Shrinking: Apple TV's 3-Part Psychological Drama Series That Keeps Getting Better

Apple TV has yet another series on its hands that seems to just get better with every season. This is, obviously, the goal of just about any TV show, but it's easier said than done. There have been hundreds of great series that had strong starts but were brought down by the dreaded sophomore slump. Even once a show gets through two seasons, there's no guarantee that it will have real longevity. Season 3 is typically when a TV show really has to prove itself. Something with the right formula will often make it through, and Apple TV has more than proved that it knows exactly what it's doing.

For a show to not only make it through but get better with each season, it needs to know its own destination, know its audience, and be consistent. Apple TV shows—whether sci-fi, thriller, comedy, or beyond—tend to immediately establish that strong sense of destination, cueing viewers in on episode 1 that this story is going to have a great payoff. From there, Apple delivers on that hook by consistently giving viewers what they want. We are never misled and are instead continuously guided toward that promise

This is precisely how Apple TV's Shrinking has continued to shine. In the hands of anyone else, this psychology-based comedy series would have sputtered out after that first season. Instead, Shrinking is thriving as it nears the end of season 3, and it's showing no signs of stopping.

How Shrinking Has Managed To Raise The Bar With Each Of Its 3 Seasons

Apple TV had gold in its hands from the very beginning with Shrinking. The series follows Jason Segel's Jimmy as he self-destructs after the death of his wife. He drinks, does hard drugs, and parties with prostitutes by night, but—and here's the kicker—he's a practicing therapist by day. It's quite a hook, and with comedy geniuses like Bill Lawrence, Segel, and Bret Goldstein behind the wheel, it couldn't go wrong. If Shrinking didn't have enough of an edge, the addition of legend Harrison Ford to the cast list really sealed the deal.

Each of these elements allowed for a great first season, but where Shrinking really shines is in its somehow unpredictable consistency. These characters are steadfast in their identities and quirks, yet we never really know what will happen next in their stories. This is made possible because of Shrinking's tough central themes. It's a comedy show, but also a character study exploring the psychological development of its characters as they cope with life's most complex experiences. The believability and relatability of their growth keep us coming back for more.

As previously mentioned, a TV show with great legs must show viewers that there is a destination in mind. For Shrinking, the destination is as unique as its premise. The show is all about grief, so our destination would be a place where Segel's character and his loved ones have found healing after their tragic loss. However, Shrinking consistently demonstrates that such a psychological journey isn't linear. The destination is always shifting, and it looks different for everyone. So, while Shrinking has that needed goal, it has no limits regarding how it will get there.

Will Apple TV's Shrinking Ever Reach Its Limit?

Shrinking's creators previously revealed that they initially planned a three-season arc for the show. Segel's Jimmy (guided by Ford's Paul) would experience the lows of grief in season 1, learn to forgive in season 2, and move forward in season 3. However, that plan has changed. Shrinking season 4 has been officially confirmed by Apple TV.

TV shows being extended beyond their original planned ending isn't always a blessing. As previously stated, Shrinking's formula means that it never really has to end. Its destination revolves around the always-developing mental state of its central characters, so the story could carry on for the rest of Jimmy's life. Still, this isn't to say that it should. If Shrinking is pushed past its limit, that three-season upward trajectory will no longer mean anything.

Still, given how well Shrinking has been handled so far, we have every reason to trust that season 4 will be just as good (if not better) than its predecessors. We'll have to just trust Apple TV here. Regardless, if you haven't yet gotten hooked on Shrinking, now is the perfect time, since it's not going anywhere any time soon.