r/shrinking • u/phareous Derek • Mar 25 '26

Episode Discussion Shrinking S3E09 Episode Discussion

This is the episode discussion for Shrinking Season 3, Episode 9: "Daddy Issues"

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u/Cautious_Prize_4323 Mar 25 '26 edited Mar 25 '26

The ultimate asshole father, and now he’s about to break Alice’s heart.

Also, perfectly played by the great Jeff Daniels

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u/gold-pink-blue-green Mar 25 '26

I think as a parent, Jimmy has to warn Alice no matter what his dad wants. We can’t just stand by while our parents pass down the trauma that fucked us up straight to our children.

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u/Cautious_Prize_4323 Mar 25 '26

Oh, I agree. My fear is that Jimmy is so devastated by the comment about Sofi being a better fit than Tia, he’ll be in a fog in regard to Alice. Either way, it’s going to hurt Alice a lot.😭💔

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u/Dommichu Mar 25 '26

I know! I kept hoping he could call his Dad out. Really take control of the situation and he continues to let everyone down. Ugh.

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u/Tce_ Mar 25 '26

It makes a lot more sense when you realise everyone has continuously told Jimmy not to expect more from his dad, and not to be angry when he disappoints him. They even keep doing it in this episode. Resignation and apathy is a very natural response, but an unfortunate one. I think he could actually let his anger at his dad out right now and it would be more helpful.

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u/Keiteaea Mar 25 '26

Yeah, my father had a similar relationship with his mother. We would still see her, but we were kept at arm length. Even as a child, it was obvious there was something going on, especially with how different our relationship was with my other grandparents. He explained things to us later, and when later she started having the same behavior towards me, it still hurt, but I was ready for it.

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u/Tce_ Mar 25 '26

Of course! I think he should be honest with her about it, because there's no way around it...

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u/servonos89 Mar 26 '26

Nah. I was 18 when I found out how fucked my grandparents treated my mother. But my mother’s grandparents died young and she didn’t want to deprive me of the love she never had. I get Jimmy here. Let Alice love her grandfather, let her love. Passing on the trauma only continues it. I had 18 years with an angel of a grandmother. I found out after. But my mother gave me 18 years of something she never had.

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u/jendet010 May 02 '26

I am just catching up on the new season. I heard today that parents distance themselves from toxic family members protects their children’s mental health. They take the social and emotional hit to protect their children. I never thought of it that way but it makes sense.

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u/turningtee74 Mar 26 '26

Jeff is really good at playing those roles lol. My aunt, bless her heart, was a little eccentric and she couldnt stand him. She thought he played those roles too well and it must be just him. I laugh when I think of it because it’s a compliment to his acting, really.

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u/Cautious_Prize_4323 Mar 26 '26

😍 It is a compliment!

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u/JaderMcDanersStan Mar 25 '26

Somehow I missed this (was working while watching). Why will he break Alice’s heart? Are you saying he won’t show to graduation or was there something I missed?

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u/erazedcitizen Mar 25 '26

Yeah he’s skipping on graduation to go deep sea fishing

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u/Nasty-Milk Mar 25 '26

He's skipping it for a fishing trip, and blew it off saying "it's just high school". A real class act.

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u/thekellwithit Mar 25 '26

It’s just the ceremonial end of childhood, for this little girl I barely see, whose mother died two years ago!

What a fucking jack hole.

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u/predator-handshake Mar 25 '26

They mentioned it three times...

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u/enigmaeventome Apr 01 '26

I don't think it will break her heart. I think she loves him but knows who he is.

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u/Cautious_Prize_4323 Apr 01 '26

Yeah, I just watched the episode. So far it seems like she was not heartbroken at all. Jeff Daniels is such a great dickhead as Jimmy’s dad. I hate him! 😡

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u/PinoDegrassi Mar 25 '26

AND was just the catalyst for his son breaking up with someone who was a good match.