Contains spoilers for the finale of Season One.
Whilst I loved the first season of Shrinking, I cannot say I was highly anticipating the second season after what felt like a jarring end, when Heidi Gardner, playing one of Jason Segel’s clients in the show, ended the final episode by pushing her husband off a cliff. However, season two surprised me, returning with the same amount of heart and paying even more attention to its wonderful and eclectic cast, forming Jimmy’s support system and found family following the death of his wife, Tia.
Although Jimmy’s methods at times are questionable, and you find yourself wondering how on earth he passed any training, the best parts of the show do not come from his failed endeavours as a therapist but from his relationships with his family, friends, and neighbours, which make up the heart of the story. Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams return as Jimmy’s co-workers, but the season’s standout performances come from Christa Miller as Liz and Michael Urie as Brian, both of whom felt underused last season.
As a self-proclaimed Ted Lasso superfan, I was excited to see Brett Goldstein join the cast—especially since he also co-created the show. While it was initially jarring to see him without the signature Roy Kent beard, his presence quickly felt like a natural fit and served as a turning point in Jimmy’s grief journey.
Though the show’s story is not always tightly structured, it makes up for its narrative flaws with lovable characters and sharp humour. Despite Jimmy being the main character, he often feels like the least compelling part of the series—I often found myself eager to check in on Gabby and Liz instead. Surprisingly, this does not feel like a problem in a season that devotes more love and attention to each character. With Shrinking season three confirmed, I cannot wait to see it back next year!
“Jason Segel 2011” by Eva Rinaldi is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.