Shrinking Season 1 may have ended with a boop, but Season 2’s premiere will have you bracing for a boom.
The highly-anticipated return of Apple TV+‘s Emmy-nominated comedy picks up on the edge of Season 1’s literal cliffhanger. Grace (Heidi Gardner) is in jail after booping her abusive husband off a cliff, and Jimmy (Jason Segel) is facing drastic repercussions for his unconventional therapy techniques.
While the first 10 episodes of Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein’s beloved series saw characters taking small but mighty steps to process grief, embark on healing journeys, and start reclaiming control of their lives, the second chapter in Shrinking’s story is far more explosive.
As Harrison Ford’s gloriously gravelly voice warns at the end of Season 2’s premiere: “You can’t spend your life hiding from your trauma. If you don’t truly deal with your past, it’ll come back for you. And when that happens…BOOM.”
Season 2 finds Segel’s character struggling to take a break from “Jimmying” his clients (it’s a movement!) and exploring personal triggers and shortcomings related to his wife’s death. As he actively works to be more present for his daughter and better serve Sean’s (Luke Tennie) needs, a fresh source of conflict sets him and his loved ones back in ways no one saw coming. Thanks to his “needy penis,” Jimmy also runs the risk of ruining his relationship with Gaby (Jessica Williams), who’s adjusting to life as Professor Evans while navigating family drama of her own. Meanwhile, as Paul’s (Ford) Parkinson’s disease progresses, he examines his feelings for Julie (Wendie Malick) and continues owning up to past transgressions.
Outside of the office, Shrinking smartly lets its supporting characters shine with more substantial storylines and screen time. Now old enough to drive, Alice’s (Lukita Maxwell) mom’s death weighs even heavier on her mind. As Sean grows his food truck business, rifts with Liz (Christa Miller) and his dad threaten his personal progress. Speaking of Liz, she’s setting out to find her purpose and become a better person, which is new, so growing pains are inevitable. Since Ted McGinley was bumped to a series regular in Season 2, Derek (aka D-Train) is finally seen as more than Liz’s husband and that rude waiter with the good popsicles. As for Shrinking‘s resident “DINK” (double income, no kids), Brian (Michael Urie) belatedly shows up for duty as Alice’s godfather and adjusts to married life with Charlie (Devin Kawaoka).
Showing the aftermath of Jimmy’s “bash his brains, eat them up” era was essential to maintain realistic levels of accountability, but those who struggled with the big Season 1 finale twist may find that Grace’s jail time and looming punishment weighs down the start of Season 2. As Lawrence previously teased, Shrinking thankfully isn’t headed to court. So once the show is fresh out the slammer, trust that things fall right back into place.
From witty one-liners and A+ physical comedy to copious swearing and honest sex talk, Season 2 episodes are packed with more of the laugh-out-loud humor you loved in Season 1. Jimmy and company might not always act or deliver razor-sharp quips like your friends or colleagues in the real world, but the show’s signature brand of quirkiness works like a charm thanks in large part to its lovable cast. By harnessing heart and humor, Urie proves himself capable of putting on a captivating one-man show in Season 2. Maxwell, Tennie, Segel, and others successfully show their range in emotionally heavy scenes. And it bears repeating that Ford is an absolute force as Paul Rhodes.
The fact that this prickly, stubborn grump is so loved is a direct testament to the actor’s ability to topple his tough exterior with unexpected hilarity and heart wrenching moments of vulnerability. One minute, Ford makes you cackle by scream-singing a one-hit wonder and saying things like, “Do you want me to pull my pants down and make my ass clap?”, the next minute, you’re tearing up over his poignant ruminations on Parkinson’s. His performance is only elevated by the wonderful Malick, and together, the two bring one of TV’s most fulfilling (and hottest!) romantic relationships to screen.
With such a large ensemble cast, Shrinking skillfully balances and intertwines storylines, pairing unexpected scene partners to help keep dynamics fresh. On top of its regular lineup, Season 2 also introduces exciting guest stars including Damon Wayans Jr., Vernee Watson, a jaw-dropping late-season reveal that was a REAL choice, and more. There’s also the excellent Brett Goldstein, whose role is so locked down that I firmly believe Apple TV+ would send Goldstein as Roy Kent to tower over critics and growl in disapproval should anyone dare ruin the viewing experience. To properly praise Goldstein for his performance would be saying too much, so without spoiling the role that we all know significantly strays from his Ted Lasso character, I’ll simply say his likability and versatility are inherent to its success. (If I’ve said too much, Roy Kent, f***ing come on down!)
After watching 11 of the 12 screeners made available for review, Shrinking’s sophomore season frequently feels explosive in the best way. With a central theme of forgiveness, Season 2 challenges characters to face their demons head-on and do the messy work needed to let go of excess resentment, guilt, and pain. Despite its feel-good nature, that conflict is one of the reasons the show works so well. Shrinking refuses to sugar-coat grief and hard truths of the human condition. It calls people out for their flaws, holds up a mirror, and invites them to change. At the same time, it accepts that recovery isn’t always linear; that humans continuously make progress and mistakes. By showing layers to each character’s life, it even makes you empathize with and at times root for those in the wrong. And without fail, it knows how crucial levity is in trying times.
At its core, Shrinking remains a comedy about grief with enough light to offset the darkness. It breaks you down, but just when you think hope might be gone — BOOM! — it builds you back up again with healing humor.
Shrinking Season 2 premieres Wednesday, October 16 on Apple TV+. New episodes air weekly.
The post From Boop To Boom: ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Is Explosive In The Best Way appeared first on Decider.
