SHAMELESS Growing Up

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Shameless - The Complete Seventh Season' on Blogcritics.

Love it or hate it, Showtime’s Shameless has been around for quite awhile at this point. The dramedy about a lower class family dealing with social, moral, and drug issues while scraping by on the South Side of Chicago recently released The Complete Seventh Season on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital. It’s an aging program that has grown along with its characters. As much as these twelve episodes continue the story, they also mark a new chapter in the life of the Gallaghers. The result is very satisfying.

Growing Up

Most of the characters are changing in The Complete Seventh Season. Fiona (Emmy Rossum) finally begins putting herself first, above family and men. To do this, she tries managing and running a few businesses. Lip (Jeremy Allen White), worried about turning into his father, struggles with sobriety. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) has things together as he works as an EMT and expands his sexual orientation. Debbie (Emma Kenney) finds out what it takes to be a mother to her infant. Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) ponders what it means to be a man. Frank (William H. Macy) realizes he hasn’t been the father he should be, and wants to do better, though he doesn’t quite know how to do it.

All of that might sound rather noble and wholesome, but those are two words that often don’t describe the Gallaghers. As they go along the journeys listed above, each at least consider illegal actions, many committing crimes. Past loves and bad relationships threaten to derail progress. Best friends Kev (Steve Howey) and V (Shanola Hampton) get into a thrupple with their employee, Svetlana (Isidora Goreshter). So there is still plenty of the mess fans are used to seeing from the clan and those around them.

Family

A theme this year is family. V and Kev redefine theirs, and aren’t sure they like it. Fiona, who has always been the rock, largely abandons hers in the pursuit of economic success. Debbie seeks to build a new family to help raise her child. When the kids he created reject him, Frank looks elsewhere to find the love he seeks. Carl leaves his home to improve himself.

Yet, while things get crazy, the Gallaghers have never seemed stronger. More of them are adults now, and so contribute financially and emotionally. They take care of one another in more meaningful ways, and their conflicts matter more. The show keeps the same spirit it has always had, but grows along with the cast. It’s a very satisfying run.

Extras

Of course, Shameless would not be Shameless without some great guest stars shaking things up. Zack Pearlman (Dragons: Race to the Edge), Ruby Modine (Central Park), and Elliot Fletcher (The Fosters) join the show as new love interests for various characters. June Squibb (Nebraska) and Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue) enter to interact with Fiona. Mickey (Noel Fisher) returns with typical craziness, and matriarch Monica (Chloe Webb) vastly changes things when she blows back into town late in the year.

The release also contains bonus material. One very good featurette centers on Ethan and Emma, two of the lead performers, and how they have grown up on set. Other cast members, crew, and the actors’ parents contribute their thoughts, and it’s a fascinating insight. A far less interesting short concerns the political leanings of Frank Gallagher. There are also deleted scenes for just about every episode in the set. It’s not a huge amount of extras, but the first featurette is great, and some of the deleted scenes are worthwhile, so it works.

Conclusion

Shameless is not getting old. I mean, yes, it’s been on for awhile. But it’s just as entertaining as ever, and if anything, more thought-provoking. If this is the kind of good stuff in The Complete Seventh Season, I look forward very much to year eight.

Shameless – The Complete Seventh Season is on sale now.

GOTHAM - The Complete Third Season

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Gotham - The Complete Third Season' on Blogcritics.

Despite the failures of the big screen DC efforts of the past decade, there are some really good shows representing that comic company on the small screen. Gotham is a DC show that sometimes baffles me because it has some really cool elements and can be quite gripping at times, while other arcs are lackluster and plodding. Three years in, it seems like the series is pulling itself together, as I would argue that Gotham – The Complete Third Season has many of the best episodes of the show, and certainly the strongest run when taken all together due to its complexity, the cast becoming more comfortable in their roles, and writers’ ability to still surprise.

Gotham‘s third season begins with two major developments: Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) is no longer an officer with the Gotham City Police Department, and Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) and Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) are best friends. The first of those is important because Gordon’s role with the GCPD is a vital part of his identity, and dictates the daily activities of the most central character of the ensemble. The latter makes a difference because those are two very formidable villains, Nygma more so as the season goes on and he becomes The Riddler, so they are in a position to cause much trouble indeed when their forces are combined.

These elements also echo a greater trend. The subtitle for the first past of the season is Mad City, and Gotham certainly falls under that descriptor. Penguin is elected mayor early on. The mysterious Court of Owls is seen to be pulling the strings of both sides of the law for their own purposes. Law enforcement is in chaos, unable to contend with the bad guys who seem to keep multiplying. With the metropolitan area under such pressure and conflict, what can be done to right the ship?

Well, while the villains are gaining the upper hand, there are a number of signs that things will come around, starting with the subtitle for the end of the season, Heroes Rise. Gordon, as we know he must, does go back to the GCPD. Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) inches ever closer to becoming Batman, something that seems poised to happen in season four. Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) plays a larger role in these episodes. That tells me that, as bad as things are, there is help on its way.

Gotham is a show with an extremely large cast and a lot of subplots intertwining at once, so it would be impossible to get into everything that happens in season three in this review, even just looking at the lead characters. However, there are a few things worth mentioning about The Complete Third Season. Barbara’s (Erin Richards) growth, furthering her independence, is quite pleasing. This season brings the return of Jerome (Cameron Monaghan), Hugo Strange (BD Wong), and Carmine Falcone (John Doman), who all seem to have plenty of potential left in them. Villain Jervis Tetch (Benedict Samuel, The Walking Dead) would work better as a guest character, rather than artificially keeping him around all year. New, grown-up Ivy (Maggie Geha, Ted 2) is pretty cool, once they started to develop her character in the back half of the season. Chelsea Spack’s reprise is interesting, until she is wasted without resolution. The way Gordon and Lee (Morena Baccarin) are kept apart feels forced. Alexander Siddig (Game of Thrones, Star Trek: Deep Space 9) is pretty awesome, so I’m glad to see him show up in a neat way. It’s a mixed bag, but I’d say it’s more good than bad.

Gotham – The Complete Third Season has a pretty good batch of bonus features. There’s a featurette on the Court of Owls, and another on the new villains. Star Ben McKenzie makes his directorial debut this season, so there’s material on that. Deleted scenes are scattered across the four-disc set. The 2016 Comic Con panel is pretty useless after the season has been viewed, and given it’s on the last disc, that’s likely to be when people see it. (This is not a complaint specific to Gotham, as other recent releases have done the same thing, which does not make it better.) In summary, a decent lineup.

Gotham – The Complete Third Season is available now on blu-ray, DVD, and digital download.

GOTHAM's Villains Rise

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Gotham - The Complete Second Season' on Blogcritics.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed for this blog post. The opinions I share are my own.

WB’s Gotham – The Complete Second Season, which aired on FOX last television season, has recently been released on Blu-ray, Digital, and DVD, just in time for a catch up or for a refresher before the third outing. Picking up after the events of the season one finale, the power dynamic in the city has shifted, luring new villains into the conflict, and making our heroes’ jobs even tougher.

With Fish seemingly dead (come on, this is a comic book series and we haven’t seen the body), The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) is the Big Bird in town, so to speak. His reign is almost immediately threatened when Theo Galavan (James Frain, The Tudors) and his sister, Tabitha (Jessica Lucas, Melrose Place (2009)), arrive. They aren’t after The Penguin, specifically, but if he stands in their way, then they won’t hesitate to fight, and are more than capable of taking the crime boss on.

These are far from the only baddies, though, in the season dubbed “Rise of the Villains.” Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) continues his compelling descent into madness, while Barbara (Erin Richards) struggles with maintaining sanity. Worse (or better, for viewers?), Dr. Hugo Strange (BD Wong, Law & Order: SVU) is now running Arkham, and he delights in experimenting with superhumans and above-average criminals along the lines of Firefly (Michelle Veintimilla, Not Cool) and Victor Fries (Nathan Darrow, House of Cards). So the city is facing no shortage of trouble.

Our hero remains Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), but he is certainly racking up more allies than just Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), which feels necessary, given what Gotham is facing. Chief among Gordon’s allies is Captain Nathaniel Barnes (Michael Chiklis, The Shield), who comes in with the goal of cleaning up the force. Bruce (David Mazouz) is making progress on his path towards becoming Batman, but he’s still a ways away from that.

And these are only a few of the characters that populate Gotham. At times, I worry both the city and the cast list is over-stuffed. But one thing you can say about such a large ensemble is that there are always plenty of plot threads going on. Gotham throws a lot at you and does it fast, burning through story, well, the way a comic book does. Usually, it works, though I think most of us with Jerome (Cameron Monaghan, Shameless) had stuck around a little longer. It isn’t as deep or as emotionally moving as the DC shows over on the CW, but it is an interesting drama done in a cool, unique style that remains enjoyable.

Speaking of the style, one of the best extras this release contains is a twenty-five minute look at the noir tone of the series. In “Gotham by Noir Light,” the crew gets nerdy in the best of ways as they discuss their influences from the films of yesteryear.

Two other interesting featurettes on the four-disc set are “Alfred: Batman’s Greatest Ally” and “Cold Hearted – The Tale of Victor Fries.” Each of these delves deeper into a specific character on the series, giving some background and insight into the approach Gotham takes on them versus other incarnations of the players in past works, a topic a many super hero shows sadly downplay.

There are a lot of other extras, too. The Comic-Con Panel is cool, but sadly shortened, as most panels are when included on home releases. Then, there are a lot of shorts, most of which are a waste of time to watch. There are little bits from different actors musing on what is coming up for their characters, as well as some teaser scenes. Numbering more than a dozen, these were probably effective advertising when released prior to the episodes, but seem extraneous here. While I do complain when shows have too few features, Gotham has enough meaty stuff that, if they drop most of these (a couple are semi-interesting), they’d be better off overall, favoring quality over quantity.

Still, overall, I’m satisfied with Gotham – The Complete Second Season, which is on sale now.

No "Laugh" For GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review "The Last Laugh" on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) in “Rise of the Villains: The Last Laugh” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Oct. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX.

On this week’s GOTHAM, who has “The Last Laugh?” Well, no one yet, though we can say for certain a few people that do not. With the city getting darker and more dangerous by the minute, a hero steps up to save the day, but it’s not the person that the public thinks it is.

The hero is Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz). Still just a kid, he shows remarkable bravery when Alfred’s (Sean Pertwee) life is on the line. In past installments, Bruce cowers while Alfred protects him. In “The Laugh Laugh,” Bruce does allow Alfred to be the one to act, but he puts himself in the line of fire in order to give Alfred the opportunity to save everyone else. It may still be awhile before he’s Batman, but Bruce is strongly heading in that direction.

The citizens of Gotham, however, are likely to believe that Theo Galavan (James Frain) is the hero they’ve been waiting for, with Bruce overlooked as he almost always will be. That’s because no one knows that Theo sets himself up to rescue the hostages, and is pulling the strings of the villain, too. I’m not sure what Theo’s game is yet, but he’s playing it beautifully, fooling everyone that matters.

Barbara (Erin Richards) has certainly noticed. I do not know if she’s telling Lee (Morena Baccarin) the truth when she says she’ll soon be back with Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), but Barbara has to extract herself from a love triangle before she’s free for anyone else. At the start of “The Last Laugh,” she seems to be with Tabitha (Jessica Lucas), but after Theo’s big play, she switches which sibling she’s cozying up to. Is Barbara attracted to evil power? Or is she just enjoying herself and caught up in the moment?

Speaking of attraction, there is a great scene this week in which Alfred hits on Lee. I expected her to speak up and warn him off, but instead, she seems to enjoy the attention, at least to a point. But the fact that this flirtation gets Jim to mark his territory and results in a fun interchange where Alfred accuses Bruce of knowing Lee was taken makes the moment well worth it.

The only scene better than that is the one in which Harvey (Donal Logue) threatens Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor). Harvey is Jim’s friend, we know that, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen him act quite as selfless as he does here. Clearly, Jim has rubbed off on Harvey even more than appears obvious. That might be because Jim has been blurring the lines between good and bad himself, tossing people out windows to find Jerome, giving Harvey the clue that Jim might be tough enough to win after all. Whatever the reason, though, it’s nice to see the loyalty of the veteran detective.

The biggest thing to happen this week, though, is the death of Jerome (Cameron Monaghan). Both in the moment and upon reflection after, this seems a mistake. Sure, it allows for some fun puns and references in the dialogue of several players, but Jerome was such a great potential joker, it’s a shame to lose him! He resembles the legendary Batman villain enough that I’d taken to calling him The Joker in past reviews. To see him snuffed out so quickly is sad. The explanation the episode gives, that his behavior will spawn copycats, one of whom will actually be The Joker, feels cheap. I usually applaud the twists GOTHAM brings to the Batman legacy, but GOTHAM will be hard pressed to find a Joker as good as Monaghan. And if the one they do bring in ends up being inferior, it won’t be acceptable.

Still, even with the death of Jerome, “The Laugh Laugh” is a great, action-packed, enjoyable hour of television. There are plenty of things to keep fans engaged, and the performances continue to only get better. I look forward very much to what the series has in store next.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Don't "Knock" GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review Knock, Knock on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: (L-R) Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) and Captain Essen (Zabryna Guevara) in the Rise of the Villains: “Knock, Knock” episode of GOTHAM ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX.

 

As good as GOTHAM’s sophomore premiere is, the second installment, “Knock, Knock,” is even better. Gordon (Ben McKenzie) attempts to get Bullock (Donal Logue) to come back to work, but his former partner resists the force, happy at home with his fiancé, Scottie (Maria Thayer). Meanwhile, Bruce (David Mazouz) and Alfred (Sean Pertwee) clash in a big way, and Galavan (James Frain) coaches his crew, though will he be able to control them for long?

“Knock, Knock” is the episode in which The Joker breaks out in a big, big way. While it’s true that the moniker has yet to be uttered, there is no mistaking whom Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan, Shameless) is as he gives a chilling, insane performance. Jerome is the villain who surprises, and the one who is hard to predict and understand. His slaughter at the police headquarters is maybe the darkest thing GOTHAM has done thus far, and it sets him up to be the most dangerous personality in a city choked with dangerous personalities, the first to truly give The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) a run for his money. I think if Galavan tries to continue to control Jerome, Galavan will not be long for GOTHAM.

I am disappointed to see so many officers get up off the floor at the end of “Knock, Knock.” It is plenty clear that Jerome and his men are not taking prisoners, and while I’ll forgive them for missing Leslie (Morena Baccarin), who hid, and Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), who heroically saved Ms. Kringle (Chelsea Spack), it doesn’t seem like they are leaving many alive at the time of the assault. I can’t help but wonder if the network required the shot of officers standing up to make the whole thing seem less violent for a broadcast network airing. It takes away from the brutality of the attack a bit. But that’s really the only weak spot in an otherwise outstanding episode.

Of course, Jerome’s actions prompt Bullock to return to work, which is super necessary. Essen’s (Zabryna Guevara) death is tragic, but it is also meaningful. We know Gordon and the police force have to be losing the struggle before Batman eventually shows up on scene, and “Knock, Knock” is the first big victory we see for the baddies. By losing Essen, the good side will galvanize and the war should begin to become all-out in the near future.

Speaking of Batman, I still can’t believe GOTHAM won’t show the caped crusader. It is true that Bruce is very young, but he already has Alfred training him and Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) helping him set up the Batcave. We are in early stages of a superhero here, and I think we need a teenage Batman to enter and join the fight by season three or four. He can train with Ra’s over summer hiatus, no?

I am incredibly surprised at how far Barbara (Erin Richards) has fallen. Hanging around with villains is one thing, but “Knock, Knock” finds her taking an active, willing role in their nefarious deeds. She lures Gordon out of the precinct, allows him to be beaten up, then jumps on his chest and kisses him. She’s not only evil, she also seems crazy. This means that when she claims to ‘not be sick,’ she could very be wrong, and there’s still a chance that, with proper counseling, she could come back to him. But right now, that seems a far-off prospect.

GOTHAM has a lot of personalities to juggle, and the more they add, the less time the others get. Yet, the way “Knock, Knock” manages to serve Essen, Gordon, Bullock, Nygma, Bruce, Alfred, Barbara, and Jerome all so well proves how the writers have become quite adept at balancing everyone. With so much packed into a single episode, the possibilities open in the twenty episodes left this year are many, not to mention the multiple years this show should get in the future. With smart pacing and expertly woven complex webs, GOTHAM has the potential to be around for a long time, and deserves to be if it can keep up what it’s already doing.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

GOTHAM's Gordon is "Damned"

Article originally published as GOTHAM Season 2 Premiere Preview on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) in the “Damned if You Do,… ” Season Two premiere of GOTHAM airing Monday, Sept. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX

FOX’s GOTHAM is back! I just watched the first episode, “Damned If You Do…,” and I have to say, I’m really pumped about the new season. Since you may be reading this prior to the hour airing, I’m going to do my absolute best to tease without outright spoiling, but take it from me, this sophomore premiere is great!

First, when last we leave Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), he is reeling from a showdown with a bunch of villains and the turning of his ex, Barbara (Erin Richards), into a murderer. “Damned If You Do…” picks up about a month later, and things have only gotten worse for Gordon. Bullock (Donal Logue) is no longer with the force and Commissioner Loeb (Peter Scolari) is fully back in power. It’s not a good place for Gordon to be, and if he wants to restore a status quo or find a better life for himself, Jim is going to have to go to The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) for help. We all know what a bad idea that is.

GOTHAM toys a bit with the line between good and bad in its first season; Bullock, especially, straddles the gray. But never is Jim stepping so precariously as he is in the season premiere. I doubt this will be the last time. The Batman franchise has always thrived in the darkness, with heroes willing to put their morals on hold for the greater good. It makes for rich character material, and “Damned If You Do…” has some of the best in the show so far, and I’m not just talking about Jim here.

The Penguin is having pretty much the opposite life as Jim. With Fish Mooney, Sal Maroni, and Carmine Falcone gone, he has little competition for the city. Along with Butch (Drew Powell, now a series regular) and Zsasz (Anthony Carrigan), few can stand in Oswald’s way. For now.

Who rules GOTHAM is fluid, as viewers see in the freshman run. While on top at the moment, The Penguin is far from alone in the city. Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) is still facing what he has done, and Barbara isn’t exactly a saint any more. Viewers also get to meet some of the new cast members, as Theo (James Frain, True Detective, Grimm) and Tabitha Galavan (Jessica Lucas, Gracepoint, Cult) make an entrance, Jerome (Cameron Monaghan) returns, and a few newbies pop up, including one very cartoonish, very entertaining personality that is not from the comics.

GOTHAM is a city teetering on the edge. If it seems like there are more bad guys than good, that’s because there are. A lot more. Villains keep joining the scene in every episode, and Jim can only do so much. We know Batman is years away from entering the picture, even as Bruce (David Mazouz) gets ever closer to his destiny, so things will get worse before they get better. “Damned If You Do…” shows us some of that, but I think we’re merely scratching the surface of what this season will be.

Speaking of Bruce, he’s changing, too. Part of me hopes that GOTHAM will not wait for him to reach adulthood before allowing him to don the cape. It has made other changes to the traditional lore, Barbara’s descent being one of them, and I wouldn’t mind if it takes a different approach. I know Batman is on the big screen right now, but surely the character can be shared with this very different project? Mazouz has a very original take on the role, showing the awkward, teenage years that are usually glossed right over.

Other things of note in this episode include a good moment for Essen (Zabryna Guevara), a new role for Selina (Camren Bicondova), yet another chilling scene for The Penguin, and a heart-wrenching letter that perfectly sums up some of the themes of the program, so much so that I considered quoting some of the text in the review, but chose not to for fear of spoiling something really cool.

GOTHAM is a unique show that deftly balances a great many characters. It’s impressive to see something to complex and deep on the broadcast networks, and I’m pleased it’s finding an audience. In a time where superhero stuff is everyone, this show manages to find its own niche that no one else is intruding on. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

GOTHAM begins its second year September 21^st of FOX.

SHAMELESS Finale Finds Two of "Lazarus"

Article first published as TV Review: 'Shameless' - 'Lazarus' on Blogcritics.

The Gallagher family in Showtime’s Shameless has always had a rough go of things. Saddled with an unreliable, alcoholic patriarch, Frank (William H. Macy), the kids have to take care of themselves. But in the fourth season, which closed this week with “Lazarus,” the obstacles they face get noticeably more challenging and adult. It’s a good thing these characters have plenty of practice hanging tough, so they are likely to survive the increased hardships.

Fiona (Emmy Rossum), is the oldest, and so serves as the mother figure for her younger siblings. This season, though, she gets a taste of a normal life and job, and perhaps feeling guilty for being pulled away from the kids, or undeserving of success, or stressed out from all she’s done, she spirals. “Lazarus” begins with Fiona in jail for a 90-day sentence on a drug charge and breaking probation. Luckily, by the end of the hour, she is released due to overcrowding and returns home, beginning to put her life back together, working as a waitress for Charlie Peters (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Magic City, Grey’s Anatomy).

I don’t think Fiona has an abuse problem; I think she is just going through something. She may not need NA or AA to stay clean because she’s not addicted to substances, but the program could still benefit her. It teaches one to look for inner strength and to work hard to better oneself. Fiona, now an adult, needs to set the course for the rest of her life, and in a sweet scene with brother Lip (Jeremy Allen White) late in the episode, it sounds like she’s taking the lesson to heart, pulling out of her dive. Thank goodness, because she’s probably the most admirable person on Shameless, prior to recent events, and she deserves to find happiness.

Part of what will help Fiona is to finally realize she doesn’t have to do everything for her family. During her stay behind bars, the household runs just fine. Lip, while busy with college, manages to pitch in and still pass his exams. Debbie (Emma Kenney) and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky), who really grow into their own stories this year, which include romances, are old enough to take care of themselves, rather than being a burden. There’s still young Liam, whose accidental endangerment begins Fiona’s mess, but with so many responsible brothers and sisters, everyone can share his care, meaning it doesn’t all fall on Fiona any more.

It’s really cool to see the other Gallaghers become more responsible. Lip’s college tenure is a success thus far, and for all his girlfriend, Amanda’s (Nichole Bloom), faults, she does help him manage his time effectively. I’m not sure he’ll stay with her, the siren call of Mandy (Emma Greenwell), who needs protecting, tempting him back to his old life, but it will probably be beneficial if he stays where he is. Debbie also matures and goes through her first real relationship, with things not playing out quite as she expects, but she finds within herself the ability to cope and get through troubles. Carl picks a terrible girl in Bonnie (Morgan Lily), but at least he shows compassion when helping out her younger siblings, indicating he will follow in his siblings’ laudable footsteps, not his father’s stumbling ones.

Carl is the most in danger of being like Frank. Unlike the others, he still looks up to the old man. The powerful final scene of “Lazarus,” evoking the installment’s title, in which Frank, who has survived nearly dying of liver failure and a stolen kidney, shouts profanity at the heavens and then begins drinking again, is disturbing, all the more so because Carl stands beside him. Up until now, Carl is rebellious, but he is also sweet, too. If Fiona, Lip, and Debbie get pulled away to their own things and forget about Carl, there is every chance he will continue to be susceptible to Frank’s poor example, which could turn him in the wrong direction. Or maybe he’ll learn the hard way not to be like Frank when Frank finally kicks the bucket, which seems a near certainty in the near future.

While all of these positive things are happening for the Gallaghers, one huge negative rears its ugly head out of nowhere in the Shameless finale. Middle child Ian (Cameron Monaghan), who has been acting strangely all season, suddenly reveals himself as being bipolar. This isn’t something easily overcome with rehab, like a drug problem, and the family is all too familiar with the symptoms, as their absentee mother suffers the same affliction. They may be able to get Ian help and medications to balance him out, but the fact remains that Ian has become the new burden on the family. Thank goodness they love him enough, and are tough enough, to help him.

They won’t have to do it alone. Ian’s boyfriend, Mickey (Noel Fisher), another character who really grows as Ian forces him to step out of the closet, is protective of Ian. He may not understand what Ian is going through yet, and isn’t in favor of medical treatment, but he cares for Ian and seeks to protect him. With these feelings firmly in place, it seems like Mickey can be brought around to what needs to be done, and that he will stick by Ian through this process. I could be wrong, and for drama’s sake, Mickey likely won’t shift easily, but I’m optimistic he can be the man Ian needs him to be.

The Gallaghers may be the center of Shameless, but they aren’t the only characters in it. I’ve particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Sheila (Joan Cusack), now married to Frank, though time will tell if that means anything, and Sammi (Emily Bergl), Frank’s eldest daughter whom he has only recently reconnected with. The two women fight bitterly over how best to take care of Frank, then return home and share a pot roast. Sammi’s fighting drive that causes her to park her trailer outside of Sheila’s house contrasts nicely with Sheila’s need to take care of people, while not really being a pushover. The timing of this latest moment, after Sheila loses a custody battle for five Native American children and Sammi could really use a parent when Frank escapes the hospital and her, couldn’t be better. I look forward to seeing how they develop next season.

Then there’s the bombshell at the end of “Lazarus”: Jimmy/Steve (Justin Chatwin) is still alive. We’ve thought him dead for an entire year, and now he’s in a car on the Gallaghers’ street with an as-yet unnamed woman (Dichen Lachman, Dollhouse). What is he doing here? How did he survive? Why has he come back now? It’s a tantalizing tease for the fans as we wait for the show’s return next January.

Character development and unexpected twists are hallmarks of the high-quality sseries about an at-times heart-warming, low-income family. It’s moving, soapy drama (entered for the first time as a comedy for the upcoming Emmys), but it’s also really developed stuff, making it better than most of its peers. Shameless has been renewed and will air its fifth season in 2015.

SHAMELESS Brings "Pleasure" To Those Who Watch It

Article first written for Seat42F.

Showtime’s SHAMELESS begins its fourth season this week with “Simple Pleasures.” Picking up shortly after last year left off, a lot has changed, despite the relatively short time jump. This season represents a new chapter in the life of the Gallaghers, and I’m anxious to see how it develops.

If this show has one lead, it’s Fiona (Emmy Rossum). She’s never been doing better than she is right now. Similar to how we last saw her, she has a steady job and is dating a good, solid, honest guy, Mike (Jake McDorman). But what we didn’t see before is that her new higher income and social circle have allowed her to actually have a life outside of the home. I don’t think she’ll ever neglect the family she’s in charge of, but it’s nice to see her not solely defined by it.

Part of why Fiona has the luxury of moving forward is because Debbie (Emma Kenney) and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) are growing more mature. They do so in differing ways, but their emotional and physical development has taken a step forward, making them seem more adult. As such, they should have more solo stories from here on out than previously, on level with Fiona, Lip (Jeremy Allen White), and Ian (Cameron Monaghan), whom they have always seemed to be a step behind. Maybe the youngest Gallagher will even finally get a thread.

Now, neither Carl nor Debbie have left childhood behind completely. In some ways, Debbie and Carl are still kids, which is actually nice, as children don’t grow up overnight. The question is, are they just acting older because Fiona has left them on their own more and they are forced to take more responsibility? Or are they going through normal development at a natural pace?

There is more room for Debbie and Carl because a number of main characters are no longer occupying screen time. As “Simple Pleasures” begins, Frank (William H. Macy), Ian, and Jimmy / Steve (Justin Chatwin) are all missing. This does change the dynamic of the series overall. As viewers, we sort of know what’s happened with them, or at least we have more information than the other characters, but their fates are still unresolved as the episode starts.

Early in the hour, though, one of the three does show up, kicking off what could be a whole new arc for the character. I don’t want to spoil things, so I’ll remain vague, but let’s just say that the person in question has taken the path they were on as far as they can go, and they will either change or be done entirely in the near future. The other two are completely absent for now.

Sheila (Joan Cusack), despite having no direct reason to still be around, maintains a presence on SHAMELESS. She is a lost soul, and with her entire family gone, it makes sense that she would turn to the Gallaghers, whom she has more connection with than anyone else in town. It seems a delicate arrangement, and I’m not sure it’ll last, but I love Cusack, so I’m in no hurry to see Sheila go.

The Milkovichs, long characters on the show, have more of their own story in “Simple Pleasures” than we’re used to. Mickey (Noel Fisher) is pining over Ian, of course, and regretting his marriage, while Mandy (Emma Greenwell) is very much still in love with Lip, who is away at college (yes, the episode follows him there, apart from everyone else). Because the Gallaghers are no longer are serving the same roles as before and Sheila’s loved ones are absent, there’s plenty of room for the Milkovichs to step up, and I am curious where their threads might go next.

Besides all of this, there’s a big twist with Veronica (Shanola Hampton) and Kevin (Steve Howey), someone relatively important dies, and a couple has sex for the first time. So “Simple Pleasures” is eventful on its own, even while kicking off a brand new batch of stories with some changed characters.

SHAMELESS returns this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.

Shameless still not blushing

Grade: 94%

Showtime’s SHAMLESS comes back this weekend with “El Gran Canon,” airing Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. While the Gallaghers may be the same old family they’ve always been, the stakes of season three have definitely been amped up, with real life-and-death danger threatening them all.

I refer, of course, to Steve / Jimmy’s (Justin Chatwin) father-in-law. Estefania’s (Stephanie Fantauzzi) dad blows into town, and, after watching Jimmy for awhile, takes him to Estefania’s apartment and murders Estefania’s boyfriend, Marco (Thierre Di Castro). Then he tells Jimmy that he expects him to watch out for Estefania, and keep his nose clean to avoid trouble with the law, meaning Jimmy will have to get a legitimate job.

Marco’s death is disturbing in that Jimmy is forced to witness it. But Marco is known to be abusive, so despite Estefania’s protests, it’s probably not a bad thing that he is dead.

The point of this really appears to be to put serious fear into Jimmy so that he will do what Estefania’s father wants him to do. This looks to be very effective. Jimmy is noticeably shaken, and while he would have probably helped out Estefania without the threats, he definitely will do his best now.

The thing that goes unspoken between Jimmy and his new “boss” is that Jimmy can continue to live with Fiona (Emmy Rossum) and her family, as long as he puts Estefania’s needs first when she needs him. This is all well and good for Jimmy, but the thing he should consider is, he is putting his new family, the Gallaghers, in danger by hanging around them. If Estefania’s father would kill Marco so callously to manipulate Jimmy, it is likely that he would not be above hurting one of the Gallagher children to continue to do so.

Fiona, for her part, remains oblivious, but she wants to be. As “El Gran Canon” begins, she is bored of Jimmy acting as the house mom, helping with the responsibility, seemingly being a normal, though not legal, husband. The danger presented by Estefania’s father’s surveillance of the house and Jimmy’s disappearance for a day excites her, and she’s soon hopping into the sack with him, whereas before, she made excuses to avoid sex.

Fiona has always seemed the normal, responsible member of the family. It’s a little disappointing when SHAMELESS reveals that she is not much better than the rest. Is her attraction to the danger around Jimmy a character flaw, or just a method to blow off steam? Either way, she is jeopardizing her charges, putting them at unnecessary risk.

Other than that, though, Fiona is doing good, finally moving up in the working world. She has a chance to do a promotion night at the club, and she hands over her last paycheck from a crappy job to do so. Her irresponsibility in not paying the property tax could come back to bite her in the butt, but hopefully, by then she will be making enough money to fix things. One can wish, anyway. At least she might be able to break even, and keep the status quo.

The rest of the Gallaghers are doing what they normally do. Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is getting into trouble with the law, misusing his formidable brains, but never far away from taking the right path. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) continues his affair with Jimmy’s dad, Lloyd (Harry Hamlin), though he is starting to pull away, a good decision, even if Ian may do it for the wrong reason.

Debbie (Emma Kenney), alone, has put her life on hold. Frank (William H. Macy) has been missing for over four months, and while the older children know enough now to worry about him, maybe even hope that he won’t return, Debbie prays at an altar set for Frank, and looks for him every day. It’s sad, knowing that she will be disappointed by her father soon enough. Yet, it’s cool that SHAMELESS lets us see a kid not yet cynical and spoiled by reality, the way the rest of the family is.

Frank is actually down in Mexico, without identification, unable to cross back into the United States after a really bad bender. While this could spell trouble for most, Frank is a conniving sleaze ball. It doesn’t take him long to find passage home, using his anal storage talents, and setting a record in the cocaine smuggling world. This is the comic relief of “El Gran Canon.”

While there is definitely real danger for many of the characters presented in this episode, it’s hard to believe that Frank will ever come to real harm. The good die young, but the bad don’t. Frank always stumbles into something to save himself. His family would be better off without him, but as Fiona promises Debbie, Frank will always find his way home.

Speaking of homes, Sheila (Joan Cusack) seems to be building one with Jody (Zach McGowan) and the baby. I wonder how long Sheila can possibly be happy with her daughter’s immature, hippy ex-boyfriend? At least Jody cares, and appears willing to take on the responsibility of fatherhood.

Lastly, Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica’s (Shanola Hampton) latest venture is performing racist, historical, live sex shows on the internet. It’s funny because it’s so wrong. The only complaint I have about this sequence is, how come their “fictional” sex is so much less raw and dirty than their real intercourse? This couple’s passion is renowned, but it’s not very evident here. However, maybe they think of this as a joke as much as viewers will, thus why they aren’t giving it their all.

Because the stakes have been raised, this season of SHAMELESS should grow in ways that will be exciting and feel fresh. Yet, the characters remain true to themselves at their core, bringing the same sensibilities they always have. “El Gran Canon” is a fitting season premiere, and is tantalizing enough to get fans pumped for the rest of the run.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on Seat42F

'Fiona Interrupted' is Shameless

Showtime's Shameless brings its second season to a close with "Fiona Interrupted," which finds many of the Gallaghers (and their friends) contemplating change. Frank (William H. Macy) is intent on breaking Monica (Chloe Webb, China Beach, Twins) out of the mental hospital, but finds most of his children unwilling to help. Fiona (Emmy Rossum) determines a new list of priorities, which Jimmy / Steve (Justin Chatwin) hopes to be included on. Lip (Jeremy Allen White) also has some tough choices to make concerning his romantic life. Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins) gives Sheila (Joan Cusack) an ultimatum: the baby goes, or Karen will.

What does Karen expect when she makes Sheila choose between her and the baby in "Fiona Interrupted?" Karen is pretty much grown, and has proven repeatedly that she doesn't need her mother. The baby, on the other, definitely does need someone to love and care for it. Considering that he has Down syndrome, he isn't likely to be adopted. Sheila does the responsible thing by taking in her grandson, and the police, when Karen calls them, agree. Sheila makes the only decision she can here.

Why does Karen hate the baby so much? Is he a reminder of the person she is? Does she not like herself or her promiscuous ways? When she sees the baby's face, is she reminded of the drugs that she consumed during pregnancy? Surely Karen's anger is directed at least as much at herself as at the infant. Otherwise, her character has become a psychopath, and there's no reason for her to continue on Shameless, as no viewer will like or relate to her.

Lip loves Karen. He wants to be a father, too, but he also genuinely adores Karen herself. Even as Karen pushes him away over and over, Lip is willing to stand by, and likely would, even after he learns that baby is not his. However, these monstrous actions by Karen in "Fiona Interrupted" drive him away. That's not to say that Lip is done with her forever. But it will certainly take a lot of time and apologizing for the eldest Gallagher male to consider getting back with his first true love.

Might Lip find a replacement companion in Mandy (Emma Greenwell)? Mandy is just a warm bed for Lip, but she really seems to be interested in something more with him. And while Lip initially shoves her off and avoids talking to her about a relationship, he seems more accepting by "Fiona Interrupted." Does this mean he is warming up to her? Might he consider something more than a friends with benefits arrangement? He should have already considered this, seeing how dangerous her family is, and if he isn't ready to be serious, he needs to find a way to let her down gently.

Emma Greenwell has now played Mandy in more episodes of Shameless than Jane Levy (Suburgatory) did before leaving the show. Despite this, it's still hard not to see Levy in the role, and miss her. Greenwell does fine, but she seems to lack that extra spark and subtle layers that Levy brought to the part. One wonders if Greenwell would be better received had she been the one originally cast as Mandy. This situation brings to light the problem with recasting. Bottom line: avoid it at all costs!

Fiona has Steve, er, Jimmy back. Will Shameless ever pick a name for him? Jimmy makes the most sense, given that it is his real name, and someone else is now using the identity of Steve. But since he is called Steve for all of season one, there will be an adjustment period for the audience, which is probably why both names are currently being used. Either way, Fiona gets back with the guys she loves.

When Shameless begins season two, it is kind of nice to see Fiona play the field. She has a lot of responsibility, and deserves some fun. Settling down with one man is kind of a grown up thing to do, and Fiona does enough grown up things in her life already. Which does not mean that she doesn't deserve love. Fiona, more than any other character in the series, sacrifices everything for her family. That's why, despite how fun it is to see wild and free Fiona at the beginning of the season, it's also a bit of a relief to hear Jimmy confess his love, and to see her accept it.

Of course, there is always a wrench. In the final moments of "Fiona Interrupted," Fiona's happy ending is interrupted by the appearance of a battered Estefania (Stephanie Fantauzzi) at her door. Technically, Estefania is married to Jimmy's Steve identity, and because of the time she spent with Jimmy, he feels obligated to do something. This is reasonable. Even though Fiona has enough drama to deal with, she should be OK with this because she won't want to see anyone get hurt, and Estefania's guy, who is now using the Steve identity, is hurting her. But will she regret Jimmy helping Estefania if things get too hairy? And how long can Estefania stick around before Fiona gets too jealous?

What's more, Estefania isn't the only problem. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) sleeps with Jimmy's father, Lloyd (Harry Hamlin, Army Wives, Veronica Mars, L.A. Law). This happens before the Gallaghers meet Jimmy's family in "Fiona Interrupted," though Lloyd is interested in continuing the affair. Ian seems reticent, thankfully, now that he knows about Lloyd's wife and kids. But Fiona is bound to be upset, and Jimmy must be told. Without knowing more about Jimmy's family and home life, it is impossible to know what repercussions may arise from this situation.

Which is just plain sad. As mentioned, Fiona deserves her happy ending. She has to give up a good job, and likely, dreams of college, to continue in her role as the caretaker of the family. Thus, her love life should not be a chore, too. And clearly, there will be a bumpy road on the way to happiness, if she stays with Jimmy. If she doesn't... Well, let's just hope that her future suitors are better matches than the batch of guys that she has dated this year.

And Ian should get a little cheer, too, which he won't with Lloyd. An affair with an older, married man who has his own family is bound to end in disaster, which Ian should already know, based on past experience. Hopefully, he will not repeat his mistake.

Frank is lost without Monica in "Fiona Interrupted," and assumes that his kids will be, too. Surprise, surprise, only Debbie (Emma Kenney) agrees to help Frank carry out his "rescue" plan. Why does no one else care?

The Frank and Monica drama is old hat to the elder Gallagher offspring. They have seen the rollercoaster ride that their parents take them on, and want nothing more to do with it. Debbie, on the other hand, does not have those clear memories of what it is like to be with both of her parents. She is really enjoying having her mother back at home, despite the Thanksgiving suicide attempt, and would like to continue this living arrangement. Who can blame her? Kids crave their parents until they learn better, as Debbie's older siblings have, repeatedly.

Debbie and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) are deeply upset by Monica cutting herself in the kitchen. This should be a sign that helping Frank get Monica back is a mistake. It's not like Frank has become a loving father with Monica around, though he is home more. Monica buys her children things (with the money that she stole from them), but, as a bi-polar drug user, is in no shape to take care of them. Thus, while it's nice to have a mother and a father in the house, Debbie and Carl are without their parents around.

But Debbie helps Frank bust out Monica anyway. The family's happy reunion lasts all of two minutes, until Monica takes off with her new girlfriend, Jill (the amazing, hilarious Jenna Elfman, Dharma & Greg). Jill is a deeply disturbed individual, waiting to see if she's competent to stand trail for violence against her husband. Monica knows how to pick 'em, doesn't she? Is Monica in danger, running off with Jill? Who knows? But that's a plot for another season. What's shown in "Fiona Interrupted" is that Monica's behavior is erratic, and she has no problem abandoning her family. Again.

As soon as Monica is gone, though, Frank returns to the total loser that he is, and soon enough, his kids carry him out and dump him in the alley. Frank is better with Monica around, but only slightly, so it's not with a great sense of loss that he is put back on the street. Losing Monica is a serious blow to Frank's happiness, as Monica is the only woman he seems to care about. His other trysts all have ulterior motives, but with Monica, Frank shows his heart. To the extent that Frank can, that is.

Debbie, Carl, and the others will be OK. No matter how terrible their parents are, they have older siblings who are dedicated to making sure they grow up all right. Let's just hope that these latest shenanigans don't scar them too much.


Shameless has been renewed for a third season, and will return to Showtime.

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How Shameless spends its "Summertime"

     Showtime's Shamesless returns with "Summertime." The Gallaghers are busy earning money to get them through the year, including a scheme involving Kelvin's (Steve Howey) monster pot harvest. But the unexpectedly large electric bill from said crop, as well as V's (Shanola Hampton) disapproval threaten their plans. Then things get even dicker when Frank (William H. Macy) makes a big bet and loses, leading to the debtors holding Liam (Blake Alexander Johnson and Brennan Kane Johnson) hostage.

     "Summertime" finds the family almost exactly as they were last left, still getting into the same types of trouble, which is great for fans who love the snow's story structure. As such, it is easy to jump right back into the world without missing a beat, a must considering how long Shameless's hiatus has been.

     Frank has been having a run of luck since shacking up with Sheila (Joan Cusack), but that good fortune is about to run out. Sheila is making big progress in her therapy, making it a full 100 steps from her house. Her ultimate goal, since she loves Frank dearly, for unknown reasons, is to make it to the Alibi to spend time with her sweetie. That should be all it takes to end their relationship, as she will finally see the real Frank, and what everyone else thinks of him. To make matters even worse for Frank, he can no longer go home after the stunt endangering Liam, which infuriated his other children, so he will likely be let homeless when Sheila kicks him out. That is, until he comes up with another scheme.

     The character of Frank is a despicable lowlife, and he finds ways to be even worse on "Summertime." It's one thing to neglect himself, but it's quite another to endanger his children. The older ones have learned not to count on him, but again, letting a baby be kidnapped by gangsters takes things to another level. There isn't a redeemable bone left in his body now, and it will be interesting to see how Shameless tries to make him sympathetic now, if an attempt is even made.

     Besides Frank, the rest of the family is very loving, and willingly hand over all their hard earned savings in order to rescue the youngest member of their clan. It's just such a shame that they have to, considering how hard their lives are. They struggle, and are just seeking some happiness, which, once again, intentionally or not, Frank sabotages.

     Bad timing, too, as Fiona's (Emmy Rossum) is having fun being a player. Too hurt by Steve (Justin Chatwin) to consider anything serious, she finds sexual satisfaction in the arms of a hunk or two. At her age, she deserves some casual, entertaining rebound if she desires it. Hopefully she will get the chance for it without family responsibilities or a would-be commitment minded guy dragging her down.

     Poor Kevin. He has a great looking crop in "Summertime" until V rains on his parade. She is right to do so, though. Selling a little weed is one thing, but the legal consequences of following through with his harvest, should he get caught, are just too big to risk. With this in mind, he does the right thing in trashing most of it. But what of the two bags he secretly buries in the yard? V will be furious. And with a cop, Tony (Tyler Jacob Moore), as a neigbor, it's pretty dumb.

     Kash (Pej Vahdat, Bones) is also dumb. Not for leaving his bitch of a wife, Linda (Marguerite Moreau), as he should never have been with her on the first place. But for abandoning his kids. It may not be immediately obvious, but Cash is proving.extremely selfish and no better than Frank.

     What is going on with Lip (Jeremy Allen White) in "Summertime?" Sure, his friendship with Professor Hearst (Dennis Boutsikaris, W.) is proving beneficial, and the ice-cream truck he is running with Kevin should prove profitable. But what is he doing with Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins)? It's nice, though a bit naive to forgive her for Frank; it's foolhardy to try to carrying as normal when she is so obviously moving on. Things will never go back for them. Lip should either make a serious romantic play for her, a questionable move given their history, or just let her go.

     Ian (Cameron Monaghan) is lucky to have Lip. He is the supportive elder brother every younger boy wishes for. First with the coming out of the closet,.and now with the dreams of Westpoint, Lip stands by him. Lip may not be crazy with either thing, but that doesn't matter; this is what Ian wants, and Lip will work tirelessly to make it a reality. Sk what major bad circumstance will disrupt this great relationship?

     If one is looking for concrete proof that the children of Shameless have to act beyond their years, look no further than Debbie (Emma Kenney) in "Summertime." Still a young kid herself, she runs a daycare with close to ten tots! She pretends Fiona is in charge in front of the parents, then does everything herself as Fiona sleeps the day away. That's not a complaint against Fiona, who works hard, too. But for a little girl to step up and do so much, she deserves some serious credit. Debbie is minimized in season one to some degree, but if "Summertime" is any indication, she will not stay that way for long.

     Recasting sucks. It's wonderful that Jane Levy now gets to staring a major network sitcom, Suburgatory, but it's terrible that a different girl (Emma Greenwell) has to play Mandy. Couldn't she just have been written out? If the part is vital to Shameless, couldn't a replacement character be introduced instead? Very disappointed about this.


     Watch Shameless Sundays 1t 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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Shameless ends with "Father Frank, Full of Grace"

     What an exciting season finale that Showtime's Shameless gave us Sunday night! So much development, and some nice endings to a few plots. Unlike other shows, Shameless doesn't so much have little stories or mysteries that must be summed up in an episode, or even a couple of weeks. It's more a series of events in the lives of the Gallagher family. As such, the finale doesn't feel too much different than a regular episode, not feeling obligated to do the big stunts that most shows do. But Shameless has been enjoyable since the pilot, and continued that run with the talent viewers have grown accustomed to.

     Last week, Lip (Jeremy Allen White) and Ian (Cameron Monaghan) are arrested while driving a stolen car for Steve (Justin Chatwin). Rather than this being an extended legal battle, for which the family could never realistically pay, family friend (and cop) Tony (Tyler Jacob Moore) convinces the investigating officer to drop the charges. After all, Tony is after Steve, not the brothers. No needless drama or strung-out hype forced upon us. But the sequence of events does go in Tony's favor, as it scares Steve enough to leave town, after signing over his house to Tony in exchange for getting the charges dropped. Steve doesn't know Tony has already had this done, and Tony doesn't correct him, taking the house.

     The house happens to be next door to Fiona (Emmy Rossum), who is the whole reason for the feud between Tony and Steve. Even with Steve's secrets, and his "profession" as a car thief, I like him better for Fiona than Tony. Steve will have to go straight in the long-run to be good enough for Fiona, she certainly doesn't need the headaches and threats of illicit activities, but he understands her more. Tony is too straight-laced. Fiona and Steve have passion. Sure, passion may burn out, and Tony is the more stable guy. But for Fiona, being with Tony would be settling, and not love.

     Steve asks Fiona to leave town with him, and she considers it. She even packs a bag and heads to the train station, but just can't bring herself to go to the airport. I never expected her to. I'm surprised she even toyed with the idea. I guess it can be excused because Lip and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) were assuring her that everything at home would be just fine without her, and encouraging her to go. But I found this the one weak part of the episode. If there's anything Fiona would never leave, it's her family. And she's right when she says that the children do not need abandoned again. It would be fine for her to go in a few years, but not now.


     The closest thing to a cliffhanger we get is the effect of Debbie (Emma Kenney) telling Jimmy's mom that her son is living in Chicago under the name Steve. I assume that this is a set up for next season, which gives me hope that Steve will return, something I wasn't sure about at the end of the episode. Surely, his mother will be looking for him now, and run into the Gallaghers, learning about the life 'Steve' was living. Perhaps he won't remain a main character, but we'll have to see him again. I don't blame Debbie for spilling the beans, but it did spoil Steve's clean get away.

     In a lovely, understated scene, Ian reveals himself as gay to Fiona. She already knows, of course; what attentive parent wouldn't? But it's nice to hear him say it. The fact that she has never brought it up, but has waited until he is ready to tell her, speaks volumes about their relationship. Sometimes I forget that Fiona is taking care of the older children as well as the three younguns. But she is. The moment the two of them share, full of love, and absent of judgment, is one of the sweetest scenes in the entire first season. It beautifully demonstrates who Fiona and Ian each are, and how they feel about each other. Kudos, indeed.

     I am really surprised to see how quickly the friendship is growing between Fiona and Jasmine (Amy Smart). Veronica obviously feels threatened, and I expect it will become a plot pursued next season. Jasmine doesn't ring quite right. She seems to have an attraction to Fiona that is more than friendship. She also pushes Fiona to do things she really doesn't want to do. Jasmine is good because she is pulling Fiona into a more secure middle class, especially after helping her get a job, but I don't think they have the elements needed for a long-term, sustained relationship. Veronica need not worry. It's only a phase.

     Speaking of Veronica, though, I am sad that we haven't gotten any development between Veronica, Kevin (Steve Howey), and Ethel (Madison Davenport). It's such an interesting story, though I admit I may just be missing Big Love. I know the series is more about the Gallaghers than their friends, but I wanted to see more of the trio settling in together. Clearly, Veronica hasn't kicked the girl out after a week, as she had planned to do. What's next? Did they get Ethel's baby, too? Definitely great writing was shown previously in this case, as I am extremely interested in what we didn't see.

     I am very worried about Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins). She has gone off the deep end, for sure. I mean, I can't imagine how it would feel to have your own father think you are a whore, let alone say it out loud to a whole group of people. Of course she is now even more damaged than before. I think it is a crying shame that she pushes Lip away; he wants to help her, and she needs him. Her mother Sheila (Joan Cusack) also tries to get through to her. I guess it's more realistic that Karen must act out and sort through her own feelings before allowing others in, but she acts in such destructive ways! Now that Lip and her have made up, hopefully she will begin to heal, but it won't be a quick, easy road. She is the truly tragic story thus far.

     Eddie (Joel Murray) is not a bad guy. In fact, while he was at first portrayed as mean and overly strict, he has done everything he can to try to win his family back. His outburst and name calling of his daughter is inexcusable, but also, it has to be hard to sit and listen to your daughter's sexual exploits. I really wish they would have had time to work things out. Eddie's decision to end his life, I think, stems more from embarrassment in front of his co-workers and anyone who saw the video, than the actual act. He could get over it, where his daughter is concerned anyway, had he not been publicly humiliated. Now it's too late to work anything out.

     Luckily, it's not too late for Frank (William H. Macy) and Lip. We have never seen Frank have much humility before he stands in the yard and yells up to Lip's window, begging for forgiveness and taking responsibility for his actions. In truth, Frank was drunk and drugged, so at most, the blame should be minimally his. He even said stop, and was in no condition to physically make Karen not have sex with him. But Frank's ability to suck it up and be truly sorry actually endeared me to him. It doesn't make up for all of the bad things Frank has done, but it does reveal heart, and an actual man who does care somewhat about his children. Unexpected, but great.

     The big question left is, will Sheila ever find out that Karen and Frank had sex? Now that Eddie is dead, it is unlikely to come out anytime soon. Sheila still can only go a dozen steps from her front door, so she won't hear it from the neighbors, and Lip and Karen certainly will have no motivation to tell her. Lip seems to have somewhat forgiven Frank, with the slight smile after the golden shower, and Karen likes Frank, who has been kind to her. I do not know how Sheila will learn the truth, but I expect it will be at least late into next season before she does, if not much longer than that. The fall out will certainly mean the end of Frank and Sheila permanently, and I don't know that the show is ready to go there. I have little doubt that it will someday, but not now.

     The show also stars Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher. Shameless has been renewed for a second season to air next year on Showtime, and I greatly look forward to it.

Article first published as TV Review: Shameless (US) - "Father Frank, Full of Grace" on Blogcritics.

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Shameless - "Pilot"

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.


     There was a LOT going on in the first episode of Showtime's new drama, Shameless. With a staggeringly large cast, including the huge Gallagher family at the center, my biggest worry going forward is how everyone will get a fair shake. And yet, so much was packed into the first hour, and so many characters got to shine, that the worry is minor, at best. It was a delightful romp, full of all the delicious sin you want in a pay cable show, plus some real, gripping story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and know already that this will quickly become one of my favorite shows. It is based on a long-running British series, and after last night, I know I'd like to see that, too.

     At the center of the Gallagher family is patriarch Frank (the incredible William H. Macy), although I use the term 'patriarch' pretty loosely, because it's not like Frank does anything to care for his boisterous brood. Frank got some funny bits, but no real plot of his own in the pilot, though next week's episode is called "Frank the Plank", so I assume that will change soon. The series would not dare waste a great like Macy, and it has already been said that Sheila (Joan Cusack) is in the cast as a love interest for him, not just some girl's mom. Which makes sense, because I was curious on why someone with the gravitas of Cusack took such a small part in the pilot. However, for now I am content to watch Frank fall over, and the scene where he found the new washing machine probably defines the character best.

     The real center of the Gallaghers is eldest daughter Fiona (Emmy Rossum, The Phantom of the Opera), who raises Frank's other kids as if they were her own. While it is unclear how old exactly Fiona is, she is certainly far too young to be taking on the responsibilities she does. Following her example, all of the kids make money however they can, and kick together a pot when bills are due. Frank does not contribute. To get him to even pay for a field trip, Fiona shook his pants leg while he was passed out and picked up the coins that rolled out. Luckily, Fiona seems to have a life outside of her hell beckoning to her in the form of Steve (Justin Chatwin), a car thief who likes her and wants to shower her with gifts, so far in the form of the aforementioned washing machine and a big breakfast for the family. These two are a real joy, with authentic chemistry.

     My favorite story in the first episode, though, was between brothers Lip (Jeremy Allen White) and Ian (Cameron Monaghan). Lip found gay porn stashed away by Ian, and set about trying to get confirmation on Ian's sexuality. Lip took him to Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins), a girl Lip tutors that doesn't mind handing out blowjobs, and his suspicious were put to rest. What was sweet, though, was that after Lip got over his initial shock and disgust, he found a way to accept his brother for who he was. The tough world Lip and Ian inhabit can't be kind to homosexuals, but Lip put family first. He loves his brother, and will stand by him, no matter what.

     That's what holds the Gallaghers together: love. Despite their crazy, messed up world, love was a theme that shone through in the pilot. They are a family, much more realistic than many on TV. They're lower class, struggling to get by, but by sticking together, they manage to. Everyone helps out where they are needed, with the typical sibling squabbling, of course, but won't abandon the others. Fiona could have, should have, left when she reached adulthood sometime recently, but she didn't. She cares too much about her brothers and sister.

     Of course, there are plenty of other elements. Like in most Showtime shows, there is lots of drinking and other drugs, though Frank is the only one who takes them too far. Sex is a part of their life, and I find that enjoyable and realistic, too. Already in the pilot, we saw neighbor Kev (Steve Howey) passed out naked, two boys got oral sex, and Fiona and Steve got it on on the dirty kitchen floor. Rossum, who has avoided nudity up til now in her career, said the writing makes it worth it; the scenes that are shown are important to the story. She's right. If the Gallaghers were sanitized, they wouldn't be who they unapologetically are, and the series would suffer.

     Although adapted from a British series, the world the Gallaghers live in is also very specific. It's a Chicago neighborhood, and there's a tone that is very clear. The setting feels like a character, more than just a place they live. The neighbors build a rich tapestry around the Gallaghers, and the cops are integrated, not willing to toss their people in the clink for minor crimes. There is a bigger community there, inspiring in its bonds.

     The series also stars Shanola Hampton, Jane Levy, Tyler Jacob Moore, Ethan Cutkosky, Emma Kenney, and Brennan Kane Johnson and Blake Alexander Johnson as baby Liam. See? I told you it was a big cast.

     I look forward to the next Gallagher story. Shameless airs on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on Showtime.

Article first published as TV Review: Shameless - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.