Shifting Gears Season 2 Highlights Underserved Co-Stars

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The sitcom Shifting Gears is starting to find its footing in its second season. While the premiere attracted a large audience for ABC, breaking viewership records, critics were divided. Many felt that the show, starring Tim Allen, didn’t offer a new or updated take on his established comedic style for a 2025 audience.

The second season of the show is getting better, especially with Allen’s character, Matt Parker, starting to win viewers over while still maintaining his relatable, down-to-earth personality. Although Allen is the main star, the entire cast of Shifting Gears is filled with talented comedic actors who haven’t fully had their moment to stand out – but that could change.

Daryl Mitchell as Stitch and Seann William Scott as Gabe haven’t had much to do so far, but the latest episode of Shifting Gears, “Loyalty,” finally gives them a chance to shine. This episode gives both actors and their characters a storyline that shows how valuable they could be to the show.

Shifting Gears Finally Uses Daryl “Chill” Mitchell & Seann William Scott’s Characters In A Good Storyline

Photo: ABC via MovieStillsDB

Daryl Mitchell, nicknamed ‘Chill,’ and Seann William Scott are standout performers in ‘Shifting Gears,’ and their characters are finally getting the attention they deserve. For a long time, the show kept their roles, Stitch and Gabe, in the background. Mitchell, who’s known for his work in movies like ’10 Things I Hate About You’ and ‘Galaxy Quest,’ has mostly been limited to quick jokes instead of having a chance to develop a fully realized character.

The sixth episode of season 2, titled Shifting Gears, focuses on character development, giving the actors a chance to shine. The story revolves around Stitch’s refusal to repair a client’s car, stemming from a personal dislike of the owner.

The story reveals Stitch’s twenty-year connection to Matt and the shop, explaining the origin of his nickname. He’s a master leatherworker specializing in interior details – his incredible stitching is what makes the shop unique. The story also hints at Stitch’s military background, suggesting how he might have become a wheelchair user, but without making his trauma the central focus of his character.

Throughout the season, Seann William Scott’s character, Gabe (known from films like American Pie and Dude, Where’s My Car?), has been caught in a frustrating love triangle. But in this episode, Gabe’s strong and sometimes overbearing devotion to Stitch takes center stage, finally giving him his own distinct personality and making him more than just a supporting character in Riley’s storyline.

Shifting Gears Season 2, Episode 6 Is The Best Use Of The Auto Shop Setting To Date

Allen’s comedy show, set in a North Hollywood auto shop, is known for featuring famous guests. Season 2 of Shifting Gears has been especially good at bringing in recognizable faces, including car enthusiasts like Jay Leno and local celebrities like Dodgers player Mookie Betts, for quick and enjoyable appearances.

These scenes work well because they feel natural within the setting of a Los Angeles car customization shop—it’s expected that celebrities would visit. However, one episode in particular—season 2, episode 6—goes beyond simply using the shop as a location. It cleverly uses the shop itself to drive the story forward, rather than just being a place where famous faces appear.

Instead of seeing everyone as just a mechanic, we focus on each worker’s unique skills – like interior design, body repair, or full restorations. Matt, usually reserved in his personal life, excitedly shares his ideas for a custom project with a rare and youthful energy.

His initial excitement makes his eventual rejection of the project even more impactful, especially after discovering the client’s past with Stitch – the client had a relationship with Stitch’s girlfriend while he was deployed. The episode skillfully weaves together the characters’ feelings, the setting, and their backgrounds to create a compelling story.

The show doesn’t try to change Matt’s tough personality or become overly sweet. Instead, it uses the setting in a realistic way to develop the characters. Season 2 of Shifting Gears is really hitting its stride, and the auto shop now feels like a genuine part of the story.

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2025-11-07 22:08