Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Shrinking season 2, episode 5, “Honesty Era.“Shrinkingseason 2, episode 5, “Honesty Era” subtly continues a major storyline with the coffee cup that Brian (Michael Urie) has with him.Season 2 has been busy for Brian, beginning with representing Grace (Heidi Gardner) after she pushed her abusive boyfriend off a cliff inShrinkingseason 1’s ending. With that storyline now resolved, much of the focus is now on Brian and his spouse, Charlie (Devin Kawaoka), beginning the process of adopting a child, with Brian already worrying that he will not be a good father.
Brian has also continued reconnecting with Jimmy (Jason Segel) and helping Paul (Harrison Ford) attend to legal matters.Shrinkingseason 2, episode 4’s endingadded another dimension to Brian’s story ashe encounters Louis (Brett Goldstein), the drunk driver involved in the car accident that killed Jimmy’s wife, Tia (Lilan Bowden). Brian was initially dismissive when crossing paths with Louis, but quickly changed his attitude once he saw how much pain Louis was clearly in, which connects to the coffee cup in episode 5.
Brian’s Coffee Cup In Shrinking Season 2, Episode 5 Hints At His Meeting With Louis
Their Conversation Did Not End With Episode 4
When Brian goes to Paul’s house to get some legal documents signed, Brian sets down a coffee cup that the camera lingers on for a moment. The logo on the cup is the same as the coffee shop where Louis works and where Alice (Lukita Maxwell) confronted him in episode 3. Brian also apologizes for being late because he was meeting someone. This suggests thatbefore Brian went to Paul’s house, he was meeting with Louis at the coffee shop, and that they have continued to meet since first encountering each other in episode 4.
Shrinking: Breaking Down Alice’s Two Big Scenes In Season 2 Episode 3
Alice has two major scenes in Shrinking season 2, episode 3 involving Brett Goldstein’s new character, Louis, and her neighbor, Connor.
Even though Brian is busy with being a lawyer, adopting a child, and spending time with the manyShrinkingcharactershe considers to be friends, he is also making time for Louis. Despite Louis claiming that he was doing well, Brian could tell that Louis was suffering, and wanted to help him. There have been no signs of Louis having any friends or family to support him, butBrian has seemingly become an unlikely friend, and the only person who is currently trying to help Louis.
What Brian’s Willingness To Help Means For Louis In The Rest Of Shrinking Season 2
Another Confrontation With Louis Is Coming
It is only a matter of time before Jimmy or Alice discover that Brian has been meeting with Louis. They will likely feel betrayed by Brian’s actions and will struggle to see how he can empathize with and want to help the man who contributed to Tia’s death. Jimmy and Alice already had their own respective confrontations with Louis, but learning about his newfound relationship with Brian ispoised to lead to another tense and emotional confrontation.
Brian being a positive force that connects all three characters may help them heal as they grapple with their unresolved feelings about what happened to Tia and the lives they are now leading.
SinceShrinkingseason 2has largely focused on the importance of facing the past,Jimmy, Alice, and Louis all have more work to do when it comes to confronting their trauma. Brian being a positive force that connects all three characters may help them heal as they grapple with their unresolved feelings about what happened to Tia and the lives they are now leading. While the end result of this healing may be liberating, the road there will be difficult, especially once Jimmy and Alice learn about Brian and Louis meeting inShrinkingseason 2.
Shrinking
Cast
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.
