Such A Perfect Day: Analysis

Season 1, Episode 7: Such A Perfect Day

Analysis

Why is that happy memories always seem to come secondary to bad ones? Maybe that's just me - and Erica - who has real trouble coming up with a 'perfect day' when challenged by Dr. Tom.

I asked myself the same question, trying to think of such an occasion I'd like to return to if given the opportunity. I'm still thinking now. That's probably pretty sad, and I certainly couldn't recall one spent just with my siblings - as Erica eventually decides upon.

This is the first time we get a real experimentation with the time travelling concept during the series. Of course, it becomes quite common in Season 2 where we see a few breaks from the traditional Erica re-living a regret storyline.

After a couple of episodes away, we return to River Rock to see Erica still struggling to get on with, and impress, Julianne. A fact made worse by the huge workload she has to deal with.

Where there's Julianne and Brent, there's always comedy. The running-joke of people getting the "dog book" mixed up with "cat book" was humorous, Erica's continued poor coffee making, Brent's strange flirting with Erica, and the pair's general bitchiness about Stahl made great antidotes to the serious issues during the episode.

Namely, the ongoing row between Sam and Erica which has led to a complete breakdown in communications. Now, I've had plenty of arguments with my brothers, but none of them have escalated to a point of a complete lack of speaking to one another.

Also, the troubled Stahl - who Erica seems intent on looking out for, even at the risk of her own job, and then later mostly likely saves from dying from an overdose.

It provides an interesting look at the different approaches to solving a problem. Julianne and Brent went for the attack on Stahl, whereas Erica, perhaps inspired by her own work with Dr. Tom, went for the more understanding and compassionate angle.

Throughout the episode, we get glimpses of how flighty Julianne can be. This is someone out of their depth in control.

We also see just how ruthless and pragmatic Brent is. Sure, he likes Erica and wants to her to stay, but he'd walk all over her if it meant him getting a promotion and not her.

My favourite scene in the episode is, unsurprisingly, the one between Erica and Dr. Tom when he magically beckons her into his office simply through her closing her eyes. Not sure how that works, but there she is.

One of the best Dr. Tom quotes also takes place where his profound quote is followed by him admitting he has no idea about the person who said it. That was an unexpected and funny touch.

We then see a terrific exchange between an irritated Erica who doesn't want any more therapy and Dr. Tom who, after maintaining so cool and calm, suddenly snaps after she refuses to listen and work with him.

A clear bit of prolepsis for the season finale if ever there was one. She is actually quite scared at how he explodes and shouts at her. I think Dr. Tom himself is shaken more than anymore, having to compose himself again.

It's just a brief glimpse of the depth and intrigue which lies behind his seemingly all-knowing, calm, and funny exterior. I'm really pleased they decided to explore it more in Season 2.

He manages to put her at ease, with the aid of a mandolin though. Two things struck me from this, firstly, I really want to taste one, as I never have. Secondly, the Proustian Rush is so true. Amazing how smells and tastes and sounds can just take you back somewhere.

They seem to make up, and I like the fact he decides to send her to a happy memory, but this is Dr. Tom, so he's not going to just send her back for a jolly trip, but to learn something along the way.

And learn she does. Just as she saluted the day for nobody being present to tell her, Sam, and Leo what to do, in her attempts to recreate the perfect day she ends up doing just that. It leads to Dr. Tom's interesting discussion on quantum mechanics.

I'd never heard of Toronto Island, so had to look it up and discover more about it. I always think amusement parks always have the ability to turn adults back into kids again. They're great places.

There are plenty of funny moments along the way, Erica's mini-golf cheering, and once again using the time travelling feature to good effect - Leo adopting the obscure name of Tiger Woods as he shows us that, really, he liked to play up more than anything.

Importantly for the present day, too, Erica has the chance to make a positive step forwards in her relationship with Sam - with the purchase of the snow globe, as well as learning her sister doesn't hold grudges.

Their meeting in the hospital after Erica's time travelling is a particularly sad scene, with Erica reminding Sam that they have already lost one sibling, and she won't lose another.

The closing scenes are also powerful and strike a hopeful and positive note too, albeit maybe not for Sam's relationship judging by her text from Josh - still working gone 10pm certainly doesn't bode well.

Oh, and to think I almost made it all the way through without mentioning Ryan. That French accent? Surprise cooking for her? Someone send him back in time, permanently.

Erica is once again reminded though, that she has the power in her hands to make the choices to better not only her past experiences, but also her ones in the present. I guess we all do. It's just making the right ones which is the tricky part.