Shrinking: Jessica Williams on Gaby’s Grief & Harrison Ford’s Impact

The Apple TV+ series “Shrinking” is delving into the emotional fallout of a patient’s death, with Gaby (Jessica Williams) grappling with a crisis of confidence after learning her patient Maya (Sherry Cola) died from an accidental overdose.

The revelation, which occurred in the final moments of last week’s episode, revealed toxicology reports indicated Maya had alcohol, Xanax and OxyContin in her system at the time of her death. The uncertainty surrounding whether the death was accidental or intentional has deeply affected Gaby, forcing her to question her approach to therapy and her career path.

“I consider that that’s a real learning curve for her and a steep one,” Williams told TVLine. “It makes Gaby want to quit and she’s in a really dark place. But what is nice is that she then has to lean on her tribe to support pull her out of it, and that comes through in the way of Paul.”

Williams highlighted the significance of scenes with Harrison Ford, who plays Paul, as particularly rewarding. “I get misty thinking about how lucky I am that I get to act with him,” she said. “It was a joy to play.”

In Wednesday’s episode, Paul joins Gaby’s trauma support group, offering a space for open discussion about grief and loss. The group explores the cumulative effects of grief and how past traumas can resurface with current losses. Despite the support, Gaby ultimately decides to cancel her appointments and take a break, rejecting Paul’s suggestion to continue working.

“I’ve spent so much time moving into trauma work, I never even stopped to think if I should,” Gaby confesses to Paul through tears. “And that was a big f—king mistake because I suck at it.”

Apple TV+ currently offers a seven-day free trial, followed by a subscription fee of $12.99 per month. Bundling options with Peacock are as well available, starting at $14.99 per month. The streaming service features a range of original series and movies, including “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” and “The Morning Show,” as well as access to sports content like Formula 1 and Major League Baseball. The Apple TV app is available on various devices, and offers options to manage subscriptions and purchase or rent content.

Williams expressed gratitude for the show’s collaborative environment, emphasizing the trust she places in the writing and directing teams. “My job as an actor is to just show up and do the lines to the best of my ability,” she said, “and there’s a relief to that because I get to look at our amazing writing and our amazing directors and trust them, and be like, ‘Alright. Third season. Let’s freaking do it.’ I just sense very lucky.”