Shrinking Season 2, Episode 4, “Made You Look,” inspires the characters to start new chapters, embracing criticism and mistakes along the way. This episode, written by Sofi Selig and directed by Zach Braff, packs more than an emotional punch. Still, it never loses its humorous edge that carries the ensemble – for better and worse – through those darker moments. This half-hour is so tightly scripted that no character or story falls to the wayside, proving Season 2 plans to dive deeper into every aspect of Shrinking.
Sean Has a Breakthrough
“Made You Look” shows its hand early that the tension between Sean and Liz won’t linger. The banter between Christa Miller and Harrison Ford is so fantastic that it’s easy to appreciate any reason that “Made You Look” uses to put them in a scene together. This season (or the series entirely, really) has the opportunity to keep the post-it note bit going between Liz and Paul. What a hilarious way to get under his skin! That teaser is also effective in the level of detail it provides – Jimmy limits his interference by sending Sean to Paul with Liz, Paul’s handwriting worsens, and Liz admits she’s never been a therapist.
Shrinking Season 2 is set on a different, more pressing conflict for Sean – that with his father. After his (let’s be honest) random appearance on Shrinking Season 2, Episode 3, “Psychological Something-ism,” this episode grounds Tim’s presence in the harsh reality that he and Sean will have to work together. What results is a standout performance from Luke Tennie as Sean unpacks his complicated feelings for his father. “Made You Look” holds space for Sean to finally speak about his father’s behavior. Tennie’s authenticity in that scene (and Jason Segel’s supportive presence) makes it all land with a bigger “Woof.” It feels more like a slice of life than a fictional TV show.
Paul Addresses His Ego
Everything about that sequence between Jimmy and Sean is intimate for and specific to Sean. Because this season veers away from prominently featuring patients (so far), it’s fascinating to watch how Sean’s decision to voice all of that to Jimmy (his friend and former therapist) impacts his relationship with his current therapist, Paul. He doesn’t ridicule Sean for talking to Jimmy. Instead of directly involving Sean in Paul’s confrontation with his ego, “Made You Look” makes it more about Jimmy and Paul and their different approaches to the job.
Cleverly, Shrinking frames these internal confrontations with Paul around Meg’s arrival. Her presence is a physical reminder of the possible growth when Paul addresses himself rather than letting it all brew beneath the surface. Ford’s talents shine when Paul admits to Jimmy that he’s scared he “might be losing it.” That “it” holds a lot of weight. Contextually, it refers to Paul’s work, but it’s loaded with significance after seeing Paul’s fear and frustration regarding Parkinson’s disease’s effects on his life. It’s perfectly in character that Paul reacts to his own courage and Jimmy’s genuine with a stunning display of his ego: “I know.” It’s a great expression of Paul’s authenticity and vulnerability.
When Gaby Met Derek
Those small yet significant character development beats are one of the best aspects of Shrinking Season 2. For instance, this episode plays with Gaby knowing she deserves happiness with someone good for her. As that story becomes prominent, Gaby’s unresolved tension with her sister (and mother) continues to stew in the background. “Made You Look” makes it evident – through Paul’s words – that Gaby is avoiding a confrontation with her sister until she can’t anymore. Including those unanswered phone calls since Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain,” makes it so that the story doesn’t fall short.
As important as it is to understand Gaby’s relationships with her family, it’s also been rewarding to see her academic career. She jokes about shaping the minds of a generation, but it is nice to see her mentorship with Keisha. Jessica Williams has excellent chemistry, whichever kind the scenes call for, with every actor Shrinking puts her opposite of. “Made You Look” proves that when Williams shares a few scenes with Damon Wayans Jr. Ironically, this season has yet to figure out how to best utilize Derek (Ted McGinley), so it introduces another Derek (Wayans Jr.). Their dynamic is refreshing after seeing the unfortunate fallout between Jimmy and Gaby – she deserves a Derek.
Brian’s Empathy and Louis’ Guilt
Meanwhile, “Made You Look” reminds Brian that his empathy is a quality that will make him a good father when he is ready to become one. The episode’s awkward method of raising the conversation of starting a family proves that Brian and his marriage with Charlie need more attention on Shrinking. Brian picks up a defining yet not thoroughly explored thread from Season 1 when he admits that his resistance to starting a family stems from his perceived similarities to his father. Ideally, this season can unpack that further, benefiting Brian and the show. More conversations surrounding fatherhood also mean more chances to get to know Charlie and see their relationship (Michael Urie and Devin Kawaoka have fantastic chemistry!).
Nevertheless, Jimmy telling Brian, “When you see somebody who really needs you, you take a deep breath, and you reach out for them,” is a tremendous compliment on its own. It’s so independently good and a great play on the title that “Made You Look” subverts expectations with how Brian practices that in this episode. At first, it seems like Brian is extending that empathy to the dog, which he (aptly) later names Nick Furry. Then, Shrinking swoops in with one last punch to the audience’s collective gut before the screen cuts to black – Brian empathizes with Louis. The episode’s title, which plays with misdirect, becomes a definitive declaration – Shrinking makes you look until that last second.
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What did you think of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 4, “Made You Look?”
New episodes of Shrinking Season 2 stream every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
