Shifting Gears Season 1 Episode 5 Recap: Jimmy

Relationships are healing in the Parker household on Shifting Gears Season 1 Episode 5, “Jimmy.” Riley and Matt are slowly growing close again, and Matt is also connecting more with his grandchildren.

Despite Carter’s birthday still being five months away, Matt hatches the perfect gift idea. He surprises the young teen with his dream car, a ’67 Volvo.

The only catch? The car is in rough shape, so Matt and Carter have to restore it together, aiming to have it ready in time for Carter’s big day. Like any kid, Carter is thrilled with the gift and excited to bond with his grandfather while fixing it up.

In fact, the whole household is filled with joy thanks to the birthday surprise. That is until they are caught off guard when an unexpected visitor, Jimmy, Riley’s husband and the kids’ father, shows up unannounced.

Matt is immediately displeased to see Jimmy after fifteen years, and Riley isn’t any happier. She demands to know why he is there when she specifically told him she needed space and didn’t want to see him.

Thinking only of himself, Jimmy explains that he misses his family and wants to rekindle their relationship while he’s on a break from tour. Despite their frustration, Matt reluctantly allows him to stay the night after a lot of pleading from Georgia.

Trying to be the “fun dad” and stay in his kids’ good books, Jimmy decides to take Georgia and Carter on a day trip to the Santa Monica Pier. Although Riley is hesitant, she ultimately agrees, knowing the kids don’t get to see their father often.

Georgia jumps at the chance, excited to spend time with him and skip school for a day, but Carter declines, insisting he’s too busy with school. When Carter gets home from school, Matt pulls him aside and asks why he chose not to go.

Carter sadly admits that although Jimmy is his biological father, he doesn’t feel any connection to him since he’s always on the road. He even confesses that Matt feels more like a father figure because he actually gives him love and attention.

Hearing this, Matt realizes that as much as he dislikes Jimmy, he has to confront him and make him see what he’s missing.

Meanwhile, at the shop, Riley visits Stitch and Gabriel for a much-needed rant session about her life. She even brings them her favorite coffee as they listen to her vent about the struggle of having Jimmy back. The men try to offer wisdom but ultimately just settle for being there as supportive friends.

Later that evening, when Jimmy and Georgia return home from their day trip, excitedly showing off the prizes they won, Matt dampens the mood by asking to speak with Jimmy in private. Once alone, Matt recounts his conversation with Carter and tells Jimmy it’s time to step up. He needs to be a real father to his kids instead of chasing a dream of being a famous bass player.

After sleeping on it, Jimmy makes up his mind and heads to the shop to see Riley. At the shop, Riley, Gabriel, and Stitch are having yet another vent session. This time, Gabriel has bought the coffee. Riley is shocked when it’s her exact order and asks how he knew what to get.

Gabriel simply shrugs and says, “I listened.” At that moment, Riley starts to realize she might have feelings for this kindhearted man. Before she can process it, Jimmy arrives, confessing his love for her and their family.

He tells Riley that after this tour, he’s done. He’s quitting music and getting a real job so he can be present and support them. Torn, Riley tells him she’ll believe it when she sees it. She’ll wait until after the tour to see if he actually follows through.

Just as suddenly as he arrived, Jimmy leaves hopeful about his future. Meanwhile, Riley is left staring at the unsigned divorce papers, unsure of what to do next.

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Shifting Gears airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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