Shrinking Season 3 Review: Harrison Ford Elevates Cosy but Contrived Comedy
In the crowded landscape of streaming television, where countless series featuring A-list talent slip under the radar, Apple TV's Shrinking stands out—not for groundbreaking innovation, but for its comforting, if sometimes cloying, embrace of soapy storytelling. Now in its third season, this dramedy from the creators of Scrubs and Ted Lasso continues to explore the life of grieving therapist Jimmy, played by Jason Segel, who adopts a brutally honest approach with his patients. Yet, it's Harrison Ford, as Jimmy's grouchy yet compassionate mentor Paul, who remains the undeniable highlight, often feeling like he's in a different, more compelling show altogether.
A Warm but Predictable Narrative Arc
Season three picks up with Jimmy seemingly ready to rebuild his life after forgiving the drunk driver responsible for his wife's death. However, the writers quickly introduce new complications, including awkward hangouts with the driver, Louis, portrayed by Brett Goldstein, which stretch believability even for a character as emotionally needy as Jimmy. Meanwhile, Paul grapples with worsening Parkinson's symptoms, leading to poignant moments where he must rely on Jimmy for support. The theme of change permeates the season, from Alice, Jimmy's daughter, heading off to college to Sean, a former patient, still residing in the pool house.
Over 11 episodes, the series weaves together personal struggles with B-plots involving health scares, adoption dramas, and familial conflicts. Parent-child relationships, particularly Jimmy's fraught history with his father, played by Jeff Daniels, serve as emotional anchors. While there's potential for depth here, the show often opts for heavy-handed sentimentality, spoon-feeding emotions to the audience rather than allowing them to emerge organically.
Ensemble Cast and Boundary Issues
The ensemble cast, including Jessica Williams as therapist colleague Gaby, Michael Urie as best friend Brian, and Christa Miller as neighbour Liz, brings quick-witted charm to group scenes, creating a cosy atmosphere despite frequent boundary-crossing. However, this lack of boundaries becomes a significant flaw—characters offer unsolicited advice, lie on each other's beds in outdoor attire, and maintain implausibly close ties with Alice, requiring substantial suspension of disbelief.
Moreover, the portrayal of therapy raises eyebrows. While Shrinking isn't obligated to be clinically accurate, plots involving therapists meeting clients in bars or handling multiple patients from the same social circle risk trivialising the profession. Therapy is often reduced to casual conversation, with moments like Gaby's exasperated remark to a client—"it's your hour, so you can stay fucked up!"—undermining the empathy typically associated with such settings.
Standout Performances and Missed Opportunities
Harrison Ford delivers a measured, devastating performance as Paul, providing the show's emotional core and making his scenes feel distinctly more nuanced. Additionally, Michael J. Fox shines in a guest role as Gerry, a fellow Parkinson's patient who adds humour and pathos with his witty observations. Despite these strengths, Shrinking seems oddly reluctant to delve too deeply into its themes, favouring surface-level warmth over substantive exploration.
If this proves to be the final season, as hinted by its victory-lap tone, it won't have been entirely in vain. The series offers astute insights into relationships and features moments of genuine brilliance. Yet, like many streaming-era productions, it may struggle to leave a lasting impression, content to be a pleasant, if forgettable, diversion.
Shrinking season three is available to stream on Apple TV now.
