Shrinking Season 2, Episode 9, “Full Grown Dude Face,” is an evergreen reminder that this show has one of the best ensembles on TV. Written by Bill Posley and directed by Ana Valia, this episode is one of the season’s strongest. The characters are clear, the narratives are tight, and the season’s themes continue to expand with authentic and rewarding results.
All the while, Shrinking’s writing – nine episodes into a 13-episode season – gets sharper in humor and stickier in emotion. Those moving parts create harmony in performances from an all-star cast whose chemistry and talent only grow with every episode. By the end, especially after the gut punch that is “Last Drink,” “Full Grown Dude Face” comes across as the calm before (another) character-defining storm. Even though Shrinking’s season is almost over, it is not slowing down – it’s gearing up for something big.
MORE: Before you continue reading, don’t forget to check out our review of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 8, “Last Drink.” Here it is!
Gaby and Setting Boundaries
“Full Grown Dude Face” exhibits that foresight with Gaby. After her reconciliation with Courtney, it’s evident that Gaby needs to confront her mother. That step also requires introspection for Gaby to understand her role, as Paul says, as “a lifelong caregiver.” That work means getting to where Gaby can express what she wants in her boundaries to her mother. This episode has those conversations because Gaby can no longer avoid them now that Courtney has a new opportunity. Gaby’s three months shrink into a week, putting the right amount of pressure on Shrinking Season 2’s final four episodes.
It’s unrealistic for Gaby and her mother to resolve their tension by the end of the season. Still, the finale will be a good place to benchmark their relationship and Gaby’s progress in standing up for herself and setting healthy boundaries. “Full Grown Dude Face” says (or has Paul say) what Gaby needs to hear so she can eventually act on it. It is a bit strange that all of this comes about because Courtney and Sean (and his friend Jorge) cross paths at Sean’s food truck. (Shrinking loves to remind its characters that they exist in a very small world, and it’s becoming less odd and more admirable). Regardless, this episode takes meaningful, albeit realistically small, steps toward that point.
MORE: Have you read our review of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 7, “Get in the Sea?” Here it is!
Brian, Progress, and Timing
Thankfully, “Full Grown Dude Face” does the same with Brian after his jarring first scene. It’s wild that Shrinking meets Brian at a point where he’s announcing a baby to his friends, but he’s overjoyed at the prospect of becoming a father. Two episodes prior, the show settles with Brian and Charlie agreeing to wait to become parents. Now, all of that changes on an off-screen dime with a woman who is five months pregnant. It’s a sad relief that she doesn’t choose Brian and Charlie because it gives them more time to be a couple to discuss if and when they’re ready for kids and what that means for their lives.
So much of Brian’s story develops in Shrinking’s peripheral this season; it’s challenging to imagine that will change in the next four episodes. It’s a shame because “Full Grown Dude Face” goes to insightful places with Brian, asking his best friend what’s wrong with him. That introspection feels like the tip of a painfully undiscovered iceberg. Given that the adoption storyline has taken another turn and is slowing down again, now is the ideal time for Shrinking to show Brian’s progress instead of continuing to deliver it in expository dialogue.
MORE: Don’t miss our review of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 6, “In a Lonely Place.” Here it is!
Paul, Liz, and Shrinking‘s Villages
“Full Grown Dude Face” strengthens the foundation for that work, emphasizing how these characters lean on each other. Christa Miller and Michael Urie are comedic gold in an already hilarious goldmine. Miller’s delivery of “I know” when Brian tells Liz that the baby isn’t hers is pure, diabolical perfection. The two characters bouncing off one another about what’s appropriate to say about kids doesn’t have to be as silly as it is, but Miller and Urie make it work. It works as well as Brian unpacking Jimmy’s recycling bin as he spins out. Baby or not, Brian and Liz need to share a million more scenes in Shrinking Season 3.
Their delightful dynamic resembles the magic Shrinking Season 1 bottles with Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams. It’s easy to anticipate greatness when Paul and Gaby are in a car together. “Full Grown Dude Face” doesn’t deliver another singing bit, but Paul calls Gaby a “dirty bird.” While that tough love pushes Gaby in the direction of change, it’s Paul’s general support that bolsters her. It’s also incredible to watch Paul continue to open up with his loved ones, like admitting that he may want to live with Meg at some point. That honest exchange does come in tandem with Paul’s stretches, leading him to pretend to punch his son-in-law Dave (and Paul’s father). Shrinking’s tonal balance is impeccable.
MORE: Go back to Shrinking Season 2, Episode 5, “Honesty Era.” Here’s our review!
Alice, Jimmy, and Embracing Independence
It’s why Paul can tell Jimmy, “Alice asserting her independence means you did good,” before quipping “Nope” at Keisha for calling him “Dr. Grumps.” In all sincerity, Jimmy and Alice’s story in “Full Grown Dude Face” is fantastic. It’s a steady and realistic development throughout Season 2 (Alice getting her driver’s license!) and the series. Lukita Maxwell continues to be one of this season’s standout performers. Maxwell plays the small beats (Alice realizing that Louis is being distant) so well that they become sticking points.
“Full Grown Dude Face” spends more time with Alice and introduces the elusive “Dyl-pickle.” He leaves quite the impression on Shrinking by saving Jimmy’s life in one of the best physical comedy bits this season. Hopefully, this episode is only the beginning for Alice and Dylan. It’s endearing to see Alice, as she says, “reenter the world” with her village, like Summer agreeing to pizza and Gaby helping her buy a cute dress. This episode shows how the characters have integral support systems in one another. That very special thing makes it hard to imagine how Louis is doing right now. “Full Grown Dude Face” repeatedly makes the point that therapists help those who are stuck: Will they help Louis?
MORE: Did you miss Shrinking Season 2, Episode 4, “Made You Look?” Here’s our review!
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What did you think of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 9, “Full Grown Dude Face?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Shrinking stream on Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
