The first season of a series is transitory. The premise of the characters and show are loosely defined. As the season roles out, actors and writers exercise their interpretations to put their stamp on the show. This growth phase provides exciting epiphanies at the expense of consistency. The challenge is to hold on to the audience through this experimental period.
“Shameless” sends out 12 episodes per season with shows running at a commercially uninterrupted 45–50 minute length.
The premise of the show is 6 children, with the eldest daughter Fiona (early 20s) serving as matriarch, her two teen brothers, a younger tween sister, an adolescent brother, and a 2 year old baby survive as best they can in a South Chicago neighborhood. Their alcoholic father Frank, played by William H. Macy, is unhelpful and often detrimental to the family’s fortunes.
Meet Fiona
In the first two episodes, Fiona’s story dominates the action. Fiona is a street-smart hustler who somehow keeps the family on track. Her parenting style is non-conventional but effective. More jazz band leader than symphonic conductor. She meets a pretty boy named Steve and they hook up. The first season is much dominated by the question, can Fiona be happy with Steve?
Who is Frank Gallagher?
We get a rough intro to the alcoholic father Frank. In the first two episodes, Frank is mostly passed out. A seeming waste of Macy’s considerable talents.
Once Frank returns to his senses in the middle episodes from episode 3–7, Macy comes alive. The show’s dynamics change considerably as the focus begins to shift from the now content and infatuated Fiona to the willy and n’r do well Frank. The show transitions from a gritty drama to an almost cartoonish, dark comedy. Although this comedic turn lightens the heavy themes “Shameless” tackles, the farcical nature of these middle episodes distracts from the driving story lines of the first two shows.
PRO TIP: Hang on. Don’t give up on the show. The first season from episode 8–12 return to the show’s earlier intensity and the season finale is epic.
Poor, not dumb
Frank is a schemer, and in many ways ingenious. He is opinionated and knows much about history and politics. Had he not chosen his path of degenerate, unemployed alcoholic, Frank Gallagher would have been an effective leader. His eldest son Lip has inherited Frank’s intelligence. He hustles to help keep the family afloat. He tutors and sits in on SAT tests for pay. Lip is not your stereotypical nerd. He, like Fiona, is battle hardened and can hold his own with his fists and his wits. Lip’s character evolves throughout season 1 to become a well-rounded and complex character. Lip’s evolution surpasses Fiona who is enjoying a romantic interlude with Steve, and as a result of this unexpected euphoria, less compelling.
Gay and coming out
Ian is the third eldest. We learn early that Ian is gay. The scene where Lip confronts his brother after finding a gay magazine is pitch perfect. Lip assures his bro that nothing can divide their brotherly love and supports Ian without hesitation. Ian’s character is the focus of many dramatic scenes. He has two relations, one with his convenience store boss, and one with a local thug. These Ian scenes are exciting, but in general the Ian character so-far lacks the depth and complexity of Lip and Frank.
The girl next door
Karen is a young teen girl who is massively promiscuous. She and Lip hook up and it seems that Karen’s role with the show will be minimal. That changes when Karen’s agoraphobic mother Sheila, played by Joan Cusack, becomes romantically involved with Frank. Karen’s character becomes increasingly important to the story as the season progresses. She has a violent and openly hostile relationship with her biological father Eddie. Eddie, despite being replaced by Frank by his wife Sheila, continues to live in a cuckolded limbo in the same house. A reconciliation attempt by Eddie with Karen turns out disastrously. He bribes her into attending a chastity confessional with the church group he is active with. When Karen confesses her sexual digressions in front of the group, Eddie explodes and calls her a whore. This betrayal on top of their already fragile father-daughter relationship sends Karen on a rampage. Her coup d etat is a sex video she records and publishes on the web. She sends the video to Eddie who is shattered by the shame of his daughter’s act. The distraught Eddie ends up submerged at the bottom of an icy lake by his own hand as season 1 ends. The Karen-Eddie relationship is not fully explained. We are shown quirks in Eddie’s character, his fascination with clown toys and memorabilia and his extreme Christian views, but we feel there is something yet unexplained that has driven Karen to her sociopathic behavior. Karen’s story is one of the most fascinating character arcs in season 1.
Strong supporting cast
“Shameless” has a solid cast throughout. The younger sister Debbie and the 2nd youngest brother Carl add excitement to the already complicated Gallagher family. Debbie is young enough to respect and defend Frank without any resentment. This is sharp contrast to Ian and Lip, who though they love their father, can’t help holding a grudge against the man who constantly drags down the family and disappoints his children.
The neighbors Veronica and Kevin are a great semi-family team. Veronica and Kevin act as Fiona’s assistants. They help her deal with the numerous crises, financial and otherwise, that her younger siblings and Frank fall into. They serve as an important role in illustrating the “friend indeed” aphorism and provide a close but not internal viewpoint of the Gallagher family condition.
Scenes that rip your heart out, stomp on it, and then sets it on fire
“Shameless” mostly takes the “so sad that you have to laugh” approach to the many troubles of the Gallagher family. At times, the drama is not shielded by a comic escape.
- Karen and Lip
Throughout season 1, Karen and Lip are carrying on a casual sexual relationship. It becomes clear that despite their promise to not get emotionally attached, that strong feelings are developing between the two. In the season finale, after the blow up over the Karen-Frank sex video, they reconcile. During the make-up sex, Lip confesses to Karen that he loves her. She begins to quietly cry without Lip noticing. Karen has a deep-set fear of getting hurt if she were to allow herself to love Lip openly. After they finish, in a whispered tone, Karen tells Lip that they shouldn’t see each other anymore. Lip immediately realizes his mistake. He breaks down crying and pleading, “I promise, I don’t love you!” in order to get her to change her mind.
2. Lip and Frank
Once Frank moves into Sheila’s house, Karen openly attempts to seduce him. In the season finale, an inebriated Frank finally gives in to Karen. He is remorseful and ashamed. Not so much the fact that Karen is his girlfriend’s daughter and under-aged, but because he knows that Karen is Lip’s girl. Lip beats Frank viciously after viewing the video. Frank has many flaws, but he loves his family and can admit when he has done wrong. In the cold Chicago winter night, Frank stands outside the house begging Lip to open his window as he professes a heart-felt apology. From the 2nd floor, Lip opens his window. A stream of liquid begins pouring on Frank’s head. Frank realizes his son is peeing on him. After the initial shock, Frank takes his medicine and passively allows Lip to complete his revenge. Our estimations of Frank soars with this submissive act. A smile creeps on Lip’s face as Frank walks away. Son and father are reconciled.
3. Monica and Fiona and Liam
Monica is the absentee mother who left the family nearly 2 years previously. Her return is met with dismay. She unconvincingly claims that she plans to stay. This idea is short lived and she is set to leave with her butch lesbian girlfriend Bob. Monica threatens to take the baby Liam. Fiona and Debbie in particular are adamantly against the idea. Monica has the legal authority to take Liam away and there is little Fiona can do to stop her. As Monica and Bob are set to leave with Liam, Monica is torn. She realizes the pain she has caused her children and especially the burden she has placed on Fiona. Tears in her eyes, she hands off Liam to Fiona. Lip tells Monica to never come back. The emotional toll on Fiona spills over. Fiona and Monica are in tears as the scene closes and Monica and Bob drive away.
Season 1 Winner
Lip barely edges out Frank with an epic season 1 finale performance. The Lip-Karen relationship is tortured and Lip emerges as the most interesting character as the season concludes.
Surprise Season 1 Star
Karen’s character was mostly limited, though intriguing, through season 1. Her character steals the show in the final episodes. Her heartbreaking scene in the finale establishes Karen as a force to be reckoned with.
Ready for Season 2
With the characters well established and the voice of the show developing consistency, the second season should be more focused. A great first season and an incredible season finale make for a promising beginning to this long running series. Looking forward to getting caught up with the Gallaghers in season 2.
