Shrinking Season 3 Review: Harrison Ford & Jason Segel Anchor the Apple Drama’s Most Emotional Chapter

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When the show first came out in 2023, it felt like a fun idea to see Jason Segel’s downcast character, Jimmy Laird, working with Harrison Ford’s grumpy Paul Rhodes. But now, with the start of the third season on January 28, 2026, the story has expanded to include a large and complicated group of friends – the kind you usually only see on TV.

Like many great shows of its kind, Shrinking feels both realistic and hopeful. It reflects what the characters strive for in their work – showing that meaningful connections can endure even through life’s biggest ups and downs, and that it’s possible to navigate the blend of happiness and sadness we all experience.

Harrison Ford immediately establishes himself as a central figure, sharing the screen with another icon. The season begins with Paul and Gerry discussing their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. This storyline is particularly moving, especially considering Michael J. Fox’s own public battle with the condition, which demonstrates that life can continue even after a difficult diagnosis. However, the show doesn’t focus heavily on this aspect; it’s just one of the many shifts happening in the characters’ lives since the first season. Throughout the season, change is a recurring theme. But unlike Season 1, these changes aren’t necessarily positive or easy for viewers to accept. The show initially offered a hopeful message about overcoming dark times, but it concludes by acknowledging that even good times don’t last forever – and that’s a natural part of life.

Shrinking Season 3 Solidifies the Characters’ Journeys to Becoming a Found Family

Though not officially announced, co-creator Bill Lawrence has hinted at a potential spin-off. The first episode of the show establishes a strong sense of community, showing the main characters – friends, colleagues, and neighbors – as a close-knit ‘found family’ that viewers will want to see continue. This welcoming dynamic even extends to a surprising character: the man responsible for Jimmy’s wife’s death, played by Brett Goldstein, who is also a co-creator and executive producer.

A touching early scene brings everyone together to support Alice Laird, Jimmy’s daughter, who is played by Lukita Maxwell. The series began with Alice living with their neighbors, Liz and Derek (Christa Miller and Ted McGinley), as Jimmy struggled after his wife passed away. Now, at the start of Season 3, they’ve all come together as a supportive family. Jimmy’s therapist Gaby (Jessica Williams), his best friend Brian (Michael Urie) and Brian’s partner Charlie (Devin Kawoka), along with Paul and his girlfriend Julie (Wendie Malick), are also there for Alice. Initially, like most teenagers, Alice is embarrassed by all the attention. However, Lukita Maxwell’s nuanced acting shows how much this support truly means to her.

Throughout the season, Jimmy repeatedly expresses how fortunate the group is to have found each other. His personal story centers on healing after his wife’s death and rediscovering happiness. However, just as he starts to feel secure, new challenges arise. He, Paul, and Gaby often advise their patients that progress doesn’t require abandoning past growth, and this theme resonates throughout the season. The show remains consistently funny, but doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult emotions like sadness and anger. Though it might sound familiar, the series suggests that navigating this mix of experiences is simply part of being human.

Shrinking Broadens Its Scope Beyond Just Jimmy and Paul, and It’s Better For It

Season 3 of Shrinking explores major life changes for everyone, not just Jimmy and Paul. We see Sean, who started as Jimmy’s patient, find a new home and a supportive family after being estranged from his own. Ultimately, the season highlights how even when things end, they often lead to fresh starts.

Jason Segel’s former How I Met Your Mother colleague appears in Season 3 in a unique, self-aware role, but the season truly shines by focusing on the lives of other characters. For example, Brian and Charlie are considering becoming parents in Season 2, worrying about how a baby might affect their friendships and the involvement of the birth mother, Ava (Claudia Sulewski). Gaby’s relationship with Derrick (Number Two), played by Damon Wayans, Jr., is similarly filled with both promise and uncertainty. What makes these storylines compelling – and satisfying – is how the characters rely on their close-knit group of friends for support and solutions.

Even though he’s dealing with a difficult and scary situation, Paul remains central to many of the show’s storylines, which fits his character perfectly. He naturally portrays a mix of endearing grumpiness, wise mentorship, and hidden vulnerability. While most characters wear their hearts on their sleeves, often comically, Paul is more reserved, providing a nice contrast to the bigger, more dramatic moments in Season 3 of Shrinking. For longtime viewers, the season delivers a satisfying conclusion – offering what’s expected, and feeling genuinely deserved.

Harrison Ford and Jason Segel Are No Longer the Show’s Center, but Still Drive the Drama

According to reports from 2025, the show Shrinking is heading in a new direction. While this makes logical sense, the show isn’t quite what the initial reports suggested. Shrinking could definitely return for a fourth season, but it would be a noticeably different series. The focus has shifted from simply recovering or starting over, to truly making the most of life – something these characters can do thanks to the impact they’ve had on each other. Change and endings are inevitable, but the connections they’ve built are strong enough to endure. Though every character is important, the story still largely revolves around Jimmy and Paul.

There’s been a lot of discussion about Jason Segel’s performance in this role, but this might be his most important work yet. The character shares similarities with his recent performances, like in Dispatches from Elsewhere, but with a key difference: Jimmy isn’t just a man struggling with himself. He’s genuinely good at taking care of others – his patients, friends, and family. Season 3 of Shrinking focuses on Jimmy finally learning to care for himself, a journey he’s been on since the start. What adds to the emotional weight is that in Season 1, Jimmy was clearly on the path to getting better.

A key focus of Shrinking Season 3 is how Paul’s Parkinson’s diagnosis impacts both his and others’ lives, and the story takes some surprising turns. Everyone is seeking something from someone else, but their needs aren’t always met. The season delves into how the characters sabotage themselves, and shows that overcoming these hurdles requires support beyond what they offer as professionals. Despite an insensitive joke about Mister Rogers in the first episode, the show ultimately understands the importance of looking out for one another, in both large and small gestures.

The show explores how change, whether positive or negative, often sparks emotional reactions. Season 3 delivers both, with the same heartfelt humor that made the series so popular. Like the characters, viewers will likely be sad to see Shrinking end, or to see it change direction. Interestingly, the show itself has spent three seasons preparing us to accept that things don’t always stay the same – and that applies to life, not just television. While entertainment isn’t a replacement for real therapy, strong friendships, or family, Shrinking at its best can remind us to value those things. It’s not a flawless show or a perfect conclusion, but that’s what makes it feel genuine.

I’m so excited for Shrinking! The third season is coming to Apple TV with a special one-hour premiere on Wednesday, January 28th. After that, new episodes will drop every Wednesday until April 8th, 2026 – it’s going to be a long, amazing ride!

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2026-01-22 07:44