As a seasoned viewer of heartwarming television shows, I must say that this week’s episode of Shrinking took me back to the good old days of Parenthood, where tears were a regular feature on my screen. This time around, it was the beautiful bond between Jimmy and Alice that tugged at my heartstrings.
From its inception, Shrinking has centered around several significant motifs: therapy, bereavement, trauma, forgiveness, and the challenge of expressing emotions honestly. However, this series also delves into parenthood, which is evident in episodes like “Full Grown Dude Face.” Despite not being the most emotionally charged or heart-wrenching episode from season two, I believe it was the one that resonated with me on a deeply personal level.
To begin with, we’ll tackle the less developed plotline, which remains enjoyable. A couple of episodes back, Courtney consented to let Gaby have three months to devise a care plan for their mom. However, this deadline is hastened in this episode when Courtney chooses to enlist in the military, inspired by the purpose it provided Sean and Jorge. Additionally, Courtney is drawn to exploring more of the world after being confined with their mother for so long. She proposes delaying her decision until next year, not wanting to pressure Gaby into making a hasty decision about their mom, but Gaby can’t count on this. Instead, she gives her approval, and their sisterly bond appears stronger than ever.
In this episode, Paul acts as a listening ear for Gaby, providing multiple suggestions regarding her situation. Given the numerous challenges in Gaby’s life currently, she seems to be in a phase where she secretly wishes ill for her sister Courtney due to the thought that Courtney’s happiness might bring more serious obligations for herself. However, Paul also advises Gaby that some self-centeredness could benefit her, as her chronic tendency to care for others may hinder her from establishing proper boundaries. Indeed, when Phyllis visits Gaby for the first time, Gaby demonstrates this by passively consenting to let her mother reside with her.
It’s somewhat confusing to determine our emotions towards this situation, given its uncertain outcome. Are we supposed to wish for Gaby to become more self-centered and prioritize herself? We’ve glimpsed that aspect of her character earlier in the season through her persistent anger towards her sister. However, it might not be straightforward to support her neglecting her mother again, considering Paul’s desire to grow closer to his daughter as he ages.
As a movie critic, I found myself deeply immersed in “Full Grown Dude Face,” a thought-provoking exploration of familial obligations and the impact of parenthood on one’s life. The protagonist, Brian, a man who had never harbored ambitions for fatherhood until recently, is now grappling with its true essence as he navigates his newfound role in real-time.
Jimmy calls out Brian’s habit of reacting aggressively due to anxiety about being rejected, which is a protective behavior he must work on overcoming. Luckily, Charlie will be there for support; no one has any issues with Charlie. However, when Ava visits Jimmy’s house (it’s more convenient for her since she works nearby), Brian slips back into old habits, restlessly moving around and talking nervously until Charlie tells him to calm down. In hindsight, Charlie should have intervened earlier. Fortunately, Brian’s candor about his apprehension helps everyone loosen up a bit, and they eventually bond over shared hobbies like collectible troll pencil toppers and musical theatre performances.
The smartest touch here is the way Bill Posley’s script draws a connection between Brian’s paternal desires and the rest of the friend group. I’ve felt a little mixed about the adoption story line because we haven’t seen much of Brian earnestly wanting a child, but this mini-monologue locks it into place: Brian is inspired by the little community that their friends have built and feels safer having a kid knowing the whole “village” will be involved. “The only reason our friends aren’t here right now is because they put their kids first,” he says. “And that’s the type of parents that we want to be.”
However, things didn’t turn out as planned. Later in the evening, Charlie receives a call from Stuart verifying that Ava had gone with another couple. This twist, though surprising and tinged with sadness, is not a step back; instead, it underscores Brian’s genuine desire for this outcome, which leaves him dejected. This moment, filled with bittersweet emotions, strikes a chord in Charlie, who empathizes with his husband’s sorrow. The presence of their friends provides comfort during this difficult time, serving as a reminder that they do indeed have a support network to lean on.
This season, Jimmy has been grappling with some atypical parental issues concerning Alice’s secret talks with the person who had a profound impact on their lives – a drunk driver. However, the Louis plotline is momentarily halted, but Alice is likely to grow suspicious about Louis’ absence and brief messages soon. In this episode, Jimmy’s parenting struggles appear ordinary at first glance: His daughter is increasingly asserting her independence, and he’s trying to balance between holding on and giving her freedom. As Derek puts it, “Dad life! Make your kid think you don’t care when you do.
In this situation, when Jimmy encounters Dylan, who appears to be an adult in his kitchen, it turns out that Dylan is a 17-year-old there for a casual date with Alice. This is a typical sitcom setup, and as the scene progresses into more comedic elements like Jimmy choking on a grape and Dylan administering the Heimlich maneuver, it eventually leads to some profound moments of honesty.
Jimmy is skillfully handling a common parental situation: allowing Alice to gain independence without causing her guilt. Remarkably, he handles it well! I appreciate the decision to show his success in this scenario; although privately he admires Alice’s beauty upon seeing a photo of her in a new dress for Dylan’s school dance, he didn’t pressure her to shop with him or deliver a “date talk” to her boyfriend.
A touch of self-control significantly helps Alice feel comfortable enough to confide in Jimmy during trying times, as she continues to rely on him like a parent. When someone reminds her of her past from the “Cheater Bitch” video at Dylan’s after-party and reveals her connection to the “girl with the dead mom,” it is her father she turns to for comfort; he is the only one who can truly empathize with such profound loss, especially this specific tragedy.
Apart from that, he possesses some profound insights that can be traced as far back as episode three of the series, where Jimmy introduced the term “dead-wife face.” In conversation with Alice, he revealed that he began employing this phrase to assert his grief, making it clear that others didn’t need to tread lightly around him.
In a similar fashion to her father, Alice converses with her new acquaintances on the porch. When one girl jokingly wishes for her mother’s permanent absence, followed by an immediate apology, Alice dismissively replies: “I’m alright. I just have what they call ‘dead-mom face.'” This behavior shows a resemblance to her father.
At one point, Jimmy found himself unable to provide emotional support for his daughter, Alice. A whole year slipped away without a meaningful bond or comprehension between them. He’ll never recover those lost moments with Alice, and they will always linger as a haunting regret, especially when he thinks about Louis. This past neglect might be the reason behind his excessive concern for Alice’s daily emotional well-being now; he neglected her earlier pleas for help, and he can’t bear the thought of repeating that mistake again.
In contrast to the Jimmy of yesteryears, despite his lingering challenges and the impending storm, I see a transformed man today. When he rolls by our gathering in his car, fulfilling his promise not to intrude, it doesn’t feel domineering or overstepping the line between a protective father and a cherished daughter. Instead, Alice mouths “thank you,” which moved me to tears – the sincerity of that simple word, the recognition that our bond will always hold a profound significance for both of us. At least in this instant, Jimmy seems to grasp the distinction between a heartfelt plea for solitude and the expected display of anger from a child who’s upset. He understands when I need him, he understands when I don’t, and he acknowledges that as I grow into adulthood, our moments of need will diminish while those of independence will expand.
There’s something sad in that, as we can see from the wistfulness on Jason Segel’s face when he drives away. But as the camera lingers, his smile fades slightly, and he takes a deep breath before settling into a deeper smile. Watching your kid grow up might hurt a little, but we can feel how grateful Jimmy is for the time they have together.
In simpler terms, this episode of “Shrinking” season two might not resonate as much with everyone; it seems more like a transitionary moment with lighter themes compared to its usual depth. However, I often find the show shines brightest when it focuses on subtle, moving details rather than attempting grand, melodramatic moments. While watching a young woman forgive the man who killed her mother is deeply emotional, it doesn’t quite match the impact of seeing a father and daughter reconnect. These two characters have an understanding that surpasses anyone else, and no one can strip that connection away from them.
Progress Notes
This installment evoked memories of the series “Parenthood”, a show that frequently left me teary-eyed.
In my latest review, we find ourselves delving once again into the lives of Liz and Derek, with a striking development: Liz appears to be putting on an overly amiable act towards her spouse (“I’ve turned over a new leaf”). The question lingers in the air, will this transformation unveil hidden depths, especially when they aren’t preoccupied with consoling their son Matthew after his unexpected dismissal from Buffalo Wild Wings?
It seems clear that Liz, being the kind of white woman she is, might express a desire like, “I’ve always dreamed of having a multiracial child,” but it appears overtly so for her character.
• Alice echoing her dad’s “Sometimes we lie, Sean” got me.
A while back, wasn’t it that Alice had a crush on Dylan? Yet, here they are embarking on their first date, and it seems like she barely knows him.
It’s delightful to witness an interaction between Alice and Gabby, while out shopping for dresses, where they discuss, through their conversation, the factors that have led to less shared scenes between them recently.
It seems like Jorge has been employed at the food truck recently and residing with Sean for a while, isn’t that correct? This would imply that Jimmy is accommodating another guest temporarily, wouldn’t it?
• “Oh my God, Jimmy, are you good at your job?” “Yeah, sometimes.” “Arrogant.”
• “Can you be on a registry if you emotionally abuse children?”
• “Enjoy my house.”
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2024-12-04 15:56