Warning: SPOILERS forShifting Gearsseason 1, episode 10, “Kiss.”
The season 1 finale ofShifting Gearspushed ahead a few major story beats, leaving Matt and Riley’s relationship in a great place heading intoShifting Gearsseason 2. The series has undergone a number of status quo changes throughout its 10-episode first season, with evenShifting Gears’ production designshifting to demonstrate the growing impact Riley and her kids have had on Matt Parker’s life. As of the last episode of the season, however, the status quo has changed even more in ways that affect a number of major character relationships.
From the time of its announcement,Shifting Gears’ casthas always been the show’s biggest source of appeal. Tim Allen, Kat Dennings, and Jenna Elfman all draw fans from prior sitcom work, while Seann William Scott’s comedic acting translates surprisingly well from the silver screen to the living room. Butthe sitcom has also been following compelling storylines involving Riley’s relationships with Jimmy, Gabe, and her father. Meanwhile, Matt’s attempt to move on from his wife and his feud with Riley’s boss have played major story roles as well. The season 1 finale moves all of these plotlines forward.
Matt Officially Gets A Romantic Interest In The Shifting Gears Season 1 Finale
His Relationship With Eve Is Finally Heating Up
Even beforeJenna Elfman’sShifting Gearscharacterappeared onscreen, Matt’s feud with Eve had been very much established. Riley started working for the dance studio before Elfman’s first appearance, and Matt mentioned Eve by name when setting up his distaste for her neighboring business. ButEve’s first appearance in the series wasted little time in setting up her romantic future with Matt. Although their feud lasted for multiple episodes, Matt admiring Eve’s dancing abilities and her willingness to help him recover from a back injury established their potential rapport.
Shifting Gears Star Believes Riley Will Be “Absolutely Furious” Over Tim Allen’s Final Scene With Jenna Elfman
EXCLUSIVE: Shifting Gears star and producer Kat Dennings opens up about that finale kiss between Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman’s characters.
The title ofShifting Gears’ season 1 finale, “Kiss,” becomes relevant just toward the episode’s conclusion. Despite spending most of the episode arguing about Eve’s refusal to pay for damages after she dings Matt’s car door, they come together to cheer Riley up by throwing her a party when she doubts the direction her life is taking.Eve later grabs Matt and kisses him as he’s leavingbefore walking off without saying anything. It’s not clear how Matt’s grief might affect this relationship moving forward, but the seeds have been planted to explore that issue further.
How Gabe & Riley’s Almost Kiss Changes Their Dynamic In Shifting Gears
Even If She Doesn’t Remember It, He Definitely Will
While the episode title “Kiss” ultimately refers to Matt and Eve, the writers had gone through a few different versions of the script in which this might have changed. And toward the end,there’s a moment in which it looks like the title kiss will occur between Riley and Gabriel. Of course, there were also several moments in the episode that made it seem as if Riley might eventually get back together with her husband Jimmy.
“I Actually Squealed Out Loud”: Shifting Gears Season 1 Ending Unpacked By Kat Dennings & Seann William Scott
ScreenRant interviews Kat Dennings and Seann William Scott about Riley’s feelings for Gabriel and the Shifting Gears finale’s full-circle moment.
At the episode’s start, Jimmy informs Riley that he’s been booked on a Foo Fighters tour and is now making enough money to rent a house where they can live together with the kids. Considering the dysfunctional nature of the relationship betweenRiley and Jimmy inShifting Gears,Jimmy getting a steady gig appears to solve many of their previous marital problems. However, Riley eventually realizes that she doesn’t really love Jimmy. She’s just so used to being with him that she’s forgotten to set better dreams for herself. Ready to finally start doing that, she asks for a divorce.
Although his feelings for Riley were always a well-known secret, Gabe’s buddy Stitch finally calls him out on how he feels about their boss’s daughter.
Meanwhile,Riley’s relationship with Gabestarts to develop a little further. Although his feelings for Riley were always a well-known secret,Gabe’s buddy Stitch finally calls him out on how he feels about their boss’s daughter. Riley later acknowledges how nice Gabe has always been to her and tries to kiss him after the party, but he pulls back. Gabe’s unwilling to kiss her when she’s potentially blackout drunk, preferring the relationship to develop the proper way. They both seem ready to do that once her divorce is finalized, so that should very much become a major storyline next season.
Where Riley & Matt’s Relationship Stands In The Shifting Gears Season 1 Finale
Their Relationship Is Looking Healthier Than Ever
Early on, it often felt like there’d need to eventually be an appearance byRiley’s brother inShifting Gearsto help mediate her frequently combative relationship with Matt. But over the season,Matt and Riley have been seeing eye to eye with increasing frequency, and the season 1 finale pays that off perfectly. Rather than tell Riley what to do after Jimmy asks her to move in with him, Matt declares that it’s her decision and that he trusts she’s smart enough to figure things out on her own.
I’m So Sick Of Shifting Gears’ Oddest Recurring Gag, It’s The Laziest Joke In Tim Allen’s New Show
Shifting Gears has struggled to find its footing as a family comedy, but one recurring joke ruins any comedic momentum the Tim Allen sitcom has.
Matt even finishes restoring the GTO, making it easier for Riley to get around on her own if she moves out. However, the most emotional moment between the two occurs whenMatt admits that he likes having Riley in the house and doesn’t want his daughter or grandchildren to leave. He trusts her to figure things out, but he’ll be there to help her navigate getting out of bed in the morning until that happens. If they can maintain this arrangement, the two should now be free to develop their father-daughter dynamic in newer ways as the series continues.
Is Shifting Gears Season 2 Happening?
Things Are Definitely Looking Optimistic
At the time ofShifting Gears’ season 1 finale, ABC has yet to officially renew the series for another season. However, even despiteShifting Gears’ negative reviews,record-high ratings make it extremely unlike for the network to cancel Tim Allen’s latest sitcom. It’s ABC’s most successful sitcom sinceThe Connersand essentially kept the timeslot alive ahead of theRoseannespinoffs’ final season. Even withoutShifting Gears’ incredibly high numbers on streaming platforms, the show’s broadcast ratings alone would merit a season 2 renewal.
Tim Allen’s Entire Character In Shifting Gears Is A Lie (And I’ve Never Been More Relieved)
Tim Allen’s new sitcom has had highs and lows in its debut season, but Shifting Gears episode 9 turned his character, Matt, into a fraud (thankfully).
Putting aside the storylines the season finale already set up forShifting Gearsseason 2, the series’ return could also bode well for Tim Allen fans in general. The actor is known for his loyalty to previous castmates, and the series is likely to feature many of them if it continues. Nancy Travis already appeared in season 1, and additionalLast Man StandingorHome Improvementcameos are almost certain to follow. If the series lasts long enough, it won’t be long until Allen fans who still revisitHome Improvementon Netflixwill get to see some very satisfying reunions.
Shifting Gears
Cast
Shifting Gears is a drama about Matt, a widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. Matt’s estranged daughter Riley and her teenage children move into his home, challenging him to rebuild both familial and personal connections.
