Warning: There are spoilers ahead for the Shrinking season 2 finale.

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide.

Shrinking's characters, Brian (Michael Urie) and Alice (Lukita Maxwell), have even become close friends with Louis, and have tried to help him through the pain of his ongoing guilt and trauma.

These connections help Louis move forward, but the progress he made is undermined by Jimmy (Jason Segel) forcing Louis to stop talking and spending time with Alice. When Alice met up with Louis in Shrinking season 2's penultimate episode, he was doing well, largely because of the friend he has at work. However, that friend uninvites Louis from Thanksgiving and cuts ties with him after learning about Louis' past. This leads to Louis nearly taking his own life by jumping onto the train tracks in the season 2 finale, only to be unexpectedly saved by Jimmy.

Why Jimmy Saves Louis

The Entire Season Has Been Building To This

Despite his previous disdain, Jimmy saves Louis for Alice, for Tia, and for himself. As Jimmy previously explained, the real reason he did not want Louis in his life or in his daughter's life was that he reminded Jimmy of his failure to Alice in the year after Tia's death. After Jimmy calls Paul (Harrison Ford) during his breakdown in season 2, episode 11, Jimmy begins to confront some of the pain that he has been avoiding, which includes making amends with Louis.

Jimmy knows that Louis is important to Alice, that Tia always did the right thing, and Jimmy has always prided himself on being able to help people. For all of these reasons, he goes to the train station and is able to reach Louis before it is too late. As Jimmy and Louis sit on the train station bench together, commiserate, and even play the game that Louis used to play with his girlfriend, the two men are finally able to connect, and able to help each other work through their ongoing struggles.

What Paul’s Speech Means For Shrinking Season 3

He Faces Reality With Courage And Humility

At the Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Gaby (Jessica Williams), all the guests take turns sharing what they are thankful for, ranging from heartfelt confessions to comedic quips. Paul spends this portion of the celebration gnawing on a turkey leg and only later in the evening realizes he did not share what he was thankful for at this time in his life. He is frank about the escalating symptoms of his Parkinson's disease and is concerned about how much longer he has before his condition becomes more serious.

As defined by the World Health Organization, "Parkinson's disease is a brain condition that causes problems with movement, mental health, sleep, pain and other health issues."

Paul also acknowledges how lucky he is to have the of everyone gathered. Even though he knows his future will only get more challenging, he knows he can get through it thanks to his girlfriend, Julie Baram (Wendie Malick), and his friends and colleagues. For Shrinking season 3, this means that Paul's struggles with Parkinson's disease will get worse, and even though he does not like to appear vulnerable, be the center of attention, or ask for help, he will need to rely on his loved ones.

Does Gaby Reconcile With Her Mother And With Derrick?

Two Of Her Loved Ones Did Not Plan To Attend Her Thanksgiving Dinner

Heading into the Shrinking season 2 finale, Gaby's relationships with her mother (Vernee Johnson) and Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.) are strained. Her mother is holding a grudge against Gaby for revealing that she did not want her to move in and Derrick was frustrated with Gaby sabotaging their relationship. During the first half of the finale, Gaby calls both of them to encourage them to come to Thanksgiving despite the current strain in their relationships.

While both Gaby's mother and Derrick do not accept the invitation while talking on the phone, they ultimately come over. Gaby is able to reconcile with both her mother and Derrick, giving her a much-needed win after a season filled with many personal challenges and setbacks. This makes it all the more likely that Shrinking will avoid a sitcom trope, fully abandoning Jimmy and Gaby's will-they-won't-they dynamic, and instead focusing on Gaby's romantic future with Derrick.

Liz New’s Purpose In Shrinking Explained

She Will Have A Different Role In Season 3

Liz had a tumultuous season 2 as she struggled to find her purpose. This struggle nearly destroyed Liz's marriage with Shrinking's best character, Derek (Ted McGinley), when she kissed Mac (Josh Hopkins). Liz and Derek's marriage fortunately survived, but Liz still has not found her purpose. Derek follows through on his promise to be a better and more attentive husband as he encourages Brian and Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) to make Liz their part-time nanny, since the nanny they hired is unable to work two days during the week.

Given how involved Liz has been all season in helping Brian and Charlie with the adoption process, along with leading the interview for nannies, it makes sense for her to continue being involved in helping their family.

While Liz is initially reluctant to accept Brian and Charlie's offer, Derek reminds her that she is a wonderful mother who loves raising children, and that she should not shortchange this part of herself. Liz happily accepts, on the condition that she can be in charge of the other nanny. Given how involved Liz has been all season in helping Brian and Charlie with the adoption process, along with leading the interview for nannies, it makes sense for her to continue being involved in helping their family.

Why Alice Forgives Jimmy

Alice Recognizes What Matter Most

When Alice first learns that Jimmy told Louis not to talk to her, she is angry, moves into Gaby's house, and stops communicating with him. However, Alice comes to realize that it was not fair to force Jimmy to talk to Louis and that she loves her father too much to cut him out of her life. She is reminded of what a good person Jimmy is and how he puts himself out there for other people when he helps her best friend, Summer (Rachel Stubington), earlier in the episode after she gets caught trying to steal Plan B.

Alice also recalls how, even during the year after her mother's death, when Jimmy was at his lowest point, there was a night where she ed out on the couch after being exhausted from soccer practice and that when she woke up in the morning, she was in her bed. Alice re that even when Jimmy was at his worst, he was still always looking out for her. Jimmy and Alice are able to reconcile and that reconciliation will likely be even stronger given how Jimmy helps Louis later in the finale.

The Real Meaning Of Shrinking Season 2’s Ending

It's All About Forgiveness And Community

The finale, and all of Shrinking season 2, is about the importance of forgiveness and community. The season's main conflict is rooted in Jimmy's inability to forgive Louis and the two men's inability to forgive themselves. Alice and Louis' massive scene in season 2, episode 6, where she forgives Louis, is an essential turning point for both characters. Louis not only needs forgiveness to begin healing, but needs the of others, which he finds in Alice, Brian, and Jimmy.

Forgiveness is just as important when it comes to Liz and Derek's marriage, the relationship between Sean (Luke Tennie) and his father (Kenajuan Bentley), Alice and Summer's friendship, and Gaby's relationships with her mother and Derrick. When Jimmy has his breakdown, he is only able to get through it because of the he gets from Paul, who is able to better navigate his challenges with Parkinson's disease because of the he receives from his loved ones. Brian and Charlie becoming parents is also made easier by the they get from Liz, further cementing Shrinking season 2’s themes.