Shrinking Season 2, Episode 6, “In a Lonely Place,” meditates on isolation and forgiveness with surprising and propulsive results for a midseason outing. Where this episode finds a satisfying resolution to some stories, it also mines exciting new turns that already have ripples on the rest of the season. Written by Brett Goldstein and directed by Randall Keenan Winston, “In a Lonely Place” is so much of what Shrinking does best – sharp comedy with equally cutting dramatic beats that commentate on the human condition.
This episode (and the series as a whole, really) is special in how it nonlinearly moves through grief’s many forms. Shrinking nobly tries to carry them all – a person’s death, a friendship ending, or the gradual deterioration of a cherished idea or plan for one’s life – with the same weight. The aptly titled “In a Lonely Place” digs into the loneliness attached to life’s often unavoidable forces of grief.
MORE: Have you read our review of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 5, “Honesty Era?” Here it is!
Gaby and Liz Move in Opposite Directions
Namely, this episode values the little steps along the way – in either direction – with Gaby and Liz. For Gaby, “In a Lonely Place” resolves the conflict between her and Courtney. After six episodes of little to no communication between the sisters, their mother’s eye operation arrives, bringing Gaby to a crossroads. She bravely embraces the fear (Paul and his “I love pain” tool would be proud) that awaits her on the other side of being honest with Courtney.
Gaby saying, “Courtney, I release you,” creates space for Gaby to move beyond the past and confront the uncertainty of the future. It takes a lot of courage for Gaby to admit that she feels unsteady about stepping up when Courtney takes a step back. “In a Lonely Place” even gives that future a timeline – 3 months from now, to be exact. Given this season’s current timeline, that time frame hints at what awaits Gaby in Shrinking’s already-confirmed third season. In turn, “In a Lonely Place” is a pivotal point of reconnection for Gaby.
This episode sees Gaby rally around Alice; it celebrates the friend group coming back together now that Gaby and Jimmy are on better terms. “In a Lonely Place” also takes Gaby and Liz’s friendship to a deeper place. This episode highlights that Gaby and Liz are good at telling each other what they want to hear, but they also say those sometimes harsh truths they need to hear. Their phone call exemplifies that a good and true friendship includes both.
That scene is also an evergreen reminder that everyone’s problems are valid, and a seemingly small step (getting out of a bathtub, for example) is still a big step. “In a Lonely Place” gives Christa Miller incredible material to work with, especially in that scene and the one between her and Derek. Still moving through the burn of Mac reappearing, Shrinking doubles down on the growing distance between the couple. For example, Derek doesn’t seem receptive to Liz insinuating that she’s drowning. “In a Lonely Place” doesn’t villainize Derek for missing that, but it uses that disconnect to understand why Liz turns to Mac.
MORE: Revisit the beginning of this season and read our reviews of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 1, “Jimmying,” and Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain.” Here they are!
Paul Takes on Jimmying with Jimmy
As Liz turns away from Derek, Sean’s father turns towards him after some not-so-discreet “Jimmying” by Jimmy and Paul. The lead-up to that kayak scene is side-splittingly funny – Sean calling Gaby and his friends the band “Gaby and the White Saviors,” Sean pretending to be a ghost and being almost painfully honest. “In a Lonely Place” proves that Luke Tennie continues to elevate his performance across the genre spectrum with every Shrinking episode.
With Sean healing from his concerning method to inflict pain upon himself, “In a Lonely Place” pivots to Tim, Sean’s father. By this point in Shrinking’s run, it’s no longer an “if” Jimmy will go beyond professional boundaries. It’s more of a “when” with the added question of who will accompany him. This episode takes a delightful turn, during which Harrison Ford says in all seriousness, “Don’t Bugs Bunny me,” where Paul enthusiastically goes along with Jimmy’s fishing plan.
“In a Lonely Place” infuses this story with a hearty sense of humor that could undermine the character work it accomplishes. However, Shrinking never gets to that depth despite its silly gags. It uses those jokes and bits (Seriously, Ford standing up to rock the kayak gets funnier with every watch) to break the ice and find a common, connective ground on which to stand. Paul and Jimmy quickly (one more than the other) learn that Tim isn’t receptive to therapy, so they get through to him in frank conversations about fatherhood.
Part of this scene’s resonance resides in the fact that it’s still a rarity to see men discuss their vulnerabilities on TV, let alone with each other. This season almost solely features Sean’s point of view about how things deteriorated between him and his father. “In a Lonely Place” turns the camera around Tim and underlines his feelings – not knowing how to help his son, not recognizing him, and seeing his happiness fade. All of that is heavy, and Shrinking treats it as such.
MORE: Did you miss our review of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 4, “Made You Look?” You can read it here!
Alice and Brian Find Closure with Louis
Likewise, “In a Lonely Place” takes a particular interest in Louis, though still on Alice’s terms, understandably. Frustratingly, given how little independent screen time he receives this season, any prior conversations between Brian and Louis occur off-screen. However, Shrinking takes that exposition as an opportunity to let Michael Urie’s physical comedy shine. His delivery of “I’ve been talking to the young man who ran over your mom” shouldn’t be as funny as it is – and yet!
The need for more Brian becomes glaring when Louis asks Alice to share a memory of Tia. Brian volunteers a charming story about Tia’s actions post-wisdom teeth removal. Urie’s performance draws a bold line under the fondness Brian holds for Tia that goes back to Shrinking Season 2, Episode 3, “Psychological Something-ism.” Then, Brian surprisingly admits that he was closer to Tia than Jimmy right before Tia’s death. That knowledge and this story make it necessary for Shrinking to include a flashback of Tia and Brian.
Alternatively, a similar flashback isn’t required to define or bolster Alice and Tia’s relationship. Shrinking so clearly weaves it throughout the series that there are no questions, only beautiful surprises like in a memory Alice had forgotten. Lukita Maxwell showcases such control of her craft in this sequence. One of the best parts of that emotional journey is when Alice realizes that she tells Louis, “I forgive you.” Maxwell’s performance is so intricate that Alice’s thought process is visible as she understands that she means it. It’s a powerful scene.
For instance, no one should understate Brett Goldstein’s performance. Louis has a stillness that feels like a protective pressure valve. Golstein’s physicality hints that it almost breaks when Alice says, “It’s what my mom would have done.” This scene is a good insight into Louis, even though he diverts the conversation away from Sarah (for now, presumably). Ultimately, this scene is about (and Brian names it) reaching out when someone visibly needs help. “In a Lonely Place” suggests that Shrinking will go further, proving that sometimes people don’t show it, but everyone needs help. It’s okay to need help.
MORE: Did you know that Shrinking has already been renewed for a third season at Apple TV+? You can read all the details here!
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What did you think of Shrinking Season 2, Episode 6, “In a Lonely Place?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Shrinking Season 2 stream on Wednesdays on Apple TV+!
