‘Shrinking’ S2 Series Review: Season 2 of Jason Segel, Harrison Ford tragicomedy sheds tears of laughter

A scene from ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Photo Credit: Apple TV

Season 1 of shrinkWhich follows the life of therapist Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel), who ended up with one of his patients, Grace (Heidi Gardner), who pushed her toxic, abusive husband, Donny (Tilky Jones), off a cliff. He remains in jail awaiting trial. Jimmy feels responsible, because after the death of his wife Tia (Lylan Bowden) in an accident, he spiraled out of control and told his patients exactly what he felt, including telling Grace to “boop” Donnie. It also included asking for.

one of the joys of shrink There are the people around Jimmy – including his daughter, Alice (Lucita Maxwell), co-worker, Gabby (Jessica Williams), mentor, Paul (Harrison Ford), neighbors, Liz (Christa Miller) and Derek, (Ted McGinley) and best friend. , Brian included. (Michael Urie) – Well written and his life is rich.

Shawn (Luke Tenney), Jimmy’s patient and house guest, is doing well with his food truck, but he still has some unresolved issues with his father Tim (KenJuan Bentley). The therapists at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center also have their own problems. Paul, who has difficulty letting people into his life, faces losing control due to Parkinson’s disease. Gabby is a very caring woman and always helps everyone else except herself. This trait gets in the way of her relationship with Derrick #2 (Damon Wayans Jr.), as she says, “She wants him but doesn’t need him”.

Liz, an incorrigible organizer, suffers a crisis of confidence, which almost drives her into the arms of an ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile, Derek, who was always dismissed as a lightweight, actually turns out to have depth, proving that every man is the hero of his own story. Paul admits to having feelings for his hot neurologist girlfriend, Julie (Wendie Malick) and has an affair with his first wife. Julie’s husband is suffering from dementia and in one of the show’s many touching scenes, Paul accompanies Julie to visit her husband.

A scene from ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Photo Credit: Apple TV

shrink It’s also about parenting – Jimmy feels he let Alice down, Paul feels guilty for being largely absent as his daughter Meg (Lily Rabe) grows up and Liz, although she She loves her three sons very much and wants them to grow up. Gabby doesn’t know how to tell her mother Phyllis (Varnee Watson) not to move in with her.

Brian and his partner, Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) are planning to have a baby, although Brian doesn’t know if he’s ready. Alice, in addition to the usual teenage troubles, also has to deal with being “the girl who lost her mother” and having everyone treat her differently. Into this powder keg of emotions comes Louis (Brett Goldstein), the drunk driver responsible for Tia’s death. Is he looking for salvation or trying to explain what happened that fateful night. Also, shouldn’t he be in jail? Season 3 is expected to reveal more about the fatal car accident.

is shrinking The approach to grief and self-forgiveness is empathetic and funny. This is a show in which you can laugh as well as cry. There are hefty takeaways wrapped in a warm embrace. The acting is extraordinary – from Segel’s goofy vulnerability to Ford’s Paul, whose bark is worse than his bite; shrink It features an incredible cast who bring all these deeply written characters to life. Closing with Paul’s emotional speech is the cherry on the cake. Wow.

The Shrinking is currently streaming on Apple TV+