The episode opens at a press conference about the disappearance of Edgar Anderson (Ivan Morris Howe). Vincent Anderson (Benedict Cumberbatch) apologizes to his son and pleads with him to come home, so he can show the press that he is alive.

48 Hours Earlier – Edgar is on the set of “Good Day Sunshine.” After the filming, he waits in the lobby while Vincent, Lennie (Dan Fogler), Frank (Raymond Carr), Jackson (Simon Manyonda), and the other cast members discuss future plans for the show. Vincent argues against the changes. Lennie tells him that viewership has dropped over the last year. As the meeting continues, Edgar checks out the material utilized for the costumes. Ellis (Chloe Claudel) gives him a swatch of fuzzy, blue material for Eric. Lennie tosses something to Ellis before leaving. A short time later, Edgar pitches his idea for the new puppet, Eric, but Vincent is distracted. A Vietnam Veteran (David Brooks) asks for donations. Vincent thanks him for his service and gives him some cash. Edgar closes his notebook. Vincent makes a joke about an obese passenger. After acquiring a “Dynamite” comic book for Edgar, Vincent stops at a liquor store where Yuusuf (Bamar Kane) walks out without paying. Yuusuf greets Edgar and continues down the sidewalk. In a race to see who gets home first, Vincent is in the lead and Edgar gives up. George Lovett (Clarke Peters) asks Edgar to save him the puzzle in his comic book.

Cassandra “Cassie” Anderson (Gaby Hoffmann) greets Edgar with a hug. Vincent urges her to not smother him. She says his father, Robert Anderson’s condos will soon replace the shelter on 34^th Street. He fills her in on Lennie’s plan to create a new puppet. In his room, Edgar says “f**k you” while working on his sketch of Eric. Vincent drinks a lot with dinner and asks Edgar to pitch his idea. When Edgar explains the details of Eric, Vincent badgers him until Cassie intervenes. Later, Edgar overhears his parents arguing and a glass shattering. He is awake when Cassie comes in to check on him. After checking under his bed for monsters, she looks at his drawings of Eric. She says he has Vincent’s gift and claims to like it.

Edgar is quiet at breakfast. Vincent tries to cheer him up and offers him some French toast which he declines. He finishes packing his lunch while Vincent tries to make up with Cassie. Vincent believes Edgar is old enough to walk to school on his own but Cassie disagrees. A man watches Edgar walking down the sidewalk. George turns to look as Edgar rounds the corner.

When Vincent arrives at the studio, a woman tells him that Cassie called. Jerry (Donald Sage Mackay) warns Vincent that Richard Costello (Jeff Hephner) is in the kid’s section. A few minutes into the show, Vincent goes off-script to talk about the increasing crime in New York. Costello gets up from his seat. The show goes on without Vincent. A woman tells Vincent to call Cassie. He poses for a group photo before reading his messages. Costello says City Hall appreciates what they are doing for the city. Vincent complains about the trash service. Jerry tries to pass it off as a joke but Vincent assures him that he is being serious. Lennie reminds him of who pays their salaries. It is late when Vincent arrives home to learn Edgar is missing. Frantic, Cassie says he never arrived at school. Ledroit (McKinley Belcher III) looks around the apartment at a dustpan of shattered glass and a vandalized photo of Vincent’s father. Cassie claims it was Edgar’s first time walking to school without an adult. News 6 pulls up in front of the building. Cassie’s mother calls to ask about Edgar.

Ledroit asks George if he noticed anything out of the ordinary this morning. George says the garbage truck ran. Seeing a tricycle in repair inside the apartment, Ledroit asks if he has grandchildren. George claims to be fixing it for a girl whose family lives in the building. Ledroit takes note when George says Edward was a good kid. At the police station, Ledroit prepares his team to canvas the neighborhood.

The Lux – A drag queen (George Lester) greets Ledroit outside. Alexander Gator (Wade Allain-Marcus), the owner of The Lux, offers him a beer. Wearing a wire, Ledroit orders a Sprite before taking a seat. Gator mingles with the crowd. Ledroit is in the restroom when Cal Kennedy (Bobby Schofield) attacks TJ (Stefan Race) and asks if he wants to end up like 8. Nokes (Ryan Hunter) intervenes. Ledroit starts to arrest Kennedy until Nokes holds up his badge. Kennedy says they are Vice. Back at the police station, Ledroit removes his wire and writes Lux April 30, 1985, on a label before adding the tape to his collection. At home, he greets William (Mark Gillis) with a kiss. William snuggles up close to him.

Vincent refuses to stay home. Cassie says he should have walked Edgar to school. He walks out without responding. He takes a swig of alcohol and walks to St. Edith’s Elementary School children are playing soccer on the playground.

Commissioner Nelson (William Hope) scolds him for his near-arrest of Nokes and Kennedy and orders him to stay away from The Lux. Several months since his release from prison, Gator is back running The Lux. Ledroit reminds him of how Gator utilized kids to run drugs at the Sierra. Some people question if Ledroit transferred out of Vice because he couldn’t cut it.

George assists an intoxicated Vincent up to his apartment. Cassie informs him that the police found something. A short time later, Ledroit shows them Edgar’s bloody Good Day Sunshine t-shirt. He says a Hudson Sanitation worker found it. Vincent says a lot of kids have the same shirt. Cassie assures him that it is Edgar’s. Ledroit urges them to stay positive. A short time later, Cassie tells Vincent that she needs to get away from him. At home, he tries to recreate Edgar’s Eric. He drains his bottle of alcohol when Cassie calls to say she is at Rhonda’s. She meets with Sebastian (Jose Pimentao). They passionately kiss. George works on a crossword puzzle at his apartment.

Intoxicated, Kennedy complains about his wife, Kim constantly talking about their unborn baby. The barman (Jared Johnston) pours him another drink. Kennedy says Nokes is upset with him because he talks too much. He doesn’t pick up his watch when it falls out of his pocket.

Ledroit takes notes from the April 30^th recording at The Lux. TJ says a 10-year-old bourbon came in tonight. Gator asks a young boy if he is hungry. The boy says, “Yeah.” Elsewhere, a car mows an intoxicated Kenny down, leaving him lying unconscious in the street.

Vincent wakes up in Edgar’s bed and rolls on onto the floor. A life-size version of Eric kicks him, calls him a “pathetic f**k,” and orders him to get dressed, so they can go find Edgar. Vincent jumps up to get another look at Eric. Edgar’s coat is lying on the ground at an unknown location. The episode ends.

 

Eric Review

An intriguing plot nearly ruined by poor execution. The story doesn’t flow. Sometimes it feels as if you’re inside Vincent’s overactive mind, running 90 miles an hour. It touches on every social issue imaginable, steering further and further away from the plot. The direction of the story is obvious.

Edgar is the only likable character. Benedict Cumberbatch tries too hard to impress the audience. There were times when it felt like he was trying to mimic Robin Williams.

An oversaturated cast is typical of Netflix. Characters with no real purpose. absorbing screen time that should be dedicated to the main cast. Only a handful will make a difference in the long run.

Story progression is slow and cumbersome. The cinematography is decent but the editing could have been better.

 

The episode deserves a 6 out of 10. Get more Eric recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV shows and movies.