Shrinking: a show about grief and laughter
Shrinking: a show about grief and laughter
Shrinking is a series that came out this year on Apple TV+ and those of us that have watched it at Memorial Funeral home loved it! The series is irreverent in many ways and if you are not a fan of shall we say, mature (or perhaps immature) humor, then it might not be the series for you. If you can handle that, however, you should give it a go. Not only is it entertaining, but it offers insight into what grief often look like.
Jason Segel plays therapist Jimmy Laird who is grieving the death of his wife, albiet not in the most healthy of ways. After watching his patients get nowhere is their treatment, Jimmy decides to treat them in a more hands-on and unconventional approach. While his new way of treating his patients seems to work initially, he soon finds out that the long term results are disasterous.
While this show is a comedy, it shines a bright light on the complicated emotions someone feels when they lose someone. Not only is Jimmy grieving, so is his teenage daughter who resents her father for not being there for her when she needed him most. A reminder for so many that even when we are grieving we have to show up for those who need us.
Instead of confronting his feelings, Jimmy instead decides to numb them in a variety of ways. When he stops doing that, however, he starts to move forward with his life, although with a few regressive moments here and there.
Harrison Ford plays Jimmy’s grumpy mentor, Dr. Paul Rhoades in the 10-episode series and there chemistry is delightful. Ford’s character is also grieving in his own way after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which slowly makes him more reliant on others.
The talented Jessica Williams plays a colleague and friend of Jimmy and Christa Miller plays Jimmy’s nosy, but very good-hearted neighbor.
The show was such a success that they have renewed it for a second season, although when it will air is TBD. What we do know if that when it does air, we will grab some popcorn and do some serious binge watching!
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