Be warned! This article contains spoilers for the Shifting Gears episode “Uncle Sam.” If you have a Hulu subscription, we recommend watching the episode before reading on, as this contains key plot details.
I was so excited to meet Sam in Shifting Gears! As Matt and Riley’s brother, he’s a brand new member of the Parker family, and I definitely recognized the actor. It was a little surprising at first, but I quickly became a fan and I really hope we see more of him if the show gets a third season!
I’m really enjoying the ABC show as it airs this year, but the last episode is coming up next week. It’s still uncertain whether the series starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings will be back in the fall, but if it is renewed, I hope they give Luke Macfarlane’s character, Sam, a bigger role.
Sam Retiring From The Navy To Become An Actor Is The Perfect Shifting Gears Storyline
I burst out laughing when I learned from Shifting Gears that Sam had left the Navy to become an actor. Matt was already struggling with the news of his son’s retirement, especially because he’d always envisioned Sam becoming an Admiral. Sam pursuing acting just made things worse, even when he mentioned successful actor-veterans like Jimmy Stewart and Adam Driver.
In the end, Matt accepted his son’s choice and realized it was better to be supportive and enjoy Sam’s company than to push him away or constantly complain. I’m happy Matt came around, but honestly, I wasn’t shocked. After his relationship with Eve, it’s hard to imagine anything he’d do that would surprise me.
If Shifting Gears Returns For Season 3, We Need More Of Sam
Seeing Sam recreate a scene from Top Gun has convinced me he should have a larger role if Shifting Gears gets a third season. While he clearly has a knack for playing a Navy operative, he’s still developing as an actor. I think there’s a lot of potential in exploring that journey, and I hope the writers decide to pursue it.
It’s uncertain if Shifting Gears will be renewed for another season on ABC. Viewership dropped significantly after the first season, and the show seemed to try boosting ratings in season two with celebrity guest appearances. However, it’s unclear if those efforts were enough to convince ABC to bring it back.
This isn’t the first time Tim Allen’s show has been canceled by ABC only to find a new home on another network. He’s successfully done it before, so if it happens again, he likely has the connections to quickly get the show back on the air somewhere else.
Get a 30-day free trial of Hulu and catch up on Season 2 of Shifting Gears before the finale! Hulu offers a wide variety of shows and movies, including popular originals like What We Do in the Shadows, Tell Me Lies, The Bear, and Only Murders In The Building. New and existing customers who qualify can try the service free for a month, with subscriptions starting at $9.99 per month. See the deal here!
Don’t miss the season finale of Shifting Gears on ABC, Wednesday, February 4th at 8 p.m. Eastern! The episode will show Matt making progress in his relationship, and Riley and Gabe sharing a surprising connection that you won’t want to miss.
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2026-01-29 06:41