There’s a “finders-keepers” mentality among the Shameless residents of Chicago’s projects. So, when a meat packer’s truck breaks down and the driver leaves to get help the neighbors “help” themselves to the beef, and soon everyone’s barbecuing. To these people it’s not thievery. It’s survival.
Fiona, the oldest of the Gallagher siblings, (beautifully played by Emmy Rossum) continues to oversee the family’s welfare, almost to the point of martyrdom. Steve persuades her into a night away in a glitzy hotel even though she’s sure the family will fall apart while she’s gone.
Steve gives little Liam to the agoraphobic Sheila who finds she’s actually able to leave the house for the first time in five years, for thirty seconds anyway, when Liam walks out the front door.
Whether surrounded by a decadent hotel or swimming nude in an extremely sensuous scene at the indoor pool, Fiona continuously reveals a beauty to Steve that betrays her true social status. But it’s her groundedness and love of family that make her exceptional.
Frank still owes $6,000 to the thugs and realizes if he were dead they would have to leave him alone, so he goes to the house and asks the kids, “How many of you, at one point or another, wanted to see me dead?” They all raise their hands. “Yes! Here’s your chance.”
With the help of some strong tranquilizers and heavy makeup, plus a coffin and a hearse, they pull it off. After the bad guys leave the wake Frank steps into the bar and exclaims, “The next round’s on me!”
Kash’s wife discovers that he’s been sleeping with Ian. When Kash asks if she’d like him to leave she tearfully replies, “Where’s that leave me? I’m a white Muslim.” Surprisingly, she stays but only under the condition that he give her another child and stay away from Ian until she’s pregnant.
Though obviously done in an outrageous manner, Shameless does reflect the country’s current economic woes. It can’t be called an escape because those woes are constantly stuck in our faces. Instead, maybe it gives us an opportunity to laugh, only to keep us from crying.