‘Shrinking’ Season 2, Episode 7: “Get in the Sea” – A Tidal Wave of Emotional Honesty Crashes Over the Ensemble

In the latest installment of Apple TV+’s acclaimed therapy dramedy Shrinking, Season 2, Episode 7 – titled “Get in the Sea” – the show dives deeper than ever into the murky waters of vulnerability, secrets, and redemption. Directed by Randall Keenan Winston and written by Kyra Brown and CJ Hoke, this episode transforms simmering tensions into full-blown tidal waves, leaving nearly every character gasping for air. It’s a testament to the series’ strength that even amid heavy emotional sequences, the humor remains sharp and the ensemble support feels genuine, providing memorable lifelines just when viewers need them most.

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Jason Segel and Harrison Ford in a Season 2 promotional image for “Shrinking.” (Apple TV+)

The episode opens on a lighter note with Alice (Lukita Maxwell) confronting the fallout from her teenage drama. After her friend Summer posts viral TikTok videos accusing Alice of cheating, Alice matures visibly by reconciling with Summer – complete with a catchy “bop” that lightens the mood. More significantly, Alice decides it’s time to stop hiding her and Brian’s meetings with Louis (Brett Goldstein, reprising his guest role), the man responsible for her mother’s death. This subplot builds toward a gut-punching cliffhanger: Jimmy (Jason Segel) stumbling upon Alice, Brian, and Louis at dinner, his face registering pure betrayal.

But the emotional core of “Get in the Sea” belongs to two parallel stories of honesty and its consequences. First, Brian (Michael Urie) grapples with impending parenthood alongside partner Charlie. Terrified of the responsibility, Brian crashes Gaby’s (Jessica Williams) date with Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.), turning a casual evening into an impromptu therapy session. Derrick – ever the laid-back sage – suggests the group literally “get in the sea” to confront their fears.

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The ensemble gathers in the ocean for a raw confrontation in “Get in the Sea.” (Similar scene from the series; Apple TV+)

What follows is one of the season’s most immersive sequences: the friends wading into the Pacific Ocean for a group catharsis. Jimmy, ever the unorthodox therapist, orchestrates the outing, even inviting his patient Dan along. In the water, Brian finally voices his terror to Charlie, only to discover Charlie harbors the same fears. Their shared relief – culminating in a joyful yell of “We’re not having a baby!” while hugging amid the waves – is both hilarious and profoundly moving. It’s here that the episode earns its title, using the ocean as a metaphor for plunging into discomfort to find clarity.

Meanwhile, Liz (Christa Miller) takes a far more dangerous path. After weeks of flirtation with the free-spirited Mac, Liz allows a kiss – and kisses back. Following Paul’s (Harrison Ford) advice to be honest, she immediately confesses to her husband Derek (Ted McGinley). McGinley delivers a standout performance in the ensuing confrontation, his usual unflappable demeanor cracking to reveal deep hurt from years of suppressing emotions. The scene is heartbreaking, underscoring how even “perfect” marriages harbor unspoken pain.

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The “Shrinking” cast, including Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, and Michael Urie. (Apple TV+)

Jimmy, riding high on his “honesty era,” spends much of the day with patient Dan, helping him step outside his comfort zone. These lighter moments showcase Segel’s charm as Jimmy “Jimmyings” his way through life, blending therapy with real-world adventures. Yet the episode’s closing shot of Jimmy spotting Louis shatters his progress, setting up explosive fallout in the remaining episodes.

It’s a testament to Shrinking that those underwater sequences are so immersive – the cold waves, the raw confessions, the collective support feel palpably real. In turn, Benjamin Gibbard’s haunting main title theme “Frightening Fishes” (co-written with Tom Howe) feels like a lifeboat when it kicks in over the end credits, its lyrics about sinking wreckage and asking for help perfectly mirroring the characters’ journeys. Likewise, the episode finds memorable beats to come up for air through its ever-sharpening humor – Urie’s frantic Brian, Williams’ exasperated Gaby – and the supportive outlook among its ensemble.

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Harrison Ford and Jason Segel share a moment in Season 2. (Apple TV+)

Critics have noted some time jumps feel jarring, compressing developments that might have benefited from more breathing room. Yet “Get in the Sea” excels in balancing multiple arcs without losing emotional weight. Ford’s Paul remains a gruff highlight, dispensing wisdom while navigating his own vulnerabilities. The supporting players – from Luke Tennie’s Sean bonding with his father to Heidi Gardner’s Grace in prior threads – continue to enrich the world.

With only a few episodes left in Season 2, Shrinking is molding secrets into tidal waves that threaten to upend everything. This episode proves the show’s mastery of blending gut-wrenching drama with laugh-out-loud relief, reminding us that true healing often requires getting uncomfortably wet. As the ensemble treads water together, viewers are left eagerly awaiting the next wave.

Shrinking streams Wednesdays on Apple TV+. Season 3, already renewed with guest stars including Michael J. Fox, arrives January 28.