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Shrinking season 2 episode 5 follows a number of plotlines around Jimmy Laird, Paul Rhoads and Sean. In recent episodes, Sean ended up with an unwelcome visitor from his past, namely his own father. When Liz sold her shares in the food truck business to allow Sean's father a chance to reconnect with his son, it put Sean in a difficult position.
The two became estranged due to Sean's father having antiquated views on mental health and his judgmental attitude towards Sean's PTSD.
Shrinking season 2, episode 5, titled "Honesty Era" begins with Sean hanging out with Jimmy and Paul who advise him to be honest with his dad but also do his best to maintain a loving relationship with him.
By the end of Shrinking season 2, episode 5, Sean learns the hard way that his father hasn't changed as much as he'd hoped, and he doesn't take it well.
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Shrinking season 2 sees Sean go back on a downward spiral
Sean's story arc bookends the fifth episode of Shrinking season 2. Sean is with Paul and Jimmy watching a football game, trying to figure out how to handle his dad's unexpected return to his life.
Jimmy and Paul are aware that Sean loves his father despite everything, but his toxic attitude towards his son's past PTSD has resulted in a lot of unresolved tension. They encourage him to continue a good relationship with his father so that when he finally opens up about his complicated feelings, they come from a loving, non-aggressive approach.
The last scenes in Shrinking season 2, episode 5 show Sean trying to open up to his father about his past issues. Unfortunately, while the two start out on a friendly note talking about deveining shrimp, once Sean says that he believes his father let him down, things go downhill.
His father immediately goes back to his old ways and begins disparaging Sean's therapists, claiming they manipulated him into blaming his parents for all his problems. He then shames and chastises Sean for ever thinking he was failed by his father and storms off.
The depth of his father's emotional abuse becomes clear in the episode's closing scene, where Sean copes by getting into a fight with some drunkards outside a bar. It remains to be seen how his father's continued stigmatization of therapy will affect him moving forward.
Shrinking season 2, episode 5 shows Jimmy mending fences with Gaby
Jimmy has been on the outs with Gaby, thanks to the rough manner in which their affair ended in episode 2. Gaby is also facing issues in her family, thanks to her sister pressuring her about their mother's medical problems.
Jimmy continues to make overtures to get back into Gaby's good graces, and for most of the episode, she rebuffs him. Jimmy is also dealing with some awkwardness around Liz and his daughter, Alice, as Alice's impulsive affair with Liz's son Connor ends up screwing up his relationship with Summer.
Liz's relationship with Derek also becomes strained, thanks to her ex-boyfriend dropping by to see her, and Jimmy revealing this fact. Eventually, when Jimmy gushes about a trip with his daughter to Liz at an inappropriate time, she loses her cool and unleashes on him, calling him out for his bad decisions that have caused her no end of grief.
While Liz cools off after her outburst, Jimmy takes the right lessons from it. He eventually visits Gaby at her home and makes a sincere offer to hear her out about her family troubles. Gaby recounts her difficult relationship with her sister, who used to be the black sheep of the family due to her addiction issues.
In penance, she stayed behind to look after their ailing mother while Gaby pursued her ambitions to become a therapist. Her sister grew resentful for remaining stuck with the sole responsibility for being their mother's caretaker and wants Gaby to pitch in more.
In response to hearing this, Jimmy tells Gaby the hard truth: that her sister has a point. Gaby isn't too thrilled to hear this but doesn't disagree and reconciles with Jimmy, who has lunch with Gaby's family together at the dining table.
In Shrinking season 2, episode 5, Paul deals with his complicated past
Paul has begun a new love life with Dr. Julie but also faces some uncomfortable reminders from his past, thanks to his ex-wife, Susan, paying him a visit. He's initially terrified of finding out why Susan would come back into his life and looks to avoid her.
When talking with Brian, who's working with him on some legal matters, Paul eventually reveals that his fear is primarily driven by guilt. His professional success had taken a toll on their marriage, and one day, while in a fight with his wife, he cheated on her.
While that happened a while ago, it's clear that Paul still hasn't forgiven himself and doesn't expect his ex to forgive him either. Brian ends up convincing Paul to practice what he preaches and to face his difficulties head on.
When he does, Paul realizes that his fears are overblown, and he reconciles with Susan. The two then join Julie in watching a presentation given by Paul's daughter, Meg.
Shrinking season 2, episode 5 showcases that even therapists are human beings who can struggle to live up to their own ideals. Sean's character arc also shows in pretty stark terms that the stigma against therapy isn't something that's easy to shake off. Shrinking season 2 streams exclusively on Apple TV+.
