Valentine’s
Matt goes to visit his wife’s grave for Valentine’s Day. While there, he meets a woman who helps him consider the possibility of dating again. Meanwhile, Riley must face her fears about dancing in a social media video.
Mausoleum Visit
Matt is all dressed up for Valentine’s Day. Carter thinks he’s going to meet a woman, but Matt tells the family it’s to go see their grandmother, or mother in Riley’s case. Riley thinks it’s sweet her father wants to see her mother on Valentine’s Day but remains fearful he’s not properly grieving her loss. Still, he makes the effort to go see his deceased’s wife’s grave and speak to her.
Disney/Raymond Liu
While there, he meets a woman who, at first, thinks he’s talking to her husband. Charlotte, played by Nancy Travis who played Tim Allen’s wife, Vanessa Baxter, on Last Man Standing, bonds with Matt while making some inappropriate jokes. Her husband is buried right next to Diane Parker, with an open space below Diane for Matt. During their conversation, Matt really starts to open up and feel better. Charlotte lost her husband five years prior, so she understands where Matt is at emotionally since he only lost Diane the previous year.
Carter and Georgia
While Matt’s at the mausoleum and Riley’s at work, Carter and Georgia are spending the day together. Georgia is making valentines for her classmates but is spending the majority of the time eating the candy rather than putting it in the bags. When Carter tries to stop her, Georgia bribes him with candy. Unfortunately, this comes back to haunt her as she gets sick from eating too much.
Disney/Raymond Liu
Matt receives a text that Georgia threw up on Carter, and he rushes home to care for her. He tells Riley what happens and she comes rushing home too. She orders nausea medicine for Georgia and asks Matt to pick it up. It’s at a grocery store that Charlotte had recommended to Matt for picking up elderly singles. He’s uncomfortable about going but is willing to get anything for his granddaughter. Meanwhile, Carter takes the blame for Georgia eating too much which inspires Riley.
Matt at the Grocery Store
Matt goes to the grocery store to get Georgia’s prescription but is told it’ll be 45 minutes to fill. He runs into Charlotte again who talks to him some more and finally gets him to accept the possibility of a support group. Matt enjoys his conversation with her but also doesn’t want to mislead her to think he’s open to dating yet. She understands and politely rejects him saying he was too reminiscent of the last man she was with (nice nod to Last Man Standing).
Disney/Raymond Liu
Matt returns home with the medicine and starts talking to Riley about dating. He tells her he’s not ready yet, but he may be ready soon. He also asks how she can handle it if he does start dating. Riley says she supports him getting back out there when he’s ready but doesn’t want to hear the intimate details.
Carter inspires Riley
While this has been going on, Riley is trying to avoid appearing in a video the dance studio wants to put on social media for promotion. Gabe tries to teach her how to dance which leads to a great line from Stitch asking why God took his legs. Riley skipped out of the shop when she heard Georgia was sick and went home to care for her daughter. But Carter’s willingness to take the punishment for Georgia getting sick because it’s what Riley would do, inspiring her to go through with the dance.
Disney/Raymond Liu
Gabe drops by with a Valentine’s dinner for Riley, soup for Georgia and his favorite dinner to talk to Riley. Once he learns she’s ready to go through with the dance, he tries to teach her some more dance moves. Eventually, the video is released and Riley only does one dance move in it since she lacks the talent of the other workers. Stitch notes that she’s already a meme.
Rating
This series has found its groove over the past three episodes. It’s found a way to blend serious topics with comedy in a way that suits Tim Allen’s style as an everyman. The show hasn’t reached great status, but it’s doing what it needs to do to get renewed. I expect a second season to be announced soon. Plus, this episode benefitted from Allen’s natural chemistry with Travis after nine seasons together on Last Man Standing.
Check out Shifting Gears on ABC and Hulu.
Article Written By: Jeremy Brown for Stelmach Brown Media 2025
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