May 30th 2024.
The new drama has captivated audiences with its standout performances, making it one of the most talked-about shows of the year. Imagine the beloved children's show Sesame Street, but with a darker twist, as it follows the harrowing tale of a child abduction in the streets of New York City. Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the role of the eccentric and twisted puppeteer, Vincent, in this enthralling six-episode series set in the 1980s.
On the surface, New York City was a bustling metropolis of dreams, magic, and movies. But the reality was far from that, as the city was plagued with issues of racism, homophobia, the HIV crisis, and poverty. This grim backdrop sets the stage for the thrilling story of Eric, a missing child lost in the criminal underbelly of the Big Apple. Vincent is the creator of a hit children's TV show, Good Day Sunshine, which is essentially a copycat of Sesame Street.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Vincent and his wife, Cassie, have a heated argument, and their son, Edgar, walks out of the house in an attempt to escape the tense situation. However, Edgar never makes it to school. Vincent spends the day at work, clashing with his co-creatives on how to make their show "cooler," only to come home and find Cassie broken and Detective Michael Ledroit waiting for them. Their son is missing, and their already strained marriage is pushed to the brink. As Vincent turns to alcohol to cope with the stress, he is visited by a giant, blue, cocaine-snorting puppet named Eric, created by none other than his missing son.
The influx of crime dramas in recent years has been overwhelming, with every streaming platform and network churning out their own version. However, Eric stands out from the rest. Created by Abi Morgan, known for her diverse writing style, Eric is a unique and ambitious project. The show delves into themes of monsters, not under the bed, but within the city itself. From the corrupt police force to the rampant homophobia during the HIV pandemic, Morgan's vision of New York City in the 1980s is a gritty and chilling one.
The story primarily follows Vincent's downward spiral as he struggles to cope with his son's disappearance and his own personal demons. However, it is Cassie's character, played brilliantly by Gaby Hoffmann, who steals the show. Her despair over her missing son is compounded by her crumbling marriage, but she finds strength in leaving Vincent. Ledroit, the detective in charge of the case, also has his own struggles to deal with, from the weight of finding a missing child to his personal life being affected by the HIV crisis. The show does a commendable job of tackling these complex issues, but at times, it feels like they are not explored in enough depth.
Despite some loose ends being tied up too quickly, Eric remains a standout drama, thanks to the exceptional performances by Cumberbatch, Hoffmann, and McKinley Belcher III, who plays Ledroit. Cumberbatch shines in his portrayal of Vincent, a deeply flawed and unlikable character, while Hoffmann's performance as Cassie is heart-wrenching and powerful. The show's originality and magical elements make it a must-watch, but it does lose focus towards the end. Nevertheless, it is still one of the most enjoyable dramas of recent times, and the standout performances by the talented cast make it a must-see. Eric is now available to stream on Netflix.
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