If there’s one universal truth about Apple TV‘s Shrinking, it’s that every single character on the show would like to have sex with every other character on the show. Or at least, they all talk a lot about how sexy they are, and often intimate that sex would happen if they weren’t with their current romantic partner. One exception to that rule? Harrison Ford’s Paul and Ted McGinley’s Derek. That is, at least, until this week’s episode, “Happiness Mission,” revealed they’re a pair of bisexual Kings.
While at a gym so that Paul can get exercises to help him with his Parkinson’s induced hallulus (aka, hallucinations), Derek pops up, and kicks off the scene in question with a positive comment about Brian’s (Michael Urie) insane short shorts.
“You know Brian, I’ve never seen your upper, upper thighs before,” Derek says. “You should show them off more.”
Brian decides this is reason enough to allow Derek to stay, and as Paul works out, a random gym-goer passes by and tosses out, “Nice clenching.”
“Look, I agreed to come to your gym ’cause I thought I’d get hit on less,” says Paul.”
“You’re a power grandzaddy. People can’t control themselves,” Brian says. “Don’t be uncomfortable.”
Paul scoffs. “I lived through the ’70s,” he says. “You think I never had a threesome with another man?”
“What?” says the shocked Brian. “You shut your old, straight mouth.”
“Used to be mandatory,” Paul adds, leaning in and putting his hand on Brian’s shoulder.
“He’s not wrong,” Derek adds. “Even in the ’80s. Aw, I miss Steve. And big, tall Randall.”
Brian is stunned.
“Congratulations, you made him speechless,” Paul says, and he walks off to the locker room with Derek.
“Wait, I have so many questions,” Brian says, and so do we.
Later, Paul and Derek hang out in the locker room and watch naked men go by, with Paul remarking, “of the 16 guys in this room, 11 of them have shaved genitals.”
That’s more a joke about him counting everything, but the positive damage, if that’s a thing, is done: we need Derek and Paul to hook up. Hell, I don’t even think their wives would mind if it happened, and we the viewing audience certainly wouldn’t mind. Maybe Derek is thinking about big, tall Randall, and Paul decides to cheer him up… Sexually. Or Derek is thinking about Steve and cheers him up. Sexually. Either way, Harrison Ford and Ted McGinley is the pairing we never thought of, and now we’ll never not think of again.
Somewhat of a non-spoiler, but having seen the full season, Paul and Derek do not hook up with each other by the Season 3 finale. But given there’s a fourth season in the offing, there’s still time. Make it happen, Apple. The people demand #PaulDerek. And hey, maybe we can get a spinoff out of this. Heated Psychiatry, anyone?
Shrinking Season 3 Premiere Dates And Episode Guide:
New episodes of Shrinking Season 3 technically premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV, though given time zones in the United States new episodes will hit the service at 9pm ET / 6pm PT on Tuesdays. We’ve listed the Wednesday dates below, just for posterity.
Here’s what we expect from the full list of episodes in Shrinking Season 3, with premiere dates.
- Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 1, “My Bad”
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 2, “Happiness Mission”
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 3, “D-Day”
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 4, “The Field”
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 5, “Hold Your Horsies”
- Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 6, “Dereks Don’t Die”
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 7, “I Will Be Grape”
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 8, “Depression Diet”
- Wednesday, March 25, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 9, “TBA”
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 10, “TBA”
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Shrinking, Season 3, Episode 11, “TBA” *Season Finale*
Where To Watch Shrinking Season 3
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