h3 ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Finale Insights: Bill Lawrence Discusses Thanksgiving Montage and Season 3 Themes h4 Co-Creator’s Take on Key Moments

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h3 'Shrinking' Season 2 Finale Insights: Bill Lawrence Discusses Thanksgiving Montage and Season 3 Themes h4 Co-Creator's Take on Key Moments
h3 'Shrinking' Season 2 Finale Insights: Bill Lawrence Discusses Thanksgiving Montage and Season 3 Themes h4 Co-Creator's Take on Key Moments

SPOILER ALERT: This article reveals details about the finale of Shrinking Season 2.

This year, the holiday season arrived early, as all episodes of Shrinking Season 2 are now available for streaming on Apple TV+. The finale was released on December 24, ahead of its originally planned Christmas Day debut.

In the Season 2 finale, titled “The Last Thanksgiving,” Jimmy (Jason Segel) and his friends celebrated Thanksgiving, but many of the concluding moments felt like Christmas presents. Gaby (Jessica Williams) had heartfelt reunions with both Derrick #2 (Damon Wayans Jr.) and her mother (Vernée Watson). Meanwhile, Brian (Michael Urie) and Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) received a call from Ava (Claudia Sulewski) regarding her baby adoption, and Jimmy received a meaningful rock from Liz (Christa Miller). Additionally, Louis (Brett Goldstein) experienced a moment of genuine forgiveness from Jimmy at the train station during the final scenes of Episode 12. For characters like Paul (Harrison Ford), the road ahead may be more challenging as Season 3 approaches, but as the wise therapist suggests, he has support to rely on during tough times.

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Bill Lawrence, co-creator of Shrinking and director of the finale, expressed that the smaller moments captured during the Thanksgiving montage were his favorite to film in Episode 12.

Watch on Deadline

“I was able to cut corners a little bit and say, ‘Hey, we’ll shoot lots of random moments in the Thanksgiving to cut with Louis at the train station.’ Seeing Christa and Lukita create their rock dance was really fun and charming,” Lawrence shared with Deadline. “Ted McGinley’s line about introducing his sons to Harrison Ford, followed by Harrison’s response about taking the kid’s beer away, was a highlight. I needed Harrison Ford to leave, and I suggested it would be amusing if he had to return for his hat. He added, ‘I’d have to come back and give her a smooch.’ That was a delightful moment. Directing these spontaneous interactions made the experience enjoyable, especially with unexpected contributions from Jessica.”

Lawrence elaborated on various aspects of the Season 2 finale and discussed the upcoming Season 3 theme of “moving forward” in the interview below.

DEADLINE: I spoke with Christa [Miller] a couple of weeks ago about the music, and she mentioned a song that the writers kept singing on set, which she really wanted to include in the finale. Was that the Chappell Roan song “Femininomenon”?

BILL LAWRENCE: Yes, I believe so. She couldn’t resist. My wife excels at music supervision.

DEADLINE: Do you see Brett Goldstein’s character returning for Season 3?

LAWRENCE: Absolutely, I need to leverage that guy. I think the ending was satisfying, and I hope viewers felt the same. I’ve publicly stated that the first season focused on grief, the second on forgiveness, and the third will center on moving forward. It’s essential to explore how that character’s life progresses, at least for a couple of episodes. Now, I just need to convince Brett to participate; he’s a busy man, which can be frustrating.

DEADLINE: With the theme of found family, do you think he fits into that narrative by the finale?

LAWRENCE: I see it more as a story about forgiveness. Fans often express discomfort with the idea of embracing the character who caused harm. Our show’s narrative is rooted in real-life experiences, including tragic stories like a drunk driving incident that affects families. It’s not just about found family; it’s about recognizing that we can’t move forward unless everyone involved does.

DEADLINE: The reunion between Jason and Cobie Smulders from How I Met Your Mother was a nice touch. Could her character return?

LAWRENCE: She symbolizes what moving forward means for him. I enjoy bringing back beloved characters, whether it’s Ted McGinley, Cobie, Damon Wayans Jr., or Wendie Malick. If they’re talented, I’ll gladly ask them to return.

DEADLINE: Kelly Bishop was a fantastic addition this season. Do you have anyone in mind for Season 3?

LAWRENCE: Not yet, but that’s part of the fun. It’s great to see Neil Flynn on the show as well. People often mention how actors from Spin City appeared in Scrubs, and those from Scrubs in Cougar Town. I believe in working with talented individuals I admire, both in front of and behind the camera.

DEADLINE: Ashley Nicole Black made an appearance at the end, and Meredith Hagner (who plays Sarah in Shrinking) is also involved in Bad Monkey. The Season 2 finale, “The Last Thanksgiving,” raises the question: Is it Paul’s last Thanksgiving? What does that imply?

LAWRENCE: If it were, I wouldn’t disclose that. Honestly, we’re just beginning to write Season 3, and I’m not sure I could handle that. What’s important to Brett and me, given our family connections to Parkinson’s, is to accurately and inspiringly portray what individuals dealing with that condition experience and what moving forward means. It will be emotional and challenging to depict, and I genuinely don’t know how it will conclude yet.

DEADLINE: Regarding the moment when he “forgot” to share gratitude, was that related to Parkinson’s, or was he simply distracted by his stress?

LAWRENCE: That’s a valid question. In that instance, it was more about his uncertainty in deciding whether he was ready to share what he ultimately revealed.

DEADLINE: I spoke with Michael Urie about Brian’s monologue, which was quite entertaining. He mentioned that each character faces a problem and a solution within the episodes. How do you feel about where everyone ended up in the finale, setting the stage for the next season?

LAWRENCE: The theme of forgiveness is intriguing. While many assume it’s about Jimmy forgiving someone, we intentionally crafted numerous forgiveness narratives—Gaby and her mother, Gaby and Derrick #2, Liz and her husband, and Brian and his husband. Most therapists would agree that forgiveness is often the key to addressing underlying issues. For Jimmy, the significant challenge was forgiving himself for his shortcomings as a father. In the first season, we aimed to highlight the consequences of actions, and this season, we wanted viewers to feel a sense of closure as characters navigated grief and forgiveness. As we move into the third season, every character has their own journey to address, with hints of what’s to come, such as Alice preparing for college and Sean still living in a pool house.

DEADLINE: I appreciated how the final scene with Jason and Brett was set to the same song by the same artist.

LAWRENCE: It was a different version, designed to create suspense. Viewers might anticipate something negative occurring, similar to earlier moments.

DEADLINE: I also enjoyed the balcony scene, as Liz and Jimmy have meaningful conversations there. When she threw him the rock, it was a great moment.

LAWRENCE: Someone asked me earlier if everyone now has a rock. I didn’t have an answer, so we need to clarify that. I believe Paul might be the only regular character without a rock, although I’m uncertain about Michael Urie.

DEADLINE: I’m curious about Brian, Charlie, and the baby. Liz will also be involved in raising the baby.

LAWRENCE: That’s part of the moving forward theme. The best way to address internal conflict is through fear. The storyline of Charlie and Brian is inspired by Randall Winston’s real-life experience with adoption. Brian has always wanted a baby but is terrified of the responsibility. It will be interesting to explore their journey as parents with Liz’s support, especially if Liz dreams of taking on that role again.

DEADLINE: Congratulations on the renewal of Bad Monkey. Is it relocating to LA?

LAWRENCE: Thank you. The show itself isn’t moving to LA, but production will. We’ll still film some scenes in Florida, but our sound stages will be in LA, allowing us to capture the beautiful beaches and towns for production value.

DEADLINE: Before the renewal, we discussed potential source material for Season 2, which has evolved since then.

LAWRENCE: Indeed, we’re still planning to use Razor Girl, Carl’s book, but it’s not a direct sequel to Bad Monkey. It doesn’t feature Yancy or many of the same characters. However, audiences seem to appreciate the surviving characters, and we’ll craft a story that keeps them within the same universe, as we have a talented cast.

DEADLINE: Are there any other actors you’re considering for that universe?

LAWRENCE: That’s part of the excitement. Once a show gains traction, it’s enjoyable to select from talented actors rather than desperately trying to recruit them. I once begged Zach [Braff] to join Bad Monkey for a few episodes. Now, I can choose from a pool of great talent once the story is established.

DEADLINE: Regarding the Scrubs reboot, have you secured a showrunner yet?

LAWRENCE: I can’t disclose details, but discussions about showrunner deals are currently underway, and you’ll be informed as soon as there’s news.

DEADLINE: Is there anyone who’s definitely not returning for the reboot?

LAWRENCE: I have great affection for those individuals. It would surprise me if anyone didn’t return. Ultimately, it will depend on their current commitments and availability, but in today’s television landscape, it’s about who can participate in a few episodes versus those who are regulars.

RELATED: ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Soundtrack: All the Songs You’ll Hear

Person: Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Damon Wayans Jr., Vernée Watson, Michael Urie, Devin Kawaoka, Ava, Claudia Sulewski, Liz, Christa Miller, Brett Goldstein, Harrison Ford, Bill Lawrence, Ted McGinley, Cobie Smulders, Wendie Malick, Kelly Bishop, Ashley Nicole Black, Meredith Hagner, Randall Winston, Vince Vaughn

Company Names: Apple TV+, Warner Bros.

Titles: Shrinking, Shrinking Season 2, The Last Thanksgiving, Bad Monkey, Razor Girl

Disclaimer: This article has been auto-generated from a syndicated RSS feed and has not been edited by Vitrina staff. It is provided solely for informational purposes on a non-commercial basis.

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