‘Shrinking’ Recap: ‘I Love Pain’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Luke Tennie as Sean in Episode 202 of ‘Shrinking’ – ‘I Love Pain’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Shrinking’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, clickhere.

It really is quiet amazing what the hit Apple TV+ series, Shrinking, is accomplishing from a storytelling standpoint. Because this show about healing, is the only one out there that really showcases the reality of coming back from our worst moments. To inform us that this is a long and winding process that takes so much time and so much effort, and that’s a wonderful thing. Because the world needs to hear that and needs to know that, and never was this more evident than during the next episode of the show. Since ‘I Love Pain’ followed up on some key moments in a manner so real, and so raw, that it felt like we were simply watching everyday life.

Because this episode showcased… how we tend to compartmentalize the big moments that should break us. So that we can survive in the interim and process our pain and that related to Jimmy’s journey in this tale. For he took the shock of seeing the man that basically killed his wife and buried it down to figure out how to address it with Grace and to figure out how to handle the reality that this man was suddenly back in their lives. Which led to awkward conversations and the difficult understanding that this a lot to process and that it can be healthy to sometimes set stuff aside, so we aren’t overwhelmed. Which was nice to see in a show about healing since so many offer the up the rough advice that we just need to power through and do the thing. 

But of course, since this show offers every step to healing available, it also made sure to showcase, how unhealthy things can come forth from that moment of respite from heavy and worrisome issues. Because Jimmy made sure to use his situationship with Gaby to help keep the pain and thoughts at bay, and that was unhealthy. Mainly because Gaby knew this wouldn’t last and needed to put up boundaries to help in her own healing. So that led to hard conflict here. The kind that saw this duo fight and hurt each other emotionally by coming to understand their mistakes and missteps and the unhealthy nature of their actions. Which added to the depth of this episode and outright helped us to understand that boundaries are important, and compensation is never healthy when something big is on our mind.

However, while there were some unique lessons at hand, the kind that showcased flaws and beauty, there was some growth to be found here. Simply because Sean needed guidance on how to handle doing something he did not want to. Since Liz found a food blogger that could boost their profile, and that blogger was eager to interview Sean. But that made Sean nervous. Because he knew he would have to talk about his past, and he wasn’t ready. So, he wanted the easy way out, to avoid conflict with Liz, since he thought she would be mad at him for saying no, and that led to some conflict with Paul. Who offered a plan on how to handle this, one that Sean ignored. But some tough love from Paul finally motivated Sean to use the plan and it brought him what he wanted and the confrontation with Liz went easier than expected. Giving rise to real growth for him because he trusted the process and did right by himself over anything else.
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All of which made, for a slice of life episode, one that reminded us of the ups and downs of healing in a dynamic manner and also foreshadows how there are consequences for everything we do, even when we are trying to put the pieces back together. Since Jimmy will pay a price for going that route romantically and will also pay an inadvertent price for honesty and attempting to heal with Alice. Because she is very curious about the man that ended her mother’s life, and the sorrowful life he may now lead, and any interaction there or desire to know more, will lead to pain in the household. But while we wait to see where that goes, we can celebrate one engaging tale. One that really did remind us that the way back is a long and winding process… one that is genuinely worth the effort and the time.

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