The Best Episodes of Shameless (US)
Last Updated: May 23, 2019
Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the bar spending what little money they have, he's passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.
#1 - Lazarus
Season 4 - Episode 12
Sheila fights for custody and clashes with Sammi; Lip catches up on bills; Fiona is released; Frank begins to feel like himself.
8.29 
#2 - Survival of the Fittest
Season 3 - Episode 12
Fiona and the family prepare a surprise high school,graduation party for Lip. Frank wins a bet and uses the winnings to take Lip out for lobster and some quality father/son time.
8.27 
#3 - Found
Season 9 - Episode 14
As the Gallaghers decide what to do with a bedridden Frank, Fiona has to make a decision about her future. Carl and Debbie share their heartbreak together. Lip has to deal with a distressed Tami.
8.22 
#4 - Emily
Season 4 - Episode 11
Fiona is taken to a correctional facility; Frank suffers post-operative delirium; Ian crashes Mickey's son's christening; Amanda's parents use bribery to keep Lip away from her; Debbie meets an older student.
8.19 
#5 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
Season 2 - Episode 11
It's a typical Gallagher nontraditional Thanksgiving that includes a suicide attempt by Monica, Carl shooting a bald eagle, and Karen going into labor; Steve agrees to allow Estefania's boyfriend to steal his identity; Ian sleeps with a businessman named Ned; Frank tries to get his share of his mother's money from his brother Clayton.
8.15 
#6 - Requiem For a Slut
Season 7 - Episode 12
The Gallaghers grapple with the loss of one of their own. As Lip takes steps to improve his future, Debbie, Carl and Liam get roped into Frank's new scheme. Meanwhile, Kev and V get their revenge on Svetlana.
8.12 
#7 - Fiona Interrupted
Season 2 - Episode 12
A lonely Frank schemes to break Monica out of the psychiatric facility. Jimmy earns his way back into Fiona's good graces and she asks to meet his family while Ian runs into Ned again.
8.11 
#8 - Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!
Season 6 - Episode 12
During Fiona's wedding Debbie shows up at the church with Franny, and Frank arrives uninvited and high, and reveals that Sean is still a practicing junkie. Meanwhile, Ian brings Caleb to meet the family; and Sean tries to do everything he can to keep his son in his life.
8.09 
#9 - Frank the Plumber
Season 3 - Episode 9
Fiona starts a new office job but has a hard time fitting in with the corporate culture. In an attempt to get medical coverage, Frank inadvertently becomes involved in the gay rights movement where he meets Abraham Paige, a powerful activist.
8.08 
#10 - Father Frank, Full of Grace
Season 1 - Episode 12
Steve tries to convince Fiona to skip town with him now that his true livelihood as been discovered; Frank and Karen's secret is revealed, forcing Frank to go into hiding; Fiona tries to figure out how to get Lip and Ian out of jail after their arrest for car theft.
8.05 
#11 - There's the Rub
Season 4 - Episode 5
Fiona's bad decisions about Robbie come to a head; Frank and Sammi continue their quest for a cure; Lip is visited while at college.
8.05 
#12 - A Long Way From Home
Season 3 - Episode 7
Frank and Fiona go to extreme lengths in court to claim custody of the kids.
8.04 
#13 - Order Room Service
Season 3 - Episode 11
Fiona takes the kids on a camping trip. Essentially homeless, Frank seeks out Carl who sneaks him into the Gallagher van for the night.
8.04 
#14 - Civil Wrongs
Season 3 - Episode 10
Fiona's job has brought structure ito her life, but when Jimmy drops a bomb on her things fall apart. Frank is happy with his newfound celebrity as the face of the gay rights movement.
8.03 
#15 - Happily Ever After
Season 7 - Episode 11
Frank and Monica have an interesting proposal for the kids. Lip buckles under pressure from Debbie to get his sobriety under control. Meanwhile, Fiona sees a business opportunity as Kev and V attempt to start a new chapter.
8.03 
#16 - Cascading Failures
Season 3 - Episode 6
Fiona is desperate to get the children back after the Department of Family Services hauls them away.
8.02 
#17 - Liver, I Hardly Know Her
Season 4 - Episode 10
Fiona violates terms of her probation, sending the family into search party mode.
8.01 
#18 - The Sins of My Caretaker
Season 3 - Episode 5
The city needs to work on the sewer main and Frank must find Aunt Ginger's bones in the yard before they dig.
8.01 
#19 - El Gran Cañon
Season 3 - Episode 1
Fiona struggles to accept the new Jimmy; Frank wakes up in a place completely foreign to him.
7.98 
#20 - A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, and Parasitic Twin
Season 4 - Episode 7
Fiona is released; Lip takes over guardianship duties, receiving unexpected assistance.
7.98 
#21 - A Gallagher Pedicure
Season 8 - Episode 11
Fiona's homeless tenants barricade themselves in her apartment; Lip takes in Sierra and Lucas; Ian provides sanctuary to a runaway teen; Frank considers retirement.
7.97 
#22 - The Legend of Bonnie and Carl
Season 4 - Episode 9
Carl connects with a girl in detention; Lip and Amanda grow closer; Sheila returns with big plans; Fiona searches for a job; Mickey spends time with Ian.
7.97 
#23 - A Beautiful Mess
Season 2 - Episode 4
Fiona deals with the consequences of sleeping with Craig when his angry wife shows up at the door; Debbie develops a stress-rash and Fiona wonders if she's putting too much responsibility on the kids; Sheila has made it all the way to the hair salon and Frank realizes his days in the Jackson household are numbered; no longer having sex with Karen, Lip tries to dig up dirt on Jody; Ian continues on the path to West Point; Carl house-sits with his friend, Little Hank; Ethel meets Malik, a boy on Kevin's youth basketball team.
7.96 
#24 - Sleep No More
Season 6 - Episode 11
Frank offers to pay for Fiona's wedding reception and then goes scamming around town to raise the money. Meanwhile, Sean fears that Frank will end up hurting Fiona and confronts him on it. Their difference of opinion quickly descends into a brawl.
7.96 
#25 - Face It, You're Gorgeous
Season 9 - Episode 6
Frank employs Liam to help him chase down a romantic connection. Lip spends the day wrangling an alcoholic actress who hired him to be her sober companion. Fiona struggles to keep up with the demands of her new investment as Ford pushes her to get serious about their relationship. Kev and V run into trouble at the twins' preschool when show and tell goes awry.
7.96