Shrinking Season 1 Episode 7 Review: Apology Tour

It’s more evident than ever in Shrinking Season 1 Episode 7, “Apology Tour,” that one of the series’ strengths is its narrative timeline. Shrinking condenses its timeline, and it works better for it. Sure, not a lot of time has passed. But it’s allowing us to really get to know our characters because we’re essentially spending their entire day with them. 

In this case, “Apology Tour” picks up the morning after the events of Shrinking Season 1 Episode 6, “Imposter Syndrome.” And boy did events happen. But, where “Imposter Syndrome” felt like a significant turning point in the season, “Apology Tour” feels like it could have been the season finale. It’s a bit of an abrupt tone shift.

Maybe that’s just a symptom of streaming series. It’s not the first time an Apple TV+ show had a solid 7-8 episode arc, and then the last few episodes of the season felt like they were added on. In a world where it’s hard to know if streaming shows have 6, 8, or 10 episodes, I wonder if episodes were added during production.

Regardless, the end of Shrinking Season 1 Episode 7 sets up the conflict for the rest of the season. The final scene throws a wrench in the progress that’s been made thus far. And that’s actually pretty indicative of an actual therapeutic journey, so if that was the goal, it’s kind of genius.

Because the Shrinking timeline is condensed, we get an immediate reaction to the fact that Jimmy and Gaby slept together after the disaster that was Brian’s engagement party. There’s no chance for the characters to go off and process on their own time, they’re thrust right into the awkwardness.

Jason Segel and Jessica Williams have excellent chemistry in their scenes as best friends/colleagues. It’s no different in this more intimate setting. While their morning after is super awkward, it’s still funny and infused with the same warmth between their characters.

Elsewhere in the house, the production team did a great job at continuing the gag with Paul. Harrison Ford appears, disheveled and sleeping on the sofa, clutching a bag of Doritos like a security blanket, with his tie in his mouth. It’s not a situation I ever thought I would see one of his, usually stoic, characters in.

Ford’s comedic prowess was on display as stoned Paul. And to his benefit, that has allowed his character to loosen up a bit, giving him a little more room to work with. Part of it is just the natural progression of his storyline, but getting high also lowers his guard in his regular day-to-day.

It’s a welcome change from Paul’s attitude at the beginning of the season, keeping everything close to his chest, except for his relationship with Alice. 

This is another really interesting Shrinking Season 1 Episode 7 cracks open. It never crossed my mind that Paul was using Alice as a surrogate Meg. Their relationship focuses on Alice’s grief, so Paul’s (maybe subconscious?) motivations are masked.

Lily Rabe as Meg is a stellar addition to the cast, and I’m happy to see that she’s been present in a few episodes. Shrinking has set up a lot of relationships that are at the end of their fuse. Paul and his daughter are one of them.

The tension between them builds to a natural apex that finally explodes. This is what Shrinking needs more of. Yes, it’s a comedy. But it’s a comedy about grief and how coping looks different for everyone. The characters that need to talk about their feelings have been avoiding it.

Paul and Meg set the tone for the rest of the season. It’s uncomfortable, and Meg harbors a lot of resentment toward her father. But it’s necessary and hopefully will bring them closer together in the future.

That’s the same conversation I need to happen between Jimmy and Alice. This show has set up parallels between its main characters, so it’s inevitable that the unsaid between the father/daughter duo will eventually have to be said.

Alice has been having meaningful conversations with practically everyone else. She confides in Liz and Gaby for “girl talk,” and talks to Paul about loss and her dad. Her situation with Sean has changed, and they need to have an awkward conversation too. But at least they talk about deep things.

Shrinking Season 1 Episode 7 gives more insight into the age difference between Alice and Sean. She’s 17 (almost 18!), which seems old for a high school Junior, and he’s 22. 

I hope that they can stay friends after their awkward almost kiss. Their age gap has always been unclear, which has made their dynamic uncomfortable at moments, but I agree with Gaby when she tells Alice that she’s getting her groove back.

Sean’s character is an interesting one, and I’m really curious to see how Shrinking Season 1 wraps up. It’s not a sustainable living situation for him to continue living with his therapist, so where does he go next?

Shrinking brings up the harsh reality of what job hunting with a record is like. And especially how prejudices harm those people who are just trying to make a living. Kudos to the show for navigating some of these meaningful topics, while still keeping it light-hearted.

Sticking to one of its other strengths, Shrinking introduces another new character dynamic in “Apology Tour.” Sean and Liz aren’t the first two characters that I would imagine working together, but their conversation and personalities actually mesh really well.

We all know Liz is just itching to stick her nose in everybody’s business (she says so herself!) so getting to know Sean better is probably good for her.

Speaking of Liz, Shrinking Season 1 Episode 7 sticks to its formula of letting us in a little bit more with one of the characters in the ensemble. We’ve gradually gotten to know Gaby, Liz, and Brian. This time we get more Derek!

Derek (the beloved Ted McGinley) is the comedic relief in a show where everyone and everything is a little bit funny. He hasn’t had much depth until now, and it shows how he’s a great foil to his wife. I suspect the consequences of his retirement will prove to have an impact on Liz for the rest of the season.

Still, I’m a big Derek fan. He seems like the quintessential TV husband, and I hope Shrinking continues to give him a larger presence. 

Stray Thoughts

• The BBQ at the end of the episode felt like it was the end scene of a series finale. Maybe they’ll recreate that?
• The soundtrack for this show is another highlight, starting with the theme song.
• Liz’s family fostering dogs and giving them dumb names to not get too attached is smart. Shit Rat > Tampon Eater though.
• Line of the episode: “You can call my vagina any state, but you cannot call it Florida.” Who comes up with this stuff?
• I’m so glad Meg caught on to the flirty vibes between Paul and his doctor. Maybe that’s a care solution that doesn’t involve moving across the country.
• I love that Shrinking shows Jimmy getting help from his patients at the same time as he’s helping them. Go, Wally!

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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