Shrinking Season 3, Episode 11, “And That’s Our Time,” embraces life’s unpredictable nature – scars and all – in a confident season finale. This episode, written by executive producers Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, & Neil Goldman and directed by Randall Keenan Winston, feels even more definitive than Season 3’s penultimate outing. Then again, it should land that way. “And That’s Our Time” ends Shrinking’s three-season story of grief, forgiveness, and moving forward, especially regarding Jimmy (and the rest of the ensemble) and Tia.
There are too many narrative and visual callbacks to list (though I could) that bookend this episode with that very first one that premiered in 2023. Even Jimmy having another session with Dan contributes to this closure. In a lot of ways, Shrinking’s Season 3 finale showcases how closely tethered endings and beginnings are. They can feel a lot like each other, and the show uses that to its advantage as it closes this chapter and opens the door to a new one.
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Sean, Alice, and Embracing Independence
After the bows put on many of the characters’ storylines in the last episode, “And That’s Our Time” doesn’t unravel them. There isn’t much movement with Derek and Liz, for example, other than practicing Spanish in anticipation of their trip. The same is true for Brian and Charlie, who shift to supporting roles ahead of their temporary move to Tennessee. Even Sean needing to tell Jimmy about moving out of the pool house is more about Jimmy than it is Sean.
Sean is in a good, solid place. The scene where he gives Jimmy the pool house’s key is perfect closure on his three-season arc, especially with Jimmy. Shrinking acknowledges how far he’s come, while teasing that there’s still more with his new place, new job, and his new (again) relationship with Marisol.
“And That’s Our Time” takes a different approach for Alice. On the one hand, it tracks for Alice and Summer to delay this conversation about leaving each other until the last second. On the other hand, letting it span more episodes would open up a more sustained dialogue with Alice (and Summer) about the future and everything else. Shrinking knows that this friendship is significant – Summer drops Alice off at Wesleyan. It would have been nice to have more of that.
Where this season is less forward with Alice and Summer’s friendship, it excels with Alice and Jimmy’s father/daughter dynamic. The scene at the airport is another favorite because it’s not perfect. Brandi Carlile’s “You Without Me” beautifully says everything the characters don’t. The same is true when Jimmy kisses his hand and extends it out to Alice before looking up at the sky, at Tia.
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Gaby, Derrick, and Reversing Surprises
With everything, Derrick’s intention to propose to Gaby totally slips my mind, which makes it such a great surprise for “And That’s Our Time.” It really helps put the viewer in that moment with Gaby – Jessica Williams sells every single thought that crosses Gaby’s mind. Shrinking Season 3 really has been hers in a lot of ways. Two of her best bits in this season finale are whispering “my precious” to her engagement ring and clapping at Liz to find her – just comedic excellence. As Shrinking does, where there is humor, there’s a whole lot of heart.
The resolution of this story is another step in Gaby’s acceptance that everything can’t go as planned. “And That’s Our Time” shows Gaby being okay with that in one of the show’s most romantic scenes – her proposal to Derrick. Her speech (“But I think most of all, I love that you push me to move forward”) is a beautiful extension of the grand gesture. During which, even the cutaways to the ensemble are intentional. It’s a really fulfilling moment for Gaby, her relationship with Derrick, and the relationships between the rest of the characters. The scene is representative of Shrinking‘s chosen family.
It’s sweet – and consistent – that Gaby leans on her honest inner circle to get there. Just because she didn’t plan to be engaged right now doesn’t mean that it’s not the right time or the right person. It’s a big step, but it’s a good one. While a great way to twist the knife of Brian not having a rock, that scene is also hilarious in that Paul still has a seat. He’s just in it through FaceTime. That specification also raises questions about what Paul’s future involvement in the inner circle (and the show) looks like after his move.
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Paul, Jimmy, and Living Life to the Fullest
Bill Lawrence has confirmed that the next season will have “the EXACT same cast.” This episode confirms that Shrinking can bridge the gap with technology. In reality, the show will evolve, like life, to fit the characters in these new chapters. From “And That’s Our Time,” it’s satisfying and efective that Shrinking does so by continuing to embrace the imperfections. For example, the camera picking up all the empty space around Jimmy, in particular, feels both heavy and light. The former comes from knowing which people and things once filled it. The latter arises when imagining who and what will now.
Knowing where Shrinking finds Jimmy in the first episode, “And That’s Our Time” does an excellent job showing how far he’s come. Instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop with a dreadful thud, it has a softer, more hopeful sound. Jimmy has to become comfortable with himself (“Alone doesn’t always have to mean lonely”) before he can be open to something new. That distance is also what helps Paul come to terms with his personal relationship with Jimmy. The entirety of that final scene is immensely rewarding after the last three seasons.
It also circles back to the parent/child dynamic with the return o Carlile’s “You Without Me” as Paul leaves Jimmy on that date with Sofi. The dialogue (“I’m covered in them, Paul.” “Good. What a shame to be 42 years of age and not completely covered in scars. They’re the evidence of a life fully flived”) is touching. It’s emotionally satisfying storytelling that sticks to and with you; or at least it does me. So much so, I don’t know how Shrinking is going to top an episode like “And That’s Our Time,” but I’m eager to see what comes next.
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