I Love Pain
Episode 2 of Shrinking Season 2 begins with Jimmy trying to tell Alice about the driver’s visit, but since Alice has an exam for her driver’s license, they postpone the conversation. At the office, amidst Jimmy and Gaby flirting, Paul is disappointed about letting go of one of his “favorite” patients, who had been doing well for a long time. Paul feels conflicted because, ethically, he cannot be friends with his clients, and he has to focus on helping Sean instead.
Meanwhile, Gaby, Brian, and Liz go on a hike, which is cut short for Brian when he dramatically reacts to discovering that everyone except him knew about Jimmy and Gaby’s relationship. Later, Alice passes her driver’s license test, and Jimmy tells her about the driver’s visit, which she appreciates.
Liz shares the news of an interview opportunity with Sean, but he becomes conflicted, not wanting to participate in an interview that delves into his past as a soldier. Sean discusses it with Paul, who advises him to visualize the worst-case scenario of his conversation with Liz. However, Sean feels silly and doesn’t fully engage in the technique.
Elsewhere, Gaby reminisces about her times with Tia. During this, Jimmy drops by, and Gaby tells him they need to stop seeing each other.
At home, Alice confides in her friend Summer about the driver approaching her father, and Summer suggests she write a letter to him. Summer also expresses interest in Connor, so Alice introduces the two, feeling this might help resolve Connor’s obsession with her.
At Liz’s house, Sean feels overwhelmed by her excitement about the interview. He gets Paul’s personal number from Jimmy and sends Paul a long text. Later, Jimmy visits Paul’s house for the first time while Julie is there.
Paul opens up, admitting that he did a disservice to Sean by making him too dependent on others to solve his problems. When the topic of Jimmy giving Sean Paul’s personal number comes up, Jimmy accuses Paul of being too rigid with boundaries. To address this, Paul calls Sean to check in and asks him to practice the technique he taught.
Back home, Jimmy finds Alice writing a letter to the driver, and he joins her. Meanwhile, Gaby struggles with her family, and Jimmy witnesses some of the tension at the office. Sean eventually tries Paul’s technique and imagines a ridiculous conversation with Liz, which makes him laugh.
He then tells Liz that he doesn’t want to do the interview, and she accepts his decision without issue. Seeing Sean’s progress, Jimmy calls Paul to tell him he was right. Elsewhere, Paul meets up with his former client, Ray, and they seem to be starting a new friendship.
Later, Jimmy visits Gaby under the pretense of helping her with family issues, but Gaby quickly realizes that he had ulterior motives. She chastises him for coming over, knowing that she had developed feelings for him, and after an argument, she turns him away. The episode ends with Alice sitting on the hood of a car, watching the driver’s house.
The Episode Review
The theme of “I Love Pain” runs through the episode, as multiple characters navigate difficult and painful conversations and decisions. Sean is an obvious example, but Gaby joins him by breaking off her casual relationship with Jimmy, knowing it would lead nowhere.
Similarly, Jimmy and Alice process their feelings about Tia’s death through writing, and Alice watching the driver at night, though unsettling, might indicate that she’s confronting her painful memories of her mother’s death—perhaps a step toward healing.
The heartwarming relationship between Jimmy and Paul continues to stand out. Though they don’t always mesh well, they serve as catalysts for each other’s personal growth. Paul forces Jimmy to realize that his method of “Jimmying” isn’t truly helpful, while Jimmy helps Paul understand that he might be too rigid with his boundaries, potentially missing out on meaningful relationships, like with Julie and Ray.
Overall, this is another great episode with solid direction, fun gags, and small moments that make Shrinking so entertaining.
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