Shh... Don't Tell: Analysis

Season 2, Episode 6: Shh... Don't Tell

Analysis

Ignorance is bliss. So goes the old saying anyway. When being ignorant is usually perceived as bad, it's a strange thing to say. Then again, there are some things it's better to be ignorant of. After all, what you don't know can't hurt you.

It's the dilemma which faces Erica in an episode dominated by secrets, surprises, and lies. Unfortunately for Erica, she must wrestle with discovering a secret she probably wishes she hadn't.

I remember being shocked the first time we saw Friedkin and Meeri up to no good in the copy room. It was a nice twist by the writers. Although we know Friedkin is hardly the most trustworthy of characters, it certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons.

It also inspires one of the funniest scenes of the season with the metaphorical muffin during the board meeting. The combination of Julianne's ignorance, Meeri's embarrassment, Friedkin's smugness and Erica's annoyance is a great recipe.

Just when you think it can't get any funnier, Brent - having cottoned on to what they're talking about - chips in with his comments about multiple muffins and how often he enjoys them. Brilliant stuff.

My own view is that Meeri really only has herself to blame. If she cared about the job so much then she shouldn't have jeopardised it, as a hard-nosed Erica so rightly pointed out. This is clearly not the same Erica who was afraid of firing Linda in Season 1, Episode 12.

However, although it's easy to feel sorry for Julianne, as Brent comments, a lot of her trouble has been brought on herself. Getting involved with one of her authors was foolish, and typical of her flighty character and habit of making rash decisions without thinking them through.

We see the incredibly embarrassing birthday celebration at River Rock, including Julianne singing on her own to Friedkin as the rest of the office know exactly what's been going on. Having Meeri pop up with the cake really was the icing on the, well, cake, in that scene.

We see more classic Brent in this episode too. Having received praise from Julianne he assures Galvin there are no further concerns. Then he advises Erica to be pragmatic and save her own skin rather than helping Julianne - who is Erica's boss first and friend second.

He's clearly very ruthless, especially in the way he reports her to Galvin at the end and uses the photos to his own advantage. Really, from this episode on, the battle lines at River Rock are drawn for the remainder of the season.

Erica nails her colours firmly to the Julianne mast when deciding to tell her the truth. A decision born out of loyalty if not common sense. As, when the schism occurs, you can't help but feel, as noble as her cause was, that she has attached herself to a sinking ship.

Of course, before that, Erica has some time travelling to do - albeit she appears reluctant at first. In classic Dr. Tom fashion, he forces her to confront a regret - using some nice reverse psychology to have her begging him to send her back in the end.

He also makes a comic appearance as the school mascot, sarcastically praising Erica and trying to get a cheer going for her. Classic Dr. Tom, and there he is back at River Rock when she returns to make her realise what she has to do.

The high school regrets are always good fun on Being Erica, not least because it allows for some good scope with comedy from the likes of Jenny and Zach. Although I couldn't help but ask the question - where was Katie? Bring her back!

It's amazing the things that we said to other people and did to others during our school days. The viciousness of Jenny's attacks on the admittedly very annoying Fiona are something you just don't get in the adult world.

I dare say that most of us look back on embarrassment and regret the way we sometimes behaved during our school days. I guess it's all part of growing up, but still.

The storyline was pretty predictable. I think you could see the chocolate/laxative coming from a mile off, as well as the fact that Mr Callaghan was somehow involved in no good. Erica eventually sees him for what he is and knows she has to expose him - just like she has to with Friedkin.

As Dr. Tom and Erica agree, Jenny's attitude and relationship with men is probably heavily influenced by what happened with him. It's difficult to underestimate just how important those early experiences are for shaping us as adults.

Just one point about the regret - girls playing soccer. Why is it that soccer is seen as primarily a girls sport in North America? Of course I'm totally biased, but it's the biggest sport in the world folks, and that's the men's game.

Away from her time travelling, we see Erica and Kai resolve their differences. I actually think it was good of him to be there to listen to her after her day at work because he realises she needs to be able to talk about it to someone.

It was clever, too, how at the end, Ethan's secret - when we clearly saw him keeping something from Erica in the morning before cancelling drinks with her - actually turned out to be a nice surprise.

You could see how Erica was a little nervous about going home and wondering what to expect only to find out it's a secret that she enjoyed finding out.

Why exactly she decided to hide her meeting with Kai from Ethan - who had already given Erica the OK to be friends with whoever she wanted - is strange though. On reflection, it probably betrays her true state of mind when it comes to all things Kai.

Friend? Confidant? Secret kisser? Things can only become even more complicated.