‘Shrinking’ Season 3 series review: Growing pains, gentle goodbyes

The critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning series, Shrinking, has firmly established its place in the hearts of viewers by masterfully blending profound emotional depth, sharp wit, and insightful explorations of the therapeutic process.

Created by the acclaimed trio Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, the show features a stellar ensemble cast including Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller, Harrison Ford, and Ted McGinley. Each of the eleven episodes ranges from 29 to 63 minutes, allowing for deep character exploration.

At the heart of the narrative is Jimmy (Jason Segel), a therapist navigating the profound complexities of widowhood following the tragic loss of his wife, Tia (Lilan Bowden). His personal life is undergoing significant transformation as his daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell), prepares for college. Meanwhile, Sean (Luke Tennie), a former patient and war veteran who resides in Jimmy’s pool house, finds remarkable success with his food truck. A burgeoning business opportunity coupled with a rekindled connection with his ex-girlfriend, Marisol (Isabella Gomez), serve as catalysts, prompting Sean to embark on his own journey of moving forward.

Jimmy’s colleague, Gaby (Jessica Williams), finds herself at the precipice of realizing her long-held ambition to establish a trauma center, yet grapples with her readiness for such a monumental professional undertaking. Concurrently, her relationship with boyfriend Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.) faces uncertainty, and the arrival of a new patient, Maya (Sherry Cola), compels Gaby to rigorously re-evaluate her therapeutic methodologies.

Paul (Harrison Ford), Jimmy’s seasoned mentor and a senior therapist at the center, confronts increasingly difficult decisions both professionally and personally as his Parkinson’s disease progresses. His daughter, Meg (Lily Rabe), expresses a desire for him to relocate closer to her in Connecticut. The season’s one-hour premiere witnesses a significant personal milestone for Paul, as he weds his neurologist girlfriend, Julie (Wendie Malick).

Even Jimmy’s close-knit neighbors, Liz (Christa Miller) and Derek (Ted McGinley), are prompted to reassess their priorities after Derek experiences a health scare. Simultaneously, Jimmy’s best friend and lawyer, Brian (Michael Urie), and his husband Charlie (Devin Kawaoka), revel in the joys of parenthood with their baby, Sutton, benefiting from Liz’s generous assistance. However, a three-month relocation to Tennessee for Charlie forces Brian to make a pivotal decision regarding their future.

Shrinking deftly navigates these interwoven narratives with remarkable subtlety, ensuring viewers remain deeply invested in each character’s journey. Significant developments include Jimmy’s courageous foray into the dating world with Sofi (Cobie Smulders), Liz and Derek’s demonstration of tough love towards their son Matthew (Markus Silbiger), and Louis (Brett Goldstein), the individual responsible for Tia’s death, finding a path to self-forgiveness and a return to his graphic design roots.

The series is further enriched by impactful contributions from its distinguished guest stars. Michael J. Fox delivers a profoundly moving portrayal as Jerry, a Parkinson’s patient Paul encounters at the doctor’s office, offering a subtle yet potent mantra for life without being overtly dramatic. Candice Bergen infuses the narrative with comedic brilliance through her lively spats as Constance, Derek’s mother, while Jeff Daniels, as Jimmy’s father Randy, offers revealing insights into the genesis of Jimmy’s complex personality.

With its masterful equilibrium of laughter, tears, anger, grief, warmth, and sharp wit, Shrinking delivers an exceptionally well-rounded viewing experience. The narrative also delves into Paul’s childhood—potentially unraveling the mystery behind “Woof”—and his formative years as a therapist. The series abounds with profound nuggets of wisdom that resonate deeply, a remarkable feat given that their delivery never feels didactic or preachy.

The exceptional writing and outstanding performances are hallmarks of the series. Harrison Ford, in particular, delivers a tour-de-force performance as Paul. Echoing the emotional crescendo of Season 2, his powerfully charged speech to Jimmy in the Season 3 finale is a moment designed to evoke a profound emotional response.

Initially envisioned as a three-season narrative by co-creator Bill Lawrence, Shrinking has secured a renewal for a fourth season. Lawrence has indicated that the upcoming season will introduce a fresh storyline while retaining the beloved ensemble of characters. The Season 3 finale skillfully resolves the arcs for all characters, providing such a satisfying sense of closure that it would have served as a perfectly conceived conclusion, even without a subsequent season.