Apple TV+’s Shrinking is counted among the most heartwarming shows on television. The comedy-drama revolves around Jimmy Laird, played by Jason Segel, a therapist dealing with the death of his wife who gets involved in his patients' lives.
Different characters and plot points complement the main storyline. One arc featured in the series is the relationship between Sean, played by Luke Tennie, and Alice Laird, played by Lukita Maxwell.
Alice, Jimmy's teenage daughter, has a tumultuous relationship with her father. In the first season of Shrinking, she has a huge crush on Sean, one of Jimmy’s patients who has anger management issues.
Though Alice makes a romantic advance toward Sean, he only sees her as a friend, and the two do not end up together.
Sean and Alice’s relationship dynamics on Shrinking
The relationship between Alice and Sean goes through a complex trajectory in Shrinking. After the death of Alice’s mom, Tia, her dad, Jimmy, is left broken, losing touch with his family. This leaves Alice feeling lost and neglected.
With her dad struggling, Alice turns to Sean, her support system. Though Alice seems to develop a crush on Sean, his feelings stay strictly platonic.
From the beginning of Shrinking, Jimmy becomes overly involved in Sean’s life, ignoring professional boundaries. Sean is a war veteran with PTSD who struggles with anger and violent outbursts. When Sean’s family throws him out of their home, Jimmy moves him into his house.
This brings Alice and Sean closer together and creates a strong bond. Alice initially finds comfort and support in Sean, but her feelings start to grow more romantic despite their age difference.
At first, she admires Sean from afar and wants to spend time with him, but she begins to show these emotions more strongly and openly as the story progresses. Alice then tries to kiss Sean, but he turns her down, recognizing that she is young and dealing with complicated emotions.
Their connection grows as they share experiences and support each other in their struggles. Sean sees himself in Alice’s pain and loss. They both feel like outsiders in their own lives as Alice deals with her mother’s death and her father’s absence. The connection helps Alice become a mature individual as she learns to accept Sean’s friendship without romantic expectations.
Sean also shows maturity by keeping boundaries and not taking advantage of Alice’s crush. He instead encourages her to grow independently and supports her whenever she feels alone or dejected. The two continue to be friends but do not have a romantic relationship.
Lukita Maxwell likes the resolution of Alice and Sean’s relationship in Shrinking
Lukita Maxwell, who plays Alice, opened up about how she feels about her character’s bond with Sean in an interview with Awards Radar. She said that she is happy the two do not get romantically involved as it will help Alice to focus on herself. Maxwell said:
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“I feel like it had a good resolution. Alice helped him out with the business. They’re rebuilding their friendship in a way that it’s not awkward for Sean. I hope that she focused on herself. I hope that as writers are listening, right now. I’m on Team Alice – I’m not on Team Allison Sean, at the moment.”
Shrinking season 2 airs on Apple TV+ on Wednesdays.
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