Shifting Gears Season 2: Tim Allen’s Character Improved, Kat Dennings’ Riley Struggling

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Season two of “Shifting Gears” is showing improvement. While the show’s first episode attracted a large audience for ABC, critics weren’t impressed, finding the idea behind the show lacking originality. Tim Allen has played similar characters in previous sitcoms like “Home Improvement” and “Last Man Standing,” and his character, Matt Parker, in the first season of “Shifting Gears” felt quite similar.

Despite often playing a grumpy character on TV, Tim Allen shines in the second season of Shifting Gears. This is because his character, Matt, is now more connected to others. Allen and Kat Dennings star in the show, but while the series is working to improve Matt’s storyline, Dennings’ character, Riley, is unfortunately struggling even more than before.

Shifting Gears Perfects How To Make Tim Allen’s Schtick Work In 2025

Image: ABC via MovieStillsDB

Okay, so season two of Shifting Gears really surprised me. They’ve cleverly tweaked things with Matt Parker, and honestly, it proves Tim Allen can still nail that grumpy-but-lovable persona. Let’s be real, Matt is basically the same character Allen’s been playing for decades, but the show is now setting him up in a way that just works – it’s a much lighter, more effective approach.

Rather than presenting Matt’s critical comments as clever or funny, like the awkward joke about diversity hiring in the first season, the show’s writers now show he’s simply out of touch. This change works because Matt interacts with others much more in the second season, instead of being isolated.

He’s become more comfortable with his daughter Riley and his grandkids, and they aren’t afraid to tell him when he’s wrong. His girlfriend, Eve, is even more direct, playfully challenging him and pointing out his flaws instead of just agreeing with him.

The show now frequently makes Matt the target of jokes, like the line, “If the government has a list of 12 angry men, you’re on it!” While Allen’s acting remains consistent, the writing has become more focused on poking fun at itself.

Shifting Gears successfully taps into nostalgia, keeping Allen’s longtime fans engaged. It also cleverly presents his signature grumpy personality in a way that appeals to a new, younger audience.

Kat Dennings’ Character Is Directionless & Immature In Shifting Gears Season 2

Although Matt Parker’s character is becoming more well-defined, Riley’s development is lagging behind. Riley has always been prone to acting on impulse, given her past as a young mother and her rebellious youth, but the current season hasn’t provided enough story elements to help her grow beyond those tendencies.

Instead, her writing traps her in a cycle of feeling lost. While working at Eve’s dance studio offered a break from her father, it didn’t give her a sense of purpose or help her figure out what she wanted in life.

In Season 2, the show briefly hinted at a new direction for Riley when she unexpectedly became interested in coffee and started a small coffee stand. While this development felt a bit sudden, it offered an interesting possibility for her character’s growth.

The show’s main idea – fixing up cars – came full circle when she cleverly adapted car parts to quickly brew pour-over coffee for sale. It was especially heartwarming when Matt gave her his mother’s old van, which she then used as a coffee truck.

The story hasn’t progressed much since then. Riley hasn’t grown as a character – we haven’t seen her develop her abilities, figure out her goals, or truly understand who she is. She’s mostly been caught in a cycle of managing her son, feeling stressed at work, and becoming envious of Eve when Eve offers assistance. Even her romantic connection with Gabe feels stuck and isn’t going anywhere.

“Shifting Gears” does a good job of helping the audience understand Matt, even his weaknesses. However, the show doesn’t offer the same guidance with Riley. As her decisions become increasingly unpredictable, it’s hard to know if viewers are supposed to be on her side. She needs a clearer and more consistent storyline to feel like an equal partner to Matt in the show.

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2025-12-05 02:58