Shameless returned this week from its Oscars-related hiatus with an episode that continued to explore the after-effects of Fiona’s actions, showing how much respect and authority she has lost from her family. Every one of the Gallaghers is suffering or struggling in some way, and Fiona has to realize it before things can return to the way they used to be.
Liam suffers from brain damage, as Lip tells a random college girl who he meets while working the breakfast line. Lip works at school and has Liam with him every day because he still cannot trust Fiona. Debbie, who Fiona has not spoken to about anything for a while, remains confused about a lot of unfamiliar situations she faces. Neither Debbie nor Carl make a legitimate effort to clean up when asked by Fiona (who lives in fear of the parole officer thinking she is unfit to parent).
The dynamic in the household has never been quite like this, and Fiona begins to crumble.
And what about Ian? Still not truly himself (will he ever be?), Ian at least returns to see his family again and say he will be living at home for now. It was nice to see everyone’s reactions to Ian returning home, but Ian has definitely changed, arguably more than anyone. Mickey wants to be with him more than ever, though, so Mickey agrees to Ian’s terms to essentially be at his command to please him whenever he asks. True love, I guess. (Mickey still hates the realization that he is gay, but his acceptance of it comes through by first kissing Ian in the club and again by telling another man that he and Ian are together.)
All the while, Fiona sits around at home, unable to leave, feeling like a prisoner. Only at the end of “Hope Springs Paternal” does Lip, after a phone conversation in which Fiona breaks down, leave Liam with Fiona. Lip realizes he might have been over-protective, and understandably so, but he sees how much his sister needs her family, and decides to entrust her with Liam again, at least for now.