Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Shrinking season 2, episode 8, "Last Drink."
Shrinking season 2, episode 8, "Last Drink" sees Jimmy (Jason Segel) having a reaction that does not make sense for his character. While Jimmy has continued to heal and grow as a person in season 2, he begins the season with some regression when he encounters Brett Goldstein's Shrinking character, Louis, who is revealed to be the drunk driver involved in the car accident that killed Tia (Lilan Bowden). When Louis comes to see Jimmy at work, Jimmy directs his unresolved rage at Louis.
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Jimmy remains angry at Louis and continues to view him as the villain who caused Tia's death. Meanwhile, other Shrinking characters, namely Brian (Michael Urie) and Jimmy's daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell), have forgiven Louis and even become friends with him. Jimmy's reaction to seeing Alice and Louis at the end of episode 7 is negative, as he cannot accept seeing his daughter laughing with the drunk driver whose actions led to Tia's death, but Jimmy's reaction only gets worse in episode 8.
Jimmy's Scene With Louis In Shrinking Season 2, Episode 8 Contradicts His Guilt
Jimmy Was Not A Good Father To Alice In The Year After Tia's Death
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With encouragement from Alice, Jimmy goes over to Louis' house to forgive him. However, the forgiveness Jimmy extends is not genuine, and he uses it to make Louis promise that he will no longer see Alice, Brian, Jimmy, or anyone else in their lives. Jimmy's refusal to forgive Louis does not make sense after he saw Alice laughing, smiling, and at peace. Anyone can see that Alice's forgiveness and friendship with Louis is helping her, and Jimmy is only hurting Alice's healing by forcing Louis to stay away from her.
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Episode 8 also focuses a great deal on the guilt Jimmy feels for being a terrible father who did not support Alice in the year after Tia's death. This is shown in the flashbacks during the first half of the episode and in the final scene with Paul (Harrison Ford), as Jimmy talks about whether he will manage to forgive himself for how he let Alice down. Since he is still feeling guilty about hurting Alice, it does not make sense for him to hurt her further by ensuring she and Louis cannot see each other again.
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How Jimmy's Talk With Louis Will Backfire With Alice In Shrinking Season 2
Alice Will Lose Trust In Jimmy Again
Since Shrinking season 1, it has been clear that secrets do not stay buried for long in this series, and lies never go over well. This is poised to continue as Jimmy has just made the mistake of not telling Alice about the ultimatum he gave to Louis. It is only a matter of time before Alice learns why Louis is no longer seeing her and this will inevitably hurt her relationship with Jimmy. She will not take kindly to Jimmy removing someone from her life who has been helpful to her.
Much of that progress may be undone once Alice learns the truth, which will shatter much of the trust that she has reforged with Jimmy.
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The flashbacks in "Last Drink" serve as a reminder of the neglectful father Jimmy was after Tia's death, making it all the more apparent why he has had to work hard to regain his daughter's trust. Much of that progress may be undone once Alice learns the truth, which will shatter much of the trust that she has reforged with Jimmy. Instead of the main conflict in Shrinking season 2 being with Louis, the main conflict is now set up to be between Jimmy and Alice.
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9/10
16 8.3/10
Shrinking
TV-MA
Comedy
Drama
In this series, a therapist grappling with personal tragedy begins to employ a radically candid approach with his clients and in his personal life. As he navigates his roles as a father, friend, and professional, his newfound method leads to unexpected consequences and self-discovery.
Where to Watch
- stream
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*Availability in US
- Cast
- Jason Segel , Luke Tennie , Michael Urie , Lukita Maxwell , Harrison Ford , Jessica Williams , Christa Miller , Ted McGinley , Heidi Gardner , Devin Kawaoka , Lilan Bowden , Kimberly Condict , Lily Rabe , Tilky Jones , Rachel Stubington , Wendie Malick , Sawyer Jones , Mike C. Nelson , Matt Knudsen , Kenajuan Bentley , Adam Foster Ballard
- Release Date
- January 26, 2023
- Seasons
- 2
- Writers
- Brett Goldstein , Bill Lawrence , Jason Segel
- Directors
- Bill Lawrence
- Showrunner
- Bill Lawrence
