Again, I don’t know why it’s taking me so long to watch the new seasons of all of these shows that I love! Shrinking, though I watched it hesitantly during its first season, really grew on me. It’s one of those feel-good shows, even though a lot of emotional stuff is thrown at you. The comedy and levity surely make it more palatable, and I’m totally here for it.
It had been long enough that I don’t recall any sort of cliffhangers from the first season. All I remember is that after quite some time, Jimmy finally got his life back on track and after some hard work, his daughter Alice forgave him. Lots of relationships flourished on the first season of the show, so we are just treated to more goodness from those established relationship while also being spoiled with lots of new ones! Of course, with any relationships, there were plenty of ups and downs over the course of the season, but that only lends realness to the show.
Because let’s be real, despite how “grounded in reality” this show appears, it is still a work of fiction. And I don’t know about most of the viewing audience, but I don’t think even half of what goes down in this show would ever pass in my real life. There are things like boundaries and laws that I think would prevent a lot of it. For instance, this particular therapy practice is a place so unprofessional I would never dream of going there. I can see the appeal from a fun standpoint, but these patients are way too cool with people just barging in on their sessions or letting them get their issues aired out to strangers.
Anyway, this season’s biggest arc, in my opinion, is the presence of Tia’s killer, Louis. He’s a Brit in California who was leading a perfectly normal and happy life three years prior with the love of his life when he decided that two drinks meant he was fine to drive them home from a night out. Oh how wrong he was. In an instant his life was over, a shell of the person he once was. Yes, could his crime be unforgiveable? Absolutely, but these enlightened, fictionalized characters were able to see how much he was hurting and offer him the forgiveness he needs to cope with life. I mean, I give Alice total props for coming around so quickly. Do I think it’s strange that she wants him involved in her life beyond that? Yes.
Jimmy, for his part, has a much tougher time letting go. It’s not so much that he’s still mad at Louis for taking Tia’s life. It’s that Louis’ actions caused Jimmy to become a terrible father. How can he forgive this man when he can’t forgive himself for not being able to show up when things got unbearable? I will say that this particular plot point really strengthened the bond between him and Paul. I really liked seeing all of the vulnerable moments from Paul this season. Harrison Ford really grew on me with this character this season and he might have emerged as one of my favorites. Sean continues to shine as one of my favorite characters, as well, and especially the oddball friendship he spawns with Liz. Who would have guessed?
There are plenty of other juicy storylines covered this season, but I’ll leave them to be discovered for when you actually go to sit down and watch it for yourselves. Just know that what really makes this show good is seeing all of the people start to realize that they are stronger together than apart. And though they try to foster the most healthy relationships out there, there will always be plenty of bumps to smooth over along the way. I like those parts the best. I feel like whatever is going to come in the third season will be plenty funny and probably a little sad, but I can’t wait!