"Shrinking" is back for it's second season delivering tons of laughs

October 16, 2024

Courtesy: Apple TV+

The sophomore season of Apple TV+'s highly acclaimed original comedy series is back! It premiered on October 15 with two brand new episodes, earlier than its previously announced premiere date. Starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, the new season will have 12 episodes, with new episodes debuting every Wednesday until the season finale on December 25.

Created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, the executive producers are Lawrence, Segel, Goldstein, Neil Goldman, Jeff Ingold, Liza Katzer, James Ponsoldt, Randall Keenan Winston, Annie Mebane, Rachna Fruchbom and Brian Gallivan. Production companies are 3 Chance Productions, Corporate Mandate, Doozer Productions, and Warner Bros. Television.

The series stars:

• Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird

• Jessica Williams as Gaby

• Luke Tennie as Sean

• Michael Urie as Brian

• Lukita Maxwell as Alice

• Christa Miller as Liz

• Ted McGinley as Derek

• Harrison Ford as Paul Rhoades

Courtesy: Apple TV+

In season 1, the hilarious comedy followed grieving therapist Jimmy Laird, who recently lost his wife in a car accident. As he struggles with his grief, he unethically starts meddling in the lives of his patients, telling them what he really thinks with brutal honesty, which creates a domino effect of chaos around him. Those affected by his new unorthodox approach are his daughter Alice, who he struggled to connect with. Complicating matters, Jimmy moved Sean, one of his patients who is a PSTD veteran with anger issues, into his house, and Alice developed feelings for Sean. Jimmy started a sexual relationship with his co-worker, Gaby, who was also best friends with his deceased wife. His next-door neighbors, Liz and Derkek, are in the thick of it, with Liz consistently overstepping. His mentor, Paul Rhoades, a senior therapist is battling Parkison's disease, and Grace (Heidi Gardner), another one of his patients, literally took his advice and pushed her abusive husband off a cliff in the season 1 finale. We would be remiss if we did not mention Brian, Jimmy's best friend.

Season 2 reminds us why we all love Shrinking, as the show explores human relationships and mental health complexities with a touch of humor. It is unbelievably funny and never takes itself too seriously while delivering a poignant message. The ensemble cast hits all the right notes as this season delves deeper into their respective issues, and Jimmy is forced to take accountability for his "brutal honesty" approach. The show has found a winning formula as it continues to explore themes of grief, friendship, loss, human connection, and family.

Jason Segel and Harrison Ford shine both individually and together, with notable attention to Ford. Known for his more serious roles, he has excellent comedic timing. The versatile actor makes you laugh out loud in one moment and then brings you to tears in another. Ted McGinley, best known for Married... with Children and Hope and Faith, is featured more this season, along with Jessica Williams, which only enhances the season. Brett Goldstein (Shrinking co-creator and Ted Lasso alum) also makes a guest appearance and his cameo definitely creates a spark.

Season 2 does not miss a beat but feels more grounded than the first season as it fleshes out the ensemble cast and expands on plenty of material laying the groundwork for season 3.

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Shrinking is currently streaming on Apple TV+.

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