SHAMELESS: FRANK GALLAGHER: LOVING HUSBAND, DEVOTED FATHER (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series, based on the British series of the same name, about the misadventures of the Chicago-based Gallagher clan, made up of six kids and one deadbeat dad, Frank. In this episode, Rod demands $6,000 from Frank, while elsewhere Steve tries to entice Fiona into joining him at a hotel for a rare night off. Lip, Ian and Mandy "assist" a stranded truck driver and then steal all of his frozen meats, and Frank grows increasingly desperate as he attempts to scrape the money together. Ian learns that Mickey attacked Kash at his store and stole his gun during yet another robbery, and when Fiona continues refusing Steve's offer, Kevin advises him to "tell her what she needs." Fiona is alarmed to hear that Steve left Liam in Sheila's questionable care, but the rest of the kids agree that they can live without her for one night and encourage her to enjoy herself. Fiona considers, but then learns that Frank has been running up extreme debts by taking out various credit cards in the kids' names, and she angrily confronts him about it at the Alibi Room.
Disgusted with Kash's poor handling of the robberies, Linda has security cameras installed in the store, though Ian and Kash attempt to continue their affair just out of their range. Veronica reveals that she and Kevin are considering fostering a child before having one of their own, and she pushes Fiona to accept Steve's offer. Frank talks to a "professional" who gives him a bold suggestion for avoiding Rod's demands, and Sheila is forced to conquer her agoraphobic fears when Liam wanders into the front yard. Frank asks for the younger kids' assistance in elaborately faking his death, and they quickly put together an impromptu "wake" as Fiona and Steve enjoy a romantic night together at the hotel. Ian attacks Mickey and demands Kash's gun back, but the two end up in bed together, spotted by Mickey's surprisingly unfazed father. Fiona retrieves Liam and is relieved to see that Sheila did well with him, though she is shocked when she returns home to find a hearse outside. Kevin tells Rod that Frank overdosed because of his stress over the money, and Frank uses a horse tranquilizer to convincingly "play dead" when Rod arrives at the house to inspect the "grieving" family. He seems convinced, though states that he wants to witness the burial itself, and the family quickly fills the coffin with the remains of the stolen meat.
Linda confronts Kash about his affair with Ian and, not wanting to be embarrassed at their mosque, agrees to let them continue in secret on the condition that he impregnates her again first. Kevin delivers a moving "eulogy" for Frank at the Alibi Room, and Frank himself reemerges and joins in the party as soon as Rod leaves. Inspired by her success with Liam, Sheila discards her birth control pills, and Steve acknowledges Kevin's wise advice as the everyone enjoys themselves at the bar – though Frank soon breaks another television and is forced to replace it on one of "his" credit cards.
Details
- NETWORK: Showtime
- DATE: November 30, 1999 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:02
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 117038
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection; Comedy; Drama; Families
- SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV series, 2011-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Andrew Stearn … Executive Producer
- John Wells … Executive Producer, Developed by
- Paul Abbott … Executive Producer, Created by
- Mark Mylod … Co-Executive Producer
- Cindy Caponera … Producer
- Nancy M. Pimental … Producer
- Michael Hissrich … Producer
- Alex Borstein … Consulting Producer
- Mike O'Malley … Consulting Producer
- David Nutter … Director
- Etan Frankel … Writer
- Izler … Music by
- Emmy Rossum … Cast, Fiona Gallagher
- William H. Macy … Cast, Frank Gallagher
- Justin Chatwin … Cast, Steve
- Ethan Cutkosky … Cast, Carl Gallagher
- Shanola Hampton … Cast, Veronica Fisher
- Steve Howey … Cast, Kevin Ball
- Emma Kenney … Cast, Debbie Gallagher
- Cameron Monaghan … Cast, Ian Gallagher
- Jeremy Allen White … Cast, Lip Gallagher
- Laura Slade Wiggins … Cast, Karen Jackson
- Joan Cusack … Cast, Sheila Jackson
- Noel Fisher … Cast, Mickey Milkovich
- Robert Knepper … Cast, Rod
- Jane Levy … Cast, Mandy Milkovich
- Marguerite Moreau … Cast, Linda
- Pej Vahdat … Cast, Kash
- Timothy V. Murphy … Cast, Vlad
- Tim Thomerson … Cast, A.B. Fisher
- Bill Applebaum … Cast, Danforth
- Bart Braverman … Cast, Wolfman
- Curtis C. … Cast, Benny
- Dennis Cockrum … Cast, Terry Milkovich
- Missy Doty … Cast, Jess
- Tommy Franklin … Cast, Customer #1
- Brian Guest … Cast, Drug Dealer
- Pat Vern Harris … Cast, Old Woman
- Jim Hoffmaster … Cast, Kermit
- Anne Johnson … Cast, Polly
- Howie Johnson … Cast, Driver
- Alexander Lewis … Cast, Hipster
- Ambrit Millhouse … Cast, Cashier
- Virginia Morris … Cast, Mrs. Bergdoll
- Trey Coscia … Associate Producer