In the latest episode of “Shrinking,” a pivotal moment arises where the character Alice, played by Lukita Maxwell, confronts Louis, portrayed by Brett Goldstein. Louis is the man responsible for her mother’s tragic death due to a drunk driving accident. The emotional gravity of this scene is palpable, and Goldstein, who co-created the series with Bill Lawrence and lead actor Jason Segel, recognized the importance of capturing it authentically. He expressed in a recent interview that they all understood the scene held significant weight, underscoring a commitment to getting it right.
Alice, still grappling with her mother’s death, decides to meet with Louis after Brian, played by Michael Urie, reveals he had spoken with him following a chance encounter. The atmosphere transitions from a sweet reminiscence about Alice’s mother to a much heavier tone as Louis expresses his regret and sorrow upon seeing Alice. As his emotions spill over, he articulates how not a single moment has passed without thoughts of her mother, Alice, and her father, wishing fervently that he could change the past. However, before he can elaborate further, Alice interjects with a forgiving gesture, saying simply, “I forgive you.” This moment of forgiveness is met by Louis with a heartfelt “Thank you”, making it resonate profoundly and emotionally.
The scene is crafted to be a key turning point in this season of “Shrinking.” Goldstein elaborates that Alice’s ability to forgive Louis pivots the narrative toward a new chapter for Jimmy, the lead character played by Jason Segel. He expresses that this moment is crucial not only for Alice’s character development but also sets the stage for the evolution of Jimmy’s journey in the series. “Shrinking” itself stars a compelling cast, including Jessica Williams and Harrison Ford, and centers around Jimmy, who employs unorthodox therapeutic methods while grappling with the aftermath of his wife’s death. His unconventional choices lead to transformative changes in both his clients’ lives, particularly Alice’s, and his own.
The atmosphere on set during the scene’s filming was notably different from the usual lightheartedness that defines many of “Shrinking’s” moments. Goldstein recalls this particular day being special, one filled with gravitas where silence reigned as the cast and crew were deeply focused on the heartfelt scene unfolding. He knew the significance of the moment and felt it profoundly, expressing his admiration for the scene itself.
Segel played an instrumental role in encouraging Goldstein to take on the character of Louis, a significant departure from his previous role as the abrasive Roy Kent in “Ted Lasso.” While he initially felt nervous about guest-starring in “Shrinking,” Goldstein ultimately embraced the opportunity, honored by Segel’s support. Jason Segel, himself an established actor known for his role as Marshall Eriksen on the long-running series “How I Met Your Mother,” recognizes Goldstein’s talent and heartily praises him as one of the best actors in the industry today.
Segel emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in acting, recalling his determination to not wait for other people’s validation. He encouraged Goldstein to explore this new character as a platform to showcase his range beyond the well-known roles he is associated with. With encouragement like that, Goldstein stepped into the role of Louis, bringing depth and nuance to the character.
As viewers can experience episodes 1 through 6 of “Shrinking” on AppleTV+, the show presents an intriguing mix of emotional depth and humor throughout its storyline. With new episodes premiering every Wednesday, audiences can witness the character development, play out the emotional arcs, and observe the distinctive storytelling that keeps them engaged with the series.