November 27, 2024 Melody McCune Reviews, Shrinking
ShrinkingSeason 2 Episode 8, “Last Drink,” digs deeper into the season’s overarching theme of forgiveness as Jimmy tries to let go and Derek attempts to move forward. For the former, in particular, this brings him face-to-face with Louis, the driver who inadvertently killed his wife. The episode tackles whether forgiveness can truly unburden us of our emotional pain.
Growth Is Never Linear
The show expertly builds toward an explosive breaking point on last week’s episode when Jimmy learns about Louis. However, instead of picking up immediately where we left off, “Last Drink” opens with a flashback. We finally get more backstory for Louis and learn what led to Tia losing her life.
What’s intriguing is that Louis isn’t significantly intoxicated when he slams into Tia. While it feels like we’re missing some story (that we might get later in the season), I hope the series commits to this decision. It makes his choice to get behind the wheel all the more heartbreaking. All it takes is one bad decision — even if you think you can drive while slightly buzzed — to irrevocably and tragically change someone’s life.
Additionally, the outing cleverly draws parallels between Jimmy and Louis in the aftermath. The difference? Louis pushes his girlfriend away because he thinks he’s a monster. However, Jimmy distances himself from Alice, ultimately becoming someone unrecognizable to cope with his pain.
Alice forgives Louis and finds genuine healing through. While Jimmy eventually tells Louis he forgives him, it rings false. Mechanical, even. Almost as if Jimmy uses this act of forgiveness as a stepping stone to ordering Louis to stay away from him and his loved ones. Something tells me this will come back to bite him later in the season.
Moving Forward
Meanwhile, Derek traverses new territory as he works through this anger toward Liz. “Last Drink” highlights the delightful dynamic between Jessica Williams and Ted McGinley as Gaby steers Derek through his first therapy session. Williams always brings a warmth and easygoing charm to Gaby, while McGinley navigates Derek’s pain with a beautiful vulnerability. Derek and Liz find a way to move forward, if only through baby steps, reminding us there’s hope even in your darkest days.
As usual, Harrison Ford brings his A-game, notably in the “mic drop” scene with Jason Segel and Luke Tennie and in the final moments of “Last Drink.” His range and versatility are on full display here, from his rough-around-the-edges comedic approach to all the nuances and tenderness he mines in Paul’s depths.
“I hope so” killed me. Those three words hold so much weight. We see Paul’s genuine love for Jimmy shine through. However, one can interpret another meaning: Paul hopes he can forgive himself. While this season has focused on forgiveness as a whole, this outing, in particular, zeroes in on the importance of self-forgiveness more than anything. Jimmy recognizes this as a struggle and acknowledges the inner anger he feels. Both Jimmy and Paul wrestle with this self-anger.
Forgive Yourself
Shrinkingnever fails to make us laugh out loud with its raunchy, cheeky dialogue one moment and then give us emotional whiplash the next, delivering a punch to the gut on the dramatic front. The performances in “Last Drink” really carry the narrative forward. But most of all, the episode gives us an outlet for catharsis and escapism so we can examine our own healing journeys. Because sometimes, laughter truly is the best medicine.
Stray Observations:
- Ilovethe Sacred Heart sweater Liz wears in the flashback. I’ve been waiting for an obviousScrubsreference (besides Liz’s interaction with Paul’s friend on last week’s episode).
- The casting director for this series deserves all the praise. Lilan Bowden and Lukita Maxwell legitimately look like mother and daughter.
- Brian performing his one-man show for Jimmy almost verbatim, down to the vocal inflections, is brilliant. Hats off to Michael Urie. It cracks me up that the only thing he changes is the name of his and Charlie’s child — it’s Sutton Foster/Foster Sutton this time.
- Based on that flashback, Gaby has always been worried about Paul’s hydration, which makes me so happy.
- “Covenant of the Rock” sounds like a lost Indiana Jonesmovie.
- I’m surprised Brian didn’t bring Doris from the restaurant to Jimmy’s house to have her vouch for him, Alice, and Louis.
What did you think of this episode of Shrinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Shrinkingdrops new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
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Melody McCune
Hello! My name is Melody and I love TV! Maybe too much. I'm the Managing Editor for a small entertainment site called Geek Girl Authority and an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles. Additionally, I have bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. I love cheese. I love lamp.
