I’ll be honest, ten episodes into Shrinking‘s spectacular third season I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve burst into tears while watching or which cry was most cathartic. But without a doubt, I’m confident that Harrison Ford and Jason Segel’s Season 3, Episode 10 scenes were high on the list.
Shrinking Season 3, Episode 10 spoilers ahead.
With a finale on the horizon, Shrinking Season 3’s penultimate episode, “The Bodyguard of Sadness” sees Alice (Lukita Maxwell) officially graduate high school, which means Jimmy’s (Segel) emotions are sky high. With his father (Jeff Daniels) leaving before the ceremony and Paul (Ford) getting ready to move to Connecticut, Shrinking‘s strong, sensitive protagonist finally cracks.
As Jimmy struggles to stifle the complex feelings he has about his daughter leaving, his childhood trauma, and losing the one true father figure in his life, Segel gives incredible performances — both subtle and commanding. His work throughout the episode will blow you away, but when Ford steps in for the final scenes, the two will absolutely wreck you.
Shrinking Season 3, Episode 10 Recap (Jimmy & Paul’s Version)
Season 3’s penultimate episode opens on Jimmy internalizing the rage, disappointment, and sorrow he feels over his father. Randy continues to charm Jimmy’s loved ones, but he still hasn’t told Alice he’s skipping her graduation to go on a fishing trip. His selfish, sneaky plans remind Jimmy of all the times his father failed to choose him — including his own high school graduation. And the thought of Alice moving out, his heartbreak over Sofi (Cobie Smulders), and news that Paul left the building to Gaby compound those simmering emotions.
Jimmy tells Paul he can’t remember a time when he connected with his father on an emotional level. “You ever talk to him about it? You can’t be mad at somebody for not changing their behavior if you haven’t had the courage to tell them how you feel,” Paul advises. “They rarely [change], but then you get to be mad and let ’em fucking have it.” That’s how Jimmy and Randy wind up at the batting cages, having a destabilizing heart-to-heart with a literal fence between them, visually representing their divide.
“I think it’s awesome how generous, and warm, and fun you can be when you come visit. But it also always feels like you have one foot in and one foot out, and it can be really confusing for a kid,” Jimmy says. “It makes them feel like they’re not as important to you as you are to them. This whole fun and done thing, it’s not enough for her. It was never enough for me…Cancel your fishing trip. Show up at graduation.”
After Jimmy pours his heart out, an uncomfortable Randy bluntly reminds him, “I’m not that guy, Jimmy. And buddy, I can’t tell you how much I don’t want to keep having this conversation. So if you got anything else to say, get it out now.” In famous pre-crash out words, Jimmy says, “I’m good.” And on graduation day, after Randy bails on Alice and she’s unfazed, he tells his son, “I told you she’d be fine. Not everyone is as sensitive as you.” Segel’s facial journey, the palpable pain he exudes, and the quiet suffering in both scenes bring tears to my eyes every damn time. And though he tries to stay strong, the load finally becomes too heavy to bear.
One might assume Jimmy will break down at Alice’s graduation, but shedding sentimental, shared tears in the car when talking about Tia (Lilan Bowden) is enough of a temporary release. I’m convinced Jimmy could have made it through the graduation party, too, had Paul not decided to use it as his own goodbye party. As Paul walks around the party for hugs, Julie (Wendie Malick) sees Jimmy clinging to the wall and says, “I’m not sure which is harder, being the one who leaves or the one who’s left behind.” As Jimmy ponders her words, Paul goes to hug Alice and promises no tears like her dad. “Not everyone’s as sensitive as he is. I’m a tough guy. I can handle it,” Paul says, unaware Jimmy can hear and that his words mirror those Randy said hours earlier.
When the s-word cuts like a knife, a triggered Jimmy heads up to his balcony, where Paul finds him to confirm plans for their goodbye breakfast plans. Quickly sensing Jimmy’s coldness, Paul asks if he’s alright and the floodgates open. “You’re really fucking arrogant, you know that? You expect everybody to worship you and you don’t care at all if they feel valued or not,” Jimmy snaps. “I don’t know what I did wrong, Paul! I’ve always been there for you. I’ve been there for your patients… Everything I’ve done has been to make you happy!”
In true Shrinking fashion, the emotional scene features much-needed levity when Jimmy accidentally reveals he slept with Paul’s daughter and Derek pees off the neighboring balcony. But Jimmy isn’t leaving without going nuclear. So he airs pent-up frustrations over Paul giving the practice to Gaby and not having the “decency” to tell him he was moving. “I’m supposed to be your guy. I’ve been your guy. And this is how you treat me? I don’t fucking deserve this!” Jimmy screams, kicking the balcony’s wooden rods, prompting a fearful Paul to say, “Easy, kid…”
In analyzing Jimmy’s outburst and his unresolved daddy issues, Paul calmly says, “I think these feelings you’re having might be meant for someone else. I leave tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. Come say goodbye when calmer heads prevail. I don’t want to leave with you having regrets.” Even after getting the chance to hit reset and apologize, Jimmy doubles down. “I think [the feelings are] meant for both of you. I get it now. I’m not as important to you as you are to me. I just feel stupid it took me that long to realize it. I’m just not that sensitive, Paul. I’ll survive,” he says.
GOD.
After Jimmy flashes a haunting forced smile, a crushed Paul on the verge of tears turns and walks away. Jimmy looks back and sighs, clearly in agony, but when the next morning comes, he stands Paul up. As Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ “I Remember Everything” swells to set the mood, Shrinking shows a distraught Paul sitting on a box in his living room waiting for Jimmy. As his hands shake from tremors, he fires off a text saying, “My car is here.” Jimmy’s phone buzzes on the kitchen counter, he reads the message, and puts the phone down silently. With a frown so deep it could slice me open, Paul realizes the son he never had isn’t coming. He grabs his suitcase, gives the house one last look, and leaves.
Pardon my French, but where the fuck are the Emmys is what I want to know? Both Segel and Ford have consistently made viewers cackle and torn at our heartstrings for three straight seasons, and these devastating penultimate episode performances alone are worthy of serious allocates. Their chemistry feels effortless, as does their ability to play off each other. Their generous acting informs and enhances each other’s executions. And both tap into uncomfortably raw, incredibly vulnerable emotions in both big and small ways.
Jimmy’s daddy issues play a role for sure, but his love for Paul and his debilitating fear of going through life without him is what ultimately fuels that fiery balcony exchange. Rather than confront hard truths, he uses sadness as a shield, or dare I say, a bodyguard! So I need Shrinking to make up for downright destroying me in that Season 3 finale.
New episodes of Shrinking Season 3 premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV.