Shameless Review: The Fickle Lady is Calling it Quits (Season 11 Episode 11)
One of the biggest issues with Shameless is that all too often, we are left with episodes that don’t move the plot or matter much in the grand scheme of things.
While Shameless Season 11 Episode 11, “The Fickle Lady is Calling it Quits,” does give fans the Ian and Mickey focus we have always wanted, it still fails to really do anything of consequence with their storyline. Honestly, the only really important part of the episode comes in the final 10 minutes or so.
Ian and Mickey have officially moved out of the Gallagher home and ended up on the West Side. This is a major change for both of them, but Mickey isn’t adapting well.
Unfortunately, this concept isn’t as interesting or captivating, because all season long, we’ve seen Mickey in this kind of situation. One where Ian is pushing him to change who he is at his core instead of allowing him time to adjust who he is within their relationship and life changes.
Ian is trying so hard to be someone he’s not because he thinks that is what is needed to be “successful.”
I just want him to listen more acutely to what his husband is telling him. Mickey is telling him that they don’t have to be more than South Side to be happy.
It may not be coming out in the most obvious of ways, but as his husband of a year and partner of a decade, Ian should already know how to pick up on those signs. Mickey is nothing if not obvious in his facial expressions when he’s not okay with something and Ian doesn’t take the time to even notice.
That is what is becoming very frustrating with these two. It’s great that when they have issues in their relationship they eventually come together and reach a compromise, but why are they still having these issues?
Why is Ian so set on leaving the South Side? He has a job and family and a community there and on the West Side he is all alone and a complete fish out of water.
They are both uncomfortable in their own ways, but Ian thinks they need this to truly be together as a couple. Mickey may have given in a little bit at the end when he agrees to give it a try, but he shouldn’t have to give up so much in order to be good enough for Ian.
I’m sure that’s not Ian’s intention with moving out of their neighborhood and becoming “better” people. However, that is exactly how it comes across and frankly, I’m sick of it.
All these wonderful frustrated Mickey scenes, while funny, do nothing to service the forward progression of Ian and Mickey’s story. It also doesn’t help to really solidify their final place in the world with only one episode left to the series.
Episodes devoted to petty squabbling and funny yet frustrating moments are all well and good, but not in the episode before the series finale.
Frank’s final moments on the episode are the only thing that save this episode. It’s heartbreaking to see Frank go through the realization that he is becoming less and less himself as the days go on.
“The Fickle Lady is Calling it Quits,” is a prime example of why this patriarch deserves the slight redemption this season has been giving him. Frank isn’t a terrible man he just loves the drink way too much and he does what he needs to survive — or at least get the next drink.
Watching him leave a letter to his family sealed in an envelope while he shoots up some heroin is the way to really bring this show to a close. It’s clear that Frank is choosing to go out on his own terms and most likely the series finale with show the kids all coming to terms with that.
We haven’t always loved Frank, but ultimately, Shameless Season 11 has reminded us that we can find space in our hearts to care for him.
Shameless Thoughts:
- Debbie needs to be stopped. Not only should she not have beat the crap out of Frank for no reason, but now she’s getting involved in Heidi?
- Franny needs to find another legal guardian… ASAP. I worry about her safety and future more than any other character
- Please don’t let Liam be the one to find Frank.
- Lip is spiraling big time and I worry about him and his sobriety.
- WHY CAN’T DEBBIE AND CARL GET A PLACE TOGETHER?
What did you think of this episode of Shameless? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Shameless airs Sundays at 9/8c on Showtime.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.