Shrinking S2, Episode 4: The Big Set Up
Breakdown of the fourth episode of the new season of Shrinking on Apple TV+
It’s another Wednesday, which means another new episode of Shrinking! Spoilers ahead, as always.
Typically, that would also mean a new breakdown of the episode, but the truth is, episode 4 is probably the episode where the least happens. A lot of storylines are set up in this episode, for sure. The whole story with Alice, Connor, and Summer. The inevitable explosion with Sean. Teasing the introduction of Paul’s ex-wife. The introduction of Derek 2. Brian and Charlie looking to become parents. Gaby’s mom being in an accident, and whatever confrontation is a result of that. Louis showing up at Jimmy and Alice’s house and then talking to Brian.
I hate to call any episode just filler, but this is about as close to filler as they come this season. We can see from this episode that a lot is coming down the pipe, but this isn’t the episode where things actually occur.
Given that not much happens and the fact that I have been over-extending myself a bit, I am going to skip any kind of deep dive on this week’s episode. If you’re just catching up with this season, you can find episodes 1 and 2 here and episode 3 here. I also have a recap of Shrinking Season 1 here.
Anyway, I’ll be back next week with a deeper look at episode 5 because oh boy. It’s a humdinger.
Best joke: They’re all going to be Derek jokes, I think (or Paul - they have the funniest lines). Anyway, when Derek shows up at Gaby’s house to tell her to date Derek 2, he says, “I’ve been thinking about your cootchie lock,” and Gaby stops him and points out that her student can hear him, to which Keisha says, “So you’re not letting him hit it?” Gaby then says, “Great, now she thinks we’re hooking up.” And Derek responds, “Oh, cool.” Dead.
Best cry: You’d think it would be Louis showing up, and that’s legit. Scenes with Lous will get nearly every best cry this season. But for this week, it’s Sean’s huge flip in the fight with Jimmy about his dad. That deep frustration with a parent followed by an immediate need to defend the parent is for real and hits really, really hard.
With all of the set ups happening this week, what are your predictions for where the season goes? Let me know in the comments!