A few days ago, I wrote about the decline of Modern Family. Today, I want to discuss a completely different show that, in my opinion, has the potential to last another decade. That show is the dramatic yet incredibly comedic Shameless. Now in its sixth season, the show shows no signs of slowing down, and I personally think it just keeps getting better. Unlike a comedy sitcom, Shameless has a ton of drama, the ability to curse, add violence, and progress its story in a way that comedies simply can’t. Comedies tend to run into walls where the audience gets tired of the same old jokes, making it harder for the show to stay “new.” However, dramas can develop all kinds of new plot lines, characters, and situations that keep us drawn. Think Game of Thrones. Seriously, has anyone gotten tired of that show? Let’s expand on that, and I’ll explain why I think and hope Shameless just keeps going.
The Acting and Progression of the Children
Unlike a Modern Family where I argue that Luke and Manny (and Lilly) are terrible actors (because they can be) Shameless doesn’t have that luxury. When your plot line is about the ridiculously tough life of a huge family being raised by a young woman who has plenty of problems herself in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago, you need the kids to be authentic. They need to be believable. And frankly, seeing the progression of the Gallagher kids has been a welcome surprise. Carl (Ethan Kutkosky) is easily one of my favorite characters on the show. And as funny as he is doing his whole gangster drug/gun deal thing this season, he’s truly progressed as a character, and you can see how genuine he’s been in some more serious moments.
Debra Gallagher
I’m not going to lie. I don’t like Debs (Emma Kenney). Never did. Never will. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t an integral part of the family. Her growing dispute in belief structure and her own uncertainty (because she’s a teenager) about herself has been extremely realistic. You can tell that Debs is really at odds with herself and who she wants to be, which is exactly how an adolescent should be. Couple that with her ongoing battle with Fiona, which has always been entertaining and frankly “necessary,” and you’ve got a solid story. While Debs irritates me, I think that’s kind of the point, and it works.
Liam
Liam is Liam, and they’ve done a solid job at limiting him. That’s exactly who his character is supposed to be. Just a little spawn of Frank Gallagher that the family takes care of, loves, and doesn’t want any harm done to. It’ll be interesting if they bring this character along. I hope they do.
Phillip Gallagher
Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is amazing, and I cannot wait to see how this whole sorority cook boy thing turns out. But honestly, he’s been an intriguing character since day one, and Allen White does an amazing job portraying an extremely smart kid who is basically trying to get out of this “bad/tough guy from the South Side of Chicago” image to see his true potential. But Lip struggles with this because he knows his roots, so there will always be times he reverts back to his upbringing. Kind of like him throwing glass bottles at Helene’s window this season. But that Lip is in college, that he hangs out with his professors and sleeps with and falls in love with intelligent women, shows you that deep down he knows what kind of life he wants, and it’s not to deal drugs, commit crimes, and struggle to survive. Still, Lip is extremely loyal to his family and friends, and this dichotomy is what makes him so interesting as a character. Will Lip ever lead the good life? I don’t think the show will let that happen, but it’ll come close.
Ian Gallagher
Ian is finally coming out of his shell and embracing his sexuality from a sensitivity standpoint. His new boyfriend is bringing this out in him. Ian’s been at odds with his place in the world for a long time, and for the first time in his life, this season, he’s seeing some purpose. I’m eager to see where his relationship goes and to see if Ian can get his act together. Still, though, like Lip, Ian does revert back to his upbringing quite often, and the show will continue to press those odds for the foreseeable future.
The point of all this is this: I love all the Gallagher kids, and what I love even more is that the show is beginning to embrace how they are all starting to develop their own lives. Plus, all of the actors portraying the Gallagher children carry their roles extremely well, and it’s almost like each one has their own little mini-series within the show. Personally, I could watch a half-hour episode of Lip each week easily. That’s the point, though, right?
The Elders
Fiona will always be Fiona
Fiona (Emmy Rossum) is always going to be who she is. That means drama will follow her wherever she goes, and just when you think her life is on the up and up, it comes crashing down (as it should). It’s what has kept her character going and being intriguing all this time. She can be a sexy woman when she wants to be. She can be a responsible worker when she wants to be. But ultimately, the pressure of having to be responsible for her family winds up causing her to party, be irresponsible, and hurt herself and others around her. And now, for the first time, just as her family is breaking away from her, you realize she needs the drama in her life. In fact, being just someone’s girlfriend and having a steady job is probably something she doesn’t want even though she somewhat leads the audience to believe that all along. The show will have to create another really “bad” drama to keep Fiona’s character interesting because her working in a diner and being all happy with her boss and lover isn’t going to cut it. And I’m sure the show will oblige. It’s just not their style to let the Gallagher’s have a good life for too long.
Frank will always be Frank
Frank Gallagher is just awesome. Sure, he’s a horrible person by real-life standards, but you always can’t help but love him. He survives by any means necessary and is obviously extremely intelligent, which is, in fact, what keeps him alive. He’s well aware of the establishment and could probably be part of it if he cares, but he voluntarily doesn’t. It’s obvious. He’d rather do drugs, drink, and live life as he wishes than join society in surviving their way, which is by living a mundane life. He’ll continue to be awesome, and I’m not worried about his character.
The Other “Main” Characters
Kevin (Steve Howey) is one of my favorite characters on the show, and he just gets better every season. I think he’s the funniest of the bunch (other than Carl). Deep down, Kev is a good guy, and he’s just looking out for his family. But he’ll do whatever and by whatever means necessary to protect them and those close to him. Kevin and V could have their own spinoff. I don’t think it would be good, but I’d take a look at it. Not a huge fan of V, but she is what she is and is a good Ying to Kevin’s Yang, sort of.
Ancillary Characters
Fiona’s boyfriends have always been great. And this season is no exception. Dermot Mulrooney is doing a fantastic job, and he’s the perfect boyfriend for Fiona. Very rough around the edges, but he too wants to get out of a lifestyle of drugs and crime. He’s almost a mentor to Fiona because he’s been around the block too and has years of experience on her. But something tells me these two will eventually clash, and something is going to go down. Something bad. At least that’s what I’m hoping for.
Everyone else is great. Particularly Svetlana, the Russian temptress and “entrepreneur.” It’s almost like Svetlana is some kind of sage sent from a foreign land to impart wisdom on everyone. She thinks everyone in America is weak because they don’t put up with all the crap that comes with life. She’s having none of that and is the perfect example of a person who won’t let life beat her. She sees all the cracks and utilizes them to her advantage. She’s perfect in her place in the show. I think it’s brilliant how she’s almost the “words of wisdom” of the series despite how much wrong she does and supports.
Then you’ve got the regulars at the bar who are great. Helene (Lips professor girlfriend) is amazing. Even Lip’s teacher and crazy ex are entertaining.
Conclusion
As long as the show keeps going down the exact path it’s on, I think it can last another decade. The Gallagher children have shown they can carry a show on their own, and their development remains intriguing. Frank will be Frank. Fiona will be Fiona. And as long as the show keeps introducing great new characters, it’s gonna remain a winner and one of my favorite shows on television.
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