Apple TV+'s Shrinking returned with a one-hour season 3 premiere on January 28, focusing on themes of moving on and personal growth. The episode introduces major life transitions for characters like Jimmy facing an empty nest and Paul confronting his Parkinson's disease. Guest star Michael J. Fox appears as a fellow patient sharing insights on hallucinations.
The third season of Shrinking, the Apple TV+ dramedy starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, kicked off with the supersized episode titled "My Bad," aired on January 28. The premiere explores the theme of moving forward, highlighting emotional shifts among the ensemble cast.
Jimmy, played by Segel, grapples with his daughter Alice's impending departure to Connecticut for soccer training and college. This empty-nest scenario is complicated by nosy neighbors. Segel described the scenes as poignant: "Man, they wrote some of the most beautiful scenes of these two trying to figure out if they're ready for Alice to go to college, because of course she is ready to go to college, but she's also really scared for her dad. And Jimmy needs to let Alice know that he'll be OK. They wrote the most beautiful, tender, and funny scenes of us figuring that out together."
Other characters face their own hurdles. Brian and Charlie await their baby's arrival, Sean's casual relationship ends, and Paul and Julie marry initially for practical reasons related to Paul's health but ultimately out of love. Gaby, portrayed by Jessica Williams, enters a career crisis, questioning her path. Williams noted, "At the beginning of Season 1, I think you see Gaby feel like she wishes she was doing, quote-unquote 'more deeper work' or trauma work. [This season], you see Gaby find a patient that has experienced some trauma and it's kind of her first foray into that world, which is different than the way Paul runs his office. This season is about moving on. That's the theme of the season, and we see Gaby push through some really significant life jumps this season."
A key moment involves Paul's worsening Parkinson's condition. He meets guest star Michael J. Fox's character, Gerry, in a neurology waiting room. They bond over shared struggles, with Gerry discussing his hallucinations, culminating in a defiant "F—k Parkinson's." Later, at the wedding, Paul hallucinates Gerry, marking a troubling development in his health.
