‘Shrinking’ Recap: ‘Apology Tour’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jason Segel as Jimmy in Episode Seven of ‘Shrinking’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Shrinking’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.
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When we last settled in to enjoy the incredible Apple TV+ series, Shrinking, the situation was… messy to say the least. After all, everyone pushed too hard to heal and made some tough mistakes along the way. Since Alice embarrassed herself in front of Sean and of course… Paul went overboard to try and stave off his feelings regarding the arrival of his daughter and Jimmy and Gaby, well, they made the worst mistake of all and decided to indulge in physical pleasure with one another to feel something good at a tough time in their lives. All of which left us wondering what was to come next from these actions and what lessons the show would send our way about how we pick up the pieces when we stumble and fall.
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As it turns out… the show was quick to inform us, that what comes next… is awkwardness. So. Much. Awkwardness. The kind that had Alice doing everything to avoid the reality of what happened on that fateful night and where Jimmy didn’t have a clue how to approach Gaby regarding this misstep, regardless of the fact that she didn’t do anything to make him feel guilty or awful. And once that was out of the way, the show made it clear that we have to communicate and be honest with those that we’ve hurt in order to really find our way back. Because until we know how we hurt them and are able to speak to the genesis of our actions, there can be no way forward.

It was Gaby that led the way on such matters, since she took the time to disarm Jimmy’s worries about what happened and really speak to it being nothing more than a moment of weakness. One that would be forgiven by both Gaby and Tia. Which truly helped him rationalize what he thought was a grave and devastating moment and it helped him to open up as well, and Sean even figured out how to handle his situation with Alice through Liz and Gaby. Since they helped him learn how to properly communicate with Alice so that all would be well, and so the awkwardness would end, and this was… beautiful storytelling. The kind that demonstrated how the key lesson works and how we communicate differently, and this episode also showed us… what happens when we don’t communicate.

Which was handled by Paul’s story in this episode. Because while he let his daughter, Meg, swing by and stay with him and help him through a tough time, which seemingly brought them closer together at last… the tension that began to build between the two of them, which eventually exploded in a powerful and heartbreaking moment… was there because of a lack of communication. One where Meg never properly expressed the hurt in her heart from her father’s decision to make others a priority and his inability to communicate what he needs and wants, and his inability to offer remorse and an invitation into his heart. Which has left these two in a tough place, one that may be irreparable if Paul doesn’t figure out how to do what its daughter is damn near begging him to do. Which is to open up and let his guard down and let her in.

Not to mention, this episode also made a point to remind us that sometimes… too much communication can be a problem as well in this type of moment. Since Jimmy’s desire to pour his heart out to the spirit of his wife, revealed to Alice what happened on that night. All of which made, for another incredible episode from this series. One that looked at what is not only a healing step, but a life lesson we can all follow. Since communication can do wonders for us in every phase of our lives, and this is an episode that also featured some dynamite acting. Especially from Harrison Ford, who just let loose with his acting chops in that critical scene. Reminding us why he is one of the best out there and well, in the end, this is another episode that compels us to continue the healing journey with our television friends. To see if by chance… they can continue to move forward at a time where their hearts are still heavy. Until next time.

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Lily Rabe and Harrison Ford as Meg and Paul in Episode Seven of ‘Shrinking’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

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