The BEST Episodes of Shameless (US)
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Sep 19, 2021
Network: Showtime
Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... franco, 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 - Found
Season 9 - Episode 14 - Aired Mar 10, 2019
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.
8.20 
#2 - Lazarus
Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired Apr 6, 2014
Sheila fights for custody and clashes with Sammi; Lip catches up on bills; Fiona is released; Frank begins to feel like himself.
8.15 
#3 - Requiem for a Slut
Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired Dec 18, 2016
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.
8.13 
#4 - Survival of the Fittest
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired Apr 7, 2013
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.
8.13 
#5 - Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!
Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired Apr 3, 2016
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.
8.12 
#6 - Emily
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired Mar 30, 2014
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.
8.11 
#7 - Happily Ever After
Season 7 - Episode 11 - Aired Dec 11, 2016
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.
8.05 
#8 - "Gallavich!"
Season 10 - Episode 12 - Aired Jan 26, 2020
Liam out-Gallaghers Frank, Lip works to convince Tami to stay in Chicago with their baby, Debbie turns over a new romantic leaf and Kev’s new business takes off, but V wonders where the money is going.
8.02 
#9 - Fiona Interrupted
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired Apr 1, 2012
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.
7.97 
#10 - Face It, You're Gorgeous
Season 9 - Episode 6 - Aired Oct 14, 2018
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.
7.97 
#11 - Can I Have a Mother
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired Feb 12, 2012
Grammy Gallagher shows up on a medical furlough and tries to track down a former meth lab protege that owes her money; Sheila plans Karen's wedding reception; Fiona double dates with Steve and his Brazilian girlfriend, and discovers that Steve is married; Ethel reacts to Clyde's death; Frank discovers the identity of Eddie's insurance beneficiary.
7.96 
#12 - Crazy Love
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired Feb 15, 2015
Fiona is thrown into chaos by the return of Jimmy. Ian takes Mickey's baby.
7.96 
#13 - A Gallagher Pedicure
Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired Jan 21, 2018
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.
7.95 
#14 - Aunt Ginger
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired Jan 23, 2011
Fiona turns her attentions to Tony, a cop who has had a crush on her since childhood, but Steve isn't willing to give up without a fight; Ian is targeted by the brothers of a girl he spurned; the whole family searches for elderly Aunt Ginger, who owns their house.
7.95 
#15 - A Yurt of One's Own
Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired Mar 13, 2016
Fiona tries to make amends with Sean, who isn't giving her the time of day. Meanwhile, Debbie and Queenie travel to Queenie's rural commune along with Frank who is trying to escape G-Dogg who's after him for stealing his drugs.
7.95 
#16 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired Mar 25, 2012
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.
7.94 
#17 - Sleepwalking
Season 8 - Episode 12 - Aired Jan 28, 2018
Fiona taps into her roots to get the homeless family out of her apartment; Ian hides from the authorities; Lip makes a difficult decision; Carl wants to return to school; Frank wants to take advantage of Liam's friend.
7.94 
#18 - Father Frank, Full of Grace
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired Mar 27, 2011
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.
7.94 
#19 - Liver, I Hardly Know Her
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired Mar 23, 2014
Fiona violates terms of her probation, sending the family into search party mode.
7.94 
#20 - Frank the Plumber
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired Mar 17, 2013
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.
7.94 
#21 - El Gran Cañon
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired Jan 13, 2013
Fiona struggles to accept the new Jimmy; Frank wakes up in a place completely foreign to him.
7.94 
#22 - Order Room Service
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired Mar 31, 2013
Fiona takes the kids on a camping trip. Essentially homeless, Frank seeks out Carl who sneaks him into the Gallagher van for the night.
7.94 
#23 - Sleep No More
Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired Mar 27, 2016
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.
7.93 
#24 - I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing
Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired Jan 10, 2016
Frank's newfound appreciation freaks the Gallaghers out.
7.93 
#25 - Carl's First Sentencing
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired Mar 15, 2015
Frank has a check-up with his uptight doctor, Bianca, who's cracking up after getting a terminal cancer diagnosis. Discovering she hasn't truly 'lived,' he agrees to be her tour guide to the seedier side of life. Meanwhile, Fiona preps an uncooperative Carl for his sentencing hearing. Plus, Lip sleeps with a professor on the assumption he's only days away from being kicked out, Ian realizes it's time to get back on his meds and Kev finds himself enjoying college life as campus 'rapewalker.'
7.93