The 'Good Day Sunshine' puppet TV show is the successful brain child of creative genius Vincent Anderson (Benedict Cumberbatch). However, though the show has been successful in the 70's the network says it is badly in need of an update. Vincent is a narcissist and control freak, frequently abrasive to all around him, so he is not dealing with this well. Add to this that he is prone to schizophrenia (which his wealthy mother keeps patronising him about - "I think it's time to take your pills again Vincent") and alcoholism and you have the backdrop for the disappearance of his 9 year old son Edgar (Ivan Morris Howe).
Eric is essentially a drama about dealing with the open wound that a missing person (particularly a child) leaves behind. In this respect it is a darkly comic watch because of the juxtaposition of the pain (arguments, anger, profanity, alcoholism) against the child like muppet show style characters. The titular monster muppet Eric (who is reminiscent of 'sully' from Monsters Inc) is the 'Mr Hyde' alter ego of Vincent - imagined by his long suffering son - but manifested (literally) by the father. That's the central contrivance or 'Eric' - and it works well.
At one point the distraught mother, Cassie - brilliantly played by Gabby Hoffman as an emotional wreak - asks a family friend - "What is it about puppets Lenny?" To which he replies "They can say the things that we can't" And that's one of the key themes - using avatars to express the best and worst of our dreams and desires.
Add to this mix uber cool 'lost people' detective Michael Detroit (Belcher) - who rarely gets mad or breaks a smile - but is also strong, handsome and romantically sensitive with his dying partner. However - his investigations seem to move at a snail like pace as he spends most of his time being hounded by grieving parents to do more (or work colleagues to 'get a life / wife').
There are some great 'needle drops' - I won't spoil the surprises but they make you smile and they are well chosen and timed.
I've got to say - this is a promisingly refreshing and creative production. The characters are very well acted and surprisingly three dimensional. Despite its nostalgic 80's setting it has a comic book vibe about it - almost 'super-real'.
The one criticism I do have is that it did seem to me to be a little sluggish in its plot and pacing. I kept coming back for more because the characters and story were so engaging and compelling - but I have to admit, the lack of action was a bit frustrating sometimes. So I think this would have worked better as a four episode series - however - if you can 'go with the slow flow' it really is worth the watch in the end.
