Shrinking Season 2, Episode 9, “Full Grown Dude Face” Spoilers Ahead
Written by Bill Posley and directed by Anu Valia, Shrinking’s “Full Grown Dude Face” flip-flops a bit while simultaneously finding a natural trot that provides some of the answers I’ve been looking for. It’s another prominent episode where performances are concerned, and as we near the end with only three more left, my bubbling nerves are, at the very least, steady.
If nothing else, the episode beautifully explores the idea that it takes a village, and it allows each character to momentarily put their trust in someone else in order to find the middle ground where they can rely on their inner strength. This decision forces each character to a place that feels incredibly grounded for their arc and manages to propel them to the right moment in time.
Shrinking Season 2, Episode 9 Continues to Deliver Growth for Brian
(I am begging for someone to tell me Brian’s last name because it feels important to use.) Michael Urie is brilliant in this role, and even while I imagine another great episode is on the horizon, “Full Grown Dude Face” really feels like his moment to shine. I started crying the moment he asked Jimmy what was wrong with him, and it’s entirely because Urie projects every ounce of pain Brian has ever known into his eyes. Jimmy mentions the fact that Brian had a conservative father, and therefore, he tries to sabotage outcomes before anyone else can, making so much immediately lock into place.
Brian starts a fight before one even begins because there’s so much fear inside him that it’s impossible to look past it. Because of this, even though their meeting with the pregnant woman goes swimmingly, it’s partly a good thing that this baby won’t be theirs. A child is a huge commitment, and while it does indeed take a village and Brian knows he won’t ever be alone, it does feel like there are shadows in his past that he needs to address still. You can’t put a time stamp on when you’ll be ready because that moment doesn’t ever really come, but you can attempt to address your demons in a way that ensures they won’t come clawing as intensely as they once did.
Every character on Shrinking has a demon they’re fighting against, and even though life will always bring another, it’s natural that these characters need to continue trying. Brian is doing so well at combating his nerves, but it takes more than one conversation to overcome the pain that decades of fear brought on. It takes a village and it takes time, so everything we see here works to reveal a natural trajectory that’ll hopefully lead to the right baby at the best time.
Embracing Grief?
Shrinking Season 2, Episode 9, “Full Grown Dude Face,” does something I haven’t seen in fiction yet and it addresses the grief clubs we use to simplify the pain a bit. “Dead wife, dead mom” face feels like the equivalent of the “dead dad club,” which I’ve used multiple times, and so have my friends in the club. In the beginning, however, it’s challenging to accept this grief when the ache is still so raw. For Alice, losing her mom forced people to pity her, and the added pain of everything with Louis made grieving twice as difficult. Yet, as she’s trying to start over and find herself, the show throws an uncomfortable curveball to again play on this idea of things taking a village.
As Gaby helps her with dress shopping and Jimmy meets her at the end of the street for a chat, we have a reminder of how pain is more bearable when we have people we can talk to. Gaby and Liz both adore Alice with everything in them, so it’s sweet to have this reminder that they’ll both be there whenever she calls. And to later have Jimmy remind her that she can maybe laugh a bit to fight the pain feels so right that it’s surprising fiction hasn’t embraced this route yet. It makes each moment with Alice so wholesome and lovely, especially when we see that she’s now carrying sadness for Louis’ absence. And dare I say, this new guy seems like he could be the right fit for her. Wherever this goes, I’m excited to see the outcome.
Gaby’s Sister Finds Her Path
Courtney’s decision to join the army feels like it comes out of left field, but it actually makes perfect sense, and it’s easy to appreciate how many conversations Shrinking Season 2, Episode 9, “Full Grown Dude Face,” gives us. Between involving Sean and his army buddy and then later having everyone over at her house while revealing that her mom will be taking her room, it feels like things are also looking up for Gaby. It’s hard not to wonder if she still has feelings for Jimmy based on the conversation with him, but seeing her do her own thing while she gets what she wants feels so lovely.
For instance, the show’s decision to pivot back to Season 1 and follow up with Paul coming to her classroom to give a lecture is a great move. This plotline feels like it’s going to be important for her character journey in the long run, and I’m excited to see where it goes as things officially kick into place with her new living position.
Overall, what we get this week feels like it’s building to moments that are going to hit like a ton of bricks. The bit of quiet we got in episodes like “Last Drink” seems to be building to a muddled space that’ll hopefully lead to another great arc in Season 3. Nothing happens overnight, and everything in this feels like a thoughtfully crafted narrative that will touch on a significant message.
Stray Thoughts
- Listen, I love Liz, but I need her to dial down how desperately she wants a (vicarious??) baby. Just a smidge.
- It really bothers me that subtitles write Rhodes for Paul’s last name, yet on his book, it’s Rhoades. What do you mean I’ve spelled it wrong this whole time!?!?
- “Why are you telling me this?” “I wish I knew, pal.” SENT ME.
- It truly cracks me up how many times it’s mentioned that Charlie is a managing consultant, and no one on the show knows what that means.
- Apart from the Jimmy and Alice that brought on the water works, Jessica Williams really got me with her expression when she tells Alice, “You look just like your mom.” Oof, there’s a scene breakdown there.
- I also cried during Brian and Charlie’s meeting with the mom. Charlie’s response to Brian saying, “Why aren’t you squeezing my arm!?” Oh, I was wrecked.
Now streaming on Apple TV+: What are your thoughts on Shrinking Season 2, Episode 9, “Full Grown Dude Face?” Let us know in the comments below.
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