Binge & Purge: Shrinking
I thought a lot about this idea in Shinking, Apple TV's dramadey about a grieving psychologist, Jimmy (Jason Segel), who decides to tell his patients exactly what he thinks about their situation. For example, he tells a woman that her husband is an emotionally abusive narcissist and she'd be better off without him. His colleagues are wary of this approach, especially his curmudgeon mentor, Paul (Harrison Ford). Paul tells Jimmy this needs to stop, that he is involving himself too much in his patients' lives. Paul particularly hates that Jimmy has allowed a patient to move into Jimmy's pool house. Sean (Luke Tennie) has anger management issues related to PTSD from his military service. Estranged from his father for his ongoing issues, Sean has nowhere to go and becomes part of Jimmy's extended family that includes his neighbor Liz and Derek (Christa Miller and Ted McGinley), his best friend Brain (Michael Urie), and another colleague, Gaby (Jessica Williams).
Jimmy's home life is a wreck. After a year-long bender while he grieved the death of his wife, Jimmy lost connection with his teenage daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell). Liz has spent the last year being more of a parent to Alice than Jimmy, something Alice deeply resents. She misses her mom, sure, but she is heartbroken that Jimmy hasn't been there for her grief because he has been too absorbed in his own. Jimmy believes his way out of rock bottom is to throw himself into his patients.
Shrinking shares a thematic vibe with Ted Lasso, which makes sense given both shows were created by Bill Lawrence. Brett Goldstein, who played Roy Kent, shows up here as the man who accidentally killed Jimmy's wife in a drunk driving incident. Goldstein also writes a couple of remarkable episodes, as he did on Ted Lasso. Both shows present flawed but decent people doing the best they can to become better as they deal with their circumstances. The beauty of the show is that it revels in the small moments. It's all about community and those in your circle. Meaningful connections are made over a quick breakfast, the drive to work, bumping into each other in the breakroom, or sharing candy on a park bench.
The workshop I mentioned earlier references the Ernest Hemingway line about "gradually, then suddenly." Life happens in the gradually and it is up to us to pay attention. When we do, our relationships, indeed our lives, suddenly feel meaningful and purposeful. Much of Shrinking explores purpose as its characters navigate the "what now?" portion of their lives. And, like Ted Lasso, this is all presented with charm, wit, warmth, and an abundance of empathy by a cast all at their top of their game. Segel is relatable and funny. Jessica Williams is outstanding as Gaby, as is Christa Miller as Liz. Watching their friendship evolve over these first two seasons is a joy all its own. Ted McGinley is so very good as Derek. Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, and Lukita Maxwell, all bring something relatable and human to Sean, Brian, and Alice. For a show about the importance of connection and community, Shrinking presents a stellar cast of performers depicting flesh-and-blood people who just want to move forward as best they can.
One final comparison to Ted Lasso. What a profound experience to engage with a story about personal growth and betterment at a time when America seems to be embracing its worst. Shrinking reminds us what we can be if we make the most of those small moments and really connect, not only to the ones we love, but those outside our circle that can teach us new things about ourselves.
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