Top 10 Theories About Being Erica

In Being Erica, a television show starring Erin Karpluk, Erica Strange goes back in time to undo her biggest regrets. She does this with the help of Dr. Tom (played by Michael Riley), a mysterious therapist who approached her in the hospital after she'd just experienced an exceptionally bad day. This is the premise of the show--what we're supposed to believe--but is it what's really happening?

As someone who hates spoilers--preferring to figure things out on my own or just see how the story unfolds--I've avoided reading other people's theories about Being Erica. However, I do have a few theories of my own.

It is possible that Erica is really traveling through time. If so, the question is why she was chosen. The first three theories are possible explanations.

1. Erica lost her job, got dumped by her boyfriend, got soaked in the rain, and suffered an allergic reaction to a hot drink meant to make her feel better. She was in the depths of despair, and the pitiful state of her life put her on the radar of those who could help her. This is the premise of the show, and it could be as simple as this, with no further explanation necessary. Dr. Tom and the other time-travel-enabling therapists are simply always on the lookout for people just like Erica.

2. Dr. Tom is really an angel who takes Erica through time to help her with her biggest regrets. This is similar to the previous theory, except that Dr. Tom and the other "therapists" are angels.

3. Erica meets Dr. Tom at some point in the future, probably because her life is even worse by that point. When they meet, time travel is an established way to deal with problems. The first time they change history together, it's to establish 2008 as the year they first made contact.

If Erica isn't really traveling through time, something else is obviously happening. What makes her--or the viewers--believe that she is able to go back in time?

4. Erica is in a coma. Her allergic reaction to the nut flavoring in the latte was so severe that she went into a coma. While in this altered state, she met Dr. Tom, who was also comatose. Remember that he tried to jump off a building. Kai should also be dead. They are all in comas and have been having out-of-body experiences. They aren't really traveling through time, though.

5. Erica is in a coma. Although she can't communicate with anyone, she is slightly aware of the comings and goings in her hospital room. Dr. Tom is her real doctor.

6. This theory is almost the same as #5, but with a huge exception. Dr. Tom is actually the orderly.

If Erica isn't traveling through time, and she isn't in a coma, then what's going on?

7. Erica is dead. Her allergic reaction to the nut flavoring in the latte killed her. Dr. Tom is an angel, and Erica doesn't realize that she's now in training to become a "therapist" just like him.

8. If Erica died from the allergic reaction, it's also possible that she's in purgatory.

9. Erica is in an insane asylum. A traumatic event caused her to break with reality.

Finally, it's possible that Erica isn't comatose or dead, and that she isn't really traveling through time. How is that possible?

10. Erica, Dr. Tom, and the others are characters in a novel. The publishing industry is already central to the story, with Erica having worked for a publishing house. She has also wanted to be an author. Erica could be a character based on the author, possibly even with some of the same regrets. In other words, Erica Strange is the author's Mary Sue.

I believe all of these ten theories about Being Erica are plausible, although I see some as more likely than others. Theory #10 is currently my top choice and makes the most sense. However, #6 also has a good twist and was my main theory for quite some time. We'll see what happens as the story unfolds.

Source:

Personal knowledge and opinion