'A Million Little Things' Episode 4 'Perfect Storm' reveals the mystery behind Eric's character

When Jason Ritter's Eric made an appearance on 'A Million Little Things', he immediately shook Maggie's world and here's why.
UPDATED OCT 18, 2019

Major spoilers for episode 4 'Perfect Storm' of 'A Million Little Things' 

When Jason Ritter's Eric made an appearance on 'A Million Little Things', he immediately shook Maggie's (Allison Miller) world. The first time that we saw him, he was with Maggie's mother Patricia (Melora Hardin) together at the bar and his identity was a mystery. 

Some fans thought that Eric was the reason Patricia left her husband and came to Boston. Even Maggie was under the impression that her mother is having an affair with Eric. Hence when she was livid when Patricia brought Eric along with her for breakfast at the end of the last episode. With nervous, awkward energy in the air during the breakfast, Maggie outright asked Eric about how they started dating. Patricia and Eric deny it impulsively and her mother admits she has something to tell her. 

Truth bombs were dropped and they were obviously not pleasant. For any of the parties seated on the table. Patricia tells Maggie that after his death, her brother Chad's heart was donated to - you guessed it - Eric! 

Melora Hardin as Patricia on 'A Million Little Things' (Image: ABC)

What hurts Maggie deeply is that her mother had told both her and her father that Chad had died on the spot of the accident after his car hit the tree. But Patricia tells her that she has had a valid reason to keep this information from her daughter. "I didn't want you to know to regret missing the chance to say goodbye. I didn't want you to know he had suffered," she told her. 

All the reasonings in the world couldn't possibly repair the damage Patricia has done. Because of her lie, Maggie had spent the last six years carrying around a lie about her brother's death. "The last six years, I’ve been walking around with a story that’s not even true," she says. "I have to bury him all over again."

Shattered by the news, Maggie leaves her home in the pouring rain. When Gary (James Roday) catches up with her, she tells him that she needs to be alone for some time. But Patricia is harboring another secret. Once Gary is back inside the house, he figures out that Patricia never left her husband Eugene - after finding out the truth about Chad, Eugene left her.

'A Million Little Things' airs on Fridays on ABC at 9|8c. 

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