Shrinking Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2 Review: Coin Flip / Fortress of Solitude

Apple TV+’s newest series Shrinking is starting out on a high note. In his return to comedy TV, Jason Segel leads the cast as Jimmy, a recent widower who daylights as a therapist and moonlights as the patient. And in his comedic series debut, Harrison Ford co-stars as Paul, Jimmy’s colleague/life guru.

The team behind Ted Lasso created the half-hour series, and your feelings towards that show will be a good indicator as to if you’ll like this new one. If Ted Lasso is your cup of tea, add Shrinking to your watchlist.

With Shrinking Season 1 Episode 1, “Coin Flip,” and Shrinking Season 1 Episode 2, “Fortress of Solitude,” the show has cemented itself as a deeply human look at the effects of grief through the lens of family, friends, and professional life.

The characters are all likable and funny, and they make us want to learn more about their stories.

There’s an interaction at the end of Shrinking Season 1 Episode 1 that packs an insane emotional punch. It sets the tone for the series as a whole, one that’s tragic but also hopeful. It’s also definitely one that Jimmy needs to unpack in therapy.

Therapy shows can be too procedural at times — sit on the couch, “how does that make you feel,” etc. Shrinking rewrites the playbook for these sessions. In the modern day, when so many people are doing therapy via Zoom calls, it’s refreshing to see the change up on-screen.

And though sometimes there is a stigma around therapy, Shrinking does an excellent job of bringing it out into the open and making it relatable. In the first two episodes, we meet a handful of Jimmy’s patients, including Grace (SNL‘s Heidi Gardner) and Sean (Luke Tennie).

The series has an exciting opportunity to bring in guest stars as patients, whether they stay for a little or a long time. Remember, everyone’s journey with therapy is different!

Instead of just focusing on the couch talking, Jimmy interacts with his patients out in the wild. It lets us see them be their authentic selves, as opposed to patients. 

And though Jimmy is dealing with his own traumas, it’s clear that he wants to help others and loves his job. He goes above and beyond as a therapist and, though it is early in the season, makes a positive impact on their lives. 

The show emphasizes how good of a man Jimmy is, directly contrasting his unfair circumstances. We’re able to empathize with his character immediately, which really sucks us into this world. The hand he’s been dealt is unfair for him and his daughter Alice (Generation‘s Lukita Maxwell).

I’m intrigued by Alice’s character and hope that Shrinking focuses more on her own journey with grief than we saw in these two episodes.

One of the major conflicts that Shrinking introduces in its premiere is between Alice and Jimmy. They don’t know how to act without Tia in the middle as their mother/wife. Alice has had to grow up quickly to help her dad while he’s been working through his grief, straining their relationship.

There’s only a short scene of Alice with people her own age, but I’m hopeful that Shrinking explores her character outside the context of the adults in her life. She’s experienced this major life change at a young age, and there’s an opportunity to contrast the loss of a parent versus the loss of a partner.

Harrison Ford’s Paul is so far just there as a grumpy grandpa-type character. There are hints at his overall problems, but the premiere episodes focus our story on the main conflict. He’s relegated to the sidelines for now, but he’s sure to come into focus as we progress.

Even outside of the main trio, I’m sold on the rest of the supporting cast.

Jessica Williams stars as Gaby, one of Jimmy’s colleagues and Alice’s godmother. Williams is no stranger to comedy, starring in HBO Max’s Love Life (RIP!) and as part of the comedic duo 2 Dope Queens. She’s already killing it. She and Segel have amazing chemistry, riffing off each other and antagonizing Ford’s Paul.

I hope she’s not just used as comedic relief, even if she’s amazing at it. There’s clearly a deep past between herself and Jimmy’s family if she’s Alice’s godmother. I hope we get to see some more background on her outside of the clinic.

To its benefit, Shrinking has allowed itself to break barriers between Jimmy’s professional and personal life. It’s a good sign that the lines are crossing early on in the season. Hopefully, this means the characters from both sides of the story will interact throughout the season.

In the same way that Coach Lasso is a beloved character, so is Jimmy. Brett Goldstein and Bill Lawrence know how to write a level of humanity for their characters that makes them feel like they exist. I’m impressed at how well they’re able to weave the same spirit of Lasso into their new show.

Shrinking does something in its first two episodes that’s exceedingly rare — it’s hooked me without the aid of any major twists or cliffhangers.

The warmth of the show, the humanity of the characters, and the potential for growth are exciting precursors for this season. I can’t wait to keep watching.

Stray Thoughts

• Jimmy’s approach to therapy gives the same energy as Jamie Lee Curtis when she’s body swapped with Lindsay Lohan’s character in Freaky Friday — very informal.
• I’m not sure what I would do if my therapist used the word “fugly” in a session
• Exchange of the episode: “Do you know what percentage of you is water?” “I know what percentage of me doesn’t give a shit.” “That’s the percentage that’s dehydrated speaking”
• Was that Lily Rabe I saw as Paul’s daughter? What happened between them?
• “I am Juliana Margulis! I am Elle Woods!” If I was a lawyer, this would be my daily affirmation.

What did you think of the premiere of Shrinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Shrinking airs Fridays on Apple TV+.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

The 15 Best Episodes of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ — Ranked!