‘Shrinking’ Recap: ‘Full Grown Dude Face’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Christa Miller and Jason Segel as Liz and Jimmy in Episode 209 of ‘Shrinking’ – ‘Full Grown Dude Face’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 of ‘Shrinking’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are a great many reasons that people eagerly tune into the hit Apple TV+ series, Shrinking. For starters, this is that rare series that shows grief and trauma in the raw, since we are privy to moments that are just painfully relatable and really speak to what it means to hurt. But the show also is taking the time to show us how to heal, courtesy of characters we love and are now deeply attached to. But of all the reasons we tune in to enjoy this show, there is one above all that we share in. In that, this series also goes above and beyond by showing us… what it looks like when we heal and who we become when the wounds in our soul close, and that was once again on display in this week’s episode.

A feat that ‘Full Grown Dude Face’ accomplished by way of three key journeys. One of which, involved Brian. Who got the good news that a mother was interested in them, and another couple in being the parents of her baby and well, Brian basically freaked out. Because his nerves and his desire to be accepted, made him nervous that he would blow this and say all the wrong things. So, he sought everyone’s counsel to do this right, and well… when the time came… when he took a moment to breathe and relax, he was the charming man we know he can be. Which was growth for certain and a step forward in healing from his own little long-term proclivities. Because he overcame them to be his authentic self, and that was a delight, despite the sad outcome. Since the mom to be went with the other couple.

As for the second journey, well that involved Gaby. Who also got some urgent news in this tale. In that, her sister was planning on joining the army as quickly as possible. Which meant, there was no three-month window to prepare for a future where she cared for their mother. It was on the horizon and well, old Gaby would have struggled and done silly things. But since she’s grown and taken agency and come to understand the world as it is and her own emotions… she owned her sister’s decision and made good on her word. Which brought her mother into her home, and it was just great to see Gaby find such strength and agency and really stand on her own two feet in this story after spending so much time relying upon others to give her strength.  

But the centerpiece story here involved Jimmy and Alice. For Jimmy wanted to begin to atone for his mistakes as a father, and Alice wanted to find peace and comfortability in life without feeling haunted by her mother’s death and both found measures of growth regarding that here. Since Jimmy did an amazing job of being a dad. All by giving Alice what she needed emotionally to find her agency and find her peace. Which led to moments for Jimmy where he finally felt as though he was a good father after all, and was making it up his little girl, and where Alice finally started to step beyond her grief, and that was just incredible to watch play out, and it was heartwarming and charming as well… and really reminded us why we watch stories about grief and trauma and healing.

Because it is these moments that inspire us to put in the work. To heal. To find peace. Because it can be done and it does give rise to a better tomorrow, where we aren’t crying into a pillow or staring at the ceiling begging for the pain to stop. Where we instead, smell the crisp air and know we are lucky to be alive and enjoying the moment, and that made for one amazing episode. For it did showcase that things get better, and while the rest of the season may not be so perky and joyful, that’s okay. Because this show is teaching us that healing is peaks and valleys, and to enjoy the highs while we can, for they get us through the tough days and teach us how to make every day feel like that, and it will be interesting to see where this growth takes these amazing characters, as we inch toward the end of season two of this magnificent series. Until next time.

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