The new season of “Shrinking” is here, and the therapy sessions are just getting started. Following an eventful, hour-long premiere, the show returns this week with its next chapter. Here is everything you need to know about Episode 2, including when it arrives, what the story is about, and where you can watch it.
Apple TV+’s acclaimed comedy series “Shrinking” came back for its third season on January 28, 2026, with a special extended premiere. The show, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, continues to follow a group of therapists and their friends navigating grief, relationships, and personal growth. The new episode, titled “Happiness Mission,” is scheduled for release this week.
Release Date and Streaming Time for Episode 2
The wait for the next episode is almost over. “Shrinking” Season 3, Episode 2, “Happiness Mission,” will premiere on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
New episodes of the show are released weekly on this day. For most viewers, the episode will be available to stream at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) / 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Wednesday morning. However, Apple TV+ sometimes makes new episodes available as early as 9:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday evenings, so it is worth checking the service a few hours ahead of the official Wednesday date.
The episode is expected to return to the series’ standard runtime. While the Season 3 premiere was a longer, one-hour special, Episode 2 is anticipated to be around 35 minutes in length.
What to Expect in “Happiness Mission”
The official description for the episode gives a clear idea of the storylines that will unfold. According to sources, the plot will focus on the group supporting Paul, played by Harrison Ford, after a health-related setback. Meanwhile, Jimmy (Jason Segel) and his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) will help their friend Louis with a significant step in his life. The episode will also feature Liz and Derek making a difficult decision.
This health setback for Paul appears to be directly connected to the dramatic ending of the Season 3 premiere. In the final moments of Episode 1, Paul experienced a visual hallucination of his new acquaintance, Gerry, played by guest star Michael J. Fox. This moment confirms that Paul’s Parkinson’s disease symptoms are progressing in new and challenging ways.
“Mike made the mistake of going, ‘Yo, but you’re a f—— jerk for not asking me to do it,’” “Shrinking” co-creator Bill Lawrence said about recruiting Michael J. Fox. “I’m like, ‘Oh, my goodness, you’d be interested in it?’ And he’s like, ‘Dude, I would love to do it.’”
As for Michael J. Fox’s role, reports confirm that while his character Gerry was a hallucination at the wedding, the character is real and will appear in at least two more episodes this season. Fans can look forward to more of his meaningful interactions with Paul as they both navigate life with Parkinson’s.
How and Where to Watch “Shrinking”
“Shrinking” is an Apple TV+ exclusive original series. This means the only place to watch new episodes as they are released is on the Apple TV+ streaming platform.
To watch, you need an active Apple TV+ subscription. The service costs $12.99 per month in the United States. Apple offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers, which is a way to watch the new season at no cost. Additionally, people who have recently purchased a new Apple device may be eligible for three months of the service for free.
You can watch Apple TV+ on many devices, including iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, Apple TV hardware, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and through web browsers. If you do not own an Apple device, you can also sign up for a subscription through Amazon Prime Video Channels or on an Android device.
A Look Back at the Season 3 Premiere
The third season kicked off with a major event. The premiere, titled “My Bad,” centered on the spontaneous wedding between Paul and Dr. Julie Baram, played by Wendie Malick. The episode also introduced the character of Gerry (Michael J. Fox), who Paul first met in a doctor’s waiting room.
The season is set to explore several character arcs. Jimmy is preparing for his daughter Alice to potentially leave for college, which brings up new emotions. The show also welcomes back other guest stars this season, including Brett Goldstein, Cobie Smulders, and Jeff Daniels.
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What’s Next for the Season?
Season 3 of “Shrinking” will consist of 11 episodes in total, making it the longest season of the series so far. Following Episode 2 on February 4, new episodes will drop every Wednesday.
The scheduled release date for Episode 3, “D-Day,” is February 11, with Episode 4, “The Field,” set for February 18. The season is currently set to run through to its finale on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Good news for fans arrived just before the season premiered: Apple TV+ has already renewed “Shrinking” for a fourth season. This means there are plenty more therapy sessions and heartfelt moments to come from Jimmy, Paul, and the rest of the group.
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