'Shrinking' season 3 review: First, the show came for me, and now it's coming for everyone else

First, Shrinking, on Apple TV, came for those grieving the death of a loved one. The show debuted in 2023 about Jimmy, a therapist, played by Jason Segel, dealing with the death of his wife, who was killed in a car accident. He was struggling to cope with the trauma while also treating his patients and raising a teenage daughter. That was me, kinda. My mom was hit and killed by a delivery van in 2018. Being a parent too, Shrinking has been a pointed series across its first two seasons that usually served as a mirror in which I saw myself.

At times, it put me firmly on the patient’s couch. Nearly every episode was a comedic dagger through the heart. It’s been a good, but complicated show for all of us who have gone through something similar to Jimmy.

Now, in its third season, returning January 28, Apple TV’s most heartfelt show is coming for a much wider audience of people suffering. Everything from dealing with a neurological disorder to the transition to college and adulthood is touched on, among other things.

The broader reach is obviously from season three’s first episode, so I was curious if this was my show anymore. Turns out, it may be speaking to me personally, more than ever—as well as others now. Spoiler-free, here’s what you have to look forward to with season three of Shrinking.

The ensemble case remains stellar

Even as the show highlights different characters who are dealing with different issues than Jimmy, Shrinking has always been about progress. It doesn’t matter how fast you're moving, but if you’re getting up in the morning and pointed forward, then you’re making progress. The third season isn’t subtle about this theme. It’s constantly being vocal about it.

Season three gives the assembled cast more room to grow and shine. Mostly, it’s a success. However, if any of the characters’ mannerisms annoy you, those might start to wear on you by the final episode. It’s the Shrinking-est season yet. It’s also more noticeable that all of them seem to spend an abnormal amount of time together.

Paul, played by Harrison Ford, is the true breakout of season three. He’s always been an important figure, of course, but he takes an even more central role now. The added screentime feels natural as his Parkinson’s progresses and becomes more serious. This is able to introduce a welcome recurring guest star in Michael J. Fox.

With one entrance comes another exit. Although executive producer Brett Goldstein, who plays Louis, is still around, he seemingly exits his recurring role. His presence was great and a big part of season two, but in season three, his on-screen role felt a little crowded.

Because if there’s any problem that Shrinking struggles with, it’s that episodes can be packed densely. Lots of people means lots of traumas. There’s an abundance of heart and emotional baggage crammed into each episode. Even for a comedy with some seriously funny moments, it can be overly weighty at times.

Should you watch season three of Shrinking?

Shrinking might have become a show less directed specifically at me, and people dealing with a sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. But it isn’t void of daggers. Like early on, Alice, played by Lukita Maxwell, tries to stop gaining sympathy by playing the “dead mom” card. And then halfway through writing this story, I realized that I may have done the same thing in the opening.

What all that means will be on my mind for a while. So, maybe it is a show still coming for me.

Overall, the third season is a real winner. I love the show. For you, it will come down to whether you want your problems, anxieties, fears, and traumas confronted on screen, in between the laughs. If you’re okay with that, and maybe a few tears, then yes, continue to tune in for a third season.