Apple TV's Shrinking Delivers Emotional Final Season Despite Flaws
The hit therapy comedy wraps up its three-season run with heartfelt moments and stellar performances, though some storylines feel rushed in the presumed finale.
Apple TV's therapy-centered comedy has captured global audiences through its stellar ensemble cast and sharp writing from Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, Jason Segel, and their creative team. The third season maintains that winning formula, delivering the same blend of humor and heart that made the show a standout hit.
Season Three Tackles Life's Big Transitions
This final chapter centers on major life changes for the main characters. Jimmy, played by Segel, watches his daughter Alice prepare for college while grappling with his mentor Paul's Parkinson's diagnosis. Harrison Ford's Paul faces the reality of living with his condition. The season explores acceptance and letting go, themes that feel especially meaningful given the show's focus on grief and healing.
The writing gets notably sentimental this time around. Characters express their feelings with therapeutic directness that sometimes feels artificial. Being therapists, they've always been emotionally open, but the dialogue occasionally crosses into overly earnest territory.
Final Season Pacing Creates Some Bumps
Lawrence previously indicated the show was planned as a three-season arc, and that structure shows. The writers work hard to wrap up every character's journey satisfactorily. While they succeed in giving fans the ending they want, some plot threads get sacrificed along the way. The rush to reach the destination creates uneven pacing throughout the season.
The cast remains the show's greatest strength. Segel, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Christa Miller, and Ted McGinley continue their charming performances. Ford grows more compelling with each season as his character develops complexity. Luke Tennie and Lukita Maxwell have evolved beautifully in their roles across the series.
Notable Guest Stars Add Fresh Energy
Michael J. Fox appears in a role that clearly resonates personally given his own Parkinson's diagnosis. His limited screen time feels constrained, likely for medical reasons, but his presence adds weight to the storyline. Jeff Daniels delivers solid work in late-season episodes, though his reserved approach might have benefited from a bigger performance style.
Sherry Cola stands out as the season's most impressive addition. Known primarily for comedy, she tackles a dramatic multi-episode arc as one of Williams' character's patients. Cola handles the emotional demands with surprising maturity and confidence, proving her range beyond comedic roles.
The show has grown increasingly sentimental with each season, following the trajectory of Lawrence's other Apple TV success, Ted Lasso. Despite the cheese factor, it consistently delivers emotional moments that leave viewers smiling. The real test will be whether the creators stick to their planned ending or feel tempted to continue the story like they did with Ted Lasso.