Shrinking Season 3, Episode 7, “I Will Be Grape,” encourages the characters to make peace with the things they can and, perhaps more importantly, can’t control. The episode, written by Zack Bornstein and directed by James Ponsoldt, runs the emotional gamut at quite a clip. This show has the unique ability to celebrate life without ignoring its darker points. “I Will be Grape,” in particular, really holds the lights and shades with the same care to a lasting impact.
That choice embraces the characters’ nuances and finds realistic and relevant spots for humor. Structurally, “I Will Be Grape” feels like Shrinking turning a rather propulsive corner to the rest of the season. Of which, there are only four episodes left. Where has the time gone? At least Apple TV has already renewed this beloved show for another season.
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Liz’s Mother-in-Law
“I Will Be Grape” adds Candice Bergen, as Derek’s mother and Liz’s mother-in-law, Constance, to the show’s impressive roster of guest-starring talent. Only someone with her caliber of talent can play a character with this specific of a presence. Delightfully, Bergen nails Constance’s dry humor and unnerving stare. Her arrival puts Liz on her back foot – somewhere Shrinking rarely finds her. That uncomfortable spot tees up Christa Miller and Jessica Williams’ incredible bit of laughing and smiling through their dialogue in the kitchen. It makes the exposition anything but boring or heavy-handed.
Gaby’s presence is also the perfect way for Shrinking to emphasize how bizarre Liz and Constance’s dynamic is. The push-pull relationship comes through most pointedly in their divergent approaches to advising Matthew and Liz, not giving Constance a rock. The latter finds a rather jagged knife in Paul, who shares that he has one that he loves. Then, “I Will Be Grape” provides clarity into Constance with two lines: “I’ve lived a long, full life. You’d think she’d want to learn from it.”
Constance feels like Liz isn’t interested in her, and Liz believes Constance thinks that Liz is incapable of raising her sons. In just one episode, Shrinking unbiasedly defines and explores this conflict that has only existed from Liz’s perspective until now. Derek running away, leaving his heart pillow as a worrying sign, is the serious yet also deeply unserious (Shrinking can thread that needle!) push that both women need to reconsider their positions. All the while, “I Will Be Grape” only scratches the surface. There’s still so much to learn about Constnace, Derek’s brother, and whether Liz will give her a rock.
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Paul’s Legacy
Constance’s feelings of rejection also pull back to Paul after Gaby turns down his offer to take over the practice. Having the lead-up to that conversation be a scene between Paul, Gerry, and Ray is the greatest. The only issue is it’s too short – there needs to be more of this trio! Regardless, they’re the perfect characters to flip Paul’s advice back to him. It also feels like a way for Paul to bolster himself before doing something as big as asking Gaby to run the place.
Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams do beautiful work together in this scene. Their mutual love, respect, and trust shine through Gaby’s honesty and Paul’s response to it. It’s refreshing that Shrinking embraces Paul’s happiness for Gaby’s next professional venture as well as his disappointment that she won’t be sticking around there. It’s a fantastic reflection of his character. He doesn’t let the latter show until his face is over Gaby’s shoulder in their hug.
There’s a lot to unpack with Paul and that expression in that scene. What comes of this practice and all the work that he’s put into it now? Does he close the doors and move on? Can he? What does it mean that the people he has worked with all this time aren’t carrying the CBT torch, with Jimmy going rogue with his “Jimmying” and Gaby looking for something more fulfilling elsewhere? Those are all pressing questions for this character to grapple with for the rest of the season, which will likely span the rest of his professional career.
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Tia’s Birthday
“I Will Be Grape” marks the third time this season that Jason Segel (and Michael Urie, once) has delivered an incredible musical performance. Really, there are three versions of the same song in this episode – incredible! The edit to differentiate between those of Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” is breathtaking. The joy and warmth with Tia completely disappear in the cool close-up of Jimmy singing the same song with a different meaning.
That palpable weight lends itself to Alice’s efforts to take care of Jimmy. In turn, “I Would Be Grape” earns Brett Goldstein’s return as Louis. Alice hopes that seeing him will make a point to Jimmy, and he does. The jokes about him being hotter now with a beard (He looks more like Roy Kent than anything!) are hilariously relentless. But nothing quite beats Michael Urie’s delivery of “She almost got you back” in reaction to Louis choking during the graveside Chubby Bunny challenge for Tia. The only thing that comes close is Brian performing his iconic monologue for Louis. Give him an Emmy!
Ultimately, it’s satisfying when “A Thousand Years” comes back, and Sofi jumps into frame with a flipped blocking to Tia’s placement. It’s a small detail, but Jimmy winking at Alice as Sofi sings so off-key plays as a happy conclusion to their earlier conversation. Jessica Williams’ performance pulls Shrinking from that high to a low – the camera and story move with Gaby through those spaces. Again, the song’s context evolves as the characters’ voices fold into the actual track as Gaby gets the devastating news about Maya. To Shrinking’s credit, it’s a heartbreaking sequence that’s impossible to shake.
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