During a recent FYC event for Shrinking, the great Harrison Ford marveled over the fact that fans of his hit Apple TV+ series don’t approach him for photos, autographs, or personal requests. They simply share their love for the show with him and move on. In Ford’s mind, “They’re knitting into this empathetic framework and they’re not seeing me as an actor. They’re seeing me as someone that they’ve had this nature of experience with. And it’s a phenomenal change in my mind; in my life.”
As the actor suggested, the change is likely inspired in part by Shrinking‘s empathetic storytelling. But the full impact of the series and the love for Ford’s character, Paul Rhoades — a prickly therapist who’s navigating Parkinson’s disease, exploring a relationship with Wendie Malick’s Julie, and owning up to his past transgressions — is also a direct result of Ford’s remarkable talents.
With Shrinking, Ford showcases new sides of himself as an actor through Paul’s humor and heart. By belting a one-hit wonder in the car with Jessica Williams, knocking back candy while sporting a fedora, repeatedly saying “raw dog,” and getting stoned off weed gummies in Season 1, the 82-year-old actor quickly proved he’s committed to flexing his comedic chops. When confronting Paul’s mortality, getting vulnerable, and admitting his imperfections, however, Ford effortlessly switches gears, exhibiting stunning emotional depth.
In Shrinking‘s sophomore season, the cast takes playful and poignant performances alike to new heights. The show as a whole, along with several standout stars, deserves major recognition. But in Season 2’s finale, Shrinking‘s anchor, Ford, steals the show with a heart-wrenching scene that will stay with viewers long after the end credits roll.
Season 2 sees the stubborn therapist struggling to come to terms with his progressing Parkinson’s disease. But in Episode 212, “The Last Thanksgiving,” Ford lets Paul’s guard down in a beautifully raw show of emotion. When asked to share what he’s thankful for, he lets his hand freely shake while telling his loved ones that he didn’t take his pills because he wants to quit hiding his tremors from them. As he pours his heart out — talking about how easy it is to feel sorry for himself and his fragile body — the gravely Batman voice he uses “for gravitas” softens. He chokes up. His breathing shifts. His lip trembles. He takes the pauses needed to collect himself and get the words out. And in all those moments, Paul appears far braver than any of the iconic characters Ford’s played in his legendary career.
“I look around this room and I say to myself, lucky guy. I’m a lucky guy,” Paul says, tightly clutching Julie’s hand. “I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna have to work with you, hang out with you, laugh with you. The road’s gonna get tougher and tougher, but I do know that I’ll get through it because of everyone in this room and that’s what I’m thankful for. We can get through everything if we have people to lean on. I’m leaning on you. I’m leaning on you.”
Ford has been doing Emmy-worthy work on Shrinking since the start and has no shortage of standout scenes in Season 2 — from an emotional heart-to-heart with Paul’s ex-wife Susan (Kelly Bishop) and admissions of fear, to the advice he gives Alice, romantic chats with Julie, and moving scenes with Jimmy in Episode 11. But that finale monologue featured some of the most striking acting of his career. There wasn’t a dry eye on screen (or in my living room) watching that stoic man soften and display the kind of vulnerability this world desperately needs more of. Beyond his acting abilities, the care with which Ford handles Paul’s Parkinson’s storyline — prioritizing honest representation and honoring those who struggle with the debilitating disease, including loved ones of Lawrence and Goldstein — regularly reduces me to tears. It’s a large part of Shrinking‘s magic. They couldn’t have picked a better man for the job, and I’m so thankful Ford’s journey led him here.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: It may seem wrong to use a dramatic scene as an argument for an award in a comedy category, but The Bear‘s been doing it for years — the only difference is that Ford is straight-up hilarious in every episode. His special ability to find and heighten humanity in Shrinking‘s stories deserves to be celebrated, but he seamlessly switches between heavy and lighthearted tones, making you sob one minute and slinging sarcasm, reciting “Cheater Bitch” lyrics, doing an elaborate mic drop, dropping F-bombs, or saying hip phrases like “roomies with bennies” the next. In true Shrinking fashion, he also excels at navigating hardship with humor, naturally slipping laugh-out-loud jokes into the most tearjerking scenes.
Shrinking fans aren’t asking Ford for photos or seeing him as an actor in their encounters because he knits into the show’s empathetic framework. In doing so, he makes Paul feel more like a friend or family member than a fictional character.
With Shrinking Season 3 set to explore moving forward as a theme, I can’t wait to see what Ford has in store. If he doesn’t snag his first Emmy for Season 2, it won’t take away from his stellar performance one bit. Like the great Better Call Saul before him, he may simply be too good for awards. But just know, if he’s not recognized I’ll have a big old “Woof!” ready for the Television Academy.
Shrinking Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+.
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