Shifting Gears Season 1 Episode 7 Recap: Picnic

As the Parker family continues navigating life together, boundaries and respect become major learning points on Shifting Gears Season 1 Episode 7, “Picnic.”

Once again, to prove her maturity and ambition, Georgia boldly pitched a business investment idea to Riley and Matt. She confidently presents a breakdown, arguing that funding her Etsy business will lead to increased returns.

Impressed by her confidence and thorough planning, Matt gives her money. However, their celebration is short-lived when Carter comes home from school smelling like a mix of overpowering colognes.

Carter explains that the boys at school have started swapping colognes to see which scents attract the girls the most. Baffled by the smell and how quickly he’s growing up, Matt immediately tells Carter to shower.

Realizing her little boy is becoming a young man, Riley knows it’s time to have the sex and relationship talk with him. Despite their close and open relationship, this is a conversation she’d rather avoid.

Since Carter’s dad isn’t in the picture, Riley turns to the next best person—Matt. After some initial protests, Matt finally gives in and agrees to have “the talk.”

Hoping for a quick and casual conversation, Matt sits Carter down and starts the discussion. To his surprise, Carter quickly interrupts, saying he doesn’t need “the talk” because the internet has already taught him everything he needs to know.

Alarmed by what “everything” might include, Matt and Riley enlist Georgia’s help to check Carter’s computer. To their shock, they discover he’s been reading graphic romance-fantasy books online.

After seeing the unexpected content, Matt and Riley realize they still have a lot to teach him about the real world.

Meanwhile, at the auto shop, what starts as a typical workday takes a turn when Matt notices that the dance studio across the lot has placed a picnic table outside. While this might seem harmless to most, Matt sees it as an act of war.

He is convinced that the studio’s owner, Eve, is trying to claim space that doesn’t belong to her. Determined to confront Eve about her “sinister plan,” Matt demands that she move the table. Unimpressed, Eve refuses and goes about her day as usual.

Seeing how poorly her dad handles not getting his way, Riley pleads with him to let the table stay, reminding him that Eve is a great boss who gives her flexible hours so she can remain active in Carter and Georgia’s lives.

Though reluctant to back down from a fight, Matt ultimately agrees out of love for Riley and the grandkids. However, his peace is short-lived. When he arrives at work the next day, he finds not one but two picnic tables outside the studio.

Fed up with Eve’s antics, Matt storms into the studio, only to find her in the middle of a dance. He watches silently for a moment before finally speaking up when Eve notices him.

Frustrated, Matt confronts her about going behind his back. Eve, however, stands her ground explaining that she added the second table to prove a point, she refuses to be bossed around.

As a woman and a dancer, she has spent her entire career being belittled and controlled, and this time, she wanted to push back. Finally understanding her perspective, Matt agrees to a truce, and they settle on keeping one picnic table for both businesses to share.

It’s too soon to tell, but there’s definitely some tension between these two business owners. Only time will tell whether it turns into a rivalry, a friendship, or something more.

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What did you think of this episode of Shifting Gears? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Shifting Gears airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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