Shrinking Season 3, Episode 4, “The Field,” puts Paul’s titular theory into action through literal and subtextual methods. This episode, written by Ashley Nicole Black and directed by Rebecca Asher, directs the characters to act on what they need. Sometimes, as Gaby says in the previous episode, it manifests in what they need to work on as individuals. The whole process is much clearer for some characters. In fairness, it’s still early in Shrinking’s third season, so there’s plenty of time for it all to take shape.
For instance, Jimmy learns who he doesn’t need – Kimmy. That entire dynamic unravels so quickly and drastically that it’s hilarious. In the end, it’s about the step he takes to even go on the date. He does it scared, prepared to make mistakes, and faces the wildest outcome – his date crying about Tia. That date surely breaks the ice for Jimmy moving forward. “The Field” also explores what it means to learn to listen to your own voice and decipher when and how to act on it. There’s a ton of lessons to learn there, but a lot of trust to gain, too.
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Brian, Derek, Liz, and Being Imperfect
It’s a real joy to see Brian, Charlie, and Sutton be a family. The only thing that can make those scenes better is if they were longer. Then again, it entirely tracks that Brian climbs out of his bedroom window to watch it through Liz’s stuffed bunny cam. It’s incredible that the device comes back in Brian telling Liz about Derek. Ted McGinley is out of this world – literally and figuratively – in this episode. Every choice he makes is perfect. It’s only rivaled by the time that Paul was high in Shrinking Season 1, Episode 6, “Imposter Syndrome.” It’s also such a hilarious moment to pull Mac into the mix after Shrinking Season 2, Episode 8, “Last Drink.”
On the side of that couple, it’s fascinating to watch Liz navigate what to do about Matthew, and it speaks volumes that she goes to Paul for advice. Watching that scene open up to such a vulnerable space is really rewarding as a fan of Paul and Liz. Really, them telling each other they love each other is just a treat after Liz gives Paul one of her best rocks. It also proves that Harrison Ford and Christa Miller always do excellent work together when they have the chance.
Liz’s embarrassment in Matthew is complicated and also seems to have something to do with Liz’s wavering confidence in herself as aparent. There’s also something to be said about intent and impact — Liz doesn’t intend to hurt Matthew, but she does. It’s such an honest and tough moment, even if it is a bit predictable for Matthew to be standing there. Shrinking has never shied away from exploring that parents are imperfect people, too. So, it’ll be interesting to see how the show digs into this storyline as the season progresses.
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Sean, Gaby, Jimmy, and Perspective
“The Field” digs deeper into Gaby and Maya’s dynamic, and it’s emotionally satisfying to watch. Unfortuantely, the same can’t be said about Sean and Marisol’s relationship. Of course, there’s something in Paul suggesting Sean not worry about problems that haven’t happened. Still, it feels as though Shrinking hasn’t really gotten to know Marisol or the relationship she has with Sean. That disconnect becomes more obvious when Sean introduces her to (nearly) the whole family. That’s when the question of the relationship’s significance really looms large. Essentially, there just needs to be more of them.
Alternatively, though it’s an entirely different context, the significance of Gaby and Maya’s dynamic is so clear. For Maya, there’s a real resistance to admitting her loneliness and the degree of it. It’s so deeply relatable to hear how painful it is that her friends have moved on, and she feels quite stagnant. In a few short scenes, “The Field” makes it so it’s easy to understand her perspective. Likewise, Gaby’s conversation with Jimmy (post-speech chaos) helps to understand where she’s coming from. It’s totally believable that Gaby’s hindrance to moving forward is partly wrapped up in her grief over Tia and her connection to Jimmy.
It’s hugely complex, and Shrinking sees all of that. It also acknowledges that realizing that change is necessary is sometimes super scary. All of that feels so familiar, making emotional investment in these arcs almost cathartic. It speaks to Gaby’s character that she’s willing to step into that fear and its uncertainty to help Maya wade through that dark cloud.
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Paul and The Field
Paul’s arc remains one of the strongest in the season; it so clearly intertwines with the season’s themes. The rollercoaster of returning to work, being excellent at it, and realizing that it’s time to say goodbye to it never feels truncated. “The Field” navigates it with a breathable pacing. It comes after enough discussion of this moment in Shrinking’s previous episodes, too. It all plays like Paul finally taking his own advice for once.
That effort is why there’s a payoff to seeing “The Field” from Paul’s perspective. The direction and editing of that is beautiful. It’s not the work that Paul needs anymore, not in the way he used to need it. Now, it’s Meg, Julie, Gaby, and Sean that he needs – it’s his family. It’s particularly effective to watch Paul come to that understanding with the help of Gerry’s encouragement. Michael J. Fox is just phenomenal.
It’s wonderful that Shrinking gives Paul the time to actually sit in that decision. That’s not only because it sets up Jimmy standing in the door frame, thinking Paul is dead. Jason Segel’s voice is somehow heartbreaking and humorous, but then so is the show. Also, “You only get to say goodbye once, and it’s not today” is both foreboding and optimistic. The same is true for that very effective final shot of Paul’s chair. The lighting is ideal to capture Jimmy tapping the empty chair. It’s such a great touch on which to end “The Field.”
MORE: Will Shrinking return for a fourth season? We know the answer.
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