Warning: Potential spoilers for Netflix’s Eric ahead
Summary
The new Netflix limited seriesEricis heavily influenced by when and where the action takes place. The dramatic crime thriller stars atalented cast led by Benedict Cumberbatchas a puppeteer named Vincent whose son goes missing in New York City. Vincent spirals out of control as his desperation increases, and to cope with the grief he befriends an imaginary 7-foot tall puppet, the show’s eponymous Eric, which was created by his son, Edgar. Along the way, the main characters' search for Eric leads them down a path lined with all the societal ills rampant in NYC.
The show’s setting, both in location and time period, helps to drive the show’s overarching narrative. In some ways, the setting acts as a character unto itself, as much a part of the story as Cumberbatch’s volatile puppeteer Vincent or any of the other major characters.The occasionally over-stuffedEriccan be considered a period piece, as the now-distant but still-familiar time period in which the story is set actually sets up most of the conflict presented in the six-episode miniseries. However, it can be tough to pin down an exact time frame for the casual binge-watcher.
Netflix’s Eric Takes Place In 1985
The show is rife with period references
Ericestablishes its 1980s New York City setting right away from a visual perspective. The level of technology, hairstyling and clothing all make it apparent that the show takes place at least a couple of decades in the past, but that isn’t quite enough to pin down an actual date for the show’s action. The first episode’s references to AIDS provides a bit more clarity, especially given the show’s New York City setting; New York City was the city most affected by the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.
All six episodes ofEricare available on Netflix as of May 30th, 2024.
McKinley Belcher III’s Detective Michael Ledroit puts a definitive time stamp on the show in the first episode as well, as he is shown writing the date “4/30/85” on paper. The overall 1980s aesthetic is clear enough, but the specificity of 1985 matters to the show’s narrative. In 1985, the AIDS epidemic was in full swing in NYC along with other societal problems like rampant homelessness, homophobia, and political corruption. These elements all contribute to the overall story thatEricis trying to tell, so setting the show smack-dab in the middle of the 1980s makes sense.
How Eric’s 1980s Setting Sets Up The Netflix Show
The story is driven by the culture of 1980s New York City
The 1985 setting is important to Edgar’s disappearance;the lack of technology compared to modern times makes his vanishing a realistic, plausible problem. In the age of Ring cameras on every doorbell and Find My Phone apps, a child disappearing in New York City would at least have some semblance of a trail to pursue. In 1985, however, it’s unsurprising that a nine-year-old boy could vanish with a trace while walking to school.
Bamar Kane
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Furthermore, the prevalence of puppets in the story makes a lot more sense given the 1985 setting. Vincent’s hit TV showGood Day Sunshineis a very overt stand-in for similar popular kids shows of the 1980slikeSesame Street,Fraggle RockandMister Rogers' Neighborhood. Vincent’s career as a puppeteer and the prevalence of puppets in general feel fitting in 1985, where the same concept and plot points would feel out of place if the show were set even 10 years later.
Outside of Edgar’s disappearance,the other story lines all revolve around the aforementioned problems plaguing New York Cityin 1985. While one part ofEricdeals with Vincent’s unraveling mind and his reliance on Eric, another part digs deep into Detective Ledroit’s struggles to remain closeted as a detective in the Missing Persons Unit. Another part examines the rampant homelessness and police brutality, and still another part points out government corruption in the city. Each separate element ofEriccan only exist cohesively thanks to the show’s specific setting in 1985.
Eric
Cast
A gripping psychological drama set in the turbulent 1980s New York City, following Vincent, a talented puppeteer whose life is shattered by the mysterious disappearance of his son, Edgar. As Vincent spirals into a world of despair and obsession, he channels his anguish into his puppet, Eric. Eric becomes more than a mere creation, serving as a conduit for Vincent’s pain and a guide through the shadows of his troubled mind. As Vincent delves deeper into the city’s underbelly in search of his son, the line between reality and delusion blurs, uncovering dark secrets and testing his grip on sanity
