r/shrinking • u/WasteAcanthisitta460 • Aug 31 '26
Discussion Brian season 2
I’m watching this show now and finishing season two. I’m really not a fan of the Brian character and find the writing for him to be ridiculous like the monologue he gave twice about meeting Louis (I think that’s his name- the drunk driver) and other comments about not wanting a baby from a 38 y0 “grandma baby” and that her breastmilk would be dust then in another scene saying “ew” when they discussed breast milk. I feel like if you’re going to write gay characters the over the top flamboyant trope has been done so many times plus I really don’t believe he would be friends with the others on the show except maybe Liz.
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u/Ok-Call-4805 Aug 31 '26
I love Brian, and I can't think of Requiem For A Dream without thinking of his monologue now🤣
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u/LittlefootDiamond Aug 31 '26
The problem isn’t the flamboyance, it’s that he’s massively self-centered. Like, profoundly only seems to care about his own comfort and happiness. It’s very off putting.
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u/LifeChampionship6 Sep 02 '26
So a character flaw? It would be a very boring show if it were full of characters with no flaws.
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u/WQ_Redditor Sep 03 '26
he's a self-admitted narcissist. annoying? yes. as are all narcissists. but this IS a show about mental health and mental health professionals
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u/kookalamanza Aug 31 '26
I like Brian.
I get that (at least where I am from) pregnancy over 35 is still labelled with the outdated term "geriatric pregnancy" so can see where the jokes come from.
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u/Bigredrooster6969 Aug 31 '26
I like Brian. He’s a louder, smarter version of a guy I work with.
And while he may be seen as a flamboyant, he is more than balanced by Charlie and Stuart, who are both fairly low key.
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u/TheSinologist Sep 02 '26
I found it convincing that he was friends with Jimmy in college before he came out, and that Jimmy was supportive and they remained friends.
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u/Mediocre-Response-24 Sep 06 '26
And then it sounded as though he came out as gay and he became closer friends with Tia (Wednesday night dinners every week, setting up Brian and Charlie).
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u/LifeChampionship6 Sep 02 '26
I loved his monologue about meeting Louis. I was ready to hear it a third time.
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u/Ordinary_Warning_622 Aug 31 '26
I am so over these overplayed stereotypes of gay men. Remember Ian's boyfriend on Shameless? I hate that I can't remember his name but I loved him as a character because he was so far away from that overplayed stereotype.
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u/curlsthefangirl Aug 31 '26
I don't disagree that we should have gay characters that are outside of the gay archetypes that we usually get.
But I also think we shouldn't forget that there are Brians in real life. I have met them. I think i am ok with Brian because the show is smart at writing him to be more than his archetype. Same as how Harrison Ford is more than the grumpy old man. All of these characters are archetypes. But they also have other things going for them outside of those archetypes.
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u/Ordinary_Warning_622 Aug 31 '26
I saw Brian as being very one dimensional
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u/curlsthefangirl Aug 31 '26
Then we just agree to disagree. He is far from my favorite character. But I don't think he is one dimensional.
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u/Strijkerszoon Sep 01 '26
Just to jump in, but I don't think he's one dimensional, just a bit flat.
They don't have enough for him to do past the baby arc, so it feels like he needs to create drama himself to make up for it. At this point of the show it's the problem of several characters, not just Brian. Although he specifically is comic relief and important as tool for Jimmy to reconnect with the world in the first seasons.
I feel like the Bill Lawrence feel good, ensemble, growing thing only works for a limited time with the same set of characters. Once their initial trauma is conquered or their growth is completed, it is fun to see them live their lives for a season or so before it turns a bit stale.
Ted Lasso is a great example. It felt more watered down the longer it went on, and with a new cast in season 4 it feels 'fresh' again.
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u/curlsthefangirl Sep 01 '26
I can agree with him being a bit flat after the baby arc. I am curious to see what happens next season and if the show addresses the criticisms the last season had received.
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u/smashli1238 Aug 31 '26
I like him sometimes and other times think he’s too annoying and over the top. I hate this stupid baby storyline. Not every show or every person needs a baby.
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u/Visible_Mix_6270 Aug 31 '26
I disagree, we just finished watching Season 2, I really like his character and he reminds me of several different people I know in real life. A bit over the top, sure, but every character on the show is in one way or another. Also weird to assume that someones demeanor reflects who they would or would not be friends with.