Don’t we all love a good flashback? They take us back in time and reveal how the characters became who they are today. Sometimes they fill gaps, and sometimes, they leave us with more questions.
The latest episode of Shrinking addresses this, providing some practical answers. We get to know Tia better and also learn about Louis’ life before the accident. For Louis, life was actually pretty perfect at that time – his girlfriend had just moved in with him, and they were really happy. But one night broke all that. Ignoring his girlfriend’s advice, Louis drives drunk, causing a tragedy that ruins his life.
While the accident itself is not shown, we have a rough idea of its aftermath: Louis faces up to a year in prison. His girlfriend remained loyal to him, planning to visit him every weekend and insisting on the idea of their life together. But Louis was consumed by guilt and chose to make his situation more difficult by refusing her support. He sent her away with heartbreaking words:
“I made the worst mistake of my life. Every time I look at you, I see you.
It’s very similar to Jimmy’s journey. Louis and Jimmy are both heartbroken and pushing away the people who love them most. Both men end up isolated and lost, unable to escape their own pain.
One of the episode’s most poignant and heartbreaking scenes features young Alice desperately trying to pull her father out of the darkness. She tells him she needs him and suggests they could do some activities together, but Jimmy, drowning in grief, is unable to cope with the situation and keeps sending her to Liz. Thankfully, Liz steps in without hesitation and provides Alice with not just shelter and food, but her heart.
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| “Last Drink” – Shrinkage, pictured: Christa Miller and Lukita Maxwell. AppleTV+ ©2024 AppleTV+. all rights reserved. |
Back in the present, Jimmy is still shocked by the sight of Alice and Brian dining with Louis at the restaurant. As they followed Jimmy home, they found him visibly shaken. This confrontation scene could have been unbearably heavy, but Bryan’s skill at injecting lightness saves the moment. Even in the most emotional situations, he manages to make you laugh.
Brian is the kind of character you love to hate. He is selfish, self-centered and often forgets everything. Yet the sharp writing and Michael Urie’s performance make him impossible not to love. Underneath all the ego, Brian’s genuine concern for others shines through in unexpected ways. Hats off to Urie for achieving this balance so masterfully.
Jimmy is visibly hurt and angry, but he remains surprisingly calm when it comes to Alice. I expected him to react more harshly and was sincerely concerned that he might revert to his old self-destructive ways. Thankfully, it’s clear that Jimmy has really grown over the past few months. He has learned from his past mistakes and is moving on to a better path. The road was still bumpy, but at least now he seemed to have a sense of direction.
Meanwhile, Derek breaks into Gaby’s place to get some space from Liz. While his need to keep his distance is understandable, his choice of refuge raises questions. Why live with your wife’s best friend? Doesn’t he have friends of his own? We know he’s at least close to Derek 2.
Brian encourages Derek to confront Mike about the kiss. I really like that Derek doesn’t even think of hunting down “the other guy” and picking a fight, like many people in his situation might do. Derek’s calm and friendly attitude, avoiding aggression and violence, is a very attractive trait. Shrink proves once again that sharp, meaningful dialogue can be just as compelling, if not more so, than a typical dramatic blowout.
When the two met, Mike wondered why Derek wasn’t gloating, especially since it was clear that for Liz, whether she would leave Derek was never a question. She clearly loved him deeply. Mike admitted that he doubted he would ever find love as strong and lasting as Derek and Liz. In true Derek fashion, he responded with empathy and kindness and offered words of encouragement. He told Mike not to give up and to keep looking for that connection – but with someone who wasn’t his wife.
Derek’s reaction is a testament to his character – he’s a genuinely good guy, even as he reflects on his failures. Seeing the photo of Liz on display at Mac’s Brewery, he suddenly realized how much he had ignored her struggles. He noticed that she was having a hard time, but he figured she would pull herself out of the darkness like she always did. He didn’t take her struggle seriously enough, and that’s his responsibility.
Determined to make amends, Derek returned home, cooked dinner, and made sure all three of their children came to see Liz and keep her spirits up. She was deeply moved and visibly relieved – she was genuinely worried that her marriage would fall apart.
Paul’s health issues are also a focus of the episode. He confided in Julie about sleep deprivation, increased tremors and memory problems—an important step for a cautious man like Paul. When he hints that he wants her to accompany him to his next doctor’s appointment, Julie gently reminds him of the boundary they’ve established: given her past role as his doctor, she won’t go. She drew him close and assured him with love and warmth: “You’re a brave kid and I’m so proud of you.”
Although Paul struggles to express some of his fears, his gradual willingness to open up marks meaningful growth. What’s particularly striking is how natural this evolution feels. It’s not forced, but a reflection of his personal journey, and it’s really heartwarming to watch.
Eventually, Sean stepped in and accompanied Paul to the doctor’s appointment. For someone as fiercely independent as Paul, it was both surprising and endearing to see him so afraid of checking in alone. Putting Sean, who is technically his patient, into such a personal role highlights the blurred lines Paul is now more willing to accept.
Paul: “I have a lot of things and people in my life that I love. So, I want to stay sharp as long as possible.
When doctors advise Paul to stop drinking, it’s clear he’d rather be doing anything else. But Paul took the advice seriously and committed to change, which marked another step in his growth. In a poignant gesture, he shares his last drink with Jimmy—a well-traveled, probably very expensive glass of bourbon. This moment is a touching reminder of how much Paul values Jimmy, despite all the teasing and teasing.
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| “Last Drink” – Shrink, pictured: Jason Segal and Harrison Ford. AppleTV+ ©2024 AppleTV+. all rights reserved. |
As the two share a final drink, Jimmy makes an important realization about his anger. He initially thought he was angry at Paul and Brian for allowing Alice to meet Louis. But he comes to understand that his anger is actually directed at himself – for failing to be a father when Alice needed him most.
The episode ends with an unexpected twist. Jimmy visits Louis and offers him forgiveness – but with strict boundaries. Unlike Alice’s open forgiveness, Jimmy draws a line: Louis must stay out of their lives forever. Jimmy’s terms are clear: he never wants to see Louis again, nor does he want him anywhere near Alice or their friends. Louis was visibly remorseful and promised to keep his distance.
Another episode that deftly balances humor, heartbreak, and healing, showcasing the character’s growth while still leaving room for the challenges ahead. The series repeatedly illustrates that the tumultuous relationships between people are deeply moving and deeply relatable.
What did you think of this episode? What is your favorite moment? Let us know in the comments!
