Reviewer Rating: 5/5.0
5
Shrinking isn’t afraid to make a mess, and Shrinking Season 2 Episode 3 is an emotional roller coaster that has you laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next.
Psychologicalism is about making mistakes—big mistakes, small mistakes, and mistakes that make you want to crawl into a hole.
But in true shrinking fashion, it reminds us that life’s missteps make relationships grow stronger, even if they get a little tangled along the way.
From Alice’s reckless outbursts to Liz’s well-intentioned disasters and Jimmy’s heartfelt triumphs, this episode is filled with moments that make you think, “Oh no, they didn’t just do that.”
But hey, that’s what keeps us coming back for more!
Alice’s grief takes over, leading to major blunders
We know Alice is teetering on the edge, but wow, is she jumping headfirst off an emotional cliff this time?
What did she do after Paul specifically told her not to confront the drunk driver who killed her mom? She finds him at his workplace, triggering a scene that shocks everyone, including herself.
Alice is sad, she’s angry, and she’s looking for someone to blame – and honestly, who can blame her?
However, by the end of the episode, Alice turns to a familiar face for comfort: Connor. Yes, that’s the same Connor she introduced to her best friend Summer because she didn’t like him.
Now, it looks like she’s about to cross a line that could ruin her friendship with Summer.
mistake? It was a big one, but she didn’t do it very often. Still, we’re rooting for her because she’s a good kid – just a little misguided now.
Liz meant well, but boy, did she miss the mark.
If Liz is the queen of anything, it unintentionally makes everything worse.
She thought she was doing Sean a favor by selling her half of the food truck partnership to Sean’s estranged father, thinking it would be a “great move.”
But as is Liz’s usual style, she forgot to ask Sean first.
So now, Sean is stuck in a business arrangement with his father, with whom he wants nothing to do with business. Where’s Liz? Well, she wanted to know why her good intentions blew up in her face again.
Worst of all, it’s hard to tell whether Liz is trying to do something nice for Sean or if she’s just trying to get a quick win to make herself feel better.
Regardless, the damage was done, and now Sean’s trust in her was severely damaged. It’s a classic move from Liz, and we all know she’ll eventually find some way to regain her glamour.
Brian saves the day
Thank God for Brian. Although Brian is angry with Jimmy for keeping Gabby’s entire situation a secret, he swoops in like a hero to help Jimmy deal with one of his most difficult clients: Grace.
Grace once again returns to her abusive boyfriend (or spouse?) Donnie, but with Brian’s help, the two manage to convince her that she deserves better.
When Brian read the letters from Grace’s friends, reminding her of the strong, amazing person she is, it hit every emotional note. I literally cried during the whole process.
This is a huge win for Jimmy, who really needed one after all the chaos – especially with Alice and Gabby.
How sweet is it that Jimmy is trying to get to know Brian’s husband? It’s both heartwarming and hilarious, especially since Brian doesn’t seem to have any idea what Charlie actually does!
Their friendship is the backbone of the show, and this episode proves that even when they have arguments, Brian and Jimmy have each other’s backs.
I hate seeing them fight, so I felt relieved when they kissed and made up. They need each other – especially Jimmy – so it’s nice to see Brian always there for him.
Derek: The Unsung Hero
Can we take a moment to appreciate Derek? He may not be front and center on screen often, but every time he is, he quietly steals the show.
His dry humor and easy-going personality are the perfect antidote to Liz’s nervous energy. To be honest, how did this man stay married to her for so long?
Not only does Derek provide some much-needed comedic relief, he also shows us the tender side of his marriage, sharing some of his marital secrets (he also makes great points with Paul).
His laid-back lifestyle goes some way to balancing out Liz’s chaos, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Derek might be just the secret weapon the show needs.
Keep an eye out for him – he’s sure to become a fan favorite. He’s definitely climbing up my list!
Paul and Julie: Love and professional boundaries
Paul and Julie are no longer just navigating a complicated dynamic—they’re fully dating (not that they weren’t before, but it’s different now!)
When Paul finally told Julie he loved her (and she loved her back!), he realized he couldn’t continue to mix their personal and professional lives.
That’s why he decided to find a new neurologist and let them separate their relationship and his treatment.
The move feels like a big step forward for Paul, who has spent a lot of time keeping people at arm’s length.
Seeing him finally let someone in and take that step with Julie showed a side of him we’d never seen before.
It’s a rewarding moment where Paul allows himself to embrace love without fear of destroying it, which makes the entire storyline that much more satisfying.
I’m as excited about this as Gabby! Seriously!
Everyone screws up, but that’s the point
If “Shrinking” does get one thing right, it’s that it teaches us that no one is perfect—not even perfect.
Alice is making rash decisions, Liz is going above and beyond (as usual), and Jimmy is still barely keeping his head above water despite all his progress.
But despite all their flaws, these characters are still growing, figuring out how to cope with the chaos of life, and learning from their failures.
Ultimately, it’s not their mistakes that define them, but the way they choose to solve them.
Whether it’s repairing a friendship, getting out of a toxic relationship, or realizing you need to really listen to the people you care about, “Shrink” reminds us that screwing up is just part of the journey.
Honestly? That’s what makes this show so great.
Watch “Shrink” online
