Paul's Retirement Plans & Jimmy's Big Kiss

Warning! Spoilers for Shrinking season 3, episode 5 ahead!Shrinking season 3, episode 5 sees its characters take further steps forward as Paul begins to plan for retirement and Jimmy finally gets that uncomplicated kiss. The last time we saw this dynamic crew, Paul had come to the difficult conclusion that it was time to walk away from his career as a therapist. His Parkinson’s symptoms had subsided enough that he was cleared to return to work, but that freedom came with the clarity that it was time to wrap things up (just on his own terms).

Also, in Shrinking season 3, episode 4, Jimmy went on his first date since Tia’s death, but it ended in disaster when the woman couldn’t stop crying over his status as a widower. Accompanying Jimmy in his misery was Liz, who was overheard by her son, Matthew, discussing just how disappointed she was in the man he had become.

Things were a little better for Gaby, who finally got her patient, Maya, to open up about her feelings of loneliness (with a little help from Jimmy’s “Jimmying” technique). Derek had a pretty good time as well after taking a few too many cannabis-infused gummies (though he did wind up in the hospital). That brings us to Shrinking season 3, episode 5, which brings both resolution and further complications to each of its characters.

Liz Is Still Trying Desperately To Get Matthew To Talk To Her

Shrinking season 3, episode 5, kicks off with the reveal that Liz still hasn’t been able to reach Matthew, despite calling him repeatedly. Part of the trouble here is that, though Liz didn’t intend Matthew to hear her, she was honest about her disappointment. It was Matthew’s fault that Derek ate those gummies and ended up in the hospital, and it took hours for him even to reach out. All of this followed several months in which Matthew continued to depend lazily on his parents and siblings.

So, while Liz feels bad about what her son overheard (as she really should), it will be up to Matthew to take this as a sign to make some changes. Hopefully, before the end of Shrinking season 3, Matthew will have learned some things, and his relationship with Liz will improve. Of course, Liz might have a lesson to learn here as well.

Sean Struggles To Break Out Of His Routine

Sean has come a long way since we met him back in Shrinking season 1. He no longer has angry, violent outbursts, and he has developed a good, healthy routine for his life and business. However, he is now struggling to take reasonable steps outside of his norm. His girlfriend, Marisol, wants him to take off work for a night out, but shaking things up like that makes Sean nervous.

Paul encourages Sean to let go of his routine enough to enjoy change. Marisol is a catalyst that could take Sean in a great direction, but he has to open himself up to it. The final push comes from Alice, who relates to Sean’s fear of moving forward after facing so much misfortune. Following an inspiring pep talk, Sean finally manages to head into the club and enjoy the night with his girlfriend and friends.

Gaby Comes Close To Ending Things With Derek

Gaby and Derek sitting in a kitchen in Shrinking

Gaby has found her way into a great relationship in Shrinking season 3, but she’s struggling to wrap her mind around that fact. Because she spooks easily, she asks Derek not to mention anything about the future. They will just enjoy the present and hold off on any conversations about marriage, kids, living situations, or anything else. However, Derek breaks that rule in Shrinking season 3, episode 5, when he uses “we” to discuss Gaby’s dream to open a trauma center.

Gaby predictably freaks out and calls just about everyone she knows to help her decide about this relationship. She comes very close to ending things with Derek right then, but her friends remind her that her cold feet stem from the disaster of her previous marriage. By the end of the episode, Gaby has calmed down and even permits Derek to talk about their future from time to time.

Paul Begins Planning For Retirement

Previously in Shrinking, Paul reminded Jimmy that his retirement would be a long process. He owns the practice, so it will take some work to sort out the legalities of walking away. Then there’s his patients to consider, since each will need to be informed and referred to other practitioners. Said and done, it will be some time before Jimmy can give his tearful goodbye.

Paul is none too stressed about his retirement in episode 5, but Jimmy is, as always, overly eager to help. He runs out to Paul’s storage unit to find patient records—a task that’s far from easy—and dutifully returns them to his mentor. Unfortunately, Jimmy doesn’t get the praise and appreciation he is after. He may have to resign himself to helping out without expecting a “thank you.”

Jimmy Finally Gets His Uncomplicated Kiss

Jimmy and Meg talking in a storage unit in Shrinking

There’s one character in Shrinking who can relate to Jimmy’s issues with Paul more than anyone else. We learned back in season 1 that Paul has a complicated relationship with his daughter, Meg, and though things have improved, there’s still a struggle there. Jimmy and Meg commiserate about this as they search through Paul’s storage unit in episode 5, during which they also discuss their respective relationship issues.

Meg is going through a rough time with her husband, and Jimmy mentions the disastrous date he had in the previous episode. He tells Meg he wishes he could just have one uncomplicated kiss to help him get back into dating. It seems Meg really hears him, since she later arrives at Jimmy’s house and plants one on him. Shrinking season 3, episode 5, leaves the pair kissing passionately.

Whether this is truly an “uncomplicated” kiss is hard to say. It’s certainly a tier down from Jimmy’s hookups with Gaby, but the fact that Meg is not only Paul’s daughter but also married certainly makes this intimate moment seem pretty darn complicated. All we can do is wait for Shrinking season 3, episode 6, to reveal how this kiss will play out in both Jimmy and Meg’s lives.