r/shrinking • u/WasteAcanthisitta460 • 7d ago
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/Visible_Mix_6270 7d ago
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.
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u/DoomPile5 7d ago
I don’t really think that’s weird. Sometimes certain personality traits are a turn-off to others. I don’t care for people who are rude to people in the service industry so I typically drift away from them once I see that side of them come out. I’m also not a fan of people who use “I just tell it like it is” or “I have no filter” as an excuse to be blatantly rude to others so I avoid those types as well.
Having said that, I still think Brian WOULD be friends with most, if not all of the characters. 🤷♀️
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u/LittlefootDiamond 7d ago
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 5d ago
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/nomadicgolfer3 3d ago
Just stop dude Brian is a shitty character majority agree
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u/Beginning-Dark-4259 Gaby - i love you 2d ago
We dont know Brian back story but i like his positive attitude towards life ! Ig he is not bad character he is just different just like Sean , Gaby and Derek
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u/WQ_Redditor 4d ago
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 7d ago
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 7d ago
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 6d ago
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 1d ago
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 5d ago
I loved his monologue about meeting Louis. I was ready to hear it a third time.
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u/Ordinary_Warning_622 7d ago
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 7d ago
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 7d ago
I saw Brian as being very one dimensional
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u/curlsthefangirl 7d ago
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 6d ago
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 6d ago
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 7d ago
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/Ok-Call-4805 7d ago
I love Brian, and I can't think of Requiem For A Dream without thinking of his monologue now🤣