Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman finally went on a date in Shifting Gears‘ latest episode — but things didn’t go according to plan.
During the Wednesday, October 8, episode of the hit ABC sitcom, Matt (Allen) wanted to keep his romance with Eve (Elfman) private — but that didn’t last long after she kissed him in his office. The couple tried to figure out their first date, which left them divided since Matt wanted something more traditional while Eve was looking for casual.
Their day out started on the wrong foot when Matt went to pick up Eve — who was already at their golf date. Matt then wanted to pay but Eve fought him on it and ended up injured as a result. From there, Matt and Eve’s date took them to the hospital where she questioned if they “might be too different.”
Eve suggested that it “shouldn’t be this hard” before being wheeled off for an X-ray by a nurse who confused Matt for her father. By the time Eve returned, Matt was back and argued that they shouldn’t give up so quickly.
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Matt even surprised Eve with a second date that same day and they gave their relationship another chance. Elsewhere in the episode, Matt complained about people who blindly followed recommendations from celebrities — only to find himself drawn in by Hailey Bieber’s strawberry glaze skin smoothie from Erewhon.
“After I spent 10 minutes at Erewhon [making sheep noises] at everyone in line, they gave me two so I would leave,” Matt explained. “Now, I am a Belieber.”
The rest of Wednesday’s episode followed Riley’s (Kat Dennings) attempt to make a mom friend to disastrous results. Meanwhile, at the auto shop, Stitch (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell) was frustrated with Gabriel (Seann William Scott) and Carter (Maxwell Simkins) found himself caught in the middle.
Before season 2 premiered on ABC, showrunner Michelle Nader teased how Matt and Eve would keep dealing with obstacles.
“I will say that it is really interesting to watch them,” Nader exclusively told Us Weekly in September about the pair’s season 2 dynamic. “It’s interesting to watch their relationship develop, and so they’re going to go into high gear — but it’s going to be a little bit of a roller-coaster.”
Elfman, 53, also spoke to Us about returning to the show.
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“I’m loving doing the show. I love working with everybody on it. I love the showrunner. It genuinely is like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop because I can’t believe how good it is. I’m very excited for everyone to see it,” she gushed. “I have to say I’m blown away by the writing this year. They’re writing for each actor and for their character so well. The stories are sincerely hilarious. Like, at work, we’re all doubled over laughing repeatedly.”
Elfman continued: “Just as a performer and as someone in this industry, I’m blown away at how good the comedy is on this show this year. So that makes me very excited for everyone at home because I know they’re going to have a great laugh with their family.”
Shifting Gears airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.
