Shrink

Shrink is a groundbreaking television series that premiered on Seeso in 2017. Seeso, owned by NBCUniversal, is a premium comedy streaming service that brings some of the best comedic television series and original programming to your screen. Shrink is one such original series and was one of the service's standout offerings. Equipped with a unique premise, extraordinary cast, and smart humor, the series rapidly won the hearts of critics and viewers with its creative storytelling approach.

The protagonist of Shrink is the likable, relatable David Tracey, brilliantly portrayed by Tim Baltz, who is also one of the co-creators of the show. As the series begins, we find that David has recently earned his medical degree with a specialization in psychiatry, but in a somewhat grim twist of fate, he hasn't managed to secure a residency. Unfortunately, on top of that, he is combined $500,000 in debt from his education. Without a license to practice psychiatry, he is stuck in a professional limbo.

Turning lemons into lemonade, David decides to begin seeing patients unofficially and conducting pro bono psychotherapy from his parents' garage. He is convinced that logging 1,920 clinical hours under the watch of a supervising doctor is the key to getting his career back on track and validating his commitment to becoming a therapist. This decision sparks a series of humorous, heartfelt, and sometimes cringeworthy sessions with the quirkiest mix of patients you could imagine.

David's patients range from the eccentric to the deeply troubled with many offering more existential crisis than actual psychological disorders. This disparate group of clients adds considerable color to the series and offers a platform for various comedians to show off their skills in guest roles. Though each patient has different issues, they all serve to underline the deeper themes of the show—mental health, self-reflection, human connection, and the relentless pursuit of personal dreams despite life's many setbacks.

The portrayal of David's interaction with his patients offers much insight into his empathetic and sometimes comical handling of their neuroses, fears, and idiosyncrasies. Baltz's performance as the struggling Dr. Tracey, who frequently seems to need help just as badly as his patients do, is poignant and often achingly relatable. His eagerness to empathize with his patients, despite his own staggering debt and personal failures, paints him as an eternal optimist and dreamer—one who viewers can't help but root for.

Just as David's garage therapy room is filled with oddballs, his personal life is no less complicated. We learn that his parents are eccentric themselves, with his overbearing mother and a father deep in denial about his financial situation. His relationship with his free-spirited younger sister, who shows open disdain for his chosen profession, also adds another layer to his character. Each character in David's personal life illuminates a different facet of his struggle, amplifying the narrative's emotional resonance while grounding it in the reality of his world.

Shrink is directed by Ted Tremper, who also co-created the series with Baltz. Employing a deft balance between comedy and drama, the pair have crafted a show that consistently strikes a resonant chord while staying true to its comedic roots. The show addresses mental health with a surprising level of sincerity and bucks the oft-employed trend of reducing mental health disorders to stereotypical tropes or punchlines.

The series' comedic tones complement the heavier issues it addresses, and the episodes' pacing effectively balances thoughtful introspection with comedic relief. In Shrink, comedy and personal drama coexist harmoniously, each amplifying the poignancy of the other.

All eight episodes of the first season are available to stream on Seeso. Sadly, the series didn't get a chance for a second season due to Seeso's closure, although fans hold out hope that the show will be picked up by another network. Regardless, the debut season remains a unique, offbeat, and insightful tour de force that is well worth watching.

From its distinct premise to its ingenious storytelling, Shrink is a gamut of human experience. It offers a critical yet lighthearted exploration of the crossroads of personal ambition and professional stagnation, compelling viewers to examine their own definitions of success and personal fulfillment. It’s a truly refreshing blend of insightful themes, quirkiness, and humor, which together make Shrink not just a TV show, but a surprisingly profound commentary on life.