Jimmy is on a date! He is out to dinner with the nurse from the previous episode: Kimmy. Yes, Jimmy and Kimmy. She cried so hard that she threw up. At least Jimmy is making more of an effort to put himself out there, and everyone is proud of him. It’s Paul’s first day back at work, and everyone is happy to have him back. He has missed the routine so much. Brain and Charlie are at home with little Sutton, and Liz tests them on every possible level. How to change the diaper, how to sooth her, and when to know she wants to sleep or play. She even installs a secret camera in the nursery to spy on them. It is very creepy, but Brian doesn’t mind as he loves being on camera.
Jimmy encourages Gaby to take a different approach with her new client Maya, as she is visibly struggling. Maya just doesn’t want to open up, and it’s putting Gaby in a bad mood. Jimmy brings up the infamous “Jimmying” technique, and Gaby immediately shuts that down as she believes that she needs to have boundaries. The two put a hold on their conversation as they need to get going to Gaby’s class. Jimmy is lecturing. In the class, he tells them about “Jimmying.” The students are visibly uncomfortable as they think it’s an unprofessional approach. However, Wally, one of Jimmy’s clients with intense OCD, shows up to said class and tells them how “Jimmying” worked for her. She then proceeds to tell everyone that Jimmy helped her, on her bed. This leaves everyone in the room shocked. When they get back to the office, Jimmy immediately yells at Gaby that she set him up for failure because she’s just butthurt over her client Maya. Gaby then calls Jimmy out for going through multiple women three months after Tia died and how messed up he was during that time. Not to mention that he was hanging around Tia’s killer, which is also why she’s been in a bad mood. Jimmy does acknowledge this, but he still encourages Gaby to take a different approach. At the end of the day, he just doesn’t want to see Gaby upset.
Liz and Derek invite Matthew to live back with them, but on the condition that he has to take care of himself and build their spare room from scratch. Derek finds candy that Matthew brought and indulges in it. Little did he know that they were weed gummies. Derek is extremely high while walking through the streets of Pasadena. He is loaded into an ambulance, laughing the whole time, and telling everyone that he is dying. Everyone meets up at the hospital for him, and a doctor ensures him that he is going to be fine once the THC levels wear off.
Paul meets up with his last client of the day, the one with Parkinson’s, Gerry. Paul explains his technique “The Field.” It’s where you close your eyes and imagine good things around you or in your life: Your Field. Paul does this exercise with Gerry, and Paul has visions of those he loves speaking to him. It’s nice for him.
At Liz’s home, she debriefs to Brain on what happened to Derek. Liz explains how she is embarrassed by Matthew and that he didn’t even show up for his dad. Matthew was in the room listening. He immediately storms out, leaving Liz in a panic.
The episode ends with Jimmy going back to the office towards closing. He then has a deep conversation with Paul, who thinks it’s time for him to retire. Paul gives him a genuine hug. This ended the episode on a sweeter note.
This episode had a mixture of comedic moments as well as heartwarming moments. This is what makes Shrinking so unique: it’s a show that perfectly balances the ups and downs of life and those who have faced difficult, life changing elements. The scenes with Derek being high were unquestionably hysterical, and we are seeing a different side of Liz in terms of the relationships with her sons. She is more firm, but still doesn’t express it to them directly. Hopefully in future episodes, Matthew will forgive her, and he can get his life together. The character of Maya is extremely likeable as well as relatable because she is afraid to open up, but wants people in her life that she trusts, as she is feeling very lonely. Jimmy and Gaby’s relationship is as complicated as it gets. One moment they love each other, the next they fight nonstop; it’s part of them. They’re good buds, this is just another bump in the road. The tiny added storyline at the very end regarding Paul leaving work was very interesting. Let’s see where this goes.
8.5/10