The BEST episodes of Shameless season 5

Every episode of Shameless season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Shameless season 5!

The lives and relationships of a group of siblings and their estranged father Frank Gallagher on a rough Manchester estate.

Last Updated: 12/8/2025Network: Channel 4Status: Ended
Assault
star
8.42
98 votes

#1 - Assault

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/8/2008

Norma wakes up in a stranger's jogging bottoms after a night on the tiles and sets off on a wild goose chase to find out who she slept with the night before.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Countdown
star
8.34
183 votes

#2 - The Countdown

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/1/2008

A normal drunken night out turns into a nightmare for Frank when he mistakes an electrical generator for a urinal. Hospital tests reveal that he has a heart condition and may not last to the weekend.

Directors: David Threlfall
Writer: Ed McCardie
Watch Now:Amazon
The Ninth Time Around
star
8.00
106 votes

#3 - The Ninth Time Around

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/15/2008

When Manchester experiences an earth tremor, Monica's waters break and she goes into labour. On the other side of Chatsworth, the same tremor knocks Frank off his bar stool and puts him in a coma.

Date a Death
star
7.97
108 votes

#4 - Date a Death

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/25/2008

Mandy is persuaded into going on a blind date. It seems like she's struck gold, until her first night of sex and drugs turns into a nightmare.

Family at War
star
7.97
117 votes

#5 - Family at War

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/18/2008

When Stan gets caught in the crossfire between Yvonne and her kids, a full-blown row puts their relationship on the rocks.

Directors: Lawrence Till
Twin
star
7.94
125 votes

#6 - Twin

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/11/2008

When Paddy's caught on camera for an armed robbery, Mimi begs him to call his brother, Noel. But Paddy has a dark history with his sibling and would rather go to jail.

I Love Frank
star
7.90
190 votes

#7 - I Love Frank

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/19/2008

On the bus to a re-start course, Frank has the briefest of encounters with a beautiful stranger, and Lillian's assigned to a witness protection programme.

Directors: Fraser MacDonald
Writer: Ed McCardie
Happy Birthday, Ma Maguire
star
7.77
164 votes

#8 - Happy Birthday, Ma Maguire

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/15/2008

When Monica starts having visions of nursery rhyme characters, she knows what's going on - she's going to have another baby.

Frank's Big Win
star
7.74
179 votes

#9 - Frank's Big Win

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/22/2008

When people think Frank's won the lottery, he's not about to say otherwise, with endless free drinks coming his way.

Directors: Paul Walker
Writer: Jack Lothian
Absent Parents
star
7.71
122 votes

#10 - Absent Parents

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/26/2008

Monica has a visitor - her mother - and all Monica's insecurities come flooding back. Joan, who has Alzheimer's, has an important task for Monica, but she can't remember what it is.

Directors: Jim Loach
Writer: Emma Frost
Other Paddy
star
7.68
166 votes

#11 - Other Paddy

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/8/2008

A thoughtless comment from an ex-boyfriend makes Mimi face up to her weight issues.

Directors: David Threlfall
The Ties That Blind Us
star
7.66
102 votes

#12 - The Ties That Blind Us

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/1/2008

After Mandy gets arrested for suspected drug running, she forms the most unlikely of friendships and finds herself helping Tom search for his real mother.

Directors: David Threlfall
Writer: Ed McCardie
Beach Party
star
7.61
187 votes

#13 - Beach Party

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/29/2008

Shane falls for his perfect woman, but when she takes him back to her place, he's in for a surprise.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Brothers and Boyfriends
star
7.55
184 votes

#14 - Brothers and Boyfriends

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/12/2008

A gas leak at the Gallaghers' brings sexy fireman Sean to Ian and Mandy's attention. But which of them will win the race to get fireman Sean into bed?

Directors: Fraser MacDonald
Nowhere to Go
star
7.53
152 votes

#15 - Nowhere to Go

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/5/2008

A mishap with baby Katie and a bag of Es results in a stand-off between Mandy and Frank.

Directors: Lawrence Till
Writer: Ben Edwards
Old Friends, New Enemies
star
7.49
127 votes

#16 - Old Friends, New Enemies

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/4/2008

Jamie's former cellmate Mark comes to stay, but Karen doesn't trust him, and she's got a fight on her hands if she's to prevent Mark from leading Jamie back into a life of crime.

Directors: Jim Loach
Writer: Jack Lothian