Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain,” moves towards those uncomfortable conversations that Shrinking Season 2, Episode 1, “Jimmying,” avoids to try to find some healing. Most notably, this episode makes strides within Jimmy and Gaby’s dynamic, calming any doubts that this storyline could tread water for most of the season. Additionally, this episode features more of Sean and Liz’s food truck and Paul’s personal life. Written by Annie Mebane and directed by Randall Keenan Winston, “I Love Pain” takes a beat after the (understandable) chaos at the end of “Jimmying.” In turn, it finds progression and regression for the characters – Shrinking is about the non-linear journey.
Liz, Sean, and Breaking Patterns
One of the best parts of “I Love Pain” is how it more fully incorporates Liz into the food truck business. In the first season, she makes a point of wanting to be a part of it, but “Jimmying” only gives a glimpse – admittedly, a very funny and very in-character one – of her working in customer service. This episode goes much further, featuring conversations with Sean about growing the truck’s brand and showcasing Liz as an excited participant in this professional venture.
That reinvestment in the food truck also means more chances to see Liz and Sean’s dynamic outside the larger group. Shrinking’s ensemble is so immensely talented that all the pairings are gold, and it’s exciting that this season wants to give them all more depth. “I Love Pain” does that for Sean and Liz in a way that ties back to Sean’s tools from his sessions with Paul. It’s great that the show already implements those elements into the story only an episode later.
“I Love Pain” also uses this situation to show the difference between Paul and Jimmy’s sessions with Sean. If Sean were still with Jimmy, Sean setting aside his feelings to accommodate Liz’s excitement could have created tension between the two for at least a few episodes. Alternatively, Paul has already given Sean tools to help him move toward the pain – and even laugh at the absurdity it could create. Those tools help Sean put himself first. Plus, all that character work for Sean leads to an incredible rock-gifting moment between him and Liz. (Liz’s rocks are a bit like Paul Hollywood’s handshakes to me.)
Paul, Raymond, and Redefining Boundaries
As exciting as it is to see how Liz and Sean influence one another, it’s equally so to see Shrinking represent how Jimmy influences Paul – even if Paul isn’t ready to admit that yet. Intriguingly, Paul applies Jimmy’s advice that he can be a “mental health robot” and that “sometimes people need more” to his personal rather than his professional life. Even Jimmy assumes that the conversation will affect Paul’s sessions with Sean. Shrinking takes a more complicated route for Paul and blends the social spheres by having Paul create a friendship with his former patient Raymond, played by Scrubs’ Neil Flynn.
It’s also interesting that “I Love Pain” introduces this necessary dynamic (People need people! Sometimes those people happen to be your former patients, apparently) through a new character. “Jimmying” takes such a big leap for Paul and Julie’s relationship, but there is still much to learn about her. In many ways, it feels as though Shrinking reveals more about Raymond than Julie, which may foreshadow some personal hurdles for Paul. Either way, it’s exciting to imagine how all of this will unfold, and that’s what a show wants early in the season.
Alice, Derek, and Finding Independence
One of the most exciting aspects of Shrinking Season 2 so far – and it’s only two episodes into its run – is how much more screentime Alice and Derek are getting. “I Love Pain” even proves that point by pairing them up, although that interaction occurs off-screen. Still, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley are so good and funny, and there just isn’t enough of them in Shrinking Season 1.
Thankfully, this season is already rectifying that. While it seems it’s still figuring out its footing with Derek, Alice is finding her independence within her life (getting her driver’s license) and within the story. Her scenes aren’t as dependent on the broader ensemble. The cliffhanger in “I Love Pain” compellingly sets her apart in a way that will undoubtedly come back around.
Gaby, Jimmy, and Setting Boundaries
Likewise, Shrinking Season 2 also incorporates Brian into the ensemble better. Most of his scenes are (understandably) with Jimmy in the first season, but this season mixes that up more. The hike sequence with Brian, Liz, and Gaby is a comedic standout of the episode because of how well Michael Urie delivers those lines – he’s incredible! It’s such a good detail for Brian to ask Grace if she knew about Jimmy and Gaby. Brian’s approach is hilarious, but the implications of everyone but Jimmy’s best friend knowing will surely affect their dynamic.
Interestingly, “I Love Pain” suggets Jimmy doesn’t tell Brian because he doesn’t view Gaby and Jimmy’s “situationship” (for lack of a better word) with the same seriousness that Gaby does. Thankfully, again, Shrinking brings that dissonance to the forefront in a silly yet heartbreaking confrontation between Gaby and Jimmy. “I Love Pain” sets that conversation up so well by underscoring Gaby’s grief over Tia (Gaby’s scrunchies actually being Tia’s may be one of my favorite details on the show so far! It’s a touching reminder of their friendship.).
Moreover, the episode highlights how the changes in her friendship with Jimmy affect her. The growing conflict within her family compounds that frustration and pain for Gaby, and Jessica Williams expertly portrays every beat of it. This friendship fracture also creates a genuine anticipation for how they will heal it. Naturally, it will take time, and no doubt Shrinking will give them that space. After all, with only two episodes, this season gets to know the characters on a deeper level with stories that have real longevity. This season has all the potential to be bigger and better than its already excellent first season.
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What did you think of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Shrinking stream every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
