Like Apple TV’s hit Ted Lasso, this show’s supportive community gives viewers hope.
Recently, I found myself wondering whether it ever rains in Shrinking. It does, but not very often. Two episodes into season three, Jimmy Laird, played by Jason Segel, and his group still haven’t experienced a gloomy day in their version of Pasadena. That doesn’t mean their lives are free of problems.
Jimmy, Gaby, and Paul are all psychologists who spend their days helping others deal with emotional struggles. Outside their work, they also support each other closely, especially after the tragedy of losing Jimmy’s wife, Tia. Jimmy and his daughter Alice are still trying to cope with their grief, while Gaby has become deeply connected with their neighbors, Liz and Derek, forming a new sense of family that might not have existed without that loss.
The show feels like a form of group therapy for viewers, as it focuses on people who are trying to heal while helping others do the same. Gaby is also dealing with her own emotional challenges, including the end of her marriage and uncertainty in her new relationship.
Paul, an experienced therapist, is facing his own difficult reality. He is living with Parkinson’s disease, and his worsening symptoms, along with meeting another patient, force him to reflect on how his life may soon change.
Over time, television criticism has shifted from simply judging whether a show is “good” to helping audiences find something that actually makes them feel better. Some shows are excellent but emotionally heavy, while others, like Ted Lasso, became popular because they offered comfort during difficult times. Shrinking, created by some of the same team, provides a similar sense of emotional relief.
The series exists in a world mostly separate from current political and social stress, which allows viewers a break from reality. Interestingly, many of the filming locations in Altadena and Pasadena were later affected by the Eaton fire in early 2025, showing the challenges behind the scenes.
What makes Shrinking work is its strong cast chemistry and focus on community. The characters rely on each other for support, showing how relationships can help people recover from grief and uncertainty. The show emphasizes the importance of accepting change and understanding that life is temporary.
Throughout the story, the group continues to support one another. Jimmy even allows one of his patients, Sean, to live with him, which unexpectedly strengthens their bond and helps Sean improve. Jimmy and Alice also choose forgiveness by forming a connection with Louis, the man responsible for Tia’s death, showing how healing sometimes requires difficult emotional steps.
Each episode presents these themes through short therapy sessions that are easy to watch, usually around 35 minutes long. While the show cannot replace real therapy, it offers viewers a comforting and hopeful experience during stressful times.
At its core, Shrinking reminds us that life moves between happiness and hardship, and that support from others can make difficult moments easier. Even when things feel uncertain, there is always hope somewhere.
New episodes of Shrinking stream every Wednesday on Apple TV.
