Over the course of two seasons, sitcom mastermind Bill Lawrence (“Spin City“, “Scrubs“) has continued something of an AppleTV+ residence following his now-resurrected “Ted Lasso” with another jaunt into the world of “Shrinking, ” a series led by Jason Segel as widower therapist Jimmy and Harrison Ford as his colleague Paul, the former of whom spent Season One treating his patients in a manner some might see as unconventional, yet effective, while the latter’s dealing with the early stages of Parkinson’s balances his own overarching, grumpy arc. As a supporting cast ranging from humorous to insufferable helped to even out the narrative threads, Season Two saw Jimmy’s grief on display as he continued to cope with his wife Tia’s (Lilan Bowden) loss in a car accident, in addition to his relationships with Coworker #2, Gaby (Jessica Williams), and daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell).
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Paul, meanwhile, saw his nurse Julie (Wendie Malik) become more than just a caregiver, while neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) continued to meddle in the lives of everyone around her and husband Derek (Ted McGinley) seemed content to pop in from time to time with his boundless enthusiasm on full display. That earnestness Bill Lawrence saw fit to wedge into every aspect of “Ted Lasso” finds its way once again into “Shrinking, ” with Derek seemingly existing as something of a human version in this regard, or simply this show’s own take on Jason Sudekis‘ now-legendary character. Unfortunately, the dialogue, presumably meant to present itself as rapid-fire in what could be seen as an attempt at humor in the process, finds ways to overlap, occasionally stripping a line of its intended humor or forcing such an emotion into a conversation clearly meant to exist without. It’s difficult to describe “Shrinking, ” while simultaneously easy; it’s a show about people, some of whom work in therapy. What else can be found within to differentiate it from its peers?
This brings us to Season Three. While the same issues may be present, much can be said about noticeable improvements. For starters, the opening scene of episode one sees Paul waiting for physical therapy, when another patient strikes up an exchange: none other than Michael J. Fox, as he wishes that the few tremors Paul’s displaying could be the extent of his own, while the two genuinely make the most of their brief time together and even allowing Fox the final, hilarious line. Paul’s unsure what to do with his remaining years, something that will come up again throughout the season, and in the following scene do Jimmy and Paul have one of their most heartfelt chats yet; simply put, Jimmy has Paul’s back, even when times will inevitably become tough. Furthermore, his relationship with Julie continues to solidify; seeing her smile as she agrees with Paul that spending every day together in bed would truly be perfect oozes chemistry, and the unexpected shock of an odd moment in which Ford himself hums the “Indiana Jones” theme raises far too many questions than one may or may not expect. Who’s playing the character in the world of “Shrinking”? Does the actor portraying Indy look like Harrison Ford, or is it Ford himself? It’s easy to venture down the rabbit hole on this, but there’s more story to go.
Liz and Derek? Neither have changed, though now having to contend with their son’s lack of ambition and whether they, as parents, might have fallen short. Additionally, as Alice stares down the reality of impending college and a hopeful soccer scholarship, Liz has to contend with the idea that Derek may be involved in a possible ; what’s the significance behind all those secret phone calls he’s been taking as of late? It’s not only Derek, as Brian (Michael Urie), Paul’s attorney, has been preparing for the arrival of the daughter he and fiancé Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) will soon be adopting once the mother, Ava (Claudia Sulewski), gives birth and no further roadblocks (hopefully) materialize. There’s also Sean (Luke Tennie), introduced in Season One as a patient of Jimmy’s and who would soon find friendship in both Jimmy and Alice as he does what he can to move on from military trauma by opening a food truck. With business going well, the sudden appearance of a former girlfriend suddenly throws his world out of orbit as he struggles with how the relationship initially ended and what the best course of action going forward might be. It should be noted that, upon first introduction, Gaby and Liz seem to love Sean’s ex, or simply the idea of Sean rekindling an old flame. Their excitement seems excessive. It will pop up again.
As for Jimmy, his dilemma over the emotions involved in Alice entering the next phase of her educational journey and his own grasps at a new relationship lead back to Sofi (Cobie Smulders), first seen last season selling a car and who may be a possible contender, even as a brief conversation after the keys are handed over may not necessarily show signs of a spark. Even the eventual birth of Brian’s child sees Jimmy meeting a nurse in Ava’s delivery suite who simply can’t get enough of Jimmy’s terrible jokes and soon after eagerly accepts an invitation for coffee. It isn’t just the opposite sex, as the appearance of Jimmy’s father (Jeff Daniels), implied to only spend time with his son when it’s convenient (in this instance, he’s en route to an auto show), sets up a tremendous amount to unpack, even as hearing the esteemed Daniels use such slang as agreeing with Alice’s friend Summer (Rachel Stubington) that his son’s next course of action best be to get some “strange” in a manner that couldn’t have been delivered better. It may be cliché to point out the therapy that the therapists themselves need, but in the case of “Shrinking, ” it’s overflowing.
There’s more. Redemption, forgiveness, acceptance…these are the words one might use to describe Jimmy’s now-friendship with Louis (Brett Goldstein), the driver who caused the accident that took Tia’s life. As the two enjoy coffee, Alice takes selfies with this new bestie, and Louis himself seems to have found some semblance of peace, a tense diatribe from Gaby as, through tears, she reprimands a stoic, ashamed Louis with how impossible it may very well be for her to move on after he took the life of her best friend. It’s a powerful moment, a pivotal moment for Gaby and an acting masterclass from Jessica Williams; it’s enough to raise the question, is the cast helpless in their efforts to fully convey the words they’re asked to read, or could they themselves find difficulty with the combined styles of series masterminds Lawrence, Segel and Goldstein?
That all said, there’s still noticeable leaps in quality. Everyone seems to be dialed in to their characters that much better, even as Ford’s gravely schtick wears out its welcome as has happened two seasons prior. Urie, meanwhile, takes the baton labeled laughter and sprints every time the opportunity arises; no matter what might be escaping his mouth, be it wondering if he’ll one day die during a Cher concert (spoiler: it’s Beyoncé) or the mania present once Ava goes into labor, it’s the sort of energy not seen since the most frantically hysterical moments of “Friends, ” and in the ecosystem that is “Shrinking, ” it works. Real feels balance it all; don’t be surprised when Ford’s introduction to Brian’s new daughter sets up a line that could, if necessary, end the series in the most perfect way imagineable.
By now, the undeniable fact that every character’s emotional baggage contains additional baggage within should have been made clear, and as each continue to embark on their respective jaunt down the road of life will the unpacking continue. What’s the resolution? Is it possible to arrive, or is this simply the journey that awaits us all? As the sun begins to make its final descent on Paul’s travels, it should be clear, by now or before long, how the adventure may never fully end. All one can do is enjoy, in whatever fashion that may resemble, and as a show like “Shrinking” progresses in quality, the question of what it all means may not matter. Take it all in. Await a possible Season 4. It should only get better from here. [B]
