Everyone’s favourite dysfunctional family is back and they’re more ‘Shameless’ than ever.
Almost eight years ago, ‘Shameless’ fans became part of the South Side Chicago family the Gallaghers, and through the years attachment to characters and their stories was inevitable.
After a rocky season eight for a few of the Gallaghers, and better times for the likes of eldest sister Fiona, they’re back with season nine, and it’s everything you’d expect and missed about the show.
Frank is still Frank; Liam grew up to be the smartest and most ‘normal’ family member; Debbie is taking a hit at misogyny and dabbles in lesbianism for a few episodes; Carl is working his way up the ranks at military school and Lip is still battling alcoholism.
But then the interesting aspects and plot twists come in with Fiona and Ian. These two siblings have had a rocky relationship for the past few seasons as Fiona can’t seem to let Ian be his own adult. Fiona’s micromanaging is referred to as “Fiona’ing” by her siblings.
You’ll remember that Ian was locked up for arson in the previous season after setting a van alight in order to save a gay teen from abduction from his family. This season, ‘Gay Jesus’ Ian is trying social reform from behind bars by causing homosexuals to strike against being used and abused by other inmates.
Fiona, on the other hand, had a very fruitful previous season. She bought property, had her own block of apartments and was in a happy, progressive relationship. Or so we thought. Things take a terrible turn for Fiona as she gets in over her head. While I was happy that her character was experiencing some kind of development, the odds seemed stacked against her this time round.
This might be a result of Emmy Rossum, who plays Fiona, leaving the show at the end of the season.
“Until ‘Shameless’ came into my life eight years ago, I led that kind of transient wonderful life of an actor. And I never realised how much I actually craved the kind of continuity that this show has given me,” Rossum said of her departure before the ninth season. “See, in real life, unlike Fiona, I’m an only child. I never had a big family. Being ensconced in that messy Gallagher family love is something I’d always dreamt of.”
“I know you will continue on without me, for now. There is much more Gallagher story to be told,” she further wrote on Facebook. “I will always be rooting for my family. Try not to think of me as gone, just think of me as moving down the block.”
The first half of season nine premiered in September, with the finale set to air in March 2019. Executive producer and showrunner John Wells promises an iconic ‘Gallagher send-off’ for Fiona.
