Shrinking Season 3, Episode 2, “Happiness Mission” Spoilers Ahead
Written by Brett Goldstein and directed by Zach Braff, “Happiness Mission” is a compelling and deeply human exploration of taking the first step. Thematically captivating and featuring some of the best performances in the show thus far, how Shrinking continues to use time with sharp dialogue to move the plot forward is an art form that we don’t get often on our screens, and it’s something that continues to floor me, making an episode like this exceptional.
Goldstein’s signature wit and comedic timing shine with precision as they’re paired with some of the most emotionally gripping narrative arcs. The conversation with Gaby that allows the episode’s theme to pulse off the screen feels even more staggering because of the writing that gives both Jessica Williams and Goldstein superlative material to work with. The tear-jerker emotions we’re left sitting with are tremendously powerful, and I’m going to be thinking about them for a while.
Jessica Williams Delivers One of the Best Performances in Shrinking Season 3, Episode 2
I said it in my general review of Season 3, but Jessica Williams is the season’s MVP, and “Happiness Mission” is only a fraction of the excellence we’re going to get with her character. Since Season 2, I’ve been waiting for the moment when Gaby and Louis would come head-to-head, and how it happens is somehow even more effective than I thought possible. Gaby not being able to forgive Louis for the car crash that killed Tia not only makes perfect sense, but it feels right for her arc. Sometimes, best friends hold grudges even harder, so the fact that we’re seeing this with Gaby isn’t shocking. Tia’s death had a horrific impact on her, and the performances Williams brings to the surface show us exactly how.
The frustrations we see throughout the episode, as she visibly shows how irritated she is by Louis’s presence in their lives, coupled with the verbal venting was leading to this very moment. Yes, she has Liz now, but no one could take Tia’s place in her life, and nothing changes the fact that her best friend is dead. The work that both Jimmy and Alice have had to do in order to forgive Louis isn’t something Gaby’s ready for quite yet because she’s simultaneously dealing with her own crosses in her career and all that’s stacked in front of her.
Her first step in finding her own happiness is this very confrontation with Louis, where she gets to be the person to remind him of the fact that his choice not to live his life is directly disrespecting the fact that Tia can’t live hers. The word choices in this scene are phenomenal, but how Williams adds layers and emotions behind them is something else entirely. The tears she can’t hold back are a direct portrait of how much pain she’s still holding onto, and all the words she isn’t saying aloud make the moment twice as emphatic.
In addition, it’s how Louis receives her words that’s also so telling because he isn’t shutting off or ignoring them. He understands her fully and accepts that she’s completely right in this. Everything that Jimmy and Alice try to achieve with their conversations strikes him hard and fast with Gaby’s bluntness because it’s exactly what he needs to step past his own guilt and do something that’ll also honor the forgiveness he’s been granted by others. So the fact that we actively see him taking the step forward to do something with graphic design again makes the episode wholly captivating as a showcase that so much of our own destiny is in the choices we make.
Paul and the “Halulus”
As we learned at the end of last week’s “My Bad,” Paul is now having hallucinations driven by a UTI infection paired with his Parkinson’s. And what it means is that he needs to stop going to work for a bit until it’s cleared, but how he fails to deal with the time away is so in character that it continues to bring out amazing performances from Harrison Ford. Again, the writing in this episode deserves so much credit because all that we’re seeing is so innately human that it’s healing just to watch it.
For the longest time, work was the only thing Paul knew. It got in the way of so much, and now that he has to step away, he has no idea what to do with himself. Still, the comedic relief of everyone stepping up to help him is what’s supplying us with some of the most wildly hilarious lines in Shrinking Season 3, Episode 2, “Happiness Mission.” If his happiness mission is making us laugh, he’s delivering in spades because it’s impossible to even single out one line as the best.
14 Minutes of Jimmy and Sofi
It’s exciting that the show is continuing to dip its toes in the romance pool by bringing back Cobie Smulders’ Sofi and persisting to show us that she and Jimmy are basically kindred spirits of sorts. Both a little awkward, neither one prepared. (Yes, I’m putting a spin on “Tale as Old as Time.”) Louis deliberately telling Jimmy not to wait to call her after he learns that Sara has moved on is signaling a potential romance in many ways, but it’s also another riveting display that the characters in the show are trying.
Both Jimmy and Sofi don’t quite know what to do or how to handle the situation, which helps bring entertainment to the episode, but it’s how they’ll potentially move forward that will be even more interesting. More than anything, it’s so exciting to have Smulders back on our screens, and I’ll take all the cameos.
The Steps Forward
How we see every character take small steps forward in this episode is precisely what makes it such an excellent one. By the end, Sean calls his ex, Marisol, despite being the one who messed up in the first place. Derek takes Paul’s advice and realizes that if he continues to coddle Matthew, then he’ll never learn how to stand on his own two feet. The message is profound in its simplicity, and it’s wholly evocative with the execution.
Shrinking Season 3, Episode 2, “Happiness Mission,” is brimming with incredible moments that are going to come around to serve the plot beautifully. The material is so rich, and everything it’s bringing out from the actors is thoroughly engrossing.
Stray Thoughts
- “I’ve known work longer than I’ve known you.” Oh my God, Paul 😂
- Paul being scared of Liz’s scheduling is so wild. And then Liz proceeding to talk to him like a baby took me out.
- I still can’t believe this cafe is called the “Sad Coyote.”
- “The therapist for the people who don’t like therapists.” I want Gaby to be my therapist so bad.
- This man not knowing the end of Hamilton is something.
- I love Sofi’s outfits!
- “You can’t just put a salad in a blender and call it a smoothie. A smoothie’s got ice cream and-and chocolate syrup and the extra comes in a little metal cup.” / “That’s a milkshake.” This scene made me laugh so hard, I rewatched it like five times.
- Continuing this crow lore is once again everything to me.
- Little Alice dressing like Optimus Prime is so precious.
- “Remember the great goodbye” 😂
- This is what Jimmying is harassing someone lmao. I genuinely can’t.
- “I’m having an existential crisis because I love my job more than anything and don’t know what to do without it.” Now why is this so relatable?
- “How are the hallulus?” 😂
- “His accent sounds made up” !!! “Maybe they like big eyebrows.”
- “Would you stop sending Derek new socks. We have money.” Oh my God, I actually can’t.
- The collective gasping after Shrek is mentioned spoke to me on a personal level.
- “You’re a power grandzaddy.” Brian is everything.
- Breaking Brian’s brain with conversations about threesomes is so funny.
- “I’m six feet tall— it’s literally not possible.”
- The funniest thing about this January 14 day is that it was the day of the junket 😂
- THE PERFORMANCES IN THIS SCENE. JESSICA WILLIAMS, I WILL GET YOU AN EMMY.
- “He killed my best friend.” The way I wept.
- Tia and Gaby used to take Alice to Sparks games. 🙁
- The way she says “Tia doesn’t get to be here.” My God!
- “The fact that you could be living your life, but you’re choosing not to.” 😭
- Jimmy dropping off Louis like an embarrassing dad. My God, this show.
- “Where are you going?” “To apologize for how mean you were.” Liz and Derek remain marriage goals.
- This hike is so funny.
- “Who is that British guy again?”
- “He’s not gay, he’s English.” THIS SHOW. 😂
Now streaming on Apple TV+: What are your thoughts on Shrinking Season 3, Episode 2, “Happiness Mission?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Apple TV+