A terrific Harrison Ford performance, Derek’s advice, and a wonderful guest star helps turn Made You Look into another outstanding episode of Shrinking.
Made You Look Recap
In this episode, Liz (Crista Miller) and Sean (Luke Tennie) make amends following Sean’s outburst in the last episode. Sean and his father are working together in the food truck. However, the experience is traumatic for Sean.
During a therapy session with Sean, Paul tries to push Sean to expand on his issues. Paul even tries a Jimmy-like maneuver by talking to Sean in the lounge. Jimmy is concerned about Sean. Paul convinces Jimmy not to help Sean.
Paul is a little bit more ornery than usual with Jimmy. His Parkinson’s symptoms are making it harder for him to write, and he repeated a question to Sean he’d asked in a previous session.
Related Post
Meanwhile, Brian (Michael Urie) and his husband Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) disagree over adopting children. Brian doesn’t want children, and Charlie does. Liz and Derek (Ted McGinley) help Brian consider his options and get him to see he’s more than the narcissist he paints himself as. I love Urie’s performance in this episode. The series continues giving him more to do, and he’s crushing it this season.
Derek also comes to Gaby’s (Jessica Williams) rescue. Gaby is still getting over the Jimmy situation. Derek introduces her to Derrick (Damon Wayons Jr.). The chemistry between Williams and Wayons Jr. is off the charts. There’s a great bit about something vibrating in a box that rides the line between awkward and charming, a territory that both Williams and Wayons Jr. shine in.
The only negative aspect of this episode that will probably be addressed more in the next episode is Alice sleeping with Connor. She orders him not to tell her friend Summer, and it’s unclear whether Summer expects anything. There’s a fun comedic bit with Alice sneaking out of the house in a loud manner that’s very much like her father, but this situation is relatively fresh.
Shrinking is available to stream on Apple TV Plus.
Favorite Moments
Shrinking continues to fire on all cylinders. The mixture of humor and drama is close to perfection in Made You Look.
For example, the exchanges between Gaby and Derrick are hilarious. The vibration in her box is, of course, a vibrator. At first, Gaby is embarrassed, trying to play it off like it’s her phone, which is in her hand. Then, Gaby blurts out the name of her vibrator, Clifford, because it’s red, and that leads to Wayons Jr.’s inimitable bark noise. There’s a sweetness to the dynamic, but it’s also simply hilarious.
Then, there are some emotional scenes. Jimmy can’t ignore Sean’s pain anymore, so he gets involved despite his promise to Paul. Sean’s anger nearly gets the best of him and he almost takes out his rage on Jimmy. It’s a terrifying scene followed by Sean finally relenting after Jimmy sits down. Zach Braff does a brilliant job of creating maximum tension. Tennie and Jason Segel are also phenomenal in this scene.
The best scene is between Jimmy and Paul. After Sean’s reveal, Jimmy visits Paul at his home and explains what happened between Sean and his father. Jimmy calls Paul out on his ego. Paul is jealous that Jimmy finally gets through to Sean. Jimmy leaves, but after a conversation with his daughter, he gets confirmation of his egotistical nature. Paul eventually apologizes and agrees to work together to help Sean.
After his conversation about children with his husband, Brian goes to Liz, Derek, and Gaby for advice. Liz ropes Brian into helping at a pet shelter, where he adopts a dog. While Brian is still terrified of being a Dad, he admits to Charlie that he wants to have children, too. A conversation with Jimmy and Liz goes deeper into his fears and why he’d be a good Dad. One of the things Brian loves about himself is his narcissism, and he thinks it could ruin his child. Jimmy points out that Brian has a tremendous capacity for empathy and is there when people need it most.
Made You Look ends with Louis (Brett Goldstein), the drunk driver, in Jimmy’s driveway. In the last episode, Alice left her wallet in the coffee shop. He just wants to return it and level. At first, Brian responds angrily, like Jimmy and Alice. Even though Louis says he’s fine, Brian can see Louis is in tremendous pain. The episode ends with Brian approaching Louis.
The Review
Shrinking Season 2 Episode 4
PROS
- Harrison Ford is terrific.
- Damon Wayons Jr. is a great addition to the one of the best ensembles on TV.
- The scene between Jimmy and Sean shows how intense the drama can be.
- Zach Braff does a terrific job of directing the episode.
CONS
- Alice sleeping with Connor leads to a funny gag but that's about it at this point.
