Shrinking Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Imposter Syndrome

Harrison Ford shines as Paul on Apple TV+’s Shrinking Season 1 Episode 6, “Imposter Syndrome.” His personal life has been put on the back burner for much of the season thus far, and this episode marks a tonal shift for the back half of Shrinking Season 1.

It’s still a cop-out that they had Paul’s discussion with his daughter about his health occur offscreen, but I’m glad to see the ramifications of that play out. It also seems likely that because of this, Lily Rabe will return at some point this season. So there are some tradeoffs being made.

Shrinking Season 1 Episode 6 feels like a kick in the pants for almost all the characters. And it ends with a major twist that will have significant implications for everyone. A twist that I didn’t even see coming, and am not sure how I feel about it yet.

It’s great that Jimmy and Alice finally discuss Tia and what it means for them to return to some sense of normalcy. Was offering to host a party the best way to ease back into social life? Probably not. But at least Jimmy is taking the time to hear his daughter’s wants.

They’re still well overdue for a big blow-up at each other, and I’m betting that the events from the end of “Imposter Syndrome” might be the final straw. It would be a disservice to these characters to just let Jimmy’s lifestyle in Shrinking Season 1 Episode 1 slide.

Jason Segel plays drunk Jimmy well, and while it’s sad, it’s also hilarious. He also gets a chance to show off his singing, which any Segel fan will remember from his role in 2011’s The Muppets.

There’s a moment with vomit in this episode that is eerily reminiscent of Pitch Perfect. That is to say, extremely funny.

The crux of this episode is the surprise engagement party at Jimmy’s house, and it’s another clever way for Shrinking to compile its ensemble in a way that makes sense. One of the show’s greatest strengths is how it allows all of its characters to interact, which is evident in “Imposter Syndrome.”

The show is also great at spreading its focus amongst the ensemble, and their various relationships. Brian, who has played some part in each episode thus far, gets his moment at center stage. 

Michael Urie has played the supportive, overwhelmingly positive best friend well this season, and has been a foil to both Jimmy and Paul in his scenes with each. It’s a welcome turn of events to see cracks in Brian’s facade and a bit more angst in his life.

I hope that his engagement means we’ll be seeing more of his home life and more of Charlie as well.  

Inexplicably, Brian invites one of his clients, Paul, to this engagement party. Now, I’m glad that Shrinking is comfortable blurring the professional and personal lines. But this seems like a stretch.

It does make for good comedy though. Paul, who has taken a few edibles courtesy of Liz (another one of those odd pairings) is high as a kite. And Harrison Ford knows his situational comedy.

I’ve been critical of Ford’s place in the series thus far, but he proves his comedic prowess here. High Paul is hilarious and I hope this opens Paul up more in the upcoming episodes.

His default setting is sarcastic grump, so it’s a delight to see him with his guard down. He needs to carry that energy with him when Meg comes and visits again.

On the other side of the party, it was sweet to see Alice enjoying herself and the little slice of normalcy. Lukita Maxwell grounds the series as the teenager, stoically trying to keep it all together. She keeps the same maturity even when emotions rise.

I’ve never been a fan of the Sean and Alice flirtationship because of their age difference. While Shrinking has been a proponent of female sexuality, Alice is still just a Junior in high school. And Sean is at least 21 if he’s drinking legally.

Sean’s rejection of Alice is a difficult, but necessary, progression of their relationship. I’m not sure where he goes from here, though. He shouldn’t be staying with Jimmy in the first place, so these muddy waters are going to be tough to navigate.

Just like they are going to be with Jimmy and Gaby. My jaw literally dropped at the end of Shrinking Season 1 Episode 6 with that new development. I’m leaning toward “drunken mishap” as opposed to “budding relationship,” but who knows?

The dynamic between Williams and Segel has been a standout through the season, but it’s always played as more of a best friends or brother/sister vibe. Not once while watching any of the previous episodes did I think that Jimmy and Gaby would hook up.

So kudos to the Shrinking team for the surprise I guess!

It’s a curious path to put us on in the home stretch of Shrinking Season 1, and it will be intriguing to see the fallout from Brian’s engagement party ripple throughout everyone’s relationships.

Selfishly, I hope that it means we get more backstory for everyone. Some of the most impactful moments have been the flashbacks that Jimmy has of his wife, many of which were in “Imposter Syndrome.”

It’s a stark reminder that Tia is not there and also a harsh reminder that there are many unanswered questions for the loved ones she left behind. Jimmy’s fixation on “the look” she gave him at the last party they hosted was a poignant reality check for the comedy.

Shrinking is still a story about grief, and even when life continues and things are good, it’s easy to get sucked right back into the past. “Imposter Syndrome,” reminds us that it’s not a linear journey for anyone involved.

Stray Thoughts

• I love the little nuances that carry over from episode to episode – – Liz dissing Paul’s hat like Alice did in the last episode.
• Liz and Gaby continue to be one of the funniest duos on TV!
• Paul casually using the phrase “raw dog” and not knowing what it means is very on-brand for him.
• Alice hating her dad’s compliment but loving Brian’s same compliment is such a Teenage Girl move. A+ characterization!
• Very clever of them to bring back one of the sex workers from Shrinking Season 1 Episode 1, but with one of Jimmy’s other friends. Had to go back and re-watch the premiere to confirm that one.
• Brian handled Jimmy’s meltdown with grace. Their impromptu duet would have tipped me over the edge.

 

 

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

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Shrinking airs Fridays on Apple TV+.

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