Shrinking Season 2 Premiere Review: Bill Lawrence, Jason Segal and company pack laughs and feels in Apple’s excellent therapy comedy

One of the best shows on TV, Shrinking, returns with a new season and doesn’t miss a beat. Any worries about the shocking ending to season 1 throwing the tonal balance of the show are unfounded.

Jason Segel is even better in season 2 as Jimmy. He’s still struggling to handle the dividing line between therapist and friend. Thankfully, while not perfect, Jimmy’s relationship with his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) is better and more honest. The honesty part is crucial because the drunk driver who killed Jimmy’s wife and Alice’s Mom enters the picture, stirring up emotions. Jimmy is still the same, 1 step forward, one step back, man trying to process what he’s going through.

Meanwhile, Harrison Ford remains a perfect casting choice as Jimmy’s gruff mentor and boss, Paul. His relationship with Dr. Julie Baram (Wendie Malick) is blossoming. He takes on Sean (Luke Tennie) as a new patient. Sean is trying to find a way to connect between Jimmy’s connections and his old life.

The relationship that started between Jimmy and Gaby (Jessica Williams) last season continues and fizzles out. Williams continues to shine in both comedy and drama realms in what should be a breakout role. Both know the relationship isn’t healthy, and Gaby has deep feelings for Jimmy.

Liz (Christa Miller steals every scene in the first couple of episodes) continues as a thorn in Jimmy’s side while her business with Sean grows.

The only blemish in the two-episode premiere is a running gag involving Liz and Derek’s son Connor. He constantly tries to talk to Alice and fails miserably. This bit lacks warmth or depth in a show that can have mean-spirited moments but finds a way to elevate them.

The season’s overall theme may be forgiveness, but the Shrinking Season 2 premiere is all about honesty. Whether summoning the courage to be honest and fearing the fallout or dealing with the ramifications, Shrinking finds a way to make you feel relief, betrayal, and hurt, depending on the context.

Overall, showrunners Bill Lawrence, Segel, and Brett Goldstein continue to strike an incredible balance between funny, sad, and touching, which makes it one of the best TV shows.

Here’s a brief recap of the first two episodes of the new season. Shrinking is streaming on Apple TV Plus.

Jimmying continues in Shrinking Season 2 Premiere

The first episode of Shrinking Season 2 revolves around everyone waiting for Jimmy to spin out. Even Paul is taking it easy on Jimmy. However, it’s clear he may lose his balance but isn’t going to fall off the wagon. Paul’s honesty breaks through and forces Jimmy to change by no longer being Sean’s therapist.

The episode begins with Jimmy visiting his former patient, Grace, in prison. She mistook Jimmy’s advice to boop her husband and pushed him off a cliff. Jimmy’s guilt caused him to consult with Paul. He doesn’t scold Jimmy. Paul suggests that Jimmy use conventional therapy for a while.

Liz checks in on Gaby to see if she’s broken things off with Jimmy. She promises to but can’t resist Jimmy. After hooking up with Jimmy, Liz’s call goes straight to voicemail. Liz confronts Gaby during a class.

Paul’s lack of honesty with Jimmy extends to his relationship with Julie. He’s uncomfortable with the time they spend together and suggests space. In reality, he’s falling in love with her and can’t express it honestly.

Paul, recognizing his lack of honesty, harms his relationship and delivers a brutal truth to Jimmy. Earlier, Jimmy wanted to see if he screwed up with his patients. Paul said he didn’t. It turns out Jimmy is hurting Sean. Sean’s life is inextricably connected to Jimmy’s life in ways that have severed him from his old one.

The episode ends with the drunk driver (Goldstein) in the lobby, looking to apologize. Jimmy explodes and tells him to leave.

I Love Pain

The push and pull of delayed honesty continues in the 2nd episode.

Jimmy plans to tell Alice about his encounter with the drunk driver who ruined their lives. However, her excitement and worry over her driving test force him to delay.

Back at the therapy office, Sean is now Paul’s patient. Taking on Sean means Paul must drop one of his other patients. Even though Paul begrudgingly likes him, Raymond (Neil Flynn) is the most well-adjusted and gets the boot. Raymond offers to meet after work, but Paul doesn’t think it’s right.

Jimmy’s selfishness hurts Paul’s relationship with Gaby. Jimmy gives Sean Paul’s number. Sean reaches out for advice, interrupting a romantic opportunity with Julie. Paul doesn’t want to answer. Jimmy confronts Paul. He thinks their approaches to patient care probably need to meet in the middle. Jimmy is too involved, and Paul could be more involved. Paul calls Sean and tells him to work on an exercise. They will talk during the regular weekly therapy session.

The relationship between Jimmy and Gaby goes up in flames. Gaby breaks things off in the middle of the episode, but she’s pretty pissed at Jimmy. After an explosive encounter with her sister, Jimmy shows up at Gaby’s house. Gaby confronts Jimmy. Gaby had feelings for Jimmy. He knew it but decided to keep having sex with her anyway.

Honestly, if anyone but Segel were playing the character of Jimmy, he would be insufferable. Yet, the constant fight between Jimmy wanting to be there for others and then self-destructing through selfish tendencies is interesting.

Shrinking Season 2 Premiere Final Thoughts

The combination of comedy and sadness leads to Apple TV Plus gold again with Shrinking. I’m blown away by how the show handled the topic of honesty and can’t wait to see how the show explores forgiveness.

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