Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain” Spoilers Ahead
Written by Annie Mebane, with directing from Randall Keenan Winston, Shrinking’s second episode of its sophomore season diligently focuses on the power of our fear and the human ability to overcome it. Interestingly, even while the premiere drops the bombshell of bringing in the drunk driver who killed Tia, the series is elongating the process of a confrontation, which will make it that much more riveting when we do get there.
Instead, this episode rightfully focuses on Sean, and it allows us to see how he’s doing with Paul as his therapist. It’s certainly an adjustment, but it’s one that leads to great places with all the characters, showcasing how deep the thread of fear runs and why it’s important.
Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2 Focuses on Fear Through Sean
Every time we learn something new about Sean, he becomes that much more captivating as a character, with Luke Tennie making him as adorable as he is deeply complex. The Cajun Cruise truck business is going so swimmingly that an influencer wants to interview Sean and Liz, but this brings apprehension when Sean doesn’t want the focus to be on his past as a veteran. During his therapy session with Paul, he hears how he’s avoidant and learns how to visualize the outcome of fear in order to combat it. Naturally, he thinks this is silly, but when Paul continues to establish boundaries while he’s at home, Sean forces himself to use the technique.
The interesting thing about Shrinking is that through every mistake Jimmy makes, we easily get a great learning moment with Paul. So, yes, sometimes, visualizing all the worst-case scenarios to prepare for a confrontation we’re nervous about helps us understand that it’s never as bad as we think it’ll be. And for Sean, the reality of confronting Liz goes swimmingly because she’s perfectly fine with skipping the interview. She also finally gives him a friendship rock in the process. This is a promising detail to watch as it continues to show us that their business venture is indeed a pretty good idea. There’s a real camaraderie building between them that continues to elevate both characters and allows them to make healthy bonds, which could help them grow individually, too.
Fear Continues to Haunt Jimmy and Alice
While one confrontational fear could mend itself in specific situations, others marinate within the characters. In his awkward—an in-character—way, Jimmy manages to tell Alice about their office visitor. In fact, everyone at the office knows, which gives us a tiny snippet of Jimmy’s growth because it means he isn’t bottling most of his pain in. It certainly weighs on him, but at the very least, Jimmy is sharing some of his pain, which is significant for his character. At the same time, so is Alice because she tells her friend Summer, who suggests she write a letter to get some of her emotions out.
Unfortunately, this happens during the same week when Alice gets her driver’s license, adding another hurdle in their path that directly places fear in the front seat. Still, Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain,” handles every bit of this arc tastefully by ensuring that the characters talk and take action. And while some of the actions aren’t exactly admirable, they’re still very much human. When Alice finally borrows her dad’s car, she parks in front of Louis’ house and spies on him. I don’t know who’s going to talk to him first about Tia’s death, but I know that Alice doing so will destroy me. Lukita Maxwell is so great at conveying Alice’s emotions that the first time I ever cried while watching this show was because of her. The desolation in her eyes as she watches the man who took her mother’s life get the chance to do mundane things like turning off a light switch is so haunting that my heart aches for her.
In the same way, it’s impossible not to point out the awkwardly sincere way Jason Segel embodies Jimmy when he tells Alice to do him a favor and “just be so careful out there.” He’s a therapist, and while Jimmy has unconventional ways of doing things, he knows how to somewhat combat fear. He understands that, sometimes, you have to push yourself. Still, it’s there, lingering in the shadows because there’s no way he’ll ever fully be okay with Alice getting in a car. He doesn’t want to instill any more fear in her, but it’s so natural of him to add that tiny emphasis on the word “so” after making a whole show of tossing her his keys.
Everything we get between father and daughter in this episode continues to be so exceptionally thoughtful that the balance between humor and heart is genuinely admirable.
Catching Feelings or Embracing Fears?
Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain,” works fear into Gaby’s life by addressing her feelings for Jimmy through a sweet flashback with Tia. In the recollection, we see that all (or some) of the scrunchies displayed in Gaby’s office are ones she “borrowed” from Tia. It’s an aching metaphor that shows how bonded the women were to each other and how challenging it is for her to move beyond her grief, too. It also makes Gaby’s genuine feelings for Jimmy that much more saddening. It’s hard to say whether they’d be a great fit for one another or not, but what’s easy to understand is how connected they are through their shared love for Tia. They bonded through their adoration for Tia in a way that might actually make their relationship work, or it might blow up horrifically in their faces if they don’t remain friends. It could be a considerable hindrance. Regardless, those feelings are growing for Gaby while Jimmy still hides and pushes through different demons.
This arc also once again exhibits how grief catches people differently. One moment, it’s fine, and the next, it’s deeply frustrating. The scrunchies aren’t just comforting, but even looking at them hurts like hell. It will also be interesting to learn more about Tia from Gaby’s point of view, as forgiveness potentially comes into the equation with Louis. A best friend is critical in a person’s life (Jimmy forgetting to tell his this news? Not cool.), but that wouldn’t have been the case with Gaby and Tia. So, all of these feelings coming to the surface are a fascinating excavation of how fear manifests itself in different people. Gaby is absolutely terrified of the feelings she’s catching while she simultaneously deals with everything else that’s piling up on her plate.
Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain,” is yet again another excellent chapter that places characters at the forefront of its narrative. It highlights their imperfections with the real human desire to be a decent person trying their best in the face of haunting fears. It’s a showcase that even those who sometimes give us advice don’t follow it themselves, making them feel that much more relatable in the process.
Stray Thoughts
- I have so many questions about Connor…
- Gaby saying, “I can’t quit this basic ass man,” is such a mood.
- Paul calling Liz a “scary neighbor lady” and then proceeding to say, “Don’t humanize her,” when Sean says her name is a top-tier scene.
- “Sometimes, people need more.” They do. And I could write a whole dissertation on what this equates to.
- I love it when Paul’s a hypocrite. Excellent stuff.
- Once again, the needle drops in this show are perfection.
Now streaming on Apple TV+: What are your thoughts on Shrinking Season 2, Episode 2, “I Love Pain?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Apple TV+