No. 9: Erin Karpluk

Name: Erin Karpluk

Date of Birth: 17 October, 1978

Hometown: Jasper, Alberta

Selected Career Credits:

• Being Erica (2009)... Erica Strange
  
• The L Word (3 Episodes, 2008)... Alysse
• Bionic Woman (2 Episodes, 2007)... Robin
• Godiva's (2005-2006)... Kate (Leo and Gemini Nominations)

Harem Role: In Charge of Timmie's Runs.

***

Oh, Erin Karpluk. I first discovered Ms. Karpluk when the CBC was pushing her as the new Golden Child of Canadian Television. I remember catching quick glances of her on posters around Toronto and on the sides of buses and the like. People seemed to be buzzing at the thought of the new show, Being Erica -- who was this girl in the gleaming red dress, the one bombarding all our public spaces with her image? I was intrigued, to say the least. So, I tuned in and there she was -- a future member of the Harem Proper.

Being Erica focuses on the trials and tribulations of a thirty-something woman named Erica Strange. She is a woman plagued by regrets and overwhelmed by her lot in life. She begins therapy sessions only to discover that her counsellor (Michael Riley) has the power to send her back through time to alter events from her past. While the premise might sound a little too fairy-tale at first glance, the subject matter is handled in a compelling way -- while Erica can change these events, she never rids herself of regret. Instead, her decisions lead to new problems she had never foreseen. Old challenges give way to new issues she must overcome in order to find peace within herself.

And Erin Karpluk handles the character beautifully.  

She's the good, Canadian girl-next-door with a bit of sass and a willingness to embrace life and explore her darker side in order to bring light into her life. I could feel the slow pull of attraction with each new episode I watched until I knew she'd found her place in The Harem. AND, I must note -- Being Erica outdid itself with one particular episode titled "Everything She Wants."

Episode in a Nutshell: In the present, Erica is dating a man she is physically attracted to, but not emotionally --> Erica remembers Cassidy, a friend she'd been emotionally attracted to, but could not establish a physical spark with. Both women drifted apart after a New Year's Eve incident. "Resolution": Admits her love for her best (guy) friend, Ethan (Aka. the man she is connected with on both levels) --> He admits he's trying to work things out with his ex-ish wife.

Why do I bother with this rundown?

Watch. Watch and drool:

I. HEART. YOU. CBC.

Erin Karpluk -- Welcome to Miz Moffatt's Harem Proper. I look forward to your domination of the CBC and future episodes of the all-too-adorable Being Erica. I say we celebrate with some tea and Timbits.