I Started Watching Shameless, and I'm Hooked | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

I Started Watching Shameless, and I'm Hooked

What is this downside that you speak of?

77
I Started Watching Shameless, and I'm Hooked
CIMG.TVGCDN

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT


During Thanksgiving break, I was left with a little downtime so I decided to start watching a new Netflix series. (probably a little risky given finals were in 2 weeks) I occasionally heard of the show Shameless being mentioned, and after asking for opinions, everyone recommended that I watched it.

For those of you who don't know about the famous Gallaghers, Shameless is a U.S. television remake of a British program that airs on Showtime (also available on Netflix) that is accurately described as "family dysfunction at it's finest." It follows a working-class family of six in the south-side area of Chicago, which includes the deadbeat, alcoholic father, Frank Gallagher, and his six children (Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl and Liam) who are left to fend for themselves when he goes out in search of misadventure, which usually includes scamming people out of their money.

I started watching this over Thanksgiving and now I'm already halfway through season 3. That never happens. It usually takes me WEEKS to finish a season let alone having yet to finish a Netflix series altogether. I think it's safe to say I'm absolutely hooked, and I was even more excited to discover that there's a new season that premiered back in October. Here's why.

1. It's not a stereotypical television show

I find that Shameless offers a more refreshing concept of the working-class perspective. It's definitely raw and even ugly at times, but it's just one of those things where you can't look away. It's the perfect blend of comedy and drama. Regardless if it's realistic or not, it is highly entertaining. I don't really care too much about watching programs dealing with young adults in their mid to late 20's maneuvering through the hardships of adulthood in a big city. Leave that for 90's sitcoms where it was depicted best.

2. The characters' antics

Given the poor state of the Gallaghers, they will do anything to earn a quick buck or get themselves out of trouble. Between Debbie stealing a neighborhood kid and having older siblings Fiona, Lip and Ian create a full-proof plan devised to make it look like it wasn't child abduction, and Frank having an older woman pose as his Aunt to be interviewed by the IRS to continue to have him receive her social security check, the antics of the characters are either dangerous, outrageous, cruel, heartfelt or downright hilarious. It's called shameless for a reason.

3. Lip Gallagher

Portrayed by Jeremy Allen White, Phillip "Lip" Gallagher is the second oldest child in the gang and is unarguably one of my favorite characters in the show. Lip is the bad boy we all want to fix. Beyond that "I don't give a damn" exterior and those intense blue eyes, he is witty, intelligent and secretly genuine. Lip is the best big brother to Debbie, Carl and Liam and even decides to travel out of state to rescue Mandy's half-sister from being put into foster care when her mother dies from overdosing. There are many sides to him which I believe makes him the most diverse, not to mention he is really attractive. You will fall in love with Lip.

4. Sheila Jackson

This is easily Joan Cusack's best role. There is plenty of comedy in this show, but I'd have to say that Sheila is the best source of comic relief amidst all the drama that occasionally takes place. She is probably the quirkiest of them all with her agoraphobia (fear of outside environment) and her clueless nature, but despite that, Sheila's heart is in the best place when she shows unconditional love to her crazy daughter Karen or taking in manipulative Frank when he gets kicked out. Not to mention she is downright hilarious.

5. The Cliffhangers

Every good show has a cliffhanger at the end of every episode to get you hooked into watching the next one. Next thing you know its 2 a.m. and you have to be up in 5 hours for class. I have to say the Thanksgiving episode in Season 2 was the most intense I've seen thus far when Monica (the kids' absent mother who returns for a short time) attempts suicide in the kitchen and ends up recovering in the same hospital Lip's then-girlfriend, Karen, was giving birth to their son in, only to discover that the Asian baby she births was not his.

6. Fiona as caretaker

It's crazy to see how the eldest daughter, Fiona Gallagher, is able to fully take on the responsibility of caretaker of 5 other kids while Frank is out drinking all day and night at the Alibi, and Monica walked out. I realize it's just a TV show, but you have to realize that scenarios like this occur out in the real world where young women and men are forced to put aside being young and even dropping out of high school (which Fiona did in 11th grade) to take on parental responsibilities. Just something to think about.

7. The family is quite Intelligent

I guess when you live in the ghetto you're kind of forced to be street smart. Given Fiona's age, I'd say that applies to her most. However, Lip is the embodiment of academic intelligence with his 4.6 GPA and kids paying him to take their SAT's. Ian (usually) is aware of what's right and wrong. Debbie is wiser beyond her years accompanied by a large vocabulary and a great entrepreneurial spirit. Carl is still naïve and Liam is just a baby, but I'm sure they'll come around when the time comes. Even Frank is quite the intellectual with his manipulative schemes, but his intentions are usually incredibly low and only involve making money. I'm just hoping Carl stops melting things in the microwave.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190444
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15038
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457955
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26690
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments