Strange you'ld say that. Scott Galvin has been around since season one. In fact if I remembered correctly he was the one who forced Julienne to apologize to Freidkin and beg him to stay at River Rock or loose her job.
Being Erica - The 4th Season
- Thread starter Agent Richard07
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Still, he wasn't a recurring character and he was only seen since season 1. Characters like that that appear again after so long usually need a sort of reintroduction, and the funeral would have been the perfect place to do that, but I don't think he was even there, as I didn't recognize him. It felt like he kind of just appeared as head of the company.
I was reading about Reagan Pasternak the other day and saw that she's a singer, then I tune in and the first thing I see is Julianne singing.
Anyhoo, I can't say that "Born This Way" was a riveting episode, but I did like the way they handled Erica's lesson this week. She messed up with both Brent and her friend in high school, but got something out of it anyway. The reference to Jenny being on Degrassi High was a nice touch by the way, since the actress was a regular on Degrassi: The Next Generation. And as for Brent, they really changed his character quite a bit. A few seasons ago, he was "the bad guy", now they're trying to mellow him down and make him a more sypathetic "nice guy". His change comes off as something to serve the plot as opposed to a natural progression of the character or the peeling back of layers. It also looked like he was going to come out as gay.
Next week's episode looks good and I can't wait until the Oct. 31st episode. Looks like that's when things will really take off.
Anyhoo, I can't say that "Born This Way" was a riveting episode, but I did like the way they handled Erica's lesson this week. She messed up with both Brent and her friend in high school, but got something out of it anyway. The reference to Jenny being on Degrassi High was a nice touch by the way, since the actress was a regular on Degrassi: The Next Generation. And as for Brent, they really changed his character quite a bit. A few seasons ago, he was "the bad guy", now they're trying to mellow him down and make him a more sypathetic "nice guy". His change comes off as something to serve the plot as opposed to a natural progression of the character or the peeling back of layers. It also looked like he was going to come out as gay.
Next week's episode looks good and I can't wait until the Oct. 31st episode. Looks like that's when things will really take off.
Erica is given time travel powers. When last season ended, I thought she already had them.
I don't remember him either, but I accepted that he was the new boss well enough.
Really? I've followed Degrassi: TNG, right up until most of their cast changed, but I don't remember her being on there, unless she was part of the new cast which I didn't watch.
But yeah, Julianne had quite the voice. I was impressed.
And I've always been impressed at how they've treated gay people. It always feels natural as opposed to a lot of shows that have a hard time integrating it into their shows.
But yeah, Julianne had quite the voice. I was impressed.
And I've always been impressed at how they've treated gay people. It always feels natural as opposed to a lot of shows that have a hard time integrating it into their shows.
A quick IMDb search for Paula Brancati shows that she joined Degrassi in 2007, probably around season 7. Some new cast members were there, but it wasn't an entirely new cast at that point.
Interesting. I don't know if remember ever seeing her. Did they ever have an episode involving her or focusing on her or was she more of a background character? I stopped watching right around the time they started the new format and switched to MuchMusic as their main channel.
Wait, come to think of it, was she Craig's girlfriend at one time? She's starting to finally seem familiar.
I've always found it quite well written. But I found those TV movies, particularly the one where they go to Hollywood ridiculous. I felt there was a drop in quality there.
Wait, come to think of it, was she Craig's girlfriend at one time? She's starting to finally seem familiar.
I've always found it quite well written. But I found those TV movies, particularly the one where they go to Hollywood ridiculous. I felt there was a drop in quality there.
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Reagan Pasternak blew me away in the opening number. I really felt like they're setting up Brent & Jullianne as a couple.
I never got the impression that Brent was supposed to be a 'secret' gay but that he was just the other side of the spectrum for a heterosexual male. Much like his pitch for the "Urban Peacock" entailed.
Another reason I like this show, even though characters can make bad choices, no one is beyond being redeemed. Sometimes even those you thought were being exceptionally nasty can instead be understood once you change your perspective and ask the right questions. Originally Brent acted badly because he felt betrayed and insulted by Julianne picking Erica over him. I also think he's had a crush on Julianne since way back and that he felt he was being rejected emotionally as well as professionally before.
Flash forward, and through all of that he decides to make the right choice this time because he felt really bad about what happened last time.
I never got the impression that Brent was supposed to be a 'secret' gay but that he was just the other side of the spectrum for a heterosexual male. Much like his pitch for the "Urban Peacock" entailed.
Another reason I like this show, even though characters can make bad choices, no one is beyond being redeemed. Sometimes even those you thought were being exceptionally nasty can instead be understood once you change your perspective and ask the right questions. Originally Brent acted badly because he felt betrayed and insulted by Julianne picking Erica over him. I also think he's had a crush on Julianne since way back and that he felt he was being rejected emotionally as well as professionally before.
Flash forward, and through all of that he decides to make the right choice this time because he felt really bad about what happened last time.
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Well said 
I never really saw the show setting them up as a couple, but I suppose it could happen. The show does like to tease a lot, that's for sure. Remember when Julianne and Ivan flirted? Though I suppose this could be more than just that with Brent.
More or less, I saw it as Brent being uncomfortable as being one of the guys at the new River Rock under Scott, but 50/50 allowing to be more comfortable under his own skin.
I never really saw the show setting them up as a couple, but I suppose it could happen. The show does like to tease a lot, that's for sure. Remember when Julianne and Ivan flirted? Though I suppose this could be more than just that with Brent. More or less, I saw it as Brent being uncomfortable as being one of the guys at the new River Rock under Scott, but 50/50 allowing to be more comfortable under his own skin.
I'll suggest going back to watch that first scene again with the idea that Brent is crushing on Julianne in mind. The reaction shots alone between Brent & Julianne are pretty telling and he's trying hard to prove he's "manly in his own way" to her despite not wanting to "get on stage" initially.
I'd be interested to hear what anyone else thinks on the subject.
I'd be interested to hear what anyone else thinks on the subject.
The actual stories and relationships are a blur to me, but I remember the characters quite well. She was a regular with her own episodes like the rest of them. Before she joined Degrassi though, I'd recognize Brancati elsewhere, but not know where I saw her before.
I hope present-day Jenny makes a return.
Last season, one of the characters lived in New York. I found it interesting that the show had one of the regulars in another country.
Brent having some interest in Julianne was evident at the end of last season, but this latest episode had a pretty strong "coming out" vibe. If it's not bad writing, then it's a testament to the show not doing things the traditional way.
Ahh, I guess the difference with me is that I didn't have any reference points, so if I did see her, it didn't immediately click with me. Then again, the character she plays in Being Erica seems more mature, so maybe that's the difference. Funny thing is, normally I'd know an actress when I see her. It's bugging me.
Interesting episode tonight. We get more insight into Dr Tom's life. I guess his father inspired him to decorate his own office in a similar fashion.
And Kai's return makes me wonder what will happen, as Adam seems to have a problem with Erica being friends with him.
And Kai's return makes me wonder what will happen, as Adam seems to have a problem with Erica being friends with him.
And Dr. Naadiah's life. I liked that. How do they manage to balance work, family and fun with being a therapist? I figure they can do the therapy in the blink of an eye, leaving more time for the rest. I'd ask why they need to work at all, but I'll have to think about that some more.
Now back to Dr. Tom... Yes, we did get quite a bit on his background. The hour was jam-packed. I found it interesting that therapists of this sort are still allowed to have "issues". First his daughter and now this. At least he's got someone in his life though. Will they live happily ever after? I can see that happening. Will he let her in on the type of therapy he really does? He should. I've always found it interesting how both doctors and patients could avoid mentioning travel therapy without consequence. Then again, maybe you could write it off as life allowing for some magic, whimsy and things that can't be explained.
Oh yeah, Dr Naadiah. I forgot about that. I like getting more background on them, and it does make me wonder about Dr Arthur and if we'll see him again. He's been strangely absent.
About the whole thing, I like how they send Tom back the way Erica gets sent back, and I hope we'll get to see Erica's patients do the same at some point, although that might not fit the format, but I do hope it happens at some point. Otherwise it kind of feels like they're cheating a bit because every doctor sends his patients back, where they have a support role like Tom appearing in Erica's travelling.
You know, there's something to be said about soundtracks. We've already seen 3 different time periods this season, and they've all been believable in part due to the soundtrack.
We also got some insight into how people might perceive the person travelling back. I don't know if anyone noticed, but there are certain shots in Tom's travel, with a different actor playing his younger self while we ourselves saw him as he was, which to me felt a lot like Quantum Leap's method.
About the whole thing, I like how they send Tom back the way Erica gets sent back, and I hope we'll get to see Erica's patients do the same at some point, although that might not fit the format, but I do hope it happens at some point. Otherwise it kind of feels like they're cheating a bit because every doctor sends his patients back, where they have a support role like Tom appearing in Erica's travelling.
You know, there's something to be said about soundtracks. We've already seen 3 different time periods this season, and they've all been believable in part due to the soundtrack.
We also got some insight into how people might perceive the person travelling back. I don't know if anyone noticed, but there are certain shots in Tom's travel, with a different actor playing his younger self while we ourselves saw him as he was, which to me felt a lot like Quantum Leap's method.
This episode shows why the next version of Being Erica should have a male patient. Guys sometimes have a different set of problems from girls, and we certainly address the problems in a very different way. Personally, this episode resonates very strongly with me as I've been a very private person all my life, and this episode makes me want to shift the way I am. Kudos.
It is a good idea to show that therapists are human too. Like us, they have their own lives and the continue to have flaws that need to be addressed. The important point to note was how willingly Dr Tom opened up once he finally sees the problem with his own life.
It is a good idea to show that therapists are human too. Like us, they have their own lives and the continue to have flaws that need to be addressed. The important point to note was how willingly Dr Tom opened up once he finally sees the problem with his own life.
I always took it that Brent had thing for Julianne, and that's why he was so bitter and catty, because she went after Friedkin. I forget exactly when I started feeling that but it was in the first season, and then it seemed to pretty much make sense as everything went along.
Other thoughts...
I had trouble with the Dr. Tom time travel, I was thinking all the way through it, has this guy not been through therapy at all himself? The issue was believable, but it was so heavy and ran right through every part of his life, how the hell did he go through therapy and deal with this already? What regrets DID he deal with?
I was really impressed by Morgan Kelly putting on the machismo attitude, I barely recongnized him, his voice and mannerisms changed so much. I guess that may be closer to his real personality and he totally camps up the metrosexual persona, but anyway, it was a fun watch.
I never watched Degrassi, but I remembered Paula Brancatti from Dark Oracle. Did anyone else here used to watch that show? It was fun!
This episode is particularly eerie for me because I have faced a situation almost identical to Dr Tom's with my first girlfriend nearly two decades ago. In fact I gave her Dr. Tom's answer almost word for word, "I don't know why, its who I am and I can't change that". She left me pretty soon after that.
And I can tell you it took me about twelve years before I could see, was willing to see that I was the cause of it. And that's the very first step, being willing to see the actual cause of the problem. So yeah I have no problems with Dr Tom waiting so long to address this issue because it is a very deep seated one and one tends to get extremely myopic with deep seated issues. Even to this day I am still a pretty private person who largely keep to myself, abet one who can choose to open up much more than I could in the past.
It's eerie, but I always find something useful to take away from this show every week.
The problems don't always/often sync up, but there's usually a similar situation that can be extrapolated to ones own life where you can at least consider your past actions. (Nothing like actual therapy but a great way to examine one's own life and life choices.)
The problems don't always/often sync up, but there's usually a similar situation that can be extrapolated to ones own life where you can at least consider your past actions. (Nothing like actual therapy but a great way to examine one's own life and life choices.)
I hope we see him again. There's still this "big plan" for Erica that he and Naadiah were hatching back in season 3, and we have to find out what that was about.
I hope we get to see Erica in that role with her patients too.
We just might, seeing as how Erica will get time travel powers in the next episode. I hope she keeps them for more than just that episode. I hope they're not taken away because "she's not ready yet".
I don't see her ever being reduced to a supporting role though, unless the show continues on and she gets a patient named Erica.
Loved that 70s disco music. The tune was familiar, you hear it a lot, but I don't know the name of the song.
It was an excuse to get Michael Riley in there, but I wouldn't have minded if they didn't bother with the younger reflection. Riley shaved off his goatee too. Must be wearing a fake one for the time being.
He'd certainly have a different set of problems if his therapist was a woman and hot.
With Tom, I wouldn't have expected any less.
I was thinking the same thing. How did he and Naadiah miss this one? Thinking about it further, I realized what intrinsical said above. It was too deep seated and Tom was too myopic for this to be a typical regret. It only came to the surface when he realized that his take on what happened wasn't what really happened.
I saw the first few episodes. It was fascinating, but I never kept up with it. Dark Oracle was created by Jana Sinyor, who also created Being Erica and who was a writer on Degrassi.
Tonight's episode was the best EVER! 
Dr Tom quoting Spiderman? I loved how Erica reacted to her stopping time. It was brilliant. Award winning performance.
Dr Tom quoting Spiderman? I loved how Erica reacted to her stopping time. It was brilliant. Award winning performance.I feel bad for Adam though. I see where he was coming from, but at the same time, it felt like Erica couldn't win whatever she did which shows me they weren't compatible to begin with. I wonder if she'll end up with Kai again.
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