Did ‘Shrinking’ Just Alienate a Portion of Its Fanbase?

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  • ‘Shrinking‘ Season 2 Did Brian Dirty, Time and Time Again
  • That’s Not Even The Wildest Plotline This Season on ‘Shrinking’

As a long-time fan of Bill Lawrence’s work, I must confess that I was initially thrilled about ‘Shrinking’. However, as a seasoned viewer who’s seen her fair share of TV twists and turns, I find myself increasingly perplexed by the decisions made in this second season.

Bill Lawrence excels at crafting comedies with soul: Shows like Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and now, Apple TV’s Shrinking. This latest project, similar to his previous works, initially served as a platform for its main star (Jason Segel) – and, debatably, co-stars (Jessica Williams, Harrison Ford). However, it has evolved into a multi-character series. This approach was met with criticism during Scrubs Season 9, notorious for its disliked final season due to its emphasis on a new cast and inconsistent writing of established characters. Thankfully, Shrinking has thus far preserved much of its initial direction and allure, although not entirely across the board.

The story revolves around a therapist grappling with grief while finding it challenging to promote rational, proven methods to his clients in an increasingly confusing world. Instead, he chooses openness and honesty with them, and this approach surprisingly works. Additionally, the series explores his family life at home with his daughter, as well as the private lives of his fellow therapists and close companions.

‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Did Brian Dirty, Time and Time Again

This season, Jason Segel’s character Jimmy appears to have let down his friend Brian (played by Michael Urie), and many viewers are picking up on this. Interestingly, it seems that most characters this season have overlooked or undermined Brian, suggesting it may not be a deliberate move by the writers but rather an oversight they weren’t aware of.

This season, Brian’s plotline seems to adhere to a frequently used trope in movies and TV shows: The writers appear to struggle when it comes to handling couples who are together or married, often introducing excessive tension or taking them on the path of traditional family life. In Brian’s case, they opted for both approaches.

In simpler terms,

Brian: “I’m not having a baby.”

Liz: “Uh, yes you are. That’s how marriage works. If one person wants one, the decision is made.”

Subsequently, Charlie catches Brian off guard by arranging for an adoption advocate to visit their home without prior notice. Despite being courteous, Brian expresses his reservations when they are alone, saying “I’m not quite prepared for this.” However, Charlie seems resolute and unwilling to change his mind about the matter. Later on, Brian seeks comfort and advice from his friend Jimmy, another mental health professional, as their conversation unfolds:

Brian: “When your partner wants something that bad, how can you say no?”

Jimmy: “Brian, being a parent is awesome — (starts to list the ways)”

Ultimately, Brian is convinced to join the group. Yet, the show does not depict the couple considering their options or debating the pros and cons of different decisions. Instead, it seems as though Brian is pressured into making a choice between losing his partner or staying together; he gives in. It’s implied that Brian was afraid of becoming an unfit father, but perhaps there were other factors at play. The conversation could have been more balanced, allowing Brian to express his concerns and consider the decision more thoroughly before reaching a conclusion. A fan on the official Apple TV ‘Shrinking’ subreddit commented as follows:

Another simply said:

That’s Not Even the Wildest Plotline This Season on ‘Shrinking’

Star Ted McGinley hinted at numerous eccentric plots for the show’s second season before its release, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Not only did they continue to undermine Brian’s resolve, but the writers also opted to have Jimmy’s daughter Alice form a friendship with the driver who was under the influence in the car accident that took her mother’s life. This decision left viewers puzzled, appalled, and questioning whether the show was simply a soap opera masked as a comedy.

In the second season of “Shrinking,” Brett Goldstein’s performance as Louis, the troubled drunk driver, will leave you rethinking your perspectives. His character’s life has taken a significant downturn after a single regrettable incident, and yet, despite the empathy Goldstein imbues into the role, and the show’s commendable approach to not portraying people who err as villains, it seems somewhat unlikely that Alice would begin spending time with him out of pity.

A puzzling plot twist that has left many scratching their heads is the one in which the veteran with PTSD, Sean, advises Gabby’s sister to enlist in the military. The general consensus among Reddit users seems to mirror this confusion regarding the situation.

Nevertheless, it’s not as if the series has no merit due to these criticisms. On the contrary, the reason for this response could be that fans adored the initial season so much that they find these strange and implausible decisions jarring. If you’re intrigued to see how things unfold, tune in for the Shrinking Season 2 finale on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, only on Apple TV+.

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2024-12-25 02:33