Shrinking Season 2 premieres on Apple TV+ with two episodes on Wednesday, October 16, and one episode per week thereafter.
As Shrink Season 2 progresses, one thing becomes clearer: everyone is vulnerable. When Paul (Harrison Ford) proposes this to Jimmy (Jason Segal), Jimmy (Jason Segel) refuses to accept it—”I’m spinning and fascinated,” he retorts—but But it was the cold and ruthless truth in his heart.
Looking around the show, we see similar stories. Paul has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for years, but the world’s most stoic and united character remains human, and it’s only natural for weaknesses to start to show, especially with his neurologist girlfriend Julie (Wendie Malek) When together. The mended relationship between Jimmy and Alice (Lukita Maxwell) is like a father and daughter who have lost their entire world as they deal with their own day-to-day problems, and as we all know, there’s always the elephant in the room.
When we start Season 2, we’re immediately thrown into the same situation as we were at the end of Season 1. Namely, Jimmy’s patient Grace (Heidi Gardner) pushes her abusive husband off a cliff. This is the cruelest and most misguided application of Jimmy’s practical therapy, and one that creates more problems than it solves. Grace is awaiting trial, and given what we know about Jimmy’s desire to help his patients, it’s no surprise that he’s determined to help Grace in a more effective way.
Jimmy’s life is certainly better. This is recognized by others, but he also understands himself. But while the “it’s just face. I have a still ‘dead wife’ face” aspect didn’t carry over into season two, Seagal’s demeanor betrayed a deep-seated anxiety and sadness. Others recognize this, too. As the centerpiece of the show, Siegel was full of energy and tone. He’s touching, with raw emotion that shines through even in the absence of light.
Part of what makes this show so compelling—and, frankly, so great—is the balance of tone. Scenes filled with despair and sadness may deliver comedy gold, but it never feels like a whiplash. “Shrunk” manages to deliver a precise blend of poignancy and hilarity, in large part because of the depth of these characters. We see their world and everything in it.
Co-creator Brett Goldstein’s character will remain a secret until the season airs, which creates a fascinating dynamic, especially considering his role on Ted Lasso How different the character is in “Ted Russo” a lot of people will know him from. Goldstein’s performance is as compelling as his character’s very existence.
His appearance exemplified a broader theme of the season. “We said year one was about grief and year two was about forgiveness,” co-creator Bill Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly last month. The advice rings true, and much of the season feels bleaker than ever. How to strike a balance between being brave and being truly happy? What happens when people around you don’t notice the difference?
Jimmy is struggling with his methods and his need to heal and be healed. This is for Alice’s desire to live a normal life while worrying about her father. For Paul, it was the disease that consumed his life and the losses that came with it. For Gabby (Jessica Williams, whether in heart-to-heart or talking about her “goo-goo whistle”), whose charisma lights up the screen, it’s her connection with Jimmy and her struggles with her family that .
For Liz (the cool and emotionally brilliant Krista Miller), it’s her sense of calling, especially with her husband Derek (Ted McGinley, who rose from recurring star to main cast member is a joyful thing). What matters to Sean (Luke Tenney, perfectly embodying repressed pain) is dealing with people who remind him of his darkest days. For Brian (Michael Urie, who remains the funniest guy in the cast), it’s about the unexpected obstacles in his marriage.
Many of these characters have learned what “okay” looks like. But Shrink explores how challenging it is to maintain this state of affairs, and how the only way to cope with the present is to make peace with the past. Season 2’s lighter moments make the darker moments hit harder, but whether you laugh or cry, this show is a joy to watch.
Shrinking Season 2 premieres on Apple TV+ with two episodes on Wednesday, October 16, and one episode per week thereafter. I have watched 8 of the 12 episodes.
