Shrinking's Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) has an unorthodox approach to therapy, the consequences of which will be explored in season 2 of the Apple TV+ series. Season 1 received critical acclaim, including for the performances of Segel, Harrison Ford, and Gaby Williams, with the latter two playing Jimmy's fellow therapists, Paul Rhoades and Gaby. Despite the acclaim, the story of Jimmy telling his patients what he really thinks about their problems did lead to some criticism about how the comedy-drama series depicts therapy and mental health that will be dealt with in Shrinking season 2.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, co-creators Segel and Bill Lawrence emphasize that Shrinking season 2 will directly address the show's biggest criticism as Jimmy grapples with the consequences of his therapeutic approach. Jimmy will specifically need to confront the fallout of his patient, Grace (Heidi Gardener), pushing her abusive partner, Donny (Tilky Jones) off a cliff based on Jimmy's encouragement for her to no longer tolerate Donny's insults. Check out Segel and Lawrence's comments below:

Segel: We wanted to be honest about the fact that Jimmy was doing an unorthodox approach to therapy, and that there are consequences to that. There are reasons that people aren't out there doing this. So he's going to have to reckon with the good and the bad of that approach and refine how he goes forward.

Lawrence: He's definitely dealing with the consequences of his behavior as a doctor, but in ways that will surprise people [in ] of where the biggest mistakes he made were.

Shrinking's Season 2 Approach Will Improve On Season 1

Season 2 Can Have A Better Tonal Balance

Despite its often delightful comedy, Shrinking season 1 explored serious issues, including Jimmy grieving his wife's death and Grace being abused. At times, Shrinking's generally lighthearted approach did a disservice to the complex nature of these stories. While season 2 will undoubtedly contain more wonderful comedy, Grace pushing Donny off a cliff in Shrinking season 1's ending marked an undeniable turning point in the show, bringing more consequences and weight to certain storylines in season 2.

This difficult line can be better navigated in season 2, with Jimmy also needing to further unpack his own grief, and how that led to him telling his patients what he really thinks.

This should create a more effective balance between the show's comedy and drama, a balance in season 1 that sometimes leaned too precariously into comedy. It is important that the show is not simply condoning Jimmy telling his patients what he really thinks and will focus on the consequences of his actions, and what Donny's death means for Jimmy. As Segel and Lawrence indicate, in the context of the fictional story, Jimmy's approach has merit, but he must revise it to help his patients better.

Shrinking season 2 debuts on October 16.

At the same time, the show does not convince viewers that Jimmy's approach is best, with the consequences proving why it does not work in the real world. This difficult line can be better navigated in season 2, with Jimmy also needing to further unpack his own grief, and how that led to him telling his patients what he really thinks. The characters, plot, and themes of Shrinking will delve deeper in season 2 to do justice to the show's complex and important topics.

Source: EW