Shrinking (2023) Review: A Profoundly Human Comedy That Leaves You Wanting More Shrinking is a rare gem in the television landscape: a show about grief that is side-splittingly funny, and a comedy about therapy that is deeply, authentically human. Over two perfectly paced seasons, it achieves the ultimate feat—it tells a complete, satisfying story with no frustrating loose ends, yet makes you wish you could spend just one more afternoon in the company of its beautifully broken characters. For that remarkable balance, it earns a stellar 9/10 .
The Premise and the Powerhouse Cast
The brainchild of Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel, the series follows Jimmy (Segel), a therapist so paralysed by the death of his wife that he begins breaking all the professional rules. He starts giving his patients brutally honest, unorthodox advice, telling them exactly what he thinks they should do. What could have been a one-note gimmick instead becomes a profound exploration of connection, as Jimmy's own messy journey back to life begins to genuinely, if chaotically, help those around him.
The cast is nothing short of phenomenal. Jason Segel delivers a career-best performance, blending his signature goofy charm with a raw, gut-wrenching vulnerability. Harrison Ford as his gruff, Parkinson's-diagnosed mentor, Paul, is a masterclass in curmudgeonly brilliance, revealing a deep well of warmth and wit beneath the stern exterior. The supporting ensemble, including the incredible Jessica Williams as fellow therapist Gaby and Lukita Maxwell as Jimmy’s struggling daughter, Alice, is flawless. Their chemistry feels less like acting and more like documentary footage of a real, messy, loving found family.
The Perfect, Bittersweet Finale
The show's greatest strength is its narrative integrity. It never overstays its welcome or manufactures drama for the sake of it. Over two seasons, every character arc is given a thoughtful and earned conclusion. Jimmy finds his way through grief, Paul confronts his mortality and opens his heart, and each patient we've grown to care for reaches a poignant and believable stopping point in their journey. There are no cheap cliffhangers, no abandoned subplots — just a profound sense of closure.
And yet, this is where that slight, one-point pang of longing comes from. The ending is so satisfying specifically because the characters feel so real and so beloved. When the screen finally goes black, you aren't left wondering what happens next; you're left mourning the loss of your weekly therapy session with them. You want to check in on them in six months, see how Jimmy’s garden is growing, or share a beer with Paul on his patio. The show gives you a perfect ending, but the characters feel so alive that you know their stories continue, and you simply wish you could be there to see it.
The Verdict
9/10 - A Masterclass in Character and Closure
Shrinking is a triumph of writing, performance, and heart. It manages to be one of the funniest and most life-affirming shows on television without ever shying away from the painful realities of loss and mental health. It’s the rare series that understands its own rhythm, saying everything it needs to say and then having the wisdom to say goodbye, leaving its audience not with questions, but with a warm, full heart and the bittersweet wish for just one more episode.
Watch it if: You love character-driven comedies with emotional depth, brilliant ensemble casts, and stories that believe in the healing power of human connection.
Skip it if: You prefer plot-heavy, high-stakes drama or are looking for an ongoing, multi-season saga.
