A comedy about psychiatrists? Is that a thing?
I’m a bit of a TV junkie. Give me a binge-worthy show and you may not see me all weekend : )
Is this habit a redeemable quality? Is there some way that I can justify watching and rewatching (and re-rewatching) some of my favorite shows over the years? Is there something about binge-worthy television that translates into developing a binge-worthy personality?
One of my favorite new-ish shows is Shrinking, which just premiered its second season on Apple TV.
Not only is it entertaining in a Ted Lasso-ish way (which makes sense, since they share some writers/producers) — the character development reveals some key insights into how each of us can bring our unique Advantages into whatever we’re doing (and become binge-worthy ourselves!).
Here is a quick summary of the show in case you haven’t seen it (and you definitely should check it out – Season 2 recently started):
Shrinking follows Jimmy, a therapist struggling with the grief of losing his wife. In the midst of his emotional breakdown, Jimmy begins to break professional boundaries by giving brutally honest advice to his patients, leading to unexpected and often chaotic results. His unconventional methods create ripple effects in both his personal and professional life. Other characters in Jimmy’s life include his teenage daughter, Alice, his colleague and mentor Paul, and his quirky best friend Gaby. As Jimmy tries to heal himself, he ends up helping—and sometimes complicating—the lives of the people around him.
Here is a great video with some of the best scenes from Season 1
Let’s look more deeply at the characters, along with my take on which Fascinate Archetype™ I think they represent.
Jimmy: The Catalyst
Let’s start with Jimmy, played by Jason Segel, who is the central figure in Shrinking. He’s all about shaking things up in a way that feels raw, innovative, and just a little dangerous. His grief causes him to rethink the rules, throw out the therapist’s handbook, and dive headfirst into making impulsive decisions that often shock those around him. The guy’s an Innovator—he doesn’t just challenge the status quo, he obliterates it.
Jimmy embodies The Catalyst Archetype, driven by Passion and Innovation. He’s restless, always seeking new ways to help people, even when those ways don’t always work out. For my Catalysts out here – sound like anyone you know? That unrelenting need to change things can sometimes land him in a bit of Double Trouble when he pushes boundaries too far, turning Passion into drama and Innovation into chaos. But it’s that very willingness to break the mold that makes Jimmy so magnetic, and it’s why we keep rooting for him even when he’s barreling toward disaster.
Gaby: The Maverick Leader
Gaby, portrayed by Jessica Williams, is pure dynamism—she lights up the room with her energy, wit, and boldness. Unapologetically confident and always in control, Gaby’s Archetype? The Maverick Leader. Operating from a combination of Innovation and Power, she’s a force to be reckoned with. Gaby doesn’t just enter a room; she takes command of it, setting the tone with her sharp humor and fearless attitude.
She’s always on the cutting edge, pushing boundaries and embracing change, whether it’s through cracking jokes or delivering hard truths about life and relationships. Gaby is the friend who won’t just push you to dream bigger—she’ll make sure you follow through, even if it means challenging the status quo or shaking things up. She has a strong presence and thrives on influence, guiding those around her with her blend of creativity and authority.
But The Maverick Leader has a shadow side: Double Trouble often shows up as Anarchy. Gaby’s need for control and excitement can sometimes manifest in impulsive decisions that disrupt the lives of those around her. She isn’t alone in this (no spoilers here!), but her willingness to break the rules and assert her influence often leads to some messy, complicated situations. That’s the risk with Maverick Leaders—their Power can either inspire or create chaos when taken too far.
Paul: The Wise Owl
Paul, played by Harrison Ford, is the quintessential Wise Owl. He’s calm, measured, and radiates authority and intellect. His influence is based on Trust, with a strong Mystique Advantage too. He keeps people at arm’s length, reveals only what he must, and manages to convey more with silence than most people do with words.
Personally, as The Provocateur, I’m all about Innovation, but I can’t help but respect Paul’s controlled, almost enigmatic style. (And also, who doesn’t like Harrison Ford!)
Paul represents stability in a chaotic world, and yet, that very stability can be used like a shield, something he uses to keep others from getting too close. This creates an undercurrent of tension, but also a deep fascination.
Paul’s Double Trouble? He risks being unmovable – and being perceived as distant or unapproachable, especially in a world where everyone’s so desperate to connect. But his quiet strength is also what keeps the entire group from going off the rails—most of the time.
Fascinate Interactions in Action
What is truly fascinating is how these characters’ Archetypes interact. Jimmy’s chaotic Catalyst energy stirs things up, forcing Paul’s Wise Owl to step in as the voice of reason. Gaby’s Maverick Leader persona often dances between Innovation and Passion, countering Jimmy’s reckless impulses with her own bold moves.
This is why Shrinking is so binge-worthy? (and I wish there were more episodes! I’m having to wait for new episodes to drop each week and my Innovation Advantage is craving more!)
The show is not just a comedy or a drama. It’s all about the characters and how they fascinate us. Each character has their own unique pull, their own magnetism, their own ways that keep us hooked, wanting more. (Binge! Binge!). Even when they’re making questionable choices or causing chaos, I can’t turn away.
(And there is something to be said about the power of Fascinate when it comes to how teams interact, but that’s the subject for a different blog post : ) If that sparks any interest, please reach out … we would love to discuss how it can be used with your team!)
That’s the beauty of understanding Fascinate Archetypes: they help us see why we’re drawn to certain personalities, on-screen or off, and why people are drawn to us.
Just like a binge-worthy show, people with fascinating personalities capture your attention. The characters in Shrinking may feel larger-than-life, but the truth is, their qualities mirror real life in more ways than we realize.
So, to answer my earlier questions: Is my TV habit redeemable? Absolutely! In watching characters like Jimmy, Gaby, and Paul, I’m not just consuming entertainment, I’m experiencing what makes people (and ourselves) so endlessly fascinating.
Sure, these characters embody the extremes of their Archetypes — it’s TV after all. In doing so, they reveal how we, too, can harness our own archetypal powers—or fall into Double Trouble if we’re not careful.
The more important question may be this: Is there something about binge-worthy television that translates into a binge-worthy personality?
I think so. Just like a well-crafted character, you have your own unique qualities that draw people in. Whether you’re The Maverick Leader like Gaby, The Catalyst like Jimmy, or maybe The Wise Owl like Paul, you’ve got a Fascination Advantage that makes you unforgettable!
Once you understand your own Archetype, you’ll see how to amplify your strengths—and be on the lookout for Double Trouble when necessary.
Here is some fun homework: the next time you find yourself glued to the screen, take a moment to think about what it is that makes these characters, and people in general, so hard to turn away from. Who knows, you might just discover your own binge-worthy superpower.
Want to learn more about becoming binge-worthy?
Start by taking the Fascinate® Test to uncover your most binge-y qualities!
