Raw Dog meaning on Shrinking is to perform something recklessly or without preparation. Paul Rhoades uses this phrase in the recent episode.
Shrinking is a new comedy-drama television series created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein.
The series debuted on January 27, 2023, on Applr TV+. The main cast of the series includes Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller, and Harrison Ford.
It is about a therapist, dealing with severe grief, who starts to break ethical barriers by opening up to his patients about what he thinks. His action then causes a massive change in his and their lives.
The last episode of the series (Episode 6) landed on February 24, 2023. Ford, who plays the role of Paul, really stood out in the sixth episode.
His personal life has been one of the significant parts of the season, and this episode marks a tonal shift for the back half of Season 1 of Shrinking.
He finally tells about his disease to his daughter Meg.
What Does Raw Dog Mean in Shrinking?
Raw Dog on Shrinking means to carry out any activity without preparation, recklessly. People also use the slang for doing something without hesitation.
Paul from Shrinking uses this phrase in the sixth episode without knowing its real meaning.
According to the Urban Dictionary, the term is a semantic broadening of the original sense of unprotected activity based on risk. You have no protection, and the consequences may be severe, but you still do it.
We can further relate it to going to an exam or test without studying enough. For instance; “I shouldn’t have attended that party last night! I passed out before I could prepare for my exam and had to raw dog my history exam.”
Ford (playing Paul) brings much to this comedy series. It’s easy to take him for granted when you see him in every episode, but the fact that it’s Ford saying all these lines, and really committing, makes every Paul scene inherently funny.
The idea of Harrison getting high is hilarious. The way he misuses the phrase “raw dog” in the recent episode is funny. Even his idea of using the phrase without knowing what it means is very on-brand for him.
While talking with Liz, Paul says, “she raw dogged me at the cheese store.” Liz asks, “What do you think raw dogging means?” He replies, “Well, to talk to somebody that doesn’t want to talk to you.”
He again uses the term in another scene when he says Liz not to raw dog him again.
Shrinking Episdoe 6 Recap
Episode 6 starts with Sean opening up to his friend and therapist, Jimmy. He has traumatic flashbacks to his time overseas, and the therapist tries to comfort him about these reactions.
In the kitchen, Paul, Jimmy, and Sean chat. Paul confesses he has told his daughter, Meg, about his Parkinson’s disease. Meg is flying over next week, and he is worried about what’s to come.
Gaby’s confusion is addressed next. She is having a hard time after her divorce from Nico. She can’t seem to connect with the new guys she is dating. She then calls Liz to discuss this weird development.
Liz then meets Paul and Alice on one of their rendezvous in the park. She gifts Paul some gummy sweets to help him with his tremors and anxiety.
Meanwhile, Brian finally buys an engagement ring for his partner, Charlie. He tells Jimmy and Gaby this exciting news and shares his proposal plans. Brian wants to pop the big question at a party in front of all his friends.
However, he wants to have his moment in a bigger house than his, preferably Jimmy’s. The therapist tells Alice about his conversation and how he refused to give his house to his friend.
Alice tells Jimmy to change his mind, referencing how he always throws parties with Tia.
Apple TV Shrinking Season 1 Review So Far
Apple TV’s Shrinking has received generally positive reviews. People have praised the series for its storyline, characters, presentation, and perfectly timed jokes.
Rotten Tomatoes, the review aggregator website, reported an 81% approval rating for the series with an average rating of 7.30 out of 10, based on 78 critic reviews, indicating generally favorable reviews.
The critics’ consensus says that the series has darker ideas on its mind than its earnest style can often translate. However, Harrison Ford and Jason Segel’s turns make these characters worth close analysis.
Entertainment Weekly’s Kristen Baldwin gave Shrinking a B+ and described it as “a funny, brainy grief-com about the power—and dangers—of radical honesty.”
James Jackson of Times (UK) said the series is drier -less feelgood than Ted Lasso. He further said it is notable for having Ford as a fellow therapist who gives his friend, Jimmy, worldly advice.
Lucy Mangan of Guardian praised the character of Ford. She said, “in only his second ever small screen role, and the first to let him remind us all of his comic as well as dramatic chops – who holds it all together.”
Moreover, Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave Shrinking a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars. He said although you never know what goes on behind the scenes, you get the feeling Harrison is having a great time on the show.
Shrinking has also attained good reviews on IMDb. One user (rating 10/10) said, “I’m loving it so far. Has a great cast! I’ve laughed but I’m sure this will be sad at some point.”
Another user commended the infectious chemistry between the characters.