What is special about the show “Shrinking”? While the name implies reducing in size, value, or fearfully withdrawing, the show is about facing fears, forgiving, and rebuilding. The diverse cast and strong guest appearances from legendary performers have elevated it into a widely watched hit. The show features a group of friends and families, which includes (3) therapists or “shrinks.” But here’s what makes it fun to watch…they all spend time “shrinking” each other with jaw-dropping dialogue. It widens their circle and expands their audience.
Season 3 has earned 7 Emmy nominations as a result of bold storylines, including mental health, PTSD, suicide, death, grief, parenting, and Parkinson’s. Many of us, myself included, knew very little about this Apple TV show until word started to spread that Michael J. Fox was returning to acting to appear on it. He was heading Back to the Future to use the Force with Harrison Ford, one of the shrinks!
Why is Shrinking so appealing and binge-worthy across the board?
My husband Mike and I decided to watch a few episodes. My first impression was: this is horrible, and people don’t act this way. But as we watched a few more shows, I thought, maybe this is more the way life happens, people want to react and say what they mean, but they don’t. The characters are now “shrinking” us through some brilliant satire.
Are they over the top? Absolutely. But it brings to mind one of my favorite Michael J. Fox quotes: “Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.” That sentiment is at the core of this show.
It uses humor to bring serious, emotional, and scary topics, including mental health, to a discussion at the dinner table, not behind closed doors. Mental health is presented as an important part of life. Everyone has shit, and when it gets overwhelming, there are ways to handle it. And they may not be the same for everyone. Paul says one word when life gets overwhelming…”WOOF.” And that one word became a cognitive-behavioral therapy tool for anyone watching. That in and of itself makes this show resonate with so many people, including me.
Ok, so let’s get to the meat and potatoes – How were the Parkinson’s portrayals?
For me, the most relatable storylines are with Paul, Harrison Ford’s character. From the anguish of receiving a PD diagnosis, and the guilt for burdening his family and friends, to meeting his friend, Gerry, played by the one and only Michael J. Fox. Fox brings credibility and represents that it’s ok to find laughter in our everyday interactions… whatever they may be.
A PD diagnosis is a punch in the gut. While you are gasping for air, you look around, hoping no one notices. At first, no one does, but eventually they do, and you find your footing. You find your community. Those who will always be there for you in all aspects of your life. I am a mom of three grown sons. Sometimes I can relate to Liz – the mother of three boys who goes over the top at times, but only because she loves them. Life and its challenges are not black and white – take it for the beautiful and messy gray that it is.
My thoughts as PwP. (Spoiler Alert!)
- Paul was easily and frequently seen by an MDS, and that is not how it usually happens. Nor do most patients marry their neurologist.
- Tremor was the most apparent symptom, but the story expanded beyond the old guy with a tremor to a full portrayal of Parkinson’s.
- The relationships and the feelings of guilt for burdening your children are spot on. However, I don’t know how many people with Parkinson’s live with their children.
- It sucks to give up driving, but the trash cans Paul hit represented the danger that becomes real.
- Our carepartners see more in us than we see in ourselves. They are our biggest fans, and we are our worst critics. The show portrays that well.
They may have leaned into Parkinson’s stereotypes in some aspects: casting an older male (albeit a nice-looking one) with tremors and falls, but a two-minute scene brought hallucinations and speech into the conversation, expressing that speech exercises “suck.”
The scene tees it up perfectly, with Gerry saying to Paul, “Fuck Parkinson’s.” Paul says it back half-heartedly. Gerry yells, “Say it like you mean it.” And in true form, Paul looks back, gives Gerry the finger, and yells, “Fuck Parkinson’s!”
It is not a cure, but damn, it feels good to say it. It is cathartic. It became a sensation on social media, and the base of a Parkinson’s Awareness month public education project co-led by PMD Alliance and the PD Avengers.
We have the world’s attention. Now, let’s make the world listen. The F-Parkinsons movement has started!