Erica Sinclair, the best character in “Stranger Things”
“You can’t spell America without Erica!” Why Stranger Things not so hidden gem shines in the latest season
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If you are familiar with Netflix’s original hit show Stranger Things, then you should already be aware of the badassery it brings with each new episode and season. If you’re not familiar with the show, I strongly suggest you get on board before the next season starts (slated for sometime later this year).
Since hopping on the Stranger Things train a couple of years ago, I found myself becoming an instant fangirl over Eleven (as we have by now, I would think). Eleven quickly evolved into such a “bitchin” character (for all my fans, you’ll know that term referenced from season two) between season’s one and two that it was evident that she had found her life’s purpose far sooner than most of us do as adults.
And in season 3 we saw her evolve even further with her supernatural abilities (and I’m not just talking about her using her superpowers to destroy the creature’s tentacles from the “upside-down” or flipping van’s over 360-style with bad guys in it) as a coming-of-age teenager conquering the ups-and-downs of teenage love, friendships, and newfound independence outside of her father and boyfriend, Mike (thanks to her new buddy Max). See Scene Below For Recap.
But outside the awesome character arcs, tropes, and other surprising elements that encompass the show, one thing, in particular, I admire the most about Stranger Things is its ability to subtly yet, brilliantly place social matters that are often deemed as taboo or underrepresented.
In season 2, one of the show’s biggest controversy’s stemmed from the interracial relationship between Lucas and Max. Some fans were outraged by the idea that a storyline such as that would even exist in the Stranger Things world. I suppose it was one thing for an adolescent African American boy to be apart of the cast, but another for him to have a romantic relationship with a Caucasian girl.
In the Duffer Brothers (creators of the show) case, they chose to display this reflected prejudice through Max’s evil-spirited yet complicated step-brother Billy. In their [2017] interview with vulture.com, they discussed Billy’s (racist) outlook and overall perspective of the world. Read the full interview in the link below.
Here’s the Excerpt From The Interview:
Yes, Max’s Stepbrother Is Racist
Matt Duffer: He’s just a terrible person.
Ross Duffer: He is racist, I think. It’s [reflective of] people that he’s viewing as different from him and an overall rage at the world. In this case, seeing his sister with someone like Lucas leads to that conversation.
Matt Duffer: But, also, any way he can find a reason to attack Max, he’ll use it. We wanted to be honest about what an [interracial] relationship like that would do, and how certain characters would react, and how a character like Billy would really react to that.
I appreciate The Duffer Brothers for not shying away (to the dismay of their fans) from such a topic that is often ignored and treated with distaste and a lack of emotional and social value. With the love triangle between Lucas, Dustin, and Max, it would’ve been a lot easier to push Max into a relationship with the boy who visibly, psychologically, and socially looked better opposite her, rather than the other.
In season 3, things got more enticing and exhilarating when we saw a few supporting characters at the forefront of the upside-down madness. Steve, Erica, and newcomer Robyn saw themselves (along with Dustin) in the middle of Russian warfare when they inadvertently discovered that the Russian military reopened the upside-down that Eleven nearly and quite literally sacrificed herself to close in season 2.
Amid all the craziness that took place just below the Starcourt Mall, one comical moment had Dustin and Erica debating for the title of the biggest “nerd.” Or rather, the conversation had Erica denying that she was a nerd in the first place!
Besides the priceless look on Erica’s face after Dustin declared her a “nerd” (especially after proudly proclaiming her brother and their friends as such for two seasons), this moment stood out to me for more reasons than to enjoy Erica’s classic sassiness in action for two and a half minutes.
As a Black woman, I appreciated seeing a young Black girl portrayed beyond the stereotype of a wagging finger and a rolling neck. Here you have a young adolescent girl who is intellectually, politically, and socially layered beyond her years. Maybe a little too grown-ish (pun intended) for her age, but layered nonetheless.
With that said, here are a few reasons why a character like Erica matters:
- It shows that young girls, particularly young women (of color), have more to offer the world in the industry of mathematics and science. Erica is clearly a child prodigy that will most likely take over the world one day with her immaculate contributions to society. A mind like hers cannot, nor should it slip through the cracks. By giving a character like Erica shine, other gifted young Black girls will know that they too can shine and that there are more kids out there just like them in a world where they’re hardly seen in this manner (think Katherine Johnson portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in Hidden Figures. Mrs. Johnson’s story wasn’t known to the public until over 60 years after the events happened.) Hopefully, when they see someone like Erica, it’ll make them feel more confident in their gifts (even if it isn’t in math, science, technology).
2. She exudes a confidence that we all aspire to have. Erica may be rough around the edges, but she has no problem saying what’s on her mind. She’s the type of girl to say what everyone else wants to say but are too afraid to say. She’s the kind of friend (or perhaps kid) that you wish you could have to be there to speak on your behalf without fearing dire consequences. Because let’s face it, if you said half of the things that came out of Erica’s mouth to your boss, landlord or any other (deserving) person, chances are it could lead to a physical altercation, getting fired, etc. (and no one has time to get in trouble with 5–0). At least when you’re Erica’s age, all you have to worry about is getting punished by your teacher or parents (if only it were that easy as an adult).
3. She proves that you really do need women in the world because, without their input, we’d all be, well…obliterated by Russian Military weapons and Mindslayers. Not to mention that her common sense reiterates the point that adults are not always right (see video above) and that sometimes, kids can be more helpful to you than a nuisance ( you’re welcome Murray).
But above all, I am enamored by the fact that the Duffer Brothers chose to capitalize on Erica’s once minor role as Lucas’ sassy little sister, by bringing her into a position that is more useful than just adding comic relief when needed. Understanding the pivotal moment of Erica’s depth as a “nerd genius” is crucial to the social issues that Stranger Things brings in a space where boys tend to triumph emphatically due to the nature of our patriarchal society that holds little value for women in general, but especially to Black women.
What’s great about a character like Erica is that she compliments that patriarchal space, adding flavor without being overwrought or an unnecessary cliché. Her sassiness (although arguably obnoxious at times) doesn’t fall without reason or explanation, which serves to back up the validity of her position or proposition in circumstantial moments, as we see throughout season 3.
I have to say I was apprehensive seeing her again at the beginning of season 3 because I didn’t want her to be just another sassy Black girl with an attitude that served as a filler. We are so much more than that. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always convey well on the big or small screens. And even if that were the case (a little sassiness is reasonable and even necessary at times), that isn’t where the complexities of our characteristics start or end. Even if Erica’s role this season wasn’t the biggest highlight, it would be silly not to acknowledge that this girl is a boss for all the right reasons. Who knows, maybe she’ll grow up to be a lawyer, astronaut, doctor or even the President. But whatever she becomes, I know one thing’s for sure. I want to be Erica Sinclair when I grow up.
Copyright 2020.
