Shrinking Season 2 Episode 6 Review: In a Lonely Place
Shrinking Season 2 Episode 6, “In a Lonely Place,” drives home the seasonal theme of forgiveness in a poignant yet hopeful way. It piggybacks off last week’s outing, particularly for Gaby’s family-related arc, which gets closure here.
(We’re All) In a Lonely Place
While everyone gets the narrative spotlight, Alice and Sean’s storylines really shine. “In a Lonely Place” finds them running parallel in a way, namely where forgiveness is concerned. Sean extends forgiveness to his father, while Alice looks DD, aka Louis, in the eyes and forgives him.
Even better, both characters have done the work — they’ve focused on processing their grief and starting their healing journeys. Sure, healing is a lifelong process. However, their growth over the past season and a half makes these decisions to forgive all the more resonant and impactful.
Performances
Lukita Maxwell and Luke Tennie deliver beautiful performances on this episode. Maxwell taps into Alice’s pain, tenderness, and vulnerability but also channels a sense of hopefulness. A light at the end of the tunnel. While the pain over losing her mother will never fully fade, Alice keys into what Tia would want her to do. That’s how those we love stay with us — in the choices we make.
Tennie showcases his versatility in “In a Lonely Place.” His first scene in the hospital is hilarious from start to finish, with each line funnier than the last, and that’s partially thanks to his deliveries. He seamlessly transitions into more somber territory in his scene with his father, Tim, portrayed wonderfully by Kenajuan Bentley.
This is a significant step in Sean’s journey for both Sean and Tim. There’s something truly relatable about Tim’s knee-jerk reaction to get defensive. Perhaps it’s the generational divide, but it’s harder for older generations to admit to doing wrong by their kids or making them feel less. Sean and Tim’s exchange is quite believable.
Dynamics and Jimmying Motherf*ckers
Shrinking never fails to highlight the “Odd Couple” dynamic between Jimmy and Paul, but “In a Lonely Place” is the first episode of the season where they have an actual adventure. Harrison Ford and Jason Segel let loose here, and it’s especially fun to watch Ford lean into the silliness of it all. The role reversal of Paul and Jimmy during the pond scene, in particular, is a delight. It’s a burst of levity to balance out the heavier-hitting story beats.
Gaby’s story also incorporates an element of forgiveness as she releases her sister of her responsibility to their mother. We see some growth in their bond as Gaby learns to release her long-held grudge and free herself of that emotional baggage.
This series has mastered the art of pacing in storytelling, and thankfully, it doesn’t stretch out certain plots beyond their expiration date. “In a Lonely Place” closes a few doors while opening new ones and setting the stage for a highly anticipated narrative moment: When Jimmy learns about Louis meeting with Alice and Brian. We’ll see how that plays out.
While Liz seems to be headed for disaster, which might put a strain on her marriage, Shrinking never broadcasts hopelessness or makes life seem too bleak. There’s always a light, even if it appears dim or is beyond reach. It’s a comforting, weighted blanket in that regard. Or a glass of wine in the bathtub.
Whatever helps you decompress, I like to think of this series as that — a balm for the soul. A reminder that, even when you’re in the dark, hope is always on the horizon.
Stray Observations:
- Sean’s ” You Blind Side-ed me, and then you blindsided me” is such a brilliant line. I’m a sucker for fun wordplay. Really, all of his dialogue during the hospital scene cracked me up.
- I didn’t have Harrison Ford yelling, “Let’s ‘Jimmy’ this motherf*cker” on my 2024 bingo card, but I’m glad it happened.
- Paul 100 percent enjoyed holding hands with Jimmy. You can’t change my mind.
- I’d hang up Liz’s pet photography. The world needs more professional pet photos. They would alleviate the pervasive sense of doom nowadays.
- Brian’s anxious word vomiting is profoundly relatable to me as a fellow anxious word vomiter.
- If Liz cheats on Derek (which I highly doubt will happen), I’m gonna throw hands.
What did you think of this episode of Shrinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Shrinking drops new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.