Call me late to the party, but I have nothing but praise for Shrink. It made me laugh one minute and cry the next.
If you’re looking for a show that’s the perfect blend of heart and humor, Shrink has you covered.
It takes you on a journey through grief, healing, and the chaotic beauty of life—and trust me, you’ll be hooked from the first episode.
“Shrink” tells the story of therapist Jimmy (Jason Segal), who is devastated by the sudden loss of his wife while trying to raise his teenage daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell). Feeling sad.
As Jimmy struggles to overcome his grief, he uses unconventional therapy to change everything. He urges his patients to break free from their emotions—because, well, he’s a little stuck in them himself.
His advice was just what he needed to hear, and watching his journey unfold is what makes this show so sweet and special.
Now, I’ll admit, one of the big reasons I decided to watch this show was Harrison Ford, even though I didn’t see it when it originally aired. (Who wouldn’t?)
He plays Paul, Jimmy’s boss and fellow therapist, with all the gruff charm you’d expect (and the humor you might not). But it wasn’t just Ford that really captivated me—it was the deeply personal characters and the honest portrayal of grief and healing.
I’ve experienced loss myself, so I saw some of my own experiences in Jimmy’s struggles. The play reveals the reality that grief is not something that can be “overcome” in a year or two.
It’s a long and winding process, full of setbacks and small triumphs, and Shrink captures that perfectly.
Full of love and humor
One of the best parts of the show is watching the evolution of the father-daughter relationship between Jimmy and Alice. At first, Jimmy is so wrapped up in his grief that he barely notices that Alice needs him too.
The dynamic between them feels real and raw, especially as they face the inevitable reality that memories—such as Alice’s memory of her mother’s laughter—may fade.
One of the most touching moments of the season was watching Jimmy take the giant step of taking off his wedding ring and sharing his late wife’s belongings with Alice.
Then, there are the supporting characters that make the show even better.
Jimmy’s well-meaning but overbearing neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) serves as Alice’s surrogate mother as she deals with her own case of empty nest syndrome.
Meanwhile, Jimmy’s co-worker, friend, and later friend-with-benefits Gabby (Jessica Williams) brings endless laughter with her bold, no-frills personality.
Jimmy’s best friend Brian (played by Michael Urie) also has his own emotional journey. He navigates tense family dynamics before finding peace and happiness in his new marriage to Charlie (Devon Kawaoka).
And there’s Sean (Luke Tenney), the patient protege of Jimmy whose rise from troubled young man to budding entrepreneur is one of the show’s most rewarding arcs .
“Shrink” stands out because while it touches on serious issues like grief, trauma, and strained family relationships, it never loses its heart or sense of humor.
There are many laugh-out-loud moments, especially Gabby’s energetic personality, Brian’s unwavering enthusiasm, and Paul’s humorous, no-nonsense attitude. But underneath the humor, the show is full of emotional depth.
Each character grows in their own way, and it’s impossible not to root for them as they overcome pain, mistakes, and ultimately heal.
Of course, Jimmy’s approach to therapy is unconventional, and sometimes things don’t go the way he or we expect. But that’s life, right?
The show doesn’t sugarcoat the complexities of therapy, nor does it shy away from showing the consequences of Jimmy’s unorthodox methods (even if he hasn’t been responsible for some of the more controversial methods, ala Grace).
But when you see a character like Sean finally find his way, you can’t help but believe that maybe there’s a reason for Jimmy’s madness after all.
What’s most striking, though, is how “Shrinking” crystallizes the whole concept of a makeshift family, and how they support each other through thick and thin.
By the end of Season 1, you’re not only invested in Jimmy and Alice’s journey, but also in everyone’s story, whether it’s Jimmy’s friends, colleagues, or his patients.
Even though the show takes more dramatic turns, it’s really about people coming together and supporting each other through life’s most chaotic moments. It’s just a sweet show.
Shrunk Season 2 will premiere on Apple TV+ on October 16. Be sure to join me here at TV Fanatic to discuss each new episode!
Watch “Shrink” online
