What’s Next For Gaby After That Terrible Loss

Warning! Spoilers for Shrinking, season 3, episode 8 ahead!Shrinking season 3, episode 8, answers the questions we were all wondering after the previous episode—how will Gaby handle that devastating news? In the very last moments of Shrinking season 3, episode 7, “I Will Be Grape,” Gaby received a call from one of her patients, Donna, who told her that Maya had passed away. This was someone Gaby had been working with extensively, and she was very proud of the progress Maya showed in and out of session. Death is always terrible, but it was immediately clear that the loss of this patient would hit especially hard for Gaby.

Prior to this horrible news, Gaby had been in attendance at a rather strange birthday celebration. The party marked Tia’s second birthday following her death, and Jimmy and everyone else were eager to make the day positive. They sang piano karaoke in honor of Tia, but what made the whole thing so strange was that this was the first event Jimmy decided to invite Sofi to. It’s been clear since Shrinking season 2 that Jimmy and Sofi have chemistry, but it’s been a challenge to get their relationship off the ground. Such an odd first date might not have been too helpful. Still, it’s something.

These were the two major developments of Shrinking season 3, episode 7, and they carry us into the next installment of the Apple TV dramedy series, titled “Depression Diet.” Episode 8 picks right up with Maya’s funeral, which Gaby attends from a distance. At first, she is “fine.” Gaby knows that losing people is an occupational hazard. However, as the episode progresses, this death begins to feel even more personal to Gaby.

Gaby Is Initially Determined To Keep Things Moving After Maya’s Death

Paul calls a meeting with Jimmy and Gaby to discuss Maya’s death and check in about what steps should be taken next. Through his unique brand of comedy, Paul comforts Gaby, encouraging her to be patient with herself. However, recognizing how personally Gaby would take this loss, he urges her to get back on the horse. She’s eager to take this advice and plans to continue with her scheduled patients as usual. While this is technically what Paul hoped for, he can also recognize that Gaby isn’t exactly facing the situation either.

As Gaby continues with her life and job, leading group sessions for Veterans at the MMA gym and seeing her regular patients, Paul keeps a close eye on her. This is naturally very annoying to Gaby, who assures her boss that she is fine. Still, we see that Paul’s concerns are valid as Gaby’s mental state continues to decline throughout Shrinking season 3, episode 8.

Jimmy & Sofi Have Another Unconventional “First” Date

Jimmy offers Gaby his usual overenthusiastic support in Shrinking, but he quickly becomes preoccupied with his own life as he and Sofi go on another date. The divorcee shows up to collect some of the things she had left at the house during Tia’s birthday celebration and takes the opportunity to ask Jimmy if they could try a first date again (after Alice asserts that the piano karaoke didn’t count). Jimmy naturally agrees, and the pair plans to have dinner at Sofi’s house.

Unsurprisingly, this date doesn’t go particularly well. Sofi’s ex-husband, Nick, was supposed to pick up their son and leave, but he ended up hanging around the house for the majority of the evening. It’s evident that there are no boundaries here, and Sofi awkwardly asks if Jimmy will guide them through a quick counseling session. Eager to get back to the date, Jimmy gives in, announcing that both Sofi and Nick have unresolved attachment. He encourages them to set boundaries, and Sofi takes the advice and asks Nick to return his key to her house. It’s some (strange) progress.

Given how clearly disastrous this whole situation was, Sofi asks once again if she and Jimmy can give their “first” date another try. There’s no need to schedule this next attempt, however. The two share a pretty passionate kiss in the end, and Shrinking season 3, episode 9 is sure to reveal exactly where this moment took them.

Brian & Charlie Finally Set Some Boundaries With Liz

Ever since Brian and Charlie had their baby, Sutton, Liz has been helping them out as a part-time nanny. Of course, as everyone expected, her approach is always pretty invasive. In Shrinking season 3, episode 8, this comes to a head as Liz discovers that Sutton’s birth mother, Ava, is living with Brian and Charlie. She dives right in, demanding that her friends set boundaries, and then heads to Ava’s work to talk to her about the situation herself.

The irony here is that Liz wants Brian and Charlie to set boundaries, all the while she refuses to give the couple any personal space. Ava points this out, noting Liz’s hypocrisy. Liz takes this to heart. She heads over and demands that Brian and Charlie set boundaries with her as well. They ultimately agree, and “fire” Liz. Still, does it really count as a boundary when Liz herself orchestrated the whole thing?

Gaby & Paul’s Emotional Conversation In Shrinking Season 3, Episode 8’s Ending Explained

Gaby’s determination to get back to life as usual in Shrinking season 3, episode 8, does not go well. It’s clear that she is cracking, and everything comes to a head when her patient, Donna, who referred Maya to her, decides to see a new practitioner. Donna and her husband had been coming to Gaby for years, but it quickly became clear during their session with Gaby in episode 8 that they had lost trust in her. They can’t understand why Gaby couldn’t have helped Maya. There’s blame and resentment, and though Gaby supports their choice, it’s a breaking point.

During her session with Donna, Gaby learns that Maya had some pretty severe abandonment issues stemming from her childhood. It’s something that the woman had never opened up about in therapy, and Donna’s accusations that Gaby should have known more get to her. In Shrinking‘s previous episode, Gaby had been eager to start a trauma center and continue working on those tough cases. Donna’s accusations make her question everything. She’s not sure she is cut out for the work, and despite Paul’s encouragement to keep getting back on the horse, Gaby decides to take a break from her patients.

Shrinking season 3, episode 8, ends with a rare sight. When Gaby refuses to hear Paul out and rushes out of the office, we see tears building up in Paul’s eyes. He knows that Gaby is a great therapist, and it absolutely breaks his heart to see her confidence shattered. Paul has been in the occupation for a long time, but it doesn’t take all that experience to see that Gaby is close to breaking. The longer she avoids getting back on the horse, the less likely it is that she ever will. Paul doesn’t want this fate for Gaby. Of course, there’s still hope as Shrinking season 3 continues.