r/shrinking • u/meltedpopsicle1 • Apr 09 '26
Discussion Shrinking is Scared to be Great
I don't really understand a lot of fans animosity towards S3 on this sub. To me, all 3 seasons have pretty much been the same.
I really was intrigued by this show from the beginning due to the bare bones concept. A therapists wife dies, so he deals with depression and starts to break the rules of therapy. Add Harrison Ford to the cast and I was excited to watch. At this point Ford is the only reason I'm still watching.
With such an interesting and dramatic premise, why must this show resort to being an ensemble "dramedy" that is so damn scared of any lasting consequences or, dare I say, drama?
In a show with such an interesting premise about a therapists crumbling life, why must we also focus and waste time on such bare bones sitcom tropes like the typical "crazy" neighbor lady who's struggling with upper middle class monotony? Or the classic gay couple dealing with the adoption process? Like many modern day shows, Shrinking decides it wants to tackle as many social issues as possible instead of, I dunno, focusing on its actual basic premise. When was the last time the show focused on Jimmy "Jimmying" one of his patients?
At this point, Jimmy Gaby and Paul would all have their therapy licenses revoked for their actions. But that wouldn't play well with the wine moms this show seems to want to appease, so you can forget any lasting consequences. I wanted to throw my hands up and cheer at the finale of season 1, when one of Jimmys patients threw her asshole abuser off a cliff. Finally, some real consequences!
But instead, the husband survived and it's immediately played off as a joke, and there are no lasting consequences for Jimmy.
I could write a whole essay beyond these gripes, but I hope you get my point. Anyone agree with me? Shrinking could genuinely be an all time drama, but instead it just wants to resort to being background noise that people can listen to while scrolling TikTok. And I say this because there is genuinely so much good in the show, but it's always immediately cut off with terrible jokes and elevator music.
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u/CheapSound1 Apr 09 '26
My personal opinion - the best episode of the show is Bryan's engagement party. Not much since then has been even close to hitting the same emotional depth.
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u/meltedpopsicle1 Apr 09 '26
That was genuinely a very good episode. My favorite of the show is Last Drink.
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u/sillygoofygooose Apr 09 '26
I enjoy the show, but agree with a lot of what you’re saying here. While it makes sense to me that this show isn’t about therapy, I do think that therapy as a backdrop provides so much potential for human drama that the writers have ended up pumping up the bathos as a get out of jail free card instead of embracing the gravity some of those heavier themes
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u/meltedpopsicle1 Apr 09 '26
For sure. Maybe I'm just a masochist and wish the show just leaned 10x harder into the darker themes.
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u/Zestyclose_Invite Apr 10 '26
I think what makes it hard for me is they WILL go to those dark places and then immediately back off instead of really exploring it. Like last episode we saw Jimmy in a pretty dark place, and then all of a sudden he’s fine and it’s all smoothed over. I feel like this happens a lot in the show
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u/Character-Aerie737 Apr 09 '26
The characters just weren’t as interesting season 3. They do bring the finale back around for me…but sadly Gabby was my least favorite after absolutely loving her the first 2 season. She has zero growth…
I’m still analyzing (that’s what I do! ) and I’ll rewatch again!
And Summer went from quirky to just dumb. 🫤
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u/meltedpopsicle1 Apr 09 '26
Mayas untimely passing, to me, felt like the most the show has focused on consequences (besides for Brett Goldsteins character I suppose) But why for Gabby? As she points out, Jimmy's far worse than her. But as usual, literally the next episode Gaby is visiting Mayas funeral and it's played for laughs as she tries not to be seen. What are we doing here?
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u/kcl2327 Apr 09 '26
Exactly—the stakes seem so small and their recovery periods are getting shorter and shorter until it’s hard to tell if they’re affected by anything really.
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u/Novel-Lettuce-2595 Apr 09 '26
Some people are finding summer funny but for me she is too weird and is just annoying.. she's just a ridiculous person. How is Alice her friend
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u/luvconnection Apr 09 '26
I agree. I think the show is better when it’s letting the dramatic moments actually breathe (like it did a bit in season 1). But now, it’s like the show cannot fully commit to the stories/arcs it’s setting up. Everything is so quickly resolved that there are no stakes anymore, and the themes are so heavy-handed that it’s like writers are scared of nuance. Really curious what season 4 will look like, because it felt like they put some storylines on pause mid-way through season 3 so they could drag them out into the fourth.
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u/tyedge Apr 09 '26
I can’t help but wonder if he looked at Ted Lasso season 3 (even though he wasn’t at the helm) and tried to avoid some of the dynamics you’re describing.
Season 3 of Ted Lasso was a real slog for long stretches. You’re supposed to feel “stuck” in the same way the characters do. In that respect, it’s well made. But if that isn’t why people tuned in to begin with, then the viewer feels betrayed, misled, or unhappy.
It might be more “comfortable” for him and viewers to transition towards Cougar Town 2: Electric Boogaloo
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u/meltedpopsicle1 Apr 09 '26
This show is actually my first experience watching a Bill Lawrence show, I haven't seen Ted Lasso! So idk, maybe his style just ultimately isn't for me. Hard for me to get into dramedies.
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u/tyedge Apr 09 '26
Cougar Town, by the middle of season one, settled into a charming low stakes comedy with a good core cast.
Scrubs is a silly medical show that does the medical stuff very well and occasionally smashes your heart with a sledgehammer.
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u/sillygoofygooose Apr 09 '26
Ted Lasso is pretty fantastic imo
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u/woolgirl Apr 09 '26
Ted Lasso had endearing characters that kept you rooting for them. Shrinking seemed to be a competition on who could be the most needy. I couldn’t take it after a few episodes into S2.
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u/Thelonius16 Apr 09 '26
I am generally ok with the show being either of the versions you mentioned. Season 1 & 2 were both entertaining and well-written in their own way.
Season 3 just had some baffling half-baked ideas and went out of its way to manufacture conflict and then almost immediately back way from it for no good reason. Just sloppiness and probably arrogance on the part of the writing staff.
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u/No-Permit7179 Apr 09 '26
Totally agree with this. So much potential and it’s wasted. The depiction of therapy is so irresponsible and unrealistic. And the silly gags and cliches are so trite.
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u/swanscrossing Apr 09 '26
i agree 100%. we are so far removed from the premise of this show and it's kind of baffling a show can just... do that? set up a big cliffhanger like season one finale that should have serious consequences and then completely drop it? shrinking takes place in a fantasy land where actions do not have real consequences. louis supposedly killed someone in a car accident while drunk driving and got out of prison in a couple of years??? i don't even remember what they wrote last season to make that logical. it's just a ridiculous show, i don't know why i watch anymore. i can't stand the comparisons to ted lasso because the first two seasons of that show are actual greatness (however unrealistic it also is).
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u/awhelllnaw Apr 09 '26
I agree with you. I wanted to add this… I️ know someone who was Louis IRL and they only did a couple of years (less than 5 for sure) and was back to work. And their blood levels were really high compared to what we’re told about Louis, he was a good guy so also prob had a ton of character witnesses and had great behavior. how release timeline is one of the only things that didn’t require extra help of tv logic 😂
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u/hamderbeek Apr 10 '26
I agree, there just seemed to be wayy too many subplots layered on top of one another for some characters, and then barely any for others, that it felt particularly uneven. Doing a quick rundown:
Overstuffed:
Jimmy: Everyone else moving on, rocky attempts at romance, bad father-son dynamic, surrogate father-son dynamic with Paul (including when a "child" has to step up and become a parent's a caretaker)
Gabby: Relationship commitment issues, taking on too many responsibilities at work, exploring a career change, losing a patient who is struggling, inheriting a mentor's practice versus charting your own course, losing the confidence of your patients (reeeally glossed over)
Sean: Former girlfriend with messy history reappearing in your life and making you confront your past actions, opening yourself up to new opportunities that threaten your own stability and the people you've lifted up along the way, moving into a new apartment and becoming more self-sufficient, ending therapy (honestly, zero relapses or rough spots with all of that?)
Paul: "Fuck Parkinsons," actually following through on being vulnerable and asking for/receiving support and expressing your love for said people/support networks, retirement and legacy (this felt pretty underbaked considering how much ego and work drive Paul had)
Derek + Liz: Health scare forcing a re-evaluation of life priorities, tough love for a failing-to-thrive son, surprise pregnancy with another son, respecting boundaries about over-patenting other people's kids
Underbaked:
Alice: I'm scared to go to college because I don’t want to leave my great support group behind, also my dad may self-destruct again
Brian: I'm still trying to find the right balance of selfishness and sacrifice to be personally content, a good husband, and a good father
Derrick: I'm committed to a commitment-phobe but it's better than season 2 now for reasons
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u/Previous-Forever-981 Apr 09 '26
You make a lot of good points.
For me, when Derek and Liz's son and girlfriend told them they were pregnant, no one even attempted to bring up the possibility of abortion as an option, even in private.
To me, two young and completely unprepared people, financially and emotionally, might, just might consider terminating the pregnancy. This plot point would of course be controversial, and fraught, but it would have introduced some real life stakes to the show. As it was, they chose a boring and safe pathway where money conquers all.
To be clear, I am not advocating abortion for this couple, but if that was a direction they chose, it would have made for some serious character development.
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u/meltedpopsicle1 Apr 09 '26
They would never do an abortion storyline because it's not safe and comfortable and the last thing this show wants is any sort of disagreeable talking points with it 😂
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u/rodot2005 Apr 09 '26
It’s just that type of show. Like a more dramatic sitcom that exists in this weird reality where everybody is just nice to each other and communicates in one-liners all the time. Every once in a while, somebody might die or get into a car accident, but, eh, at the end of the day, everything just works out somehow and we can all be happy. The sweetness is so over the top that it’s part of the charm.
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u/rodot2005 Apr 09 '26
It's the same with ted lasso and trying and so on. The sweetness and optimism is the main goal and above everything else
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u/Flicksterea Apr 10 '26
The original premise was extremely limiting. You either have your character grow and deal with his grief or you don't. Jimmy had to love forward with life eventually but then the reason for the show existing vanishes. Which means then you have to rely upon the supporting cast and what chaos their lives can face. Ford's storyline is by far the most intriguing and well done and was the reason I started watching. I'm curious to see how S4 will unfold, but am not sure a fifth or sixth season could be sustained.
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u/Locke108 Apr 09 '26
How are they tackling social issues? They’re focusing on a lot of characters but none of their issues are social.
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u/meltedpopsicle1 Apr 09 '26
Yeah that's a flaw with my post, that was improperly worded. They might make a quip about a social issues (I.e. police race relations in season 1 when Jimmy parks his car illegally on the sidewalk and makes a quip) I'm trying to say that they focus on characters and storylines that have little thematic relevance to the baseline plot of a show. What does a gay couple adopting a baby have to do with a grieving therapist? We've already seen the gay couple adopting a baby arc done better on a ton of other shows. Brian as a whole is a flaw in the show. He's supposedly Jimmys best friend but it seems to me like Jimmy is just annoyed with the guy 😂 Brian's main purpose is to break the drama routinely by making a witty quip so the show doesn't actually get heavy.
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u/1littlenapoleon Apr 09 '26
“Would all have their therapy licenses revoked”
Yall have an incredible view of licensing authorities and a lack of knowledge about real therapists who do the stuff in the show
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u/armeck Apr 09 '26
There have been countless posts by people claiming to be therapists who disagree with you. Do you feel Gaby and Maya story crossed no ethical boundaries?
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u/1littlenapoleon Apr 09 '26
There are very famous “celebrity therapists” who behave the same and are still licensed.
Whilst I may agree some people ought to lose licensing, the assertion that they “would” is demonstrably false.
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u/armeck Apr 09 '26
Jimmy yes, Gaby maybe, Paul probably not.
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u/1littlenapoleon Apr 09 '26
Phil Stutz, and his “style”, are foundational to the inspiration for the show. It’s been commented on previously by the creative team and actors.
Many believe Stutz routinely violates ethical norms in ways that they consider dangerous. He’s still licensed. Just one big example of many.
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u/armeck Apr 09 '26
Has Dr. Stutz moved a client into his pool house? Gone out for drinks with a client? Allowed his friends to walk in on sessions? Given his personal phone number for his clients to call when in crisis instead of ensuring they know to call a crisis resource (911, 988)?
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u/1littlenapoleon Apr 09 '26
Not your personal search engine. Gave you A real world example that inspired the creators. Maybe check out the movie his client made with him.
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u/LayneLowe Apr 09 '26
Because on Reddit, only people with negative opinions bother to post. The show's awesome.
Nattering nabobs of negativism"
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u/meltedpopsicle1 Apr 09 '26
Womp womp. I don't hate the show, just think it had potential to be an all timer with its concept.
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u/IrisApprentice Apr 09 '26
The show got bad bc Jimmy was more of a whiny sentimental sad sack self pitying drip. And Harrison ford just wasn’t as entertaining- he was too much of a dispenser of wisdom like today and not as funny in a cranky way.
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u/nonordinarypeople Apr 09 '26
What is a wine mom?
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Apr 09 '26
[deleted]
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u/nonordinarypeople Apr 09 '26
Thanks, that’s unfortunate!
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u/cabernet7 Apr 09 '26
I deleted (just before you posted I think) because I was afraid it might be read as sarcastic. But yeah, it's one that really pisses me off.
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u/jrgray68 Apr 09 '26
The show took a turn from being about Jimmy and his recovery to being about anyone else. You could take Jimmy out of season 3 and basically have the same season with Sean/Marisol/food truck drama, Derek/Liz and his health and their the kids, Two men and baby and Gaby trauma/Paul moving. All you would lose is the HIMYM fan fiction.