Shrinking Season Finale Review: The Messy Ideal

Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0

4

Given that the showrunners planned Shrinking Season 3 Episode 11 as a series finale, wrapping the grief-healing-moving-forward arc they’d had in mind from the show’s inception, it serves that purpose well.

As a season finale, bridging the narrative into the announced Shrinking Season 4 and maintaining our interest in continuing to watch, it’s not quite as successful.

Part of the issue is that they do too good a job at sending everyone off on their way. We’ve seen them all struggle with and overcome their personal challenges, becoming better people for it.

(Apple TV/Screenshot)

And while we wouldn’t expect their lives to be smooth sailing from here on in, we are convinced that they will be able to face and navigate new obstacles.

Also, the fact that they’re all scattering to different corners of the world and embarking on new life chapters feels like a ride off into the sunset moment.

Even the title of this chapter, “And That’s Our Time,” is an elegant and final double entendre, signaling the narrative’s wrap-up with a phrase therapists often use to end their sessions.

I appreciate the planning and structure the show’s creators put into building Shrinking’s three-season story, which leads me to wonder and worry a bit about how they’ll spin another season.

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But those are worries for another day or article. Shrinking Season 3 has been a blur of upward momentum, and we’re here to take in all the growth, changes, and setbacks.

Alice in College-Land

When the season opened, Alice was perched on the precipice of adulthood, making choices about her life after graduation and potentially leaving everything and everyone she’d depended on since Tia’s death.

She refused the first Call to Adventure, the offer of a varsity soccer position at Wensleyan University, because she feared the change.

However, with the support and encouragement of Jimmy, Sean, et al., she realized that their love would never change.

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Leaving Jimmy still fills her with apprehension, but it’s the separation from Summer that triggers her here. Both girls are understandably upset that their paths are diverging.

Summer deals with it by making excuses not to hang out. Alice responds with hurt and anger.

Jimmy gets to fix it by brokering a surprise face-to-face, garnished with ice cream and lies.

And although Summer steps on his perfect goodbye speech — repeatedly — he does right by Alice, sending her off with love and reassurances.

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My favorite part of the finale is Gaby’s inner circle — last convened on Shrinking Season 3 Episode 5 — kicking her butt into gear regarding Derrick.

Gaby Makes a Big Decision About Her Future

Finding the ring was always going to happen. Finding the ring sending her into a tailspin, ditto.

But turning the proposal back on him was a chef’s kiss move.

Not only does it give her agency to choose him and their life together, but it also gives her a moment to give voice to why he’s so perfect for her.

“I love that you’re a gentleman, you know? And I love that you don’t need me to take care of you, but if I ever wanted to, you would still let me. But I think most of all, I love that you push me to move forward. You know, just past all my bullsh*t. Life started to feel a lot scarier this year. But I just think that if I get the honor and privilege of having you by my side, I won’t be afraid of anything.” — Gaby

A beer garden proposal surrounded by friends, family, and random acquaintances, complete with patio lanterns and cornhole games, is exactly the moment I wanted for Gaby and Derrick. No notes.

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It might’ve taken three seasons, flying 3,000 miles, and enduring three angry women verbally berating him, but Paul finally made his own breakthrough.

He’s spent much of his relationship with Jimmy reminding him that they are co-workers, not father and son. And, to be fair, he isn’t Randy Laird, and thank god for that.

However, as Alice points out, he’s had no qualms about being her Grumpy Grandpa. And the transitive property of that relationship makes him Jimmy’s Prickly Pops.

He’s the father Jimmy chose. And although he never consciously realized it, he chose Jimmy back.

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It’s fascinating to note that Paul wasn’t all that worried about Jimmy until he learned that Jimmy and Sofi had broken up. It speaks to how binary his brain is, dividing people into “in danger” and “not in danger” buckets.

After all the health issues he’s had, and Derek’s “Life’s Short” sermons, Paul makes a quick decision to fix things ASAP.

Paul: Look, kid, if you’re ever going to move forward, you’ve got to let go of the past. And I know that’s scary. But you’re never going to forget Tia. Hell, you’re never going to forget me. No one will. Letting go of the past just means you don’t allow your scars to hold you back anymore.

Jimmy: I’m covered in them, Paul.

Paul: Good. What a shame to be 42 years of age and not completely covered in scars. They’re the evidence of a life fully lived.

(Oh, for the financial freedom to fly across the country four times in a week so they can jimmy a Jimmy and make amends in person!)

I’d be curious to know what Paul said to Sofi to get her to meet Jimmy at the cafe. But what he says to Jimmy gives him the strength to move forward with her.

Jimmy: I don’t want to be a burden to you.

Paul: You’re not. You’re more of a son to me. I don’t know why I never said that before. I think you’re strong. I think you don’t need me. But for as long as I’m around, if you think you need me, I will be there for you. Because I love you.

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No one moves forward alone. Without your inner circle, your mentors, your colleagues, and your partners, taking that step forward is a daily exercise in terror. With them, it’s a dance that rolls with whatever Life throws at you.

Writing is often discussed in terms of gardeners versus architects. Shrinking’s three seasons have been a master class in precise planning and development. They’ve grown characters and relationships in symbiotic ways. They’ve reframed friendships, found intimacy, and healed.

Shrinking Moves Forward

As a season finale, Shrinking Season 3 Episode 11 doesn’t leave us with many hooks, as it’s a solid series finale that completes its narrative and provides a satisfying resolution.

Shrinking Season 3 fulfilled the promise made in Shrinking Season 1, a season full of “going rogue” and shedding of traditional care. It was risky and not a little insane, but there was always a desire to heal.

So, where to next? Shrinking’s creators have said Season 4 will bring back the entire cast but have a completely different story. How will that look?

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How is the finale sitting with you, Fanatics? Was it too much, too fast? Did it leave you sad that it ended, but happy to have been there for the journey?

What were your favorite parts of Season 3? Was it Michael J. Fox‘s appearances as Gerry? Did the baby boom thrill you? Were you delighted to see all three of Liz and Derek’s sons? Admit it, are you going to miss Summer?

What are your thoughts on (and hopes for) Season 4? Share it all down below in our comments!

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