How Shameless Season 7 Focused on Character Growth

Who is America’s most dysfunctional family that you can’t help but love? If you guessed the Gallaghers, then you’ve guessed right!

Shameless recently wrapped up its seventh season, and much to my excitement, the show has officially been renewed for an eighth.

Shameless is a show that really captivates the struggles of a family on different aspects of life and how they combat it in their own way. It’s a show that has grown on me. However, I really do feel like it’s been underrated for the most part.

If you love a dramedy with stellar actors then you should definitely check it out. If you’re an obsessed fan like myself, please do continue reading as I have some thoughts on the journey these characters have taken.

In Season 7, the focus on Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl was a different one compared to the seasons thus far. Yes, they’re all grown up, but another thing that was different in this season was how their storylines took a deeper focus on how they went about it.

It was a season that made you feel for them even more. As for Frank, he’s just the same old manipulative absent father, but attempts to be a better parent this time around, well, kind of. As for Kev and V, they too have had some complicated situations on their end.

So, let’s start with a character by character breakdown for this season, shall we?

1. Fiona Gallagher

She is the heart and glue of the Gallagher household. As she is very well-known for being just that, Fiona decides to take a step back this season and really focus on herself for once. As she should.

She makes it quite clear to everyone that she doesn’t want to be the first to be contacted when something happens to her siblings, and she doesn’t want to be the one who’s expected to fix it all in the end. She was done with that.

This season, she was able to do something for herself, and really embrace and know her worth, because she deserves it.

Yeah, she’s messed up on loads of things in the past, but now she wanted the chance to become her own person without having to constantly be there for her family.

She took a break from guy drama and managed to occupy herself in starting her own business in hopes of working her way up. I loved how the writers were able to allow her that this season, and seeing that unfold was pretty amazing.

2. Lip Gallagher

Oh Lip, my poor Lip. Lip struggled with alcoholism last season, which brought on so many problems as he self-destructed in his own way. He got kicked out of college and checked into rehab.

This season focused on Lip’s struggle in that part of his life, which later prompted him in being permanently expelled from college when he went to plea for a second chance.

It wasn’t Lip’s finest season, that’s for sure. And quite honestly, I expected things to get better for him — I wanted things to get better for him.

This brilliant human being, and a pretty damn fine one (might I add), had so much going for him. Getting out of the ghetto, finishing college and making career for himself was a future most of the audience saw for him. At least I did.

Seeing all the wrong that was in store for Lip’s character this season was unfortunate, but I’m hoping it will turn a new leaf for him next season.

3. Ian Gallagher

In Season 7, Ian excels at his job as a paramedic. Ian has always been the sweet, dedicated, and striving sibling while taking care of himself with his bipolar and managing his illness well.

This season, Ian explores his sexuality more when he forms a relationship with Trevor, a transgender male. It felt like we got to see more of Cameron Monaghan this season, which I absolutely enjoyed. I mean, how can you not?

He was more prominent this season, and I missed that. But you know who else I also missed? Mickey!

Mickey comes back for a brief moment. Scratch that; he escapes prison in hopes of running away with Ian. It only lasts for a short while when Ian realizes that this dangerous, go-with-the-flow lifestyle was a lifestyle he had left behind. He lets go of Mickey — cue the tears.

Ian has grown into such an amazing character, which is one of the reasons why he’s always been one of my favorites.

4. Debbie Gallagher

Debbie had a rough start adjusting to motherhood. But as painfully annoying as she’s become as a sixteen-year-old mother, she takes responsibility for herself, which makes up for her weird acts.

In Season 7, she engages in some stealing to support her daughter, Franny, then heads on a quest to find a suitable man to support her as well. Talk about determined.

Debbie knew what she was getting into when she decided to keep her baby, and knowing that Fiona wouldn’t help out as much, Debbie has actually become a caring and nurturing mom, I’ll give her that.

It’s crazy to see her all grown up when just a few seasons ago she was only a pre-teen baby-sitting Liam.

She struggles with motherhood, of course, but I’m surprised to see that she’s been handling most of the hardships on her own while being adamant about being a good mother to Franny. It just sucks that she dropped out of school, because she’s a smart one.

5. Carl Gallagher

Carl, this kid. Or shall I say, this grown teenager, really got his act together this season. After last season’s unusual acts of playing gangster and getting involved with some shady stuff, he picked himself up and decided to go to navy school with the help of his ex-girlfriend’s father.

Though Carl was missing for a few episodes while he was “away” in navy school, he was missed. But he showed up on the finale for Monica’s funeral, and he looked so mature, so well put, and…happy. I’m glad the writers gave him some purpose to follow this season and get his head out of trouble.

Carl’s character development in Season 7 was great to watch, he’s a fella that you can’t seem to hate. He’s got a lot of potential, and this season really dived into that.

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