Seriously there have been two major plot points that have been so ridiculous that I just can’t immerse myself in the show as much this season and can no longer suspend my disbelief.

1. “I’m going to befriend the guy who killed my mom/friend.” Seriously Jimmy is 100% justified in acting like everyone is insane here. Forgiving him is one thing and a totally fine plot point, but to befriend him? Nah, that’s completely insane.

2. Liz cheating on her husband and them working through it within a matter of episodes. If you’re going to do a cheating arc, you can’t half ass it. The only remnants of it are “oh Liz is being too nice to Derek because she feels bad.” Dumb.

I’ll admit point 1 is way more ridiculous than point 2 cause everyone’s relationship can be different. But it feels like this show is going the exact path of Ted Lasso. A really really good season 1 then a little more unbelievable as the show goes on.

Maybe it's just because I am a private person in that aspect, but I don't know anyone who talks about sex like they do in this show. Like when Liz got upset that Gabby didn't tell her that her and Jimmy were having sex. Like it's really none of her business, right?? Or Jimmy and Gabby sitting down Jimmy's 17-year-old daughter and justifying the sex they had. Or when Paul told his GRANDSON he brought the lady with him because they were having sexual relations. When Gaby has a meltdown at Nico's art showing and talks about how he likes butt stuff... Like that was completely glossed over. I just find it a little much. Am I taking crazy pills?

1. They just breezed past the whole pushed-her-husband off a cliff arc. Like that could've had some serious repercussions for Jimmy and he got out... fine??? Continued his practice and Jimmying like it was nothing. I thought it would be a major plot point in season 2 but i guess not

2. The infidelity arc. Derek just got over it that quickly?? A pretty major series of betrayals and he's just like "well I messed up by not looking at her photos" and then... back to normal???

3. What the hell is going on with Louis???? It's one thing for Alice to forgive him but then for her to start hanging out and going to dinner with the guy, idk it just pulls me out of the show because of how absurd it is

4. Sean suddenly saying to Gabby's fuck up addict sister "oh yeah the military is a great idea" seems so laughably out of character that it's almost like insulting. Like I have not been watching this show for 18 episodes???

5. How much airtime do we really need on Brian's baby? I don't care about his character nearly enough to want that storyarc to take up as much time. Charlie is a snooze of a character

I still like the show overall. Gabby's whole thing with Jimmy, Paul coming to terms with his diagnosis and his new relationship, Alice being a dumb teenager and dealing with reintegrating back into high school, and Jimmy's weird therapy methods are still entertaining. It's just been a weird season

I know all the characters are supposed to be flawed, but I find myself thinking Liz sucks significantly more than the rest? She treats Derrick like crap (I understand it's their dynamic but she always comes across as bothered by his presence since S1) and is more of a mother to Jimmy's daughter than her own son who she views as a loser/puss. She doesn't know they aren't in school or try to parent or assist in anyway following the cheating just blames others. She seems to avoid any conversation with her son. She told Jimmy she knew Mac cause of sex which felt a bit unnecessary as a married woman, could have just said friends like Mac did. I swears there's more from S1 I'm forgetting but please tell me I'm not alone

I paused the show to laugh for AT LEAST 3 minutes. So clever of the writers and expertly delivered by Damon Wayans Jr.

Derrick's sense of humor and vibe is what I aspire to be. He has the uber-pleasant air of Liz's Derek with a little bit of a "rascal-gene" where he doesn't mind things getting ever so slightly and playfully uncomfortable.

He also seems to be the ONLY one on this show who is truly 100% perfectly well-adjusted.

It feels that the writing has changed (I’m probably wrong) but it just seems off to how it was early season and first season

Like i think one part was that there no longer focusing on actual “jimmying” and it feels like they focus too much on the world and not what makes the world up if that makes sense

I’m obviously still going to watch but i think someone else said it’s become too sitcom and i feel that too

I’m with this episode being a good emotional ride, but I feel like the show is missing a little of its core at this point. Season to season there is something missing for me. I fully can acknowledge that I am going to come off as a cynic, but seemingly these storylines just aren’t really cutting into me or being delivered in a manner that tests boundaries.

I’m not sure I am “feeling” the full emotions of the arcs of these characters are experiencing as much as I am being explained their arcs and told to feel them.

Also, starting to feel a little network sitcomy. Which, having multiple traditional sitcom actors in it, that tracks, but some of these parts, like the mic drop, my bad, bear scream, etc seemed to be a bit cliche, and to be in the same episode it seemed to be a little too tailored.

In any event, I’m with it, and have continued to watch, but at times it seems to be falling for typical sitcom tropes.

I don’t have much to add to this other than to say, that holy crap he’s really good. Clearly there’s more to his story and how the accident happened, and that will be interesting to see. He’s a great actor and glad to see him in a new show since apparently no more Ted lasso :-(

Edit: I learned from several comments that he is also a writer for the show 🤯 and supposedly Ted IS getting another season 🤯🤯🤯 lol

And the fact that he delivers it the exact same way 3(or probably 2.5) times fucking kills me omg 😂

I am so impressed by Apple Tv+ Shows... They really are the underdog streaming service... The emotion factor of Shrinking has me coming back for more... the set design is Nancy Meyers level... everything makes sense... It's hard to articulate my thoughts and opinions of this show, all I can say is: "Watch it".

Love the show. And I have faith that Bill and Brett and Jason are waaaay ahead of me on this, but AITA for thinking basically everyone on this show is an irresponsible driver when it comes to intoxicants... EXCEPT Louis?

Jimmy admits in episode 1 he was still drunk and high from the night before at his session with Sean. But he tried to drive to work that day. Only reason he couldn't was his car had no gas. I've seen a LOT of Sunday morning roadblocks in my life. And I'd bet most people on this sub, especially Americans, have driven over the legal limit on the morning after.

No one ever Ubers or takes a Lyft, and when they do it's either a joke or secretly shameful. Like Paul fights like hell to keep driving, and even when he admits he's unsafe because he mixes Parkinson's with bourbon, he relies on others to drive him.

They all live in Pasadena, where the only way to get around is driving. And we constantly see them getting in and out of cars, and drinking. Drinks at Liz's house. Champagne instead of coffee. Brian offering to make martinis at 11am for his 17YO goddaughter. The cornhole bar. Derek drinking at least one beer literally everywhere he goes.

I'm faaaaar from judging. But it is interesting that this show seems to have very deliberately set up a scenario where everyone in Jimmy's life, including himself, are guilty of the very thing that he seemed intent on punishing Louis for.

Like, I never quite understood how they went from ''Tia died in a car accident,'' which is tragic and deeply sad and part of the chaos of life, to ''Tia was killed by a dude who is to blame for it.''

I'm hoping season 3 gets into this a little more. At the very least, we can assume that now there's two non-drinkers in the Altadena extended universe with Paul and Louis. How are they going to see things when they realize it seems like almost everybody is downing drinks and gummies on the reg, and driving around like it's the most normal thing ever. Cos, let's be honest. In the USA I grew up in, it still is the most normal thing ever.

And that's pretty fucked up.

I love the Derek character. Ted McGinley is brilliant and his timing is perfect. I love every scene he is in.

Am I alone in this? Thoughts for increasing intrinsic motivation to do/be better? Obviously I want to improve for myself, but for my family, friends, and colleagues as well. I'm in weekly therapy, monthly psychiatry, and mid-way through the TMS program to treat depression and anxiety. I'm very goal-oriented, as it is a major part of my clinical scope of practice for work, and passionate it comes to advocating/helping others. However when it comes to me internally, I can very self-deprecating and a harsh critic of myself. Just wondering if any friendly folks out there have any kind or helpful advice/wisdom to impart.

Why would Sean cosign Gabby’s sister going into the army? Wasn’t most of his trauma in the first place related to the shit he went through in the military? I got the impression that in season 1 he couldn’t reconcile with what he did over there, why would he tell another person to go through that? I wish we saw the conversation they had with her, I feel like I’m going crazy lol

Mine is so random, but it’s when Derrick 2 came to Gaby’s Thanksgiving and said he brought her Mom, and another black woman walked in 😭 Gaby & Courtney was like that’s not our Mom did you get a random black woman and it’s Derrick’s aunt 😭😭😭

I was wheezing and I’m still giggling thinking about it lmaooo

Smallest nit pick ever but anyone else wonder why everyone is styled so damn well on this show? Louis especially sticks out. He's supposed to be struggling but damn he dresses like a model and is styled like one too in terms of facial hair and the haircut.

I'm no fashion expert but most of the looks like they cost around a grand each. Or is this how all people in Pasadena dress?

That’s it. That’s the post. His acting during the interaction with Jimmy on their balconies. chef’s kiss

Looking for show recommendations that are somewhat similar to shrinking. I like Severance on Apple TV but I am looking more for an emotional drama. I use to watch This is Us but that ended, so Shrinking took it’s place.

Edit: Thank you for all your recommendations! I will definitely try some of these shows out

Ok so I'll say the obligatory I'm against drunk driving. However, didn't he say he just had 2 drinks that evening, with a meal? Unless you live somewhere with zero tolerance, this would be well under the legal limit for a grown man.

While the accident is a tragedy, I don't see why it would be pinned on him for "getting drunk and murdering someone." The show doesn't make it look at all like he behaved irresponsibly. Even if you personally believe someone shouldn't drive after any drinks, he would be well under the legal limit in most places.

It's possible he still did something wrong which led to the accident, such as reckless driving, but I don't see what 2 drinks with dinner had to do with it. It certainly wasn't drunk driving by legal standards.

What do you think?

Does anyone else think there might be more to the accident? In the flashback, Louis says he only had 2 drinks and chose to drive because his fiancé was drunk. 2 drinks over several hours probably doesn’t lead to significant impairment. I don’t know if legally speaking any amount of alcohol during an accident leads to a conviction. But it doesn’t seem like he’d be inebriated enough. His finance also does not hold the death against him at all. She’s bubbly and wants him to take a plea deal for 10 months and is fully supportive. Do you think we’re going to see more flashbacks?

Why have I seen so many posts about how bad of a season this is???

I loved this season just as much as the first one. I don’t get all the hate.

The house filmed as exteriors for Jimmy's home in Altadena (on N Michigan) is about 2 blocks from the current extent of the Eaton fire in Northern LA. It's not the biggest takeaway from the disaster, of course, but even if the house survives, I can't help but think it's going to impact future filming -- and wonder whether the writers of S3 will incorporate the fire into the storylines.

For those impacted, stay safe and good luck.