Shifting Gears Finale’s Strangest Callback Hints At A Major Change In New Season.

Warning: SPOILERS for Shifting Gears episode 10.The pilot season of Shifting Gears has come to an end, but one moment in the finale implies the sitcom may be changing its trajectory for the better. The ABC sitcom follows Tim Allen as Matt Parker, widower and owner of an auto restoration shop run by the affable Gabriel/Gabe (Seann William Scott), witty Stitch (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell), and underdeveloped but present Frankie (Cynthia Quiles). The inciting incident of the comedy comes when Matt’s daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), suddenly moves home with her children, Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and Georgia (Barrett Margolis), to escape a failing marriage.

Though the premise wasn’t anything groundbreaking, Shifting Gears garnered impressive viewership off the bat, yubi due in no small part to Allen’s leading role. After 10 episodes, Shifting Gears season 1 wrapped up with a soft conclusion and many purposefully unresolved storylines. While Shifting Gears new season has still yet to be officially confirmed by ABC, it’s difficult to imagine that the network won’t renew the comedy given the substantial ratings it’s pulled in since January. The ending of Shifting Gears season 1 left much up in the air, but one quick scene could have subtle implications for the sitcom’s future.

Seann William Scott’s “Dude, Where’s My Car?” Reference In Shifting Gears Episode 10 Explained

A Single But Significant Line

While Tim Allen may have been the headliner, one character has been a scene-stealer in Shifting Gears since the pilot: Gabe. From his endearing naivety to reliable comic relief, Gabe is undeniably one of Shifting Gears’ best side characters thanks to the work of Seann William Scott. The Shifting Gears season finale even references one of Scott’s most iconic roles when Riley walks into the auto shop, looks at Gabe, and asks: “Dude, where’s my car?” Scott starred in a film of the same name alongside Ashton Kutcher, and it remains one of the most memorable titles in Scott’s filmography.

The absurd mix of science fiction and comedy earned Dude, Where’s My Car? poor critical reception, but the film garnered a cult following that persists decades after its initial release.

Shifting Gears made many not-so-subtle callbacks to Allen’s past roles throughout the pilot season, even setting up a Tim Allen shared universe in Shifting Gears set designs and guest stars. However, Riley’s on-the-nose reference to one of Scott’s biggest roles is a blissful departure from Shifting Gears’ Tim Allen tunnel vision. The callback didn’t require any extra meandering to draw attention to it, just a line from Riley and a quick reaction shot from Gabe. The scene then continued without delay, but the quick wink to Scott could indicate a new and necessary direction for Shifting Gears new season.

Shifting Gears Season 1 Finale’s Non-Tim Allen Reference Hints At Its New Season Story Approach

The Sitcom Is Broadening Its Scope

While ABC marketing Shifting Gears as a Tim Allen sitcom was undeniably the most logical move, the comedy needs to expand its horizons if it wants long-term success. There are many talented actors in the Shifting Gears cast of characters, and the Dude, Where’s My Car? reference indicates the sitcom realizes this as well. The plot can’t stray too far from the Parker family, but it doesn’t have to in order to celebrate its ensemble. In fact, exploring individual characters would inevitably lead back to Matt, given he’s connected to everyone as a father, grandfather, boss, or neighbor.

Actor
Shifting Gears Character

Tim Allen
Matt

Kat Dennings
Riley

Maxwell Simkins
Carter

Barrett Margolis
Georgia

Seann William Scott
Gabriel

Daryl “Chill” Mitchell
Stitch

Cynthia Quiles
Frankie

Jenna Elfman
Eve

Seann William Scott is only one member of the Shifting Gears cast with iconic past roles that can be playfully worked into the script. Kat Dennings is recognizable to many as Max from 2 Broke Girls, Daryl Mitchell and Jenna Elfman (Eve) both worked on Fear the Walking Dead, and even Maxwell Simkins is widely remembered as Zane from Bizaardvark. While Jenna Elfman’s character in Shifting Gears hasn’t been around long enough to necessarily warrant a callback, it’s reassuring to know the sitcom has at least opened the door to acknowledging its full cast.

Why Shifting Gears Expanding Its Narrative Beyond Tim Allen Is Great

The Ensemble Cast Could Be The Key To Longevity

Beyond callbacks and inside jokes, the entire Shifting Gears cast deserves more screen time in general. Matt’s character in Shifting Gears doesn’t have to be sidelined, but letting others shine will help the sitcom in the long run. There are only so many iterations of Riley and Matt clashing heads that Shifting Gears can air before it becomes exhausting. Frankie, Stitch, and Gabe could get into a fight, leading to an episode where the auto shop can’t function. Georgia and Carter could have a sibling squabble, leaving Matt and Riley to defuse the situation. Inevitably, some much-needed originality would ensue.

Admittedly, the sitcom has already vastly improved from the early reviews of Shifting Gears that seemed to spell doom for Tim Allen’s return to network television. Certain episodes of Shifting Gears season 1 did focus on other characters— albeit only partially— and were irrefutably better because of it. Of course, there’s still room to improve and make Shifting Gears the fun family comedy it has the potential to be. Involving its diverse cast more, even with something as small as a one-liner reference, is the first step to Shifting Gears embracing its ensemble and setting new season up for success.