Shrinking Season 2: More of the same and then some (and that’s a good thing!)
James Blinken ‘24 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Spoilers ahead
Shrinking is my favorite show that is currently airing, and I’m quite picky. A couple of years ago, Ted Lasso was my favorite show, but the last season did not impress as much and it is still ongoing with season 4 in early development (but that is a topic for another time). However, there is a connection between the shows: Ted Lasso and Shrinking have many of the same writers, including executive producers Brett Goldstein and Bill Lawrence.
Originally airing its first season in Spring 2023, Shrinking Season 2 begins shortly after Season 1. The first season focuses on establishing us in the show’s world, focusing on Jimmy (Jason Segal), a struggling shrink who recently lost his wife and is in a deep depression. Jimmy has a daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell), who he has grown distant from due to his depression. In addition, as the name implies, the show’s central concept is Jimmy being an active member of his patients’ lives. In other words, he is shrink-ing, being an active shrink!
Jimmy works with Paul (Harrison Ford), his crabby yet loveable mentor who happens to be in the early stages of Parkinsons. The two are constantly at odds, especially regarding Jimmy’s treatment methods, but their disagreements come off as hilarious and benefit us, the audience! And that is the thing about Shrinking: It is laugh-out-loud funny. There are so many characters that are so well-developed with so many layers. They feel honest, somebody you can be friends with all your life! Such plot lines like Paul’s slow decline with Parkinson’s are increasingly refreshing because of how real it feels. The conversations surrounding the passing of a loved one and terminal illnesses are heavy. Still, it is reasonably balanced with fantastic character interactions and terrific one-liners that will leave you cackling out loud.
We are also introduced to Jimmy’s neighbors (Liz and her husband, Derek), who take care of Alice after her mother is killed. Brian is Jimmy’s best friend who got married in the prior season and is expecting a baby with his partner in season 2. Finally, there is Gaby (Jessica Williams), who works with Paul and Jimmy (plus has a fling with him). Many dynamics and relationships are established in season 1 and season 2 feels like a direct continuation. The writing is just as sharp as season 1, and everything feels right!
It’s hard to find bad things to say about shrinking. Like Ted Lasso, the show can be cheesy at times, but I would not say as much so as Lasso. I feel the cheesiness of this show is more subtle and fits more with the family and friends dynamic of the cast of characters. The best part of the show is the various different and interesting characters that all feel very well developed and like real people. Not to mention they are funny and overall, very good people to watch weekly.
In addition, the music used in the show is great. From a catchy opening theme to each episode having an onslaught of various tunes, many of the songs from both seasons of the shows live in my music library. In season 2, my favorite song so far is “Bad Decisions” by The Strokes. The music conveys the tone very well!
I do think Shrinking is all about character and is not the biggest pure narrative show. If you accept that, it makes the show even greater. One of the more significant developments in the latest season is Brett Goldstein (Co-Creator/Roy Kent from Ted Lasso) playing the murderer of Alice’s mom and Jimmy’s wife, Louis. He wants to make amends, and Jimmy reacts very harshly, while Alice (with the help of Brian) makes amends and even forms somewhat of a relationship with Louis. I will say out of all the storylines in the show, having Alice form a relationship with Louis is a bit weird. However, it does show the difference in how Alice and Jimmy handle grief.
Jimmy and Gaby continue to have a ‘friends with benefits’ situation until Gaby realizes she has feelings and stops pursuing Jimmy (since he does not feel the same way about her). However, Jimmy does not, and their relationship becomes toxic for some time. Many characters in season 2 see themselves in multi-episode-long disputes, and boundaries are tested. Another character, Sean (Luke Tennie), lives with Jimmy and Alice after being kicked out of his home by his family after multiple violent public outbursts. Sean suffers from PTSD from serving in the army; hence, is why he has to see Jimmy, and later Paul. Sean and his dad have a turbulent relationship, and in season 2, it is revealed that Sean feels his dad does not understand why he suffers. After some time, the two have an honest, open conversation, and things get better between them!
Many of the problems we see this season have solutions, and the characters all try to do better, which makes them all that much more loveable and fun to watch! Like Ted Lasso, it is a feel-good show (although, I would say it’s less ‘happy-go-lucky’ than Lasso). That is not to say the show gets wrapped up in a bow, far from it. Life is hard, but if you have a good support system with good people around you, life should be much better. Shrinking Season 2 (so far) has been a great, deeper character-centric season than the previous one, yet just as funny if not better. It’s a terrific continuation, and I’m also very excited for season 3! I wish more people would watch this show, and it could get the love it deserves.
Shrinking airs through Christmas/December 25!
Review Score → 5 / 5