Why Shifting Gears needs to go a little slow on Riley and Gabe's love story 

Shifting Gears is a sitcom, released on ABC on January 8, 2025. The show follows Riley, a recently divorced woman, who is trying to rebuild her life while raising her kids and managing a career.

The show is reminiscent of traditional sitcoms, being set in a small town where everyone knows everybody and has created a close-knit community. With only one season out so far, the series has been a success due to its humor and characters.

In season one of Shifting Gears, we saw Riley go through a difficult divorce. She struggled to find herself and had to make big changes for herself and her family. Along the way, she met new people, including Gabe, a quiet mechanic with a kind heart. While there was some attraction between Riley and Gabe, they are yet to be a couple, and perhaps that's for the best.

Shifting Gears' Gabe and Riley do not need to become a couple yet

Oftentimes, a show having a single mother will automatically introduce a love interest for her, as if she needs to be in a new relationship immediately. It is not only sexist, but also a trope that has been done way too many times. While fans have been quick to pair Riley and Gabe together, the show has decided to take its time.

Riley also needs time to find herself again. She’s gone through a major life change and is still figuring things out. Jumping into a relationship too soon could take away from her personal journey. She deserves to stand on her own first.

Rushing into a romance with Gabe would not be fair to either of them. Gabe has barely been in a few scenes and still feels like an unexplored character. While Riley definitely is the focus of the show, Gabe needs to have his own experiences before he is trusted to become the protagonist's love interest. If Shifting Gears pushes this too fast, it might not feel real.

Gabe still needs to be developed more as a character. We need to know what drives him, what he struggles with, and what he wants in life. A love story will mean more once we’ve seen more of who he really is, and that will take time.

Despite the last episode of the season being titled Kiss, Gabe and Riley do not kiss. Rather than ending the episode and the season with them kissing, we see Riley falling asleep as she was too drunk, and Gabe putting a blanket over her. While there has been romantic tension between the two, Gabe admits that he does not want to destroy their friendship.

As we wait for season two of Shifting Gears, we can expect the creators to explore each character more than they have. Viewers want to see Riley grow, not just fall in love. Hopefully, season two will explore Riley and Gabe's friendship. And maybe, if the time feels right, even a slow-burn romance.

Shifting Gears stars Kat Dennings as Riley Parker, Tim Allen as Matt Parker, Riley's father, Maxwell Simkins as Carter Parker, Riley's son, and Barrett Margolis as Georgia Parker, Riley's daughter.

Other important cast members include Seann William Scott as Gabriel, the Parker's family friend, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell as Stitch, Matt's right-hand man, and Cynthia Quiles as Frankie.

In the end, Shifting Gears is about life, not just love. It’s about adapting to change, learning who you are, and letting go of things that are holding you back. Riley and Gabe might have a sweet future, but right now, the show needs to let them be good friends.

You can stream the first season of Shifting Gears on Hulu. Release dates for season two have not been released yet, but when it does, Shifting Gears will air on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.

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