‘The Shrinking’ Season 2 Review: Apple’s funny, snarky jokes go over our heads again

One of the best and most amazing shows of 2023 is back for a second season, and it’s true (and thankfully) like we never left it.

Created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, It is decreasing Season 1 humorously and unabashedly combined the everyday pain and absurdity of grief, and left most of its characters on a strong, emotional, footing in the end. In Season 2, Segel’s outlaw therapist and widowed father Jimmy is understandably still haunted by his past, but it’s different this time – with the sudden arrival of the man responsible for his wife’s death (a welcome addition It is decreasing the author and Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein). What will hell be like you did you react?

The program a brilliant actor they all return for the second round, taking the cast through new challenges and bringing the show’s funniest, most moving script to perfection. With just two episodes released on Apple TV+, It is decreasing picks up where we left off with these established characters and wisely doesn’t reinvent the wheel.

It is decreasingThe biggest strength lies in its great cast and sharp writing.

Once again, Segel, a brilliant lead, returns to the role of Jimmy with matching finesse, portraying the actor’s sincerity and tired sense of optimism that is tested by the arrival of Goldstein’s character this season. Segel is at his comedic best here, contradicting his respected colleague Paul (Harrison Ford at his best) insisting that he stop “Jimmying” (his tendency to pull therapy sessions out of the office). Some of the offensive lines that come out of Jimmy’s mouth can’t be swallowed again (“Talking about cars…”), despite his best efforts. Also, the stunning Segel and the talented Lukita Maxwell as Jimmy’s daughter, Alice, really make the show, and Maxwell gives Alice real depth and endless likability throughout.

Now a professor, having received a recommendation from Paul last season, Gaby (the outstanding Jessica Williams) is fighting the guilt of sleeping with the husband of her best friend who died, while trying to resist the intoxication of nature’s chemicals – the chemistry Williams and Segel transmit flawlessly, with Williams’s quick response is one of the best things of the show. But one of the inestimable reasons to watch It is decreasing Williams and Christa Miller as Jimmy’s neighbor Liz, as the pair make for one of the most satisfying friendships on TV. They are two people who say what they think to each other. It’s deeply refreshing, and it’s not always the right move, but it’s fun to watch their relentless, no-holds-barred connection.

Meanwhile, Paul struggles to share his deep feelings for Julie (Wendie Malick) and publicly complains about modern phrases like “It’s good news if it’s true” and “I.” never “beep-boop” with all the blatant, blunt defiance we’ve come to expect from Paul. Thanks to what Paul calls Jimmy’s “two-book relationship” with his long-suffering friend Sean (a low-key Luke Tennie), Paul takes on the However, never fear, Segel’s Jimmy continues his power in the well-tuned Holt/Perolta with Ford’s Paul, hoping to be approved by him every time and in the end. seeing his house.

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As Jimmy’s best friend, Brian, Michael Urie is as fearless as ever, shining in moments of extreme exasperation — when Brian yells on a hiking trail after hearing news he didn’t know, “Stop the rescue dogs! All right. Fuck hiking! Fuck that headband . I actually like that headband… Fuck the whole mountain!” you can feel it in your bones.

It’s a really cohesive story, with this season allowing the cast more opportunity to discuss concerns and challenges – with one big one in particular.

Jason Segel’s Jimmy is haunted by his past again – but this time it’s different.

Throughout Season 1, Segel navigated Jimmy through the hardships and pain of losing a loved one, through the grief of his wife’s death in a car accident that impacted his and his daughter’s upbringing. Although the tragedy was never “done,” Jimmy found himself stronger by the end of the season. However, he faced a previous dark case in Season 2, which is played out by this one It is decreasing author Brett Goldstein.

Although an Emmy-winning comedy actor, Goldstein remained behind the scenes of Season 1. In this season, Goldstein plays an undeniable role in portraying the beloved characters now, who appears as the man responsible for the death of Jimmy’s wife in a car accident. While the first two episodes didn’t give us much to go on, Goldstein’s few moments on screen brought Jimmy’s anger out, so expect more here.

It is decreasing you still give really good advice.

Being a show about therapists, It is decreasing usually gives excellent advice (check with your therapist, of course, before using anything you see). Season 1 explored the original “15 minutes of sadness” strategies and discussions around compassion fatigueand in this period, Paul relies on a tool called “change of desire.” In episode 2, Alice’s friend Summer suggests that she write to the man responsible for her mother’s death and not send it, the old way of processing. (It’s a book that Alice finds difficult to put into words other than “You’ve ruined my life … it’s eating my ass.”)

Whether its characters learn to understand their triggers or try to process their frustrations on their own, It is decreasing equip you with a collection of common sense, actionable advice for your complexities. Honestly, it feels good to reconnect with such flawed, vulnerable, funny characters, all trying to get by each day.

It is decreasingone of the best-written comedies on TV, it goes back to the depths of anger among ordinary people, without judgment and with lots of laughs. Consider us mentioned.

It is decreasing The first two episodes of season 2 are now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Wednesday.