The fourth episode of Shifting Gears, titled “Grief,” takes a detour from the typical sitcom shenanigans to explore the lingering effects of loss. When Riley stumbles upon a closet filled with her late mother’s clothes, she becomes concerned that her father, Matt, hasn’t properly dealt with his grief. This discovery prompts her to encourage him to seek counseling, a potentially promising development for a character who has, so far, mostly relied on quirky humor to mask his pain.
Meanwhile, Gabriel gets his moment in the spotlight when he’s left in charge of the auto shop. While the specifics of this subplot remain unclear, it will hopefully offer an opportunity for Gabriel’s character to grow and take on more responsibility.
“Grief” seems designed to add some emotional depth to Shifting Gears, but the key will be finding a balance between the show’s comedic foundation and the more serious themes it’s tackling. Can it pull off a heartfelt exploration of grief without sacrificing its lighthearted tone? The answer, as with most sitcom endeavors, probably involves a wacky misunderstanding and a heartwarming resolution.
Shifting Gears airs Wednesday, January 29, at 8:00 PM on ABC.