Shrinking: Season 2 (Apple TV+) - Review 

Rating: 4 out of 5

THE second season of Apple TV’s Shrinking offered more emotional complexity, a bigger emphasis on a wider array of characters and a sustained mix of feel-good comedy and heart-break. It was, perhaps, a little more hit and miss as a result - but no less enjoyable.

What’s more, Harrison Ford continued to go from strength to strength as grumpy but caring Paul, whose Parkinsons got worse, but who continued to grow as a character and a person as the season progressed.

As with season one, Ford stole every scene he was in, whether delivering grouchy but hilarious out-downs, or reducing you to tears - his season finale speech, in which he hailed his friends and promised to lean on them for continued support in his battle with Parkinson’s, was an emotional high point.

But therein lies another of this show’s strengths: its ability to disarm with laughter for long periods and then devastate emotionally.

Season two raised the stakes somewhat, not least in bringing in the man responsible for killing Jimmy (Jason Segel)‘s wife. Played by series co-creator Brett Goldstein, this character brought his own kind of tragedy to the story - broken by guilt, desperately seeking forgiveness and seemingly only ever a step away from taking his own life.

Jimmy had to battle to come to terms with this ‘intrusion’ into his own recovery from grief, not least because his daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell) and close lawyer friend Brian (Michael Urie), rally around him.

The dynamic between Goldstein and Jimmy’s circle made for some challenging viewing as the series confronted the idea of grief, tragedy, blame, loneliness and suicidal ideation. But it did so sensitively, deftly allowing for humour at times - but also making you care about every character.

Elsewhere, Jimmy continued to navigate his own awkward sexual relationship with Gaby (Jessica Williams), the former best friend of his late wife and long-time work colleague, while Gaby herself had to confront her own fear of commitment (especially once Damon Wayans arrived to add a serious romantic prospect) and her relationship with her mother and sister. Williams remained a likably effervescent presence but benefited from the added vulnerability and depth.

Engaging, too, was the continuing rehabilitation of Luke Tennie’s PTSD suffering army veteran Sean, another fan favourite whose journey to better self-esteem continued to throw up bumps.

Another of season two’s strengths was the way in which it more confidently expanded its storytelling to the wider ensemble, having ingratiated so many of its characters during the first season.

That being said, there were flaws - and some areas where the show threatened to grate more than it clicked.

Scrubs veteran Christa Miller’s character Liz remains a problem. In small doses during the first season, her acerbic delivery and selfish inclinations helped her to become a firm fan favourite (even though her performance didn’t differ that much from her role in Scrubs). But as she was afforded more screen-time during the second run, her character became less appealing - not least in a sub-plot that saw her begin a short-lived ‘affair’ with an old flame.

This should have given more for the engaging Derek (Ted McGinley), her husband, to do, especially given the hurt he suffers upon discovering the relationship. But the storyline felt rushed - both in terms of how it was written in the first place (which constituted something of a failure to offer any really plausible reason for it) and how Derek reacted. His forgiveness came too quickly and deprived the actor of a bigger few moments of his own.

Urie’s Brian is another character that sometimes exhibits too much energy - although some of his more OTT moments felt a little more justified and nuanced than during the first season.

In the main, though, these are but minor glitches in an otherwise smooth operation, which isn’t afraid to take some big swings in order to wrong foot viewers and the characters themselves.

Shrinking does have a happy knack of making everything apples like it’s working out, only to pull the rug out from under you. Characters behave rashly and sometimes irresponsibly. They’re not always likeable. And they’re far from perfect, in spite of their luxurious lifestyles and sun-soaked LA backdrops.

It’s a measure of how appealing the show remains that part of the joy in watching lies in celebrating the mess these people make of their lives, so that you can celebrate along with them as they pick up the pieces and score some wins.

It’s what makes the show a real crowd-pleaser and such a great antidote for your own messy, stressed out life.

And with Ford clearly having so much fun as the curmudgeon with a heart of gold, it’s damn near essential viewing for anyone who has ever been a fan.