This article contains spoilers from Shrinking episodes 1 and 2.
Shrinking Star Jason Segel and producer Bill Lawrence tease the emotional story ahead for Brett Goldstein’s character. Goldstein, who co-created the series with Segel and Lawrence appeared to play Levi, the drunk driver involved in the accident that killed Tia (Lylan Bowden). The Shrinking The season 2 premiere saw Louie unexpectedly visit Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) to apologize for what he did, prompting Jimmy to angrily yell at Louie to leave.
While talking with TVLine, Segel and Lawrence hinted at how forgiveness will be the key theme of Levi’s story and of Shrinking Season 2. They discussed how easy it is to give in to hurt, but that it doesn’t help anyone move forward when dealing with the kind of traumatic loss that Jimmy and his daughter, Alice, experienced. Segel and Lawrence also talked about the themes in broad terms, and not just in terms of Louis ‘Arc. Check out their comments below:
Jason Segel: I think this season is about a journey of forgiveness. It is really easy to make the object of your injury into a kind of devil, and slowly realize that this is not how life work will be part of the journey of their dynamic.
Bill Lawrence: I don’t think there is any moving forward for people going through this type of catastrophic family event. Some people never do, but until you forgive, you will be stuck in it forever.
What this means for shrinking season 2
Levi is not the only one who needs forgiveness
Segel and Lawrence offer a compelling tease of what’s to come and an important reminder of history Shrinking is told. While most stories would position Levi as a villain given his actions, Shrinking is ultimately a show about the importance of empathy. As the season progresses, more about Louis and his challenges will undoubtedly be revealed, showing that he has also been struggling since the aftermath of the accident, and likely before the accident as well. He is already humanized by going to see Jimmy and actually apologize to him.
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Lois learning to forgive herself and being forgiven by Jimmy and Alice is poised to be one of the season’s main storylines, but the season 2 premiere also sets up forgiveness as an important storyline for others. Shrinking Letters too. It’s already important for Gabby (Jessica Williams) to forgive Liz (Krista Miller) after snapping at her. Jimmy’s patient, Grace (Heidi Gardner), also needs to find self-forgiveness As she is currently consumed with punishing herself for what she did to her emotionally abusive boyfriend.
Levi is a compelling addition to Shrinking Season 2
Goldstein’s shrinking character is already one of the most compelling parts of season 2, vi The series makes Louis sympathetic instead of simply demonizing him. Louis should have some accountability for the role his drunk driving played in Tia’s death, but he is still human and deserves to be understood. Learning to forgive himself and Jimmy and Alice forgiving him can help them all move forward with their lives as the traumatic accident continues to haunt them in Shrinking Season 2.
Source: TVLine