting her ducks in a row to get ready to destroy these people.. (How gloriously happy are the kings Eunuchs to be washing his queens in goats milk after they've had their balls cut off?) But unfortunately this is not that sort of show, it's like in a fraternity with the ass paddling initiation "THANK YOU SIR! PLEASE MAY I HAVE ANOTHER!!"

They bought her off.

She sold out.

Stockholm syndrome.

Can she quit?

Is she a slave?

Is she still mortal?

After ten thousand years of being a therapist, is she going to realize how gilded the cage is that they gave her?

One episode left to find out.

 

[danellis]

I've n ever watched the show, so don't know the details, but one year the winner of the UK Apprentice did that (well, I don't think she actually told Sir Allan/Lord Sugar to eff off, but she did turn the job down at the end of it).

dJE

 

[intrinsical]

My feel is that the writers do have a multi-season arc planned before production started in season 1. And season 3 was supposed to be Erica, therapist-in-training, but for whatever reason they decided to delay it till season 4.

So they squeezed in this half-baked group therapy thing and Adam. Towards the last few episodes, they realized they needed to get Erica back into the therapist-in-training arc, so they invented this test. It reeked too much of the Literati initiation ritual from season 1, and I honestly think last season's "choose a door, any door" was a much better test of Erica's ability to remain true to herself regardless of where she may end up.

 

[Agent Richard07]

So, the final episode of the season, which was a Christmas special, just aired. For the first ten minutes or so, I was looking for any hint that would tell me where it fit continuity-wise, but got nothing. I did suspect that they might hide anything that could place it somewhere in particular, and sure enough, they did just that, so I just settled in and continued to watch. It wasn't anything special, but it was a nice touch to see the show pull a 'Quantum Leap' and have Erica leap into Julianne. I like how they play around with the concept like that. Also, I was worried that they'd put too much focus on Adam yet again, but thankfully they kept that to a minimum. Funny, I don't dislike the actor or the character, I just think too much of the show's focus was on him. That and I didn't think he was a good fit for Erica. Apparently a lot of viewers feel that way. I wonder what it is about him that makes people feel that way. I mean, I wonder if there's anything other than, or deeper than what I just mentioned.

One other thing I have to mention... The old 10 dollar bill. Nice touch with that too.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Yeah, I was a bit underwhelmed by this episode, but it was cute. And about Adam, I agree. I was even cringing when he and Erica were having a disagreement at the start about trying to make him have a good Christmas. It's obvious that they're just too different. It seems like they each have to make too many compromises, which is exactly the kind of argument Ethan and Erica were having when they broke up.

 

[Agent Richard07]

^ Looks like he'll carry over to next season as well. Hopefully they'll use him to show us what happens when someone fails the doctor test as well as the resulting tension it could cause when someone you're close to has passed and is moving forward. I'd rather see that than more "relationship stuff".

Anyway, I still have to catch up on the webisodes. I'm making this post as a reminder to myself.