SHRINKING S3 is worth every minute of your time “if you are ready for the opportunity.” No regrets. Woof.
E1-E2 🤩
Boom. SHRINKING returns with a two-episode premiere, and it once again fills the gap left by everyone’s favorite feel-good sports comedy, TED LASSO. Of the two episodes, JIMMYING is the stronger emotionally, while I LOVE PAIN, ironically, is the funnier.
– Aaron
E3 PSYCHOLOGICAL SOMETHING-ISM 🤩
SHRINKING explored the concept of what friendship means as we age and change. It was a testament to how far those surrounding us will go the distance. It also comes down to “Jimmy (Jason Segel), grow up!”
– Esta
E4 MADE YOU LOOK 😊
This week’s MVP is easily Derek. Ted McGinley is in the role of a lifetime and having fun as the consistently positive presence that the flawed characters around him need.
– Aaron
E5 HONESTY ERA 🤩
American cinema and TV shows haven’t done a great job of portraying relationships among older adults. We often get stories of grandparents who have been together for years, but rarely a story about two people over sixty falling in love. Ageism is definitely at play here, and Hollywood especially hates to portray older women in healthy, loving relationships. However, we often get older men dating or marrying women who could be their daughters. This episode of SHRINKING has a lot of great plot lines, but the one about Paul (Harrison Ford) navigating his relationship with Juliet (Wendie Malick) and his family is outstanding. Not in my memory has a show done such a great job showing two people in their 70s connecting and falling in love.
– Jami
E6 IN A LONELY PLANET 🤩
SHRINKING delivered one of its best episodes. Its superb writing, grace, and empathy gave viewers a different peek at each of the main characters. I didn’t want to shed tears while watching, but I had no choice. Stellar acting made me give IN A LONELY PLACE a standing O.
– Esta
E7 GET IN THE SEA 😊
E7 is the season’s weakest episode so far. The good news is that even the weakest episodes are still worthy of a session with your favorite therapists. Especially when Derek’s (Ted McGinley) warm smile is on the screen.
– Aaron
E8 LAST DRINK 🤩
SHRINKING braves the topics of depression and grief. Bravo. Our society needs to be open to more drop-the-mic moments instead of always walking on eggshells. I believe this is the reason this show is so popular along with recognizing the fine, top-tier ensemble. They know exactly how to hit a line and keep going. It is simply amazing week after week.
– Esta
E10 CHANGING PATTERNS 🤩
CHANGING PATTERNS showcases how much the second season continues to “sparkle.” Each character on this show has a fantastic journey, and E10 sees the most growth for our leads yet. That’s why SHRINKING continues to be audiences’ weekly therapy session. We see in this group versions and parts of ourselves that we want to change – and the show encourages us to use a little “Jimmying” to do it.
– Aaron
E11 THE DRUGS DON’T WORK 🤩
SHRINKING is so good at mixing crazy, hilarious lines with brutal truths. The comic relief helps, but showcasing the need for acceptance throughout our journey makes this series such a stand-out. I am talking about taking a long, hard look at where we are (age-wise) and letting go of things we can’t control. Jimmy, Gabby, Paul, Sean, and Brian are beginning to learn huge lessons. It all creates powerful television.
– Esta
E12 LAST THANKSGIVING 🤩
SHRINKING began as a therapist show with an imperfect protagonist (Jimmy) on a hopeful path to redemption. As audiences have watched Jimmy struggle with his daughter Alice, we’ve witnessed his rebirth into a flawed dad who has proven he’s worth saving. This would be the most compelling part of the story in any other TV series. However, at the end of season two, it’s clear that Jimmy’s story is the least interesting of the main characters (Gaby, Paul (MVP), Sean, Alice, Derek, and Brian).
– Aaron
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The entire second season is available on Apple TV+.
