Shrinking - Season 3
Shrinking Season 1 was about grief.
Season 2 was about forgiveness.
But Season 3… is all about moving forward
And that's exactly where a show like this faces its biggest challenge.
Because moving on can make characters grow...or it can make a story lose the emotional spark that made people fall in love with it.
So... does Shrinking still deliver?
RECAP
The season starts with Paul’s Parkinson’s worsening, to the point where he begins having hallucinations — forcing him to step away from work for a while.
Even though he improves enough to return, that break becomes a turning point. Paul realizes it’s time to step back for good, redistribute his practice, and retire — ultimately deciding to move to Connecticut to be closer to his daughter.
Gaby, on the other hand, takes real steps toward growth this season.
Professionally, she sets out to open her own trauma center — but things take a tragic turn when one of her patients passes away, forcing her to confront a major setback. In her personal life, she continues navigating her relationship with Derrick #2, trying to find some balance.
Liz faces challenges within her own family. Her son, Matthew, overhears her expressing some brutally honest — and somewhat hurtful — thoughts about him and his lack of responsibility. At the same time, after suffering a heart attack, Derek starts re-evaluating his life. He wants to travel the world, and for once, he needs Liz to let him make that decision for himself.
Meanwhile, Alice is preparing for a big transition. As she gets ready to leave for college, at times she struggles with the guilt of moving away and leaving Jimmy behind — especially after receiving an offer to play soccer at Wesleyan, in Connecticut.
And finally, there’s Jimmy. Throughout the season, he’s forced to confront one of his biggest fears: being left alone. With Alice leaving, he has to face the reality of an empty house — and what that means for him moving forward. At the same time, he also opens himself up to the possibility of a new relationship.
Strength
It’s becoming a calling card of the show, and this season is no exception; Shrinking once again strikes an excellent balance between comedy and drama.
There are plenty of funny moments throughout the season, but if I had to pick one standout, it would probably be the episode where Derek accidentally gets high. It’s easily one of the funniest episodes of the season, while still finding room for real emotional moments - a balance this show continues to pull off remarkably well.
I think the biggest strength of Season 3, and the show really is its ensemble cast. While Jimmy remains at the centre of the story, even major character gets meaningful development, everyone has their own arc, making the show feels like a story about a group of people helping each other heal.
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On top of a strong ensemble cast, we get some top notch guest stars, Brett Goldstein, Jeff Daniels, Candice Bergen and Michael J Fox all make memorable appearances, who Fox’s role carrying an extra layer of emotion given his real-life connection to Parkinson’s disease. None of these appearances feel gimmicky; they each serve the story and leave a lasting impact.
Weekness
My biggest criticism of Season 3 is its pacing.
When I first watched it week to week, there were a few points where I found myself wondering when the season was really going to kick into gear. A couple of episodes felt like they were treading water instead of moving the larger story forward.
That said, after rewatching the season in a binge, I don't think it's nearly as noticeable. The slower episodes flow much better when you can immediately jump into the next one, which makes me think this may simply be a show that's better suited for a binge-watching schedule rather than a weekly release.
The storyline that worked the least for me was the conflict surrounding Matthew. I completely understand why he'd be upset about what Liz said. It also makes sense that Liz would eventually have to face the consequences of all the comments she made about him over the years. That said, I still think the conflict stretched on a little longer than it needed to. - btw Christa Miller's delivery made it the scene really funny.
On the other hand, Jimmy’s brief relapse felt like it came out of nowhere. It’s introduced so late in the season that it almost feels like it belongs to a different draft of the story. And because it’s resolved so quickly afterward, it never really has the impact it seems to be aiming for. In the end, it just didn’t feel necessary.
Acting
I’d have no hesitation placing all of the main cast somewhere in this top 3, also my order is probably influenced by the material they’re working with. Still, here we go:
Third Star : Ted McGinley as Derek
Second Star : Christa Miller as Liz
First Star : Harrison Ford as Paul
Final Verdict
With Paul’s departure to Connecticut, I’m curious to see how his role evolves going into Season 4. And yes, a fourth season has already been confirmed, reportedly taking a “creative reset” while keeping the same core cast.
Season 3 may not be the most tightly structured season of Shrinking, but it still delivers on what the show does best: strong performances, sharp comedy, and emotional honesty.
Overall, another solid season.
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