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Can we talk about the plot twist in Season 1, Episode 10 of Apple TV's, Shrinking?

Deciphering the Unfathomable Season 1, Episode 10 Twist in Shrinking. I need to hear your opinion

By Courtanae HeslopPublished 2 years ago 5 min read

Have y'all seen that show, Shrinking?

Jimmy Laird, a therapist struggling with tremendous grief following his wife's death, begins to cross ethical boundaries by telling his patients what he truly believes, leading in dramatic upheavals in his and their life.

The Plot

Step into the intriguing world of "Shrinking," where the boundaries of therapy are shattered by a therapist in the midst of profound grief. Meet Jimmy, brought to life by the incomparable Jason Segel, a therapist who dares to break the mold. He leaves behind the clinical conventions, exposing his innermost thoughts to his clients—no sugar-coating, just raw honesty. This radical shift challenges Jimmy's entire professional foundation, built on years of education and experience. But the impact is nothing short of transformative, for both Jimmy and his clients.

However, change is seldom without consequences. Jimmy isn't alone in this psychological journey; he's surrounded by suspicious mental health peers. These coworkers are skeptical of his unusual techniques. To add to the complication, Jimmy works in a successful clinic founded by the venerable Dr. Phil Rhodes, played by the great Harrison Ford.

Dr. Rhodes, renowned as a "blue-collar shrink" and a pioneer in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, is battling Parkinson's disease. He struggles with his new reality throughout the series, thinking on his legacy, family, and the fates of his proteges, Jimmy and Gaby. All of this takes place against the backdrop of his signature dry, no-nonsense approach.

As the story progresses, it becomes evident that a brutal new world lies ahead. The cushion of warm emotional support is removed, and the lives of Dr. Rhodes, Jimmy, Gaby, and their clients intersect in an engrossing and thought-provoking drama. "Shrinking" takes you on an incredible trip into the heart of therapy, testing the limits of what it means to fully connect and heal.

The Hidden Hints

Pain sometimes force you to step outside of your comfort zone, up to and including our grasp on reality. A therapist is supposed to help you with things like this. But what happens when the pain is affecting your therpaists? Is he immune to the change or alterations to reality when he goes through something immensly painful? Well, Shrinking gave us the answer to that doesn't it?

There were so many hidden hints thathe was not fit to be listening or giving advice in a professional manner.

We see his behaviour in his first meeting with Sean, a patient with anger management concerns who meets with Jimmy.

We also see it when he blows up at Grace in a session with her.

It's quite obvious that his boss, mentor and friend, Dr. Paul Rhoades, keeps talking to him about his constant disregard of ethics with his clients.

The bomb shell

Prepare to have your mind blown by the finale's startling finish! Grace, driven to the brink by her emotionally abusive husband, unleashes a breathtaking act of vengeance. Remember her previous fantasy of throwing him off a cliff? Prepare to be shocked as she transforms imagination into reality by "boop"-ing him to his demise in response to his insult and threat. The best part? Jimmy, the therapist, may have helped to fan the fires. In a brief therapy session, he fuels the flames of her imagination, encouraging her to embrace her inner strength. "That's what I'm talking about!" he exclaims. Off the ledge! Blow those brains! "Gobble them up!" It's a moment that will leave you speechless, similar to Sean's explosive outburst—a stark warning about the dangers of hastening your therapeutic path. This heart-stopping finale is full with surprises!

A therapist is NOT supposed to tell you what to do

Surprisingly, a therapist's role is not to dictate your choices, but to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, assisting you in unlocking the doors of your own mind." Yet, in the warped world of 'Shrinking,' we see a therapist who defies all expectations. Imagine a bereaved therapist, Jimmy Laird, holding the frayed shards of his sanity following the death of his loving wife. The anguish is unbearable, pushing him to the edge. But he falls even more into the abyss.

Laird openly rejects the entire spirit of his job in a shocking disclosure. He throws ethical judgment to the wind, careening into his patients' chaotic lives, unconcerned about the consequences. He disregards every caution sign, every flashing neon light that says 'STOP.' He tells his patients what he believes, not what they want to hear, as he continues his inexorable spiral into madness. It's a bet on theirs and his own sanity.

Traditionally, therapists encourage clients to trust themselves and make their own decisions. The therapist serves as a guide, a light in the darkness, illuminating the path to self-discovery. They keep the questions, not the answers. In 'Shrinking,' however, Jimmy Laird has evolved into a decision-maker and manipulator, keeping us on the edge of our seats, wondering how far he'll go in his search for atonement or disaster.

As we get through 'Shrinking,' one thing becomes abundantly clear: this is no ordinary therapy session. It's an emotional rollercoaster, a spine-chilling investigation of human weakness and perseverance in which the borders between sanity and madness blur into a frightening, unforgettable story.

Let's not forget accountability on the part of the patient, Grace

In an unexpected turn of events, responsibility emerges as the unsung hero of 'Shrinking.' Prepare yourself for this: Jimmy Laird, the therapist in excruciating anguish after the death of his wife, teeters on the brink of reality, blindsided by his unrelenting grief. He ignores every red flag, obliterating the ethical bounds of his job.

But here's the shocking revelation that will leave you dumbfounded. It's not just Jimmy who is to blame in this mess. Grace, one of his patients, receives a verdict that shakes our knowledge to its core. Jimmy may have given her bad counsel, encouraging her to 'boop' her abusive spouse. The true stunner, however, is that Grace, against all logic, shoved her tormentor off a cliff.

Accountability is not an afterthought in this tangled story. It's a surprise that defies all expectations. While Jimmy's therapist's failure is evident, Grace's actions are unmistakably her own. She cannot avoid the repercussions of her actions by blaming her therapist.

Personal responsibility becomes a raging force in the cruel world of 'Shrinking,' refusing to be disregarded. Grace's actions, however encouraged or misinformed by her therapist, represent a grim reality: we all have the ability to make choices, and we must endure the consequences of those choices, no matter how shocking or distressing the circumstances.

Finally, 'Shrinking' unfolds a spine-chilling narrative that challenges us to consider not only the therapist's conduct, but also the limitless capacity for human agency and the shocking repercussions that ensue.

Idk know, what do you think? Leave a comment below.

Watch the trailer for Apple TV's shrinking here:

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About the Creator

Courtanae Heslop

Courtanae Heslop is a multi-genre writer and business owner.

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  • Test2 years ago

    Super!!! Excellent story!!!

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