Shrinking Recap: Bad Decisions

As someone who’s had more than a few father-son squabbles, I can relate to the complex dynamics shown in this season. Alice’s frantic escapades remind me of my teenage years when secrets were like precious gems I guarded fiercely. And let’s not forget the Strokes playing in the background – a perfect soundtrack for any bad decision, amirite?

It’s widely recognized that Harrison Ford shines in the movie “Shrinking,” so it’s likely that any story primarily focused on the character Paul will be engaging. Not only does Ford bring his powerful presence to a sitcom-grump role, but Paul also plays an essential part by contrasting with Jimmy. Jimmy’s therapy methods are often questionable and unrealistic, yet Paul provides a believable backdrop by offering a balanced and professional perspective, thereby making the show more convincing.

However, the creators wisely recognize that the show’s success hinges on not always having Paul proven right, as demonstrated when he engaged in a questionable friendship with Ray, which we witnessed a few episodes back (a friendship he admitted this week). The episode “Made You Look” continues along this path by portraying Paul in a more exposed position than before, finding himself in the uncomfortable situation of feeling envious of Jimmy.

Jimmy may have made a mistake by crossing boundaries with Sean, though it’s important to note their strong bond. Sean feels at ease confiding in him about his father troubles, something he hasn’t managed with Paul yet. Jimmy tries to refrain from counseling his former patient, but the situation leaves little room for other options. On a shared errand, Sean encounters a sudden flashback due to some rude contractors renovating their neighbor’s house. Later, at home, he emotionally reveals the source of his animosity towards his father: Tim dismissed Sean’s depression and PTSD from Afghanistan and eventually kicked him out under the pretext of “tough love.” Although they appear to have improved their relationship, it remains fragile, with Sean suppressing his emotions while Tim remains unaware of his contributions to Sean’s success.

In contrast to Jimmy’s typical mishaps, his actions in this instance were relatively minor. Therefore, Paul’s harsh words towards him seem rooted in a more profound concern – he is anxious about the impact of Parkinson’s disease on his skills as a therapist and hurt by the notion that a younger colleague might surpass him. After Meg, his daughter, validated his inflated ego, Paul opens up to Jimmy about his fears. Jimmy provides the comforting words that Paul needs, acknowledging his ongoing excellence despite the increased difficulty in taking notes. He vows to be honest with Paul when it’s time to retire.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself deeply immersed in the compelling narrative of this film, skillfully maintaining the delicate balance between Paul’s role as a voice of reason and his flawed human nature. It was refreshing to see the portrayal of Jimmy’s competence, serving as a stark reminder of his capabilities.

In this episode, Jimmy and Paul share a strong bond, leaving Brian feeling in need of interaction with others during his personal turmoil. Surprisingly, Brian’s partner expresses a desire for a baby, a topic they hadn’t previously explored seriously. On a trip with Liz to photograph shelter dogs facing euthanasia (she seems to have a lot of free time), Brian confides in her the true cause of his reluctance: He fears he wouldn’t make a good father. Charlie’s heartfelt plea following a meeting with an adoption advocate doesn’t entirely change Brian’s perspective on this matter.

A small part of me wonders what the story would have unfolded if Brian had followed through with his original plan not to have children, considering the potential for dramatic events. However, predictably, the narrative takes a more touching turn, where everyone expresses their belief in Brian’s ability to be an excellent father. It’s intriguing to observe Brian acknowledging his vanity, narcissism, harshness, and self-centeredness, especially as he grapples with issues related to his own fatherhood.

So far, season two has been successful in maintaining a lively flow of events and constantly swapping the characters who commit errors. Interestingly, Alice has found herself in quite a mess this time, scrambling to conceal her actions with Connor from everyone else. Her hurried exit from his house is accompanied by The Strokes’ “Bad Decisions,” an apt selection for the situation. However, it’s crucial that this doesn’t reach Summer; given how things usually play out in our series, it won’t take long before it does.

It’s great news that Gabby is starting to improve! A potential new romantic interest has entered the picture: Derrick, portrayed by Damon Wayans Jr., who is known for being one of the finest actors for sitcom roles. This time around, Derek acts as Gabby’s wingman, introducing his former workmate with the intention of helping Gabby regain her confidence following Jimmy. At first, she’s hesitant, but after some friendly banter with Derrick and some supportive nudges from Derek, she sends him a text message. The date itself isn’t shown in great detail — Gabby has to rush off to be with her mother in the hospital after a car accident — but the atmosphere between them seems hopeful.

This year’s decision to make Ted McGinley a series regular was smart; it’s delightful to witness Derek forming unique interactions with the other characters. However, I have a concern that his character might drift slightly too much from his original quirky traits as he transforms into an unexpected source of wisdom. Characters like Josh Segarra’s Lance on The Other Two demonstrate that Wise, Self-Assured Jock can be an entertaining comic character type, but this episode seems to overdo the “Derek is amazing” rhetoric for my liking. I personally enjoy the Derek who spies on Jimmy from his balcony more.

This upcoming season’s tension seems poised to intensify significantly, without needing explicit hints such as Paul’s ominous remark, “Trouble is brewing, and it’s not going to be good.” For instance, the revelation of Tim stumbling upon Sean’s unusual living arrangement adds to the suspense. In the climactic scene, Louis – also known as Double D – connects with Brian, who immediately identifies him and even pursues him when he witnesses Louis in distress. It may seem far-fetched, but perhaps the writers emphasized Brian’s compassionate traits to explain his quick recognition of Louis?

My interest has never been greater in understanding the events that transpired after Tia’s passing, as it appears that Louis managed to avoid jail time despite the apparent facts of the case. With only eight episodes left in this extended season, there’s still a lot we don’t know, but I can’t wait to see how things unfold.

Progress Notes

Their conflict between Liz and Sean resolves swiftly through joint therapy sessions, which is heartening. However, don’t expect to see much more of their shared screen time as she isn’t returning to her job at the truck for now, so their appearances might be less frequent in future episodes.

• Harrison Ford saying “What — you want me to pull my pants down and make my ass clap?”

• “Maybe we should give them a second.” “Why? This is such an intimate moment.” “That’s why, Michael.”

• “Who’s having a baby?” “Brian.” “You’re not even showing!”

I found the comedic adoption-advocate character quite amusing during his brief scene; I wish he had a larger role. “It’s enjoyable for me.

• “We also know her as Racist Pam” is probably the line of the episode.

• “When you give birth to that baby — or, in your case, unbox it …”

Could you please remove the maple bacon from the oven, followed by opening all the windows to air out the house since it’s starting to smell strongly of bacon? But feel free to shorten it to ‘Can you take the bacon out and open the windows?’ if time is a concern.

2024-10-30 15:54

Shrinking Recap: Bad Decisions

Progress Notes

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