Ending with an episode entitled “And That’s Our Time,” Shrinking’s third season indeed feels like the capstone of a trilogy — which evidently was the original plan. Time will tell if its fourth-season renewal will render it a victim of its own success, but for now, it’s fair to say it stuck the intended landing, servicing its wonderful roster of characters perfectly.
Shrinking is an upbeat, created-family dramedy, initially centered on a behavioral therapy practice in Southern California, but ultimately extending beyond it to the personal lives of its practitioners and their friends and family. Still struggling to move forward in his own life after his wife’s tragic death, Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) has taken to channeling most of his emotional energy into his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), who is nearing high-school graduation, and his colleague/mentor Paul (Harrison Ford), a grumpy father figure whose battle with Parkinson’s disease brings out Jimmy’s protective side. Having already spent two years rehabilitating his relationship with Alice and coming to grips with his grief, Jimmy is on the verge of maybe being able to move forward — perhaps with quirky new love interest Sofi (Cobie Smulders). Unfortunately, time marches on within his inner circle, forcing him confront the possibility of yet more loss.
After a promising but modestly successful first season, Shrinking really nailed it in season two. Happily, this trend continues in the rewarding third season, which maintains the zippy pace, rapid-fire wit, and emotional connections of the characters. While the show never entirely leaves the therapy couch, by increasingly expanding beyond it — to the lives of Jimmy’s family, friends, and neighbors — the writers keep the show fresh and unpredictable. The ensemble work is sublime all around, but Ford steals the season with his complex portrayal of Paul. I’m surprised the show elected to continue after such a mindful, superb close, but have to admit I’m also pleased these characters and their relationships will live on.
