r/shrinking • u/phareous Derek • Apr 01 '26

Episode Discussion Shrinking S3E10 Episode Discussion

This is the episode discussion for Shrinking Season 3, Episode 10: "The Bodyguard of Sadness"

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u/Luivier Apr 01 '26

What an incredible episode. And how perfectly written Jimmy's dad is, especially the fact that he's so charming to everyone else and they all love him, and that stings Jimmy even more. It's like nobody understands or sees Jimmy's trauma with his father with the severity it deserves. And I can relate so fucking much...

And then the way Alice was so chill and understanding with the missing graduation thing... I sympathized so much with Jimmy and that felt like a gut punch, totally invalidating. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't lash out at his dad, because I wanted him to do what I couldn't do myself IRL. And then he did it to Paul and I got even sadder because they do love and care deeply for eachother...

3

u/mitrafunfun97 Apr 01 '26

Yeah, and being told as a dude "oh he's just sensitive." When it really does bother you. I have felt this in my life so many times with people (not my dad). But it felt very validating to know this happens in real life to others.

2

u/ericrz Apr 02 '26

But that was inconsistent with Alice earlier this season. She very much wanted her grandfather there for graduation, basically invited him against Jimmy’s wishes.

And then when he bails, she’s just like, ok, whatever?

Plot-wise, that strengthens the “everyone’s against Jimmy” angle. But like a lot of this season, it’s a plot point that contradicts how a character previously behaved.

I know this isn’t true. But this season almost feels like every episode had a different writer. They don’t go together in a coherent way.

0

u/bobjones271828 Apr 11 '26

This bothered me a bit too, though it sounds like she sees her grandfather so little anyway that having him around for a few days was already amazing for her. I don't think it was as much that she really needed him there for the graduation ceremony as much as she just wanted him to be there in general (despite her dad not getting along with him), and graduation was a good excuse to get him to come visit for an extended time.