Somehow, Shrinking has become one of my favorite TV comedies of the last few years. It’s a show that sneaks up on you, but the combination of self-aware humor and fun (but also deep) character dynamics make it an utter joy to watch. Many shows suffer through a sophomore slump, and I was worried Shrinking would be the same. Luckily, the Apple TV+ show has only gotten better, and season 2 is even better than season 1. This is a show that offers genuine belly laughs, and it’s quick on its feet, meaning there’s no chance of ever being bored.
- Release Date
- January 27, 2023
- Streaming Service(s)
- Apple TV+
- Showrunner
- Bill Lawrence
Shrinking season 1 ended with Grace (Heidi Gardner), one of Jimmy’s (Jason Segel) clients, pushing her abusive husband over a cliff. Season 2 picks up from there, with Grace now in jail for attempted murder (her husband miraculously survived the fall but suffered severe injuries that left him wheelchair-bound). Jimmy and Brian (Michael Urie) are trying to help her, but she doesn’t want help because she’s convinced she did a horrible thing. Elsewhere, Sean (Luke Tennie) is working through anger issues with his dad, but his friendship with Jimmy leads Paul (Harrison Ford) to take him on as a client.
Shrinking’s Season 2 Stories Balance Humor & Heart
The Stories Have Only Gotten Better Since Season 1
Shrinking is as much a comfort comedy as it is quietly profound. Because it’s focused on therapy, the characters are able to work through a variety of issues — from frustrations dealing with parents to Gaby (Jessica Williams) and Jimmy’s sexual relationship, which complicates things with their friend group — with warmth and a good dose of hilarity and awkwardness. The addition of Brett Goldstein’s character is a highlight of season 2, adding an intriguing gray area where there previously was none. Goldstein is soulful yet heartbreaking, adding a poignancy to the series without breaking from the levity.
The series’ season 2 stories are also deeply compelling. The way the show handles Sean’s plot with his dad, Tim (Kenajuan Bentley), is a balanced affair; we understand Sean’s grievances with his father and his hesitance to paint him as a villain in his story. I really appreciated that, especially as there is so much media that doesn’t delve into the nuances required when exploring parent-child relationships.
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Gaby also gets more complexity as season 2 explores more of her family life and, specifically, the strained relationship she has with her sister. It’s a nice addition to the show and the subplot allows us to learn more about her outside of her friendships with the main cast. And while I was worried Alice’s (Lukita Maxwell) story would move to the backdrop, Shrinking season 2 gives her two storylines that are as equally engaging as they are funny and heartbreaking. The series somehow manages to balance everyone’s stories while maintaining a strong, delightful group dynamic. It’s impressive.
Shrinking’s Cast Is Full Of Comedy Geniuses
They Have Amazing Chemistry Together
Shrinking’s cast continues to have great chemistry and excellent comedic timing. They deliver their lines with a zippy energy that never lets up, and yet they’re capable of bringing so much heart to their characters and respective situations. It helps that the quality of writing is top-tier — sharp, witty, and quick. I found myself laughing quite loudly at several points throughout the six episodes provided for review.
It’s a feat only HBO’s The Franchise has managed to accomplish this year. A good comedy is increasingly hard to come by these days, but Shrinking has a habit of upping its game and laughs without fail, and its cast meets its efforts at every turn. Segel has always been funny, but his comedy — line delivery and physical and facial reactions — has only gotten better with time. He can oscillate between being serious, goofy, and endlessly frustrating (to Paul, anyway) like it’s nothing.
The Apple TV+ series is wonderfully paced, servicing each character and their respective stories without missing a beat.
Ford continues to effectively play Paul as a grouch with a good heart, and in season 2 it’s fun to see the walls he’s built around himself come further down. His onscreen relationship with Julie (Wendie Malick) evolves quite nicely and, though Paul has a lot to work through, it seems he’s finally got the tools to tackle them better, and Ford conveys Paul’s growth with care and a good amount of curmudgeonly humor.
Williams is firing on all cylinders, and she approaches Gaby with a straightforwardness that halts in the face of some complicated feelings. The actress brings a wry sense of humor and dry wit to her role and, paired with a charismatic glint in her eyes, makes her so fun to watch. The rest of the cast — from Tennie’s sensitive Sean to Christa Miller’s Liz, Jimmy’s neighbor who has no problem saying exactly what’s on her mind — brings an exuberant energy that gives Shrinking a lived-in feel. I feel like I truly know these characters and their relationships.
Shrinking has easily become one of my favorite comedies of the year, and it’s one I look forward to watching to see how everything plays out. The Apple TV+ series is wonderfully paced, servicing each character and their respective stories without missing a beat. The comedy is on point, raising the bar from the previous season. And while the characters can be all over the place sometimes, Shrinking is certainly not.
The first two episodes of Shrinking season 2 premiere on Apple TV+ on October 16. The season consists of 12 episodes that will air weekly each Wednesday.
Shrinking is a comedy/drama series on Apple TV+ that stars Jason Segel as Jimmy Johns, a therapist currently grieving over the loss of his wife while juggling the responsibilities of being a therapist, a father, and more. During his own process, Jimmy begins to breach the code of ethics of his profession by trying to help others by telling them exactly what he thinks about their situation. With an admirable goal in mind that may have unforeseen consequences, Jimmy begins to change the lives of his patients – and his own.
- The cast continues to have exceptional chemistry
- Shrinking season 2 is genuinely hilarious
- The series’ storytelling balances humor and heart
- The character dynamics are engaging and thoughtful