RIOTUS

The joy of watching Michael J. Fox commiserate with Harrison Ford should not be underestimated. Neither should the catharsis of watching Shrinking. Life hurts. Life takes work. Life is hilarious. Especially, with friends like these.

Shrinking is back for Season 3, and much like Will Trent, I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves. It is loved, but its admiration is shared more quietly than other AppleTV hits like Ted Lasso—an admittedly phenomenal show, but there can be more than one. And they both have Brett Goldstein. So, what are we even doing? We’re watching Shrinking. Keep up.

Aside from the guest star, Michael J. Fox. Which is great. Ooh, and we also get Sherry Cola. Cheers. Shrinking is a soothing show with the right blend of sweet and salty and an infusion of bitter. Funny how no one is a terrible person, but you still want to watch them because the tensions of their daily struggles make us believe we’re okay. Or, even if we aren’t, Shrinking encourages we can get there with a little work. I might love this show. Yes, I think I love this show.

In the third season, Paul (Ford) is facing the progression of his Parkinson’s and how it affects not only his life but also his relationship with his patients. Can he find meaning if the thing that defined him so satisfyingly goes away? That’s his journey in season 3.

Jimmy (Jason Segel) is still Jimmy-ying, but he’s learning to get honest more and meddle less (sort of). What makes this harder is that his main lifeline, his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), is planning her escape to college. Not just any school, our girl wants to play soccer at a place far, far away. Have you every heard of the East Coast? SIDEBAR: Before I go on, where is the other side of Alice’s family? I’m starting to think her mama is a figment of our imaginations. Like, is Shrinking actually The Truman Show? Oh, and Jimmy and Alice have adopted Louis (Goldstein), so that’s complicated. Yay!

Louis’ quest is to figure out if forgiveness is enough. Meanwhile, Jimmy’s journey is about discovering whether getting healthy means getting a new life. And Alice, well, Alice gets to be a teenager.

Yes, this review is stream of consciousness. Why do you ask? Like Shrinking itself, my thoughts are a big ole jumble of emotions, introspection, jokes, and hopes for wellness. How about yours?

Shall we go on? Let’s keep it going. Gaby (Jessica Williams) is still the goddess of the show. She reigns over the therapist’s office, her circle of friends, and her classes as a psychiatric professor. She’s also a Lord of the Rings fan. And she is a demanding goddess. That’s what makes us wonder if her latest loverboy, Derrick #2 (Damon Wayans Jr.), has what it takes to prostrate himself on her altar as is required. What? It’s an allusion or maybe an extended metaphor. Whatever it is, go with it because that’s life with Gaby. For her, season 3 is about recognizing that being a goddess doesn’t mean you don’t have things to learn. Could there be some Jimmy-ying in her future?

Also, Gaby and Jimmy have a weird-ass sibling rivalry that will have you snickering. Do people still snicker? Let’s bring that back.

Liz (Christa Miller) and Derek Supreme (Ted McGinley)—f#ck Marty—are still the greatest couple alive, but this is Shrinking sociopsychological issues. Part that has to do with their son Matthew (Markus Silbiger), and while baby boy is struggling, as the episodes roll out, I’m not loving how they choose to handle his uncut umbilical syndrome.

By the way, when you get to episode 4, your love for Derek will increase exponentially. Also, the only couple that rivals Liz and Derek is Gaby and Liz. But Paul and Dr Julie (Wendie Malick) are making a move for the title.

And since I mentioned episode 304, fair warning: episode 5 is miserable. Les Misérables. You have no idea what that means but you want it bad, don’t cha?

Our dearest Sean (Luke Tennie) has his anger management down, but now he has avoidance issues. He’s also dealing with past romance issues with the adorable Isabella Gomez. And he gives really bad advice about weaponizing sympathy that will make you giggle.

And finally, the want-to-be Daddies, Brian (Michael Urie) and his husband Charlie (Devin Kawaoka), have a series of surrogate and other daddy issues to deal with.

In season 3, our Shrinking gang recognizes they’re a family. It’s amazing how life makes space for us to choose family members to go along with the ones we inherited. I’m saying it’s about FOUND FAMILY, my favorite thing. However, this show could never be about one thing; comfort zones will get broken.

I could have summarized with: Everybody is growing, but they’re still complete messes, and I adore them. The banter is clever and surprising, but still very real. The character arcs are the same. As I said, nobody is terrible, but they are messier than an unsupervised toddler with a white wall to fill and time on their hands. It’s glorious because these people are a found family, and you feel like you’re part of it. Like we’re growing as people right alongside them.  They’re so honest and such liars—just like us.

Shrinking is us. If we were wittier and sexier and had saved the universe long, long ago and far, far away. Okay, I’m lying, I’m so sexy I had to do radio to protect the public. What? Isn’t that you, too?

The series creators Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence, and Jason Segel only planned for the show to run for three years. If this is it, then it’s a hard goodbye but a solid one. Although, if I’m being honest, a lot of the final moments feel like they’re happening because this might be the end, rather than natural conclusions to these arcs.

I’d still spread Shrinking S3 out on my carpet like a picnic, settle in, and binge as though someone lovingly packed my basket with everything that’s smile-worthy. I cannot get enough of this show, and S3 is another reason why.

You in? Let’s go get shrunk.