'Shrinking' Season 2 review: Apple's hilarious, poignant comedy gets in our heads again (2024)

Home > Entertainment > TV Shows

One of the best-written comedies on TV returns.

By Shannon Connellan on

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

'Shrinking' Season 2 review: Apple's hilarious, poignant comedy gets in our heads again (1)

Jason Segel and Jessica Williams in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TV+

One of the best and most surprising shows of 2023 is back for a second season, and it's honestly (and thankfully) like we never left it.

Created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking Season 1 hilariously and unabashedly harnessed the everyday pain and absurdity of grief, and left most of its characters in a pretty solid place, emotionally, in the finale. In Season 2, Segel's rule-breaking therapist and widowed father Jimmy is understandably still haunted by the past, but it's different this time — with the sudden arrival of the man responsible for his wife's death (a welcome cast addition in Shrinking writer and Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein). How the hell would you react?

SEE ALSO:

15 minutes of sadness: Behind the therapy trick in 'Shrinking'

The show's brilliant cast all return for a second round, taking the characters through new challenges and delivering the show's very funny, genuinely moving script to perfection. With just two episodes out on Apple TV+, Shrinking picks up where we left off with these now ingrained characters and wisely doesn't reinvent the wheel.

Shrinking's superpower remains its superb cast and sharp writing.

'Shrinking' Season 2 review: Apple's hilarious, poignant comedy gets in our heads again (2)

Jessica Williams and Christa Miller. Credit: Apple TV+

Once again a brilliant lead, Segel steps back into the role of Jimmy with relatable finesse, with the actor's signature earnestness and weary sense of optimism being put to the test with the arrival of Goldstein's character this season. Segel is still at his comedic best here, defying the insistence of his revered colleague Paul (an excellent-as-ever Harrison Ford) that he quit it with the "Jimmying" (his tendency to take the therapy sessions out of the office). Some of the outrageous lines that come out of Jimmy's mouth can't be swallowed again ("Speaking of cars…"), despite his attempts. Plus, Segel's awkward banter with the talented Lukita Maxwell as Jimmy's daughter, Alice, really makes the show, with Maxwell giving Alice genuine depth and deadpan hilarity at every turn.

Now a professor, having gained a recommendation from Paul last season, Gaby (the superb Jessica Williams) is struggling with the guilt of sleeping with her dead best friend's husband, while trying to resist their natural chemistry — a chemistry Williams and Segel flawlessly convey, with Williams' speedy retorts one of the show's best elements. But one of the unsung reasons to watch Shrinking is Williams and Christa Miller as Jimmy's neighbour Liz, as the pair craft one of the most satisfying best friendships on TV. They're a duo who say exactly what they think to each other. It's deeply refreshing, and not always the right move, but it's a delight to watch their unpretentious, no-holds-barred connection.

Featured Video For You

Jason Segel and the 'Shirinking' cast reveal their tricks to de-stress

Meanwhile, Paul privately struggles with sharing his deeper feelings for Julie (Wendie Malick) and publicly grumbles through contemporary phrases like "Good news if true" and "I never say beep-boop" with all the open, eloquent disdain we've come to expect from Paul. Thanks to what Paul calls Jimmy's "textbook dual relationship" with his patient-turned-friend Sean (an expertly understated Luke Tennie), Paul takes over Sean's treatment. However, never fear, Segel's Jimmy continues his fine-tuned Holt/Perolta energy with Ford's Paul, hoping for his approval at every turn and finally seeing his house.

Mashable Top Stories

Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.

Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Thanks for signing up!

As Jimmy's best friend, Brian, Michael Urie is audacious as ever, shining in moments of utter rage — when Brian screams on a hiking trail after hearing some news he wasn't privy to, "Fuck rescue dogs! That's right. Fuck hiking! Fuck that headband! Actually I like that headband … Fuck this whole mountain!" you feel it in your bones.

It's a truly ensemble affair, with this season allowing the characters more room to branch out into anxieties and challenges — with one big one in particular.

Jason Segel's Jimmy is haunted by the past again— but it's different this time.

'Shrinking' Season 2 review: Apple's hilarious, poignant comedy gets in our heads again (5)

Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. Credit: Apple TV+

For the entirety of Season 1, Segel navigated Jimmy through the complexities and pain of losing a loved one, with the grief of his wife's death in a car accident the driving force in his and his daughter's growth. Though grief is by no means ever "done," Jimmy found himself on pretty solid footing at the end of the season. However, he's faced with a darker side of the past in Season 2, one that's played by Shrinking writer Brett Goldstein.

Though an accomplished, Emmy-winning comedy actor, Goldstein remained strictly behind the page for Season 1. This season, Goldstein takes on an unenviable role in a cast full of now-beloved characters, showing up as the man responsible for Jimmy's wife's death in a car accident. While the first two episodes don't give us much to go on, Goldstein's few moments on screen have enabled Jimmy's rage to come out, so expect much more here.

Related Stories

  • How Apple TV+'s 'Shrinking' tackles compassion fatigue, therapy, and grief
  • 15 minutes of sadness: Behind the therapy trick in 'Shrinking'
  • Jason Segel and the 'Shrinking' cast reveal their tricks to de-stressing
  • The best VPNs for streaming movies
  • 40 shows we can't wait to see this fall

Shrinking still gives actually good advice.

Being a show about therapists, Shrinking often gives some excellent advice (check with your own therapist, of course, before implementing anything you see). Season 1 explored the real "15 minutes of sadness" technique and discussions around compassion fatigue, and this season, Paul leans on a tool called "reversal of desire." In episode 2, Alice's friend Summer suggests she write a letter to the man responsible for her mother's death and not send it, an age-old processing technique. (It's a letter Alice finds difficult to put into words that aren't simply "You ruined my life ... eat my ass.")

Whether its characters are learning to understand their triggers or trying to process their frustrations with one another, Shrinking arms you with a collection of common sense, usable advice for your own complicated stuff. Honestly, it feels great to be reconnected with such flawed, vulnerable, hilarious characters, all of whom are simply trying to figure it out day by day.

Shrinking, one of TV's best-written comedies, returns to cut to the deep shit among the regular shit, without judgment and with a lot of laughs. Consider us prescribed.

Shrinking Season 2's first two episodes are now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Wednesday.

'Shrinking' Season 2 review: Apple's hilarious, poignant comedy gets in our heads again (7)

Shannon Connellan

Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about everything (but not anything) across entertainment, tech, social good, science, and culture.

Recommended For You

'Colin From Accounts' Season 2 review: The best TV comedy of 2024 so far

Awkwardness and hilarity in equal measure.

By Sam Haysom

'Somebody Somewhere' Season 3 review: The best comedy you're not watching comes to a brilliant close

For the love of all that is good on TV, tune in.

By Belen Edwards

'Will and Harper' review: Heartwarming, hopeful, and hilarious

Will Ferrell and Harper Steele's road trip buddy comedy is a must-see.

By Kristy Puchko

'Dìdi' review: Don't miss the coming-of-age comedy that's among the year's very best movies

So good it may make you miss T9 texting.

By Kristy Puchko

'Wolfs' review: George Clooney and Brad Pitt face off, and lucky us

From the director of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" comes an R-rated crime-comedy you can soon watch at home.

By Kristy Puchko

More in Entertainment

The truth about voting machine security in the 2024 election

As technology evolves the election process, rumors, lies, and distrust proliferate.

By Chase DiBenedetto

Score free historical mystery books on Stuff Your Kindle Day

Because your e-library could always use free books.

By Christian Wait

Stuff your Kindle with these free paranormal mystery novels

Spooky reads for mystery fans.

By Lois Mackenzie

Stock up on free contemporary mystery books this Stuff Your Kindle Day

This Stuff Your Kindle Day is for mystery fans.

By Lois Mackenzie

Select Halloween decorations at the Home Depot are 50% off, including the 12-foot skeleton's friends and accessories

Score some steep last-minute savings on spooky decor.

By Haley Henschel

Trending on Mashable

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 27

Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #504.

By Mashable Team

A deep sea expedition is filming jaw-dropping footage

An alien world.

By Mark Kaufman

Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 27

Here are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to "Wordle" #1226.

By Mashable Team

NYT Strands hints, answers for October 27

Every hint, nudge and outright answer you need to complete today's NYT Strands puzzle.

By Mashable Team

How to watch England vs. Samoa online for free

Bypass geo-restrictions to live stream this international fixture from anywhere in the world.

By Joseph Green

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.

Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!

'Shrinking' Season 2 review: Apple's hilarious, poignant comedy gets in our heads again (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 6305

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.