Shrinking Season 3, Episode 2, “Happiness Mission,” makes a realistic effort to help the characters become unstuck. This episode, written by Brett Goldstein and directed by Zach Braff, makes personal progress, which looks different for every character, a win. It never feels cheap because Shrinking is built on the non-linear journey of people doing the best they can.
To do so, “Happiness Mission” ties up some storylines from last season and plants seeds for the serialized stories that start to take shape. This episode doesn’t play coy about the eventual arrival of Jimmy’s dad, with the camera zooming in on a painting that will surely be more important later. Knowing Jeff Daniels will play Jimmy’s father, it’s understandable that Shrinking wants to start building the anticipation around the character’s arrival as early as it can. Beyond that, “Happiness Mission” sets so much in motion that it’s impossible not to look forward to what’s to come this season.
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It Takes a Village of Villagers
It’s instantly heartwarming to see the entire family rally around Paul. “Happiness Mission” actualizes how every character is a villager in Paul’s village. That supportive structure creates some delightful returns, particularly when Brian finds out that Paul and Derek have hooked up with men in the past. That moment is only bested by another Michael Urie great: Brian questioning Paul, an obvious psychic, about how he will die. He’s completely right to stick on having floor seats to Beyoncé, rather than those seats leading to his death.
Likewise, it’s great to see Paul be there for those around him. Yes, there is a selfish motivation in finding a loophole to do his job. But Paul and Derek’s dynamic is majorly untapped on the show, so it’s fun to watch them share a scene that has so much significance to both of them. It’s just hilarious that it happens in a locker room. Regardless, these relationships can be really one-sided, but Shrinking works to avoid that.
That intention is evident when Gaby and Liz can see both sides of the story, defending Marisol and Sean. Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, and Luke Tennie’s timing in that scene is as incredible as its much-appreciated nuance. Beyond that, this storyline is an exciting development after what the season premiere teases for Sean. Marisol, being Sean’s ex-girlfriend, does arrive out of nowhere, but Sean isn’t one to talk about his days in the military. So, it tracks that he hasn’t brought up the girlfriend whom he didn’t always treat the best when they were together, only for her to break up with him through a “Dear John” letter. Regardless of how Shrinking introduces the character, One Day at a Time’s Isabella Gomez playing Marisol means that she’s a(nother) plus for the season.
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Good People, Hard Conversations
“Happiness Mission” unpacks more of what or who makes Derek who he is. The recognition and relief in his expression when Paul verbalizes that Derek’s parents sound emotionally inconsistent is incredible on Ted McGinley’s part. “That vulnerable kid still lives in you” is a simple but personally monumental line that will stay with me, so thanks for that, Brett Goldstein.
For Derek, that revelation informs how Derek moves through Shrinking, making a rewatch more rewarding. Additionally, it gives an abundance of emotion to Derek’s ultimate conversation with Matthew. Last season felt like a real breakthrough for McGinley in this role. It’s a treat that Shrinking continues to build on that foundation, two episodes into the season.
For Gaby, this episode contextualizes her disconnect with work. Her thoughts about patients coming to her with trivial (or at least superficial) problems can be seen in Mark and Donna using their time to talk about Mark’s hatred of pop culture-related spoilers. “Happiness Mission” also suggests there’s something deeper – “a dark cloud” – with Maya, played by the amazing Sherry Cola.
Their dynamic starts on a rocky road, with Maya unintentionally digging into a wound by commenting on Gaby’s scrunchies. That callback is excellent. It’s believable that Gaby’s protectiveness over them comes after she crosses paths (again, supposedly) with Louis.
“Happiness Mission” earns that conversation. Jessica Williams and Brett Goldstein deliver such raw performances in that scene. They’re so good together that it’s a shame this will likely be their only scene together. Another win for Goldstein’s pen comes in the lines: “You can say it. It’s coming off you like a heat radiator.” I winced! The range of Gaby’s monologue alone is impressive. It can make you laugh and cry at the same time, which is also true about Shrinking.
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First Steps Are the Hardest
As much as Jimmy’s “Happiness Mission” tries, that conversation pushes Louis to live his life and talk to Sarah. That scene feels like waiitng on the other shoe to drop until it does. Louis visibly swallows his expectations of a future with Sarah, so soon after getting them back. Shrinking uses that closure as an opportunity to move Louis forward and away from the cast. In doing so, “Happiness Mission” reflects their closure with Louis, giving Shrinking room to explore other stories. For that reason, it’s excellent that Louis’s parting words are, in front of Alice, for Jimmy to call Sofi.
Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders have an easy chemistry, which isn’t all that surprising given that How I Met Your Mother premiered 21 years ago. It’s a small yet meaningful detail that their conversation brings about a memory of Alice that Jimmy had forgotten. That harks back to Alice remembering a day with her mom when telling Louis about Tia. The parallel appears to signal that this relationship, however it pans out, could be quite healing for Jimmy. There’s an awkward energy to Jimmy and Sofi’s flirtation that’s endearing to watch.
Sofi’s presence also creates such a good bookend for the episode. At the start, her pacing in Jimmy’s driveway inspires Shrinking to express its sense of humor around tackling Paul’s hallucinations. That extends throughout “Happiness Mission” with Gaby and then Brian calling them “halulus.” Then, the episode rounds it up with Jimmy doing the same thing in Sofi’s driveway. Given that there’s a whole season ahead, it’s nice that Shrinking is taking its time with Jimmy and Sofi.
MORE: Has Shrinking been renewed for another season? Find out here!
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