Shameless Review: Weirdo Gallagher Vortex (Season 9 Episode 3)
Sometimes a show gets lucky and current events sync up perfectly with the characters its created. Shameless Season 9 Episode 3, “Weirdo Gallagher Vortex,” benefits from this exact situation, and it makes for the best episode of the season thus far.
As the plight of the old white man continues to worsen in a world hell-bent on equalizing the playing field, Frank Gallagher is the quintessential white dude. Of course, he’s fighting back against this perceived oppression.
It works because we’ve had nine years to shed any empathy we might ever have had for Frank, which is exactly what a movement committed to saving the rights of white men deserves.
The twist is that it seems, for a moment, like Mo White might actually be a decent candidate for Congress.
Maybe this candidate that Frank recruited isn’t just going to look out for the white man. Maybe he really is committed to the growth and success of the south side. Maybe Frank inadvertently did something good, even when he was really just looking out for his own interests.
Maybe the joke’s on Frank. Nope, the joke is on anyone (me) who thought for a moment that Frank was capable of being involved in anything that isn’t the worst.
Mo White is a pedophile. It’s why he was forced to leave Congress the first time. He’s served time for his crime, but is still required to walk with an ankle bracelet that zaps him anytime he comes within 100 yards of children.
So, Frank picked a loser. Which is extremely satisfying in light of how terrible Frank is, but also a bummer because it serves as a reminder that men sometimes abuse their power and take advantage of young women.
Which brings us to the other current movement that is finding its way into Shameless. As the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns are raging on, Kev learns The Alibi tops a local list of “rapey-est” bars in Chicago.
Kev’s determination to make The Alibi safer for women highlights what has always made Kev such a wonderful character. Kev could easily have fallen into the trap of being a one-dimensional skeevy bar owner, but Shameless has always been clear about the innate goodness of Kevin Ball.
He isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but Kev is genuine about his desire to keep local women safe. One thing is clear, no one in Chicago should ever use anyone other than Kev to do their graphic design.
Other things of note:
Debbie delivered the best line of the season as she handed Ian a much-needed truth bomb:
Hey, newsflash. You’re not Jesus, and you’re not gay Che. You’re a bipolar Gallagher who doesn’t take his meds. So why don’t you stop trying to save the world, and start saving yourself.
Here’s hoping he takes her up on it.
I’m glad Fiona though Ford’s apology was a good effort because I definitely don’t see how a trail of condoms leading to him getting laid equals “I’m sorry.”
Carl and Lip are in a dead heat as they compete for the most endearing caretakers. Both are surprisingly paternal, and it’s been a joy to watch both of them step into this role, even if neither is going to end well.
Whatever Debbie decides about her sexuality, her chemistry with Alex is better than anything she’s had with any male romantic interest ever.
What did you think of this episode of Shameless? Let us know in the comments!
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Shameless airs Sunday at 9/8c on Showtime.
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Tamar Barbash
Tamar Barbash is a TV-loving mother of three. She hosts the Shipping Room podcast where she has the opportunity to take advantage of her social work degree and dive deep into relationships portrayed on television. Tamar loves nothing more than to overanalyze the lives and experiences of fictional characters and she's so excited to be able to do that as part of the Tell-Tale TV community.