The BEST episodes of Shameless (US) season 2

Every episode of Shameless (US) season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Shameless (US) season 2!

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.

Last Updated: 3/1/2024Network: ShowtimeStatus: Ended
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Fiona Interrupted
star
7.97
3214 votes

#1 - Fiona Interrupted

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/1/2012

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.

Directors: John Wells
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Can I Have a Mother
star
7.96
3528 votes

#2 - Can I Have a Mother

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/12/2012

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.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
star
7.94
3488 votes

#3 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/25/2012

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.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Beautiful Mess
star
7.92
3647 votes

#4 - A Beautiful Mess

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/29/2012

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.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Great Cause
star
7.82
3309 votes

#5 - A Great Cause

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/18/2012

Fiona starts to plan for her future now that Monica is back but her reprieve may be short-lived as Monica falls apart, spends the squirrel fund and gets arrested; Steve conspires to reunite Estefania with her true love so that he can be with Fiona; Lip and Ian learn the true identity of Mandy's baby; Sheila takes in a homeless crack addict.

Directors: Mimi Leder
Writer: Etan Frankel
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Hurricane Monica
star
7.82
3444 votes

#6 - Hurricane Monica

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/11/2012

Monica returns to party and plot scams with Frank, but the rest of the family suspects she hasn't returned to stay; Fiona reconsiders her decision to kick Lip out of the house; Grammy's death affects everyone differently, and leaves Frank determined to make sure he gets every last penny his mother left behind; Sheila and Jody think Eddie's ghost is haunting the house.

Directors: Alex Graves
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Parenthood
star
7.79
3478 votes

#7 - Parenthood

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/4/2012

With Grammy near death, Frank exits the house but walks in on Ian and Mickey locked in passion at the Kash and Grab; when Lip drops out of school, Fiona proposes a deal where they both earn their diplomas, but Lip acts out and gets himself expelled when he realizes that Karen plans to sell their baby to the highest bidder.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Bottle of Jean Nate
star
7.79
3403 votes

#8 - A Bottle of Jean Nate

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/19/2012

Lip tries to get back in Karen's good graces by crafting a prenuptial agreement for her and Jody, while Ian continues to give Lip the silent treatment; Frank wants to kick Grammy out but Fiona resists until the basement meth lab explodes; Fiona is invited on a boat trip but doesn't realize Steve and his girlfriend are also attending.

Directors: David Nutter
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Summertime
star
7.78
3915 votes

#9 - Summertime

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/8/2012

Fiona spends her summer with a new guy and bartending, while Debbie runs a daycare at their home. Meanwhile, Kevin realizes his extended weed-growing left him with a huge electrical bill and Frank borrows his youngest son Liam to help him pay a debt.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Father's Day
star
7.74
3522 votes

#10 - Father's Day

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/5/2012

Frank tries to claim Eddie's insurance benefits and pension, despite being a prime suspect in his death; Fiona attends a ritzy wedding with Richard and lies about her background; Lip is devastated by Karen's rejection; Carl rents Frank's room to a hooker.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I'll Light a Candle for You Every Day
star
7.72
3577 votes

#11 - I'll Light a Candle for You Every Day

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/22/2012

Fiona hopes her moral compass isn't leading her astray when she reconnects with her married high school crush, but when she finds an abandoned purse with over five hundred dollars inside, she assumes her luck is finally changing; Frank is willing to do just about anything to stay in Dottie's good graces, even marry her; after Harry's passing, Debbie becomes obsessed with death; Kevin thinks about buying the Alibi; Lip meets with a colonel to glean information for Ian about West Point; Jody asks Frank for Karen's hand in marriage.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Summer Loving
star
7.68
3778 votes

#12 - Summer Loving

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/15/2012

Frank seeks new financial footing in fellow bar patron Dottie, whose declining health and city pension makes her attractive; Fiona juggles her job, kids and a burgeoning love life; Jasmine tries to help by setting her up with a sugar daddy.

Directors: John Wells
Watch Now:Apple TV