Shrinking Season 2, Episode 3, “Psychological Something-ism,” juxtaposes selfishness and happiness, leaving the characters to decipher how the two may connect. Written by Brian Gallivan and directed by Zach Braff, this episode features turning points so seismic that this episode could be a mid-season outing. Because it is only the third one in a 12-episode season, Shrinking continues raising expectations for Season 2. Specifically, “Psychological Something-ism” produces sometimes confusing yet always intriguing pairings that could propel the season to new heights.
Jimmy and Learning to Be a Better Friend
Though not a confusing pairing, the emphasis that Shrinking puts on Jimmy and Brian’s friendship during this episode is unexpected. So far this season, Brian only appears in other characters’ stories, namely Grace’s legal storyline. Vignettes into his personal life are few and far between – until “Psychological Something-ism.” As Grace’s story wraps up and Brian’s disappointment in not knowing about Jimmy and Gaby grows, Shrinking boldly chooses to feature a confrontation between the best friends.
This scene comes on the heels of Jimmy and Gaby’s confrontation in Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain,” further underscoring Jimmy’s knack for putting what makes him happy (Doing right by Grace to make himself feel better) above the others (Asking Brian anything about himself or telling him anything about Jimmy) in his life. Michael Urie and Jason Segel match each other’s energy so well that the escalation of their argument becomes increasingly comical and heartbreaking.
Urie plays Brian’s heart on his sleeve, highlighting why the character’s depth deserves more screen time this season. It’s painful to watch Jimmy not be able to recall any details about his supposed best friend (In Jimmy’s defense, Brian forgets that he is Alice’s other godparent). However, that disconnect between Jimmy and Brian also translates to one between Shrinking and the character. This season (so far) follows Jimmy, Gabby, Paul, Liz, and Sean throughout their professional and personal lives, but struggles to find a place for Brian. Hopefully, Jimmy turning over a new leaf – with a new tradition – bodes as well for their friendship as it does Shrinking’s investment in Brian.
Paul, Julie, and the Things He Can Take Out
After all, “Psychological Something-ism” does an excellent job of starting to get to know Julie outside of her relationship with Paul. “I Love Pain” instills doubts because Paul’s former patient and current friend Raymond almost has a more precise character outline than Julie, the woman he loves. Understandably, with the supporting role Wendie Malick plays, most of Julie’s life exists off-screen. Still, Shrinking makes up for lost ground by introducing more to Julie’s resume than being Paul’s girlfriend and neurologist.
Julie lets Paul into her personal life more by introducing him to her husband, Elliot, who has dementia and lives in a nursing facility. It’s so good that Shrinking turns that insight into Julie’s character into a lesson for Paul. “Psychological Something-ism” finally gives the series – and Paul – the opportunity to get to know Julie better, but Paul makes it about himself. In an episode that confronts selfishness, this storyline is sharp. It pinpoints Paul’s insecurities as he lives with Parkinson’s disease, underlining how that impacts his idea of self and his relationships with others. The best part of that story unfolding is that Julie does not take unpacking all of that as her responsibility; she gives Paul the space to do it. Interestingly, that process leads Paul to Derek.
Like Brian, Shrinking is trying to tighten the connections between its ensemble. Brian hiking with Liz and Gaby works more than Paul opening up about his love life to Derek. Of course, Paul may argue it’s easier because he has no connection to Derek and no stakes in what Derek thinks of him. Furthermore, “Psychological Something-ism” explicitly defines the similarities between Paul’s and Liz’s personalities, so Derek is valuable. Still, this conversation feels like an odd way to bring Derek into the fold when better avenues, like the group scene at his and Liz’s house earlier in the episode, work much better.
Sean, Liz, and the Loaded Food Truck
Even Derek’s presence in scenes like the final one between Sean and Liz in “Psychological Something-ism” has more authenticity. Then again, it’s also serendipitous that Sean’s father appears at Sean and Liz’s food truck when he does. Shrinking Season 2, Episode 1, “Jimmying,” and “I Love Pain” give Sean and Liz too solid of ground with their food truck that this episode has to rattle that a bit. Like Jimmy’s imperfections making him interesting, too much stability doesn’t make for an entertaining TV show.
Shrinking may use the reintroduction of Sean’s father to explore that dynamic further – if only in Sean’s sessions with Paul. For now, it’s sufficient that “Psychological Something-ism” spins his arrival into a catalyst for Sean and Liz’s dynamic. The food truck pushes the two characters together – now it’s pulling them apart. Shrinking leads to that point of emotional development by underlining whether Liz would change the food truck for herself or Sean. Christa Miller plays Liz’s disappointment in realizing the truth (to some degree) so well.
Alice and Why It’s Okay to Make Mistakes
It’s no surprise that Shrinking’s entire ensemble is so stellar. This season gives Lukita Maxwell much more material to prove that of herself. In only three episodes, Season 2 takes Alice to such complicated places. Maxwell delivers an authentic performance, capturing Alice’s anxiety and fears, opposite Brett Goldstein’s subtle turn when Alice confronts Louis. It’s a scene that lingers, like Alice’s wallet on the coffee shop’s floor. The immensity of a sequence like that makes the Summer and Connor storyline feel disjointed, but “Psychological Something-ism” brushes aside those concerns.
The reason for Connor’s sudden presence becomes clear by the end of this episode: he’s meant to make Alice feel better – happy, even. But that momentary comfort comes at the expense of later discomfort. Shrinking takes these first episodes to reestablish Alice and Summer’s friendship while establishing Connor’s obsession with Alice and his best intentions to move on with Summer. The groundwork throughout “Psychological Something-ism” will make whatever comes next land with a “boom.”
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What did you think of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 3, “Psychological Something-ism?”
New episodes of Shrinking Season 2 stream every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
