Parenting Tips from “Shrinking” S3 E4, “The Field”

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. The Oceanic Six took a back seat in this episode, so we could follow the island residents as they jumped through time, and Desmond as he walked directly into the path of Charles Widmore. Mentioned: Klingon vs. Ubbi Dubbi on The Big Bang Theory, the '70s kids' show Zoom. Next week, we'll continue with season 5, episode 4, "The Little Prince." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Shrinking. This season is supposed to be about moving on, but our characters are really moving in a one-step-forward, two-steps-back manner. Mentioned: Jason Segel singing "Nightswimming," the Les Mis car karaoke scene from this episode, an earlier rendition of the song by Jason Segel and his How I Met Your Mother castmate Neil Patrick Harris, and the apropos songs "Letting Go" (about making mistakes) and "Bad Decisions."Next week, we'll continue with Shrinking S3 E6, "Dereks Don't Die." We'll be back tomorrow to discuss Lost.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a book by Caroline Dooner with a title that appeals: The F**k-It Diet: Eating Should Be Easy. Terri might be skeptical of the advice, but she salutes anyone who's figured out how to make money with their writing.Terri's random recommendation is our old pal Zoom, which allows us to record together from different time zones and even helps us with transcripts.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on one-star reviews of parenting experiences.Next week's lineup:Shrinking S3 E5, "Hold Your Horsies," on Tuesday, March 3Lost S5 E3, "Jughead," on Wednesday, March 4Weekly roundup on Thursday, March 5Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode continued the theme of fallout from the Oceanic Six's departure, as Hurley struggles with maintaining the lie that the group told. Back on the island, Daniel's trying to figure out what timeline they're all in, and Frogurt becomes Fried-gurt.Next week, we'll continue with season 5, episode 3, "Jughead." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Shrinking. This time, Liz tried to extend her mom powers by surveilling Brian and Charlie, but crashed and burned with her actual offspring at a critical moment. And Derek learned a lesson about taking candy from children.Next week, we'll continue with Shrinking S3 E5, "Hold Your Horsies." We'll be back tomorrow to discuss Lost.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a book to read to your dog (probably while your child is listening): The Bedtime Book for Dogs by Bruce Littlefield. She also made the happy discovery of a fourth title in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mysteries series: The Rushworth Family Plot. Mentioned: The Book with No Pictures, The Monster at the End of This Book.Terri's random recommendation is the music video for Taylor Swift's "Opalite," which is a charming little rom-com that got its start when Taylor appeared on The Graham Norton Show.In the archives, we checked in on episodes on the Winter Olympic Games from 2014 and 2018. Mentioned: Canadian Olympic athletes wearing Lululemon capes, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier's “Vincent” free skate, U.S. curler Aidan Oldenburg.Next week's lineup:Shrinking S3 E4, "The Field," on Tuesday, February 24Lost S5 E2, "The Lie," on Wednesday, February 25Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 26Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. We kick off season 5 with a check-in on the Oceanic 6. How are they doing? Not that well, as Kate has to flee from a pushy lawyer, Hurley's going viral in a compromising photo, and Ben's popping up to be menacing.Next week, we'll continue with season 5, episode 2, "The Lie." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Shrinking. This episode brings us that old sitcom standard: A new baby! And a huge crowd of people hanging around nervously (Brian) and bossily (Liz). Mentioned: Childbirth scenes on thirtysomething and ER.Next week, we'll continue with Shrinking S3 E4, "The Field." We'll be back tomorrow to discuss Lost.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a cozy mystery inspired by the Bernie Sanders mittens meme. It's called Feel the Bern (of course), and the author is Andrew Schaffer.Terri's random recommendation is a browser add-on called Wakeout, which prompts you to do a minute or two of exercises every time you open a new tab. (It's also available as an app.)In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on real-life conversation hearts.Next week's lineup:Shrinking S3 E3, "D-Day," on Tuesday, February 17Lost S5 E1, "Because You Left," on Wednesday, February 18Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 19Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In the final two hours of season 4, the Oceanic Six finally, officially, leave the island. The island also leaves its former location, and Ben beats it, too, leaving Locke in charge. But we also know that that won't last forever. So, a lot to come in seasons 5 and 6. Next week, we'll continue with season 5, episode 1, "Because You Left." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.