By Emma Weidmann | Arts and Life Editor
Apple TV+’s latest and greatest endeavor into original shows is “Shrinking,” starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. Equal parts comedic and melancholy, “Shrinking” still remains un-bingeable. But, it’s not for the reason you may think.
If you watched the more solidly feel-good “Ted Lasso” before each season had been aired in its entirety, you know the struggle of finishing one episode and clicking hungrily onto the next, only to find yourself watching a commercial for next week’s episode.
Apple TV+ has chosen to go the old-school route. Instead of introducing a new Apple brain chip that can send viewers new TV shows telepathically, Apple TV+ has decided to release its shows one episode at a time, one week at a time, much like a traditional television program.
It’s unthinkable for the modern consumer, who is used to entire seasons dropping all at once, available for our immediate viewing, preferably finished in one sitting.
“Shrinking,” however, is worth the weekly wait.
Currently, only five episodes have been released. These episodes show Jimmy (Jason Segel) attempting to patch up his relationship with his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) one long, tough year after his wife Tia (Lilan Bowden) passed away.
In that time, Alice’s parents’ roles have been filled by her neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) and her therapist, who is her father’s coworker, Dr. Phil Rhodes (Harrison Ford).
Segel shows off his broad acting range as the lead. You may know him for his very dramatic role in “The Muppets,” in which he wonders musically if he is a man or a Muppet. “Shrinking” sees a more grave side of Segel — a therapist grieving his wife, who decides to throw ethics to the wind and take a hands-on approach with his patients, in hopes that it will help him heal.
Jimmy actually becomes involved in the lives of his patients. He poses an ultimatum to one woman — break up with her abusive husband or find another therapist. And she does. She moves to her sister’s house and finds herself much happier for it. He takes in one patient, letting him stay in the pool house.
This opens a whole new world for Jimmy, who has now found a purpose after the devastating loss of Tia. Well, really, his energy is a little bit manic, but you find yourself rooting for him, hoping this wave is a long-term fix and that he’s really healing.
If this is all sounding a little bit heavy, you’d be right. “Shrinking” is not all smiles. But, so many of the scenes are drily funny and really heart-warming, enough to bring the tempo and the tone of the show up a notch. So, if you’re the type to cry at “Nemo” or fast forward through ASPCA commercials, prepare your tissues, but keep an open mind. “Shrinking” will cheer you up after it tears you down.
New episodes of “Shrinking” air every Friday on Apple TV+.
