Being Erica follows Erica Strange, a woman in her early thirties struggling with regret over past choices. After a chance encounter with the mysterious Dr. Tom, Erica is offered a unique form of therapy: the ability to revisit pivotal moments in her past through time travel. Each session sends Erica back to relive significant life events, giving her the chance to make different decisions and alter the outcomes. As Erica navigates these journeys into her past, she grapples with the emotional and psychological consequences of her choices and discovers how her perceptions of reality, self-worth, and relationships are deeply intertwined. Through this unique form of time-travel therapy, the show explores key tropes like alternate timelines, identity crises, and the concept of fate versus free will. The series is primarily set in contemporary urban settings, with the past events often taking place in Erica’s high school, university, or early professional years, contributing to its blend of modern and nostalgic tones
Being Erica
Gravity Index: 5
Being Erica offers a unique take on time travel, using it as a tool for personal development rather than for grand philosophical or scientific exploration. The show’s tone remains balanced between drama and lightheartedness, making it an accessible, emotionally driven narrative. While the consequences of time travel are explored primarily through the lens of personal growth, the series does not push the boundaries of high-concept storytelling, focusing instead on the internal journey of its protagonist.
Tone: 5
The tone of Being Erica strikes a middle ground, incorporating lighthearted moments of humor and personal growth, while also delving into serious, introspective issues. The time travel mechanism is used primarily as a therapeutic tool for self-improvement and personal reflection, allowing the narrative to balance drama with moments of levity. Although the consequences of Erica’s time-traveling actions carry emotional weight, the tone is rarely dark or philosophical.
Consequence: 6
While Erica’s trips to the past allow her to address personal regrets and gain closure, the consequences are often more emotional than metaphysical. Changes she makes in the past lead to subtle but meaningful shifts in her present, though the scale of these alterations tends to be personal rather than world-altering. The show touches on the “butterfly effect” lightly but rarely delves into paradoxical or far-reaching consequences.
Depth: 4
The time travel in Being Erica is explained in a mystical, therapeutic manner rather than a scientific one, with little exploration of the mechanics behind it. The focus is primarily on personal growth and reflection, with occasional moments that hint at deeper philosophical questions regarding fate, choice, and self-determination. However, the show does not engage deeply with these ideas and instead centers on Erica’s emotional and psychological journey.