In an interview, Christa Miller discusses the exploration of therapeutic topics in 'Shrinking' Season 2.
In an interview, Christa Miller discusses the exploration of therapeutic topics in 'Shrinking' Season 2.
The AppleTV+ series "Shrinking" is widely enjoyed, not just for its hilarious moments and outstanding cast, but also due to its message that it's acceptable not to be perfect.
Focusing on therapists grappling with their own issues and their challenging clients, the series goes deep into mental health, human struggles, and our shared journey in this chaotic thing we call life.
The show provides its audience with the liberty to be imperfect and encourages the normalization of seeking help from a therapist. In an interview before the finale, Christa Miller, who plays Liz, emphasized this point. "I love this show because everyone is just trying to get better. I like that it's getting people to talk about therapy. I've benefited from it. Why is there this taboo around it? I appreciate it."
Shrinking was co-created by Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, along with Jason Segel. The narrative is loosely based on Miller's real-life psychiatrist, brilliantly portrayed by Harrison Ford as Paul, a rough-around-the-edges, straight-shooting therapist battling Parkinson's disease.
According to Miller, her therapy sessions centered around action and behavior change. "But even when you do all of it, sometimes you have a slip. Sometimes, you go back into old behavior. You have to always keep striving to be better. Most people I know want to change."
A private person, Miller chose to share her therapy experience publically. "I just thought, I'm gonna talk about it. This show is based on my psychiatrist and he's changed my life. I agree people don't change unless they want to and when they see that changing will make their life better. But it's hard.”
Segel portrays Paul's protégé, Jimmy, a therapist whose life spirals out of control after his wife's tragic car accident death. He struggles to connect with his daughter but unexpectedly starts helping his patients when he disregards traditional therapy rules.
Jimmy's ability to heal others conflicts with his personal struggles, which he only seems to grasp until Louis, the man responsible for his wife's death, enters their lives.
The first season's first ten episodes were impressive. The remaining twelve episodes in the second season were flawless, until the finale's emotional scene between Jimmy and Louis at the train station, which contained spoilers.
Miller confirmed the finale's implied plot development. Jimmy visits the train station to prevent Louis from committing suicide. She praised Lawrence's directing skills in the finale episode, which balanced humor and sorrow perfectly.
Miller described Shrinking as a show about self-forgiveness and forgiveness towards others. "Sometimes people get into this black-and-white area in life. There's a gray area, too, and you must realize you haven't walked in someone else's shoes. People make mistakes and people can change."
When asked about forgiveness, she stated it would depend on the circumstance and whether it involved recklessness or an unintentional mistake. In this situation, however, she believes it may not be about forgiveness but empathy.
Since Louis entered their lives, Jimmy has been teetering on the brink of returning to his rock-bottom state. HisFamily and friends find ways to forgive Louis, including his daughter.
The show was also inspired by a neighbor of Miller and Lawrence who lost his wife in a car accident. "He had two kids. He lost it. He had parties at the house. It was nuts. We felt so bad for him. Bill went over and we went over and talked to him; it was difficult. He got past it, which is the hopeful thing."
As for the blend of comedy and tragedy in the series, Lawrence discussed this during the show's first season. "What I love about the streaming television era is that I can say, ‘I wanna do a show about a guy who lost his wife, he’s a therapist, and his partner at work has Parkinson’s disease, he's been a terrible father to his daughter, and he's using alcohol and narcotics to cope, and he’s not connecting to anybody, oh and it’s a comedy.’"
Miller admits that Liz, despite appearing as a know-it-all, has a special place in her heart. "I was a working mom and those moms who may annoy others saved me. I love her. She's just a fun character."
She also mentions that many women connect with her as empty-nesting women seeking a new passion. This leads to the topic of Liz's rocks, inspired by Miller's real-life hobby of rock collecting, which symbolizes her love. All the show's characters understand the significance of receiving a rock from Liz.
Miller shared with me that she had a rock tumbler as a kid, and around ten years ago, she resurrected her interest in the hobby. "I'm particularly fond of agates," she expressed, displaying some stunning coasters she'd recently crafted for friends.
The pandemic saw her enthusiasm and resources spill over into her backyard. "It got a bit geeky," she chuckled. "I've got rock tumblers and a sanding machine now. It's like meditation for me. I love it."
Her passion became an integral part of their home life, with friends and family, including their three children, able to choose from her collection. Just like Liz, Miller tends to her rocks frequently. "Once they've tumbled, they're like glass. They're absolutely stunning. Agates look like marbles when they're tumbled."
This is a full-blown obsession. Miller even has a rock identifier app on her phone. Goldstein was astounded when he visited and saw Miller's outdoor rock station complete with rocks, saws, and wet saws. "This is the craziest thing I've ever seen!" he exclaimed, unable to comprehend it.
Miller's rock tumbling also made its way into the show. And to top it all off, she serves as the show's music supervisor, a role she's also held for Scrubs, Cougar Town, and Ted Lasso.
The show's cast includes Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Ted McGinley, and Michael Urie. Shrinking is set for a third season.
Hollywood's entertainment scene has seen a surge in shows focusing on mental health, with "Shrinking" being a notable addition. This business venture, co-created by Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel, explores the complexities of therapy and human struggles within the Hollywood setting.
The success of "Shrinking" in the entertainment industry can be attributed to its realistic portrayal of therapists and their clients, as well as its message that seeking help is not a weakness but a sign of strength.