Best of 2023: Shrinking

We’re coming to the end of another year which gives us a moment to stop and reflect on what we’ve seen. This week, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite shows and movies of 2023 that you can check out as you have free time to end the year.

Selection: Shrinking

Where to Find It: All 10 episodes of the first season are streaming on Apple TV+

What It’s About: This series follows a therapist (Jason Segel) who is struggling. He’s lost his wife and he’s having trouble relating to his daughter (Lukita Maxwell). In fact, he’s barely holding it together. He’s mired in grief and pushing away those closest to him while struggling to connect to his patients.

When he comes across one patient (Luke Tennie) in real need, he finds a kindred spirit. More than offering therapy, he becomes an unlikely friend. This leads to some more hot water in his personal and professional life.

With the help of his best friend (Michael Urie), his close neighbor (Christa Miller) and his colleagues (Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams), he begins to try and get it all together. Can he turn his life around and find a way forward through his grief?

Why I Loved Shrinking

I have long been a fan of Ted Lasso, so when I found out Apple TV+ had a new show written by co-creator Bill Lawrence and Roy Kent himself Brett Goldstein, I was intrigued. Then I saw a trailer and looked at the cast and I knew I was in for a treat.

Like Lasso, this is a mixture of comedy and drama. There’s some great and relatable comedy but also some moments that will bring you to tears. For me, that’s the perfect mixture in a show. I also saw things I never expected. In fact, this is one of the best performances I’ve seen from Ford, who plays a character unlike anything I’d seen.

But the series really hums thanks to Segel, who co-created the series with Goldstein and Lawrence. He has such an incredible screen presence in this series. I love his performance and pacing, and the way he plays off the rest of the cast. The writing is crisp, the episodes are delightful, and it moves at a great pace.