Shrinking – Season 2 Episode 11 Recap & Review

The Drugs Don’t Work

Episode 11 of Shrinking Season 2 begins with tension between Alice and Jimmy as they argue over Louis. Liz unsuccessfully tries to back Jimmy, who refuses Alice’s request to help Louis. Meanwhile, Gaby struggles with guilt over asking her mother to live separately with a nurse, leading to a strained relationship between them.

Elsewhere, Paul feels his medication is no longer effective. He attempts to see his neurologist but finds her on a date—with Sean! They agree to schedule a proper appointment later.

Later, Jimmy is distracted while one of his patients confesses she kidnapped her neighbor’s dog. He advises her to return the dog to its owner but later vents to Paul about his struggles with Alice. Paul warns Jimmy that unless he addresses his own issues, he risks returning to his previous unhealthy state.
Meanwhile, Gaby hosts Thanksgiving dinner but hasn’t invited her boyfriend, Derek. She confides in Liz and her husband, Derek, about her doubts regarding the relationship, feeling that Derek overshadows her.

In a subplot, Derek plans to purchase a new property and invites Brian and Sean to view it with him. He offers Sean a chance to live there at a low cost, hoping to help Sean move out of his cramped apartment. However, Sean feels overwhelmed by the gesture and leaves abruptly.

Elsewhere, Jimmy contacts Grace, a former patient, to understand how she forgave herself after the mistakes she made in her marriage. Grace shares that she found peace in knowing her former partner was doing well. Inspired by this, Jimmy resumes his habit of trying to “save” others as a distraction from confronting his own unresolved grief.

At the same time, Brian and Derek visit Sean at his home, where Sean admits he’s not ready to move forward yet. Meanwhile, Alice and Summer spend time with Louis.

Jimmy reassures Paul that he’s fine, dismissing Paul’s concerns about his mental health. However, when Jimmy helps his patient return the kidnapped dog, he notices her progress and realizes his advice has helped her. This triggers Jimmy’s own suppressed emotions to rise to the surface, forcing him to confront his lingering pain.

In another development, Brian gets a call from the mother of the child he and Charlie hope to adopt. She informs them that she’s decided to let them adopt her baby, prompting a celebration among the friends.

Meanwhile, Derek realizes Gaby wants to break up with him due to her noncommittal behaviour. Learning he wasn’t invited to Thanksgiving dinner confirms his suspicions, and he decides to leave her exactly what she wanted.

The episode concludes with the group celebrating Brian and Charlie’s upcoming parenthood at a restaurant. Jimmy, however, finally reaches his breaking point. Overwhelmed by his emotions, he contacts Paul and admits, “I’m not okay.”

The Episode Review

Episode 11 of Shrinking Season 2 shifts the spotlight back to Jimmy, focusing on his suppressed grief over Tia’s death. After spending much of the season avoiding his deeper emotional struggles, Jimmy’s long-repressed feelings finally bubble to the surface, pushing him to take the crucial step of seeking help. This marks a significant moment of growth for his character.

Throughout the season, the series has explored the healing journeys of various characters, but Jimmy’s path has remained largely in the background. While this episode provides much-needed development for him, it does feel a bit abrupt. The sudden focus on his unresolved issues, without much build-up in previous episodes, creates a jarring shift in tone and makes the narrative feel slightly superficial at times.

That said, the episode does a great job of balancing humor and emotional depth. Jimmy’s breakdown in this episode sets the stage for what promises to be a powerful season finale.