Yes We Can: Analysis

Season 2, Episode 5: Yes We Can

Analysis

There are a few stereotypes people from other countries seem to associate with us Brits. Being big tea-drinkers is one of them. Personally, I can't stand the stuff. Another is our famed 'stiff upper lip' which either comes across as stoic or cold, depending on your point of view.

One of the others is illustrated in that old saying, "No sex please, we're British." Although not as true today as in the past, it's a subject that, for a nation which likes to pride itself on its manners and being polite in public, we often find difficult to address.

So you can't possibly expect me to have too much to say on the topic which provided the backdrop for this episode. Well, I'll have a go anyway.

Unsurprisingly, I think, like Ethan, I'd have been a bit freaked out going to that sex club. It made funny viewing as him and Erica tried to take in what they were seeing - Ethan particularly uncomfortable with a lot of the stuff going on.

The exchange with the married couple was interesting too. I actually agree with their fundamental point - all the rules we have about sex are unnatural. They have been created around a very natural act by religion or society.

For me, sex is just like eating, drinking, staying alive - it's just a natural animal instinct. It's a carnal need, an impulsive desire and urge. It's a lasting indication that, despite all the advances and discoveries the human race have made, we are still only highly-evolved animals.

However, as a society, we have tried to set and implement boundaries on what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to sex, particularly in a religious context and in marriage.

As cynical as it sounds, I do believe that it's unnatural for us to have simply one sexual partner, and it's no wonder why so many people stray and cheat to satisfy their sexual appetite.

It doesn't mean they don't love their partner, but they are caught in a terrible conflict. The brain is telling them one thing - that they are doing something wrong, breaking someone's trust, and hurting someone.

However, at the same time, their body is telling them something completely different - to give in to their feelings and carnal needs. I guess, in the end, it all comes down to self control.

This is another of the beauties of Being Erica, in that it a show that deals with such an issue when most simply don't.

The experience in the sex club of course leads to, a naked, Dr. Tom stepping in to help Erica, although with a twist. We have already seen a 'do-over' at the end of Season 1, Episode 12. Here though, Erica is presented with a whole day to do whatever she wants.

It leads to one of the funniest episodes of the season in my opinion. Right from the start as Erica relishes destroying Ethan's beanbag in an act of destruction that actually looked pretty cathartic.

Her sticking it to Friedkin and Julianne - impersonating their mannerisms and telling some home truths - including how The Secret Of Now "SUCKED!" and also confronting the guy whose ass she had been admiring was hilarious.

Not everything is great in her 'do over' day though, as Erica discovers when she meddles with Sam and Josh's relationship, again, with disastrous consequences, again. You can see Sam's point of view, who is Erica to lecture anybody on their relationship? Terrific acting from Joanna, incidentally, to stir such rage.

It's that awkward scenario you find yourself in, wanting to help someone and caring about them but not really in a position where you're qualified to speak. Do you come across as arrogant and help them, or stay quiet and let them potentially suffer?

We see more difficulties between Erica and Josh in this episode. His being the only plate she doesn't clear from the table, and him being the only one not to rush to the door when she arrives late to dinner.

Maybe a bit of hidden depth to his comment that Erica doesn't care about him and never has - were those the words of the disliked brother-in-law or those of the spurned guy who had to settle for second best?

Speaking of relationship problems, the triangle between Erica, Kai, and Ethan is further complicated in this episode. Incidentally, the count for endings to episodes featuring Erica and Kai now three out of five. That tells its own story.

Of course, the question is whether Erica's interest with Kai is down to the fact they are fellow time travellers and he is somebody she wants to hang out with. Or is it more than that, and she is actually attracted to him. At this point, even she doesn't know.

However, as a guy, it's always unnerving when you see your girl take an interest in another guy. As I've said before girls, we're very jealous creatures. So never try and use jealousy as a game, it doesn't work well.

You can tell, too, as Ethan can that Erica is a bit smitten with Kai. From his singing a song which she maybe takes more meaning from than others, to spending 20 minutes talking to him. Then spending her 'do over' day hanging out with him.

Watching this episode back again, it's interesting to note another clue about Kai's real identity when he's driving the car and comments how they don't make cars like it anymore. Funny how obvious these things are when you know what's coming in the future.

Of course, everything begins to spiral out of control for Erica - or becomes a nightmare, as she suggests - outside her mom's as she admits to Ethan about her time travelling. It must be a horrible realisation that you will never be able to discuss something with anyone ever - as is the case with her time travelling.

It ends with her and Kai, on the run from the cops, kissing. Clearly Kai initiated it and she pulled away after a few seconds. Poor form on his part though, you just don't go for another guy's girl. As we discover later though, this is classic Kai.

Afterwards her heart-to-heart with Ethan is amazing. You can so clearly see the absolute devastation over the guilt she feels for kissing Kai. She would do anything to take it back, but however good she behaves from now on, she knows she can't.

And then Ethan realising how she has betrayed him - although he probably thinks it was worse than the reality - when Erica pulls away from the kiss. An incredible scene and great acting from Erin and Tyron.

Just a note on Ethan's jealousy, and I know it sounds like I'm defending him, but I think it's right to. Quite simply someone whose marriage broke down because of Claire's infidelity, he is just going to be naturally less trusting. That's just a fact, and Erica should be more sympathetic.

However, there is a line, and you just can't tell someone not to be friends with someone of the opposite sex just because they're in a relationship. There has to be some trust there because, without it, no relationship has any hope at all.

Eventually, Erica of her own volition - although for his sake - decides to stop being friends with Kai. Clearly she's going for the old 'out of sight, out of mind' tactic. Looking to avoid seeing him, hoping her confused emotions and feelings will go away. They never do though. Only confronting them does that.

We see throughout the season how her kiss with Kai during the 'do over' plays on her mind, and although events can be erased, her memories can't. Then again, didn't Dr. Tom warn her of as much?

Indeed, you get the feeling throughout this whole episode that Dr. Tom - in classic devil's advocate and sarcastic mode - is trying to teach Erica a lesson. Of course, it's about how her actions will always have consequences and how she has to consider others when she takes her actions.

You'd think having given her a speech in Season 1, Episode 11 about how we're not islands she'd have known as much. Then again, I guess it's realistic that sometimes the same messages have to be hammered home in different ways from different angles.

While life is full of options, choices, possibilities, and opportunities all bring consequences with them. We may not have a crystal ball and know what they'll be, but that shouldn't stop us considering what they might be. For our good, and the good of others.