Michael J. Fox’s Return & Paul’s Big Career Choice

Shrinking season 3, episode 4, picks up during Jimmy’s date with the cute nurse, Kimmy, from episode 3. At first, it seems that they are hitting it off. Jimmy shows her his tattoo dedicated to Tia, and there is a moment of awkwardness about his status as a widower, but they move on to some cute banter over their drink and food choices. Unfortuantely, Kimmy gets a little too caught up in the tragedy of Tia’s death.

Jimmy tries several times to steer the conversation in a new direction, but Kimmy keeps asking intrusive questions about whether he feels he is cheating on Tia or how he could possibly move on. Once Jimmy mentions Alice, it’s all over. Kimmy breaks down into tears, and Jimmy is left visibly uncomfortable and frustrated. Safe to say, this wasn’t a great first experience of the dating scene as a widower.

Paul Gets The All-Clear To Go Back To Work

Paul’s hallucinations meant that he couldn’t see patients until the risk passed. His neurologist determined that the reason for this latest symptom was a UTI, which caused his brain to react negatively under the stress of fighting off the infection. Once the UTI was cleared up and there hadn’t been any new hallucinations for over a week, Paul would be free to get back to life as usual.

This green light arrived with Shrinking season 3, episode 4, when Paul’s neurologist told him (and a very emotional Jimmy) that he was cleared to get back to work. She also asked whether she could refer some of her other patients with Parkinson’s Disease to Paul’s practice, since many of them would find it easier to speak with someone going through those same experiences. Paul agreed, and even gave one of those enthusiastic Jimmy-branded victory cries.

Gaby Finally Breaks Ground With Her Patient

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Previously, in Shrinking, Gaby managed to get her patient, Maya, to return after their disastrous first session. However, she hadn’t yet been able to get the woman to open up about anything real. In episode 4, Gaby finally gets desperate. She begins asking for help, and Jimmy is all too ready to encourage her to take his sans-boundaries approach to things. Gaby, who has never approved of Jimmy’s “Jimmying,” is resistant.

It’s not until after Jimmy serves as a guest speaker in Gaby’s class (an absolute disaster since even the students can see that “Jimmying” is a real problem) that the real reason for Gaby’s reluctance to accept help from her colleague is revealed. She no longer trusts Jimmy. She resents his behavior after Tia’s death and, all in all, doesn’t respect him as a therapist. However, after their blowout, Jimmy points out that Gaby’s approach with her patient isn’t working. Something has to change.

Gaby ultimately chooses a middle ground. She isn’t quite as invasive as Jimmy would have been, but she shows up at the bar where Maya said she does trivia. After dominating the nerdy competition with some solid Lord of the Rings knowledge, Gaby prepares to head home. However, to her surprise, Maya opens up. It’s a major breakthrough, though it might not be easy for Gaby to admit this to Jimmy in Shrinking‘s next episode.

Liz & Derek Continue To Struggle With Their Son

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Throughout Shrinking season 3, Liz and Derek have been plagued by their son Matthew’s behavior. He moved back home in episode 1 after losing his job, and it seemed he had no interest in ever getting his life together or being independent. Derek finally found the courage to show some tough love, but episode 4 reveals that Matthew has moved in with his brother and continues to be a nuisance.

At her wits’ end, Liz turns to Paul for help. It’s a rather sweet moment, since Liz grants the old man one of her coveted shiny rocks—a badge of honor indicating her closest loved ones. Paul actually responds by telling Liz that he loves her too (though he notes that no one will believe her if she repeats it).

It’s then that Paul gives the advice that inspires Liz and Derek to let Matthew stay in their vacant, unfinished apartment. The only catch is that he has to do the renovation himself. So long as he makes progress, he will have free rent and enough food to get by.

Derek Goes On A Trippy Adventure

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Matthew’s new living situation kicks off the most comical sequence in Shrinking, season 3, episode 4. Before leaving the apartment, Derek snags a bag of gummies he thinks Liz has purchased for Matthew. What he doesn’t know is that these treats are dosed with cannabis. They’re only meant to be taken a couple at a time, but, completely oblivious, Derek eats the whole bag.

Thankfully, after an altercation with a genital-less mannequin, Derek is clever enough to ask for medical attention. Of course, he has no idea why he is suddenly flying so high and assumes that he has been poisoned. This inspires him to call just about everyone he knows to either warn them that their lives are at risk, too, or ask that they report the situation to the FBI.

Though Derek is completely okay, the doctors notice a slight abnormality with his heart rate. It’s unclear whether this was just a result of such a high dose of THC or a sign of a chronic problem. The doctor refers Derek to a cardiologist, so Shrinking is sure to circle back on that whole situation.

Michael J. Fox’s Gerry Returns For A Session With Paul

Fox’s cameo in Shrinking season 3’s premiere was an absolute treat, making his return in episode 4 the cherry on top. His character, Gerry, arrives at Paul’s practice for a therapy session after being referred by their joint neurologist. He explains that, while he has come a long way in accepting his Parkinson’s diagnosis and progression, he goes through a yearly low period during which life becomes a bit more difficult to get through.

Paul once again turns to the “field” strategy he used with Sean previously in Shrinking. The idea is to visualize walking into a warm, intelligent fog and inviting it to provide “the answer.” Fox’s Gerry jokingly participates but demands that Paul do the exercise with him.

The only thing that comes to Gerry’s mind during this exercise is the previous weekend, when he couldn’t find the strength or will to get out of bed, so his wife and daughter sat with him all day, eating ice cream and watching movies. It was a moment of warmth and joy within a difficult situation—the perfect something to hold onto when coping when Parkinson’s feels like too much.

Paul, on the other hand, recalls recent conversations with his loved ones. He sees his daughter stating that she wants to soak up all the time with him she can, and his wife playfully agreeing to spend slow, peaceful mornings together for the rest of their lives. Paul also sees Gabby, who reminds him how grateful he must feel to have had such an extensive and successful career. The field brings Paul an answer he wasn’t expecting, but he knows it’s the right one.

Paul Makes A Massive Career Choice

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Paul’s session with Gerry in Shrinking season 3, episode 4, helps him realize that it’s time for him to retire. He had previously been so resistant to the idea since he placed a great deal of his identity within his work. It is, quite understandably, not something Paul wanted ripped away from him. However, now that he is free to keep working if he wants, Paul realizes he wants to spend his days with his family rather than at work.

When Paul shares the news, Jimmy immediately understands and is eager to share an emotional moment with his mentor. Of course, Paul shuts him down, pointing out that it will take at least a month for him to wrap things up for retirement. Just getting this far has been quite a journey, so the remaining episodes of Shrinking season 3 are sure to give Jimmy the hugs, tears, and laughs he is looking for.

Release Date

January 27, 2023

Network

Apple TV

Showrunner

Bill Lawrence

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