Shameless Review: Delinquents and Deviants

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The mark of a powerful episode of Shameless is when it can make you laugh, cry, feel furious and also feel physically sick - all in one episode. "Cascading Failures" brought all of those emotions to the table, as the Gallagher kids were yanked from Fiona's home and scattered in foster care.

Because Fiona only has so much power as the big sister, she had to resort to begging Frank for his help. It wasn't until the very end that she realized the solution to her problems is what caused them to begin with. As we saw on Shameless in "The American Dream," Frank was the one who called DFS to begin with.

Now that Fiona knows, there's going to be hell to pay next week!

Carl and Liam

It doesn't matter how nice of a home Carl and Liam landed in when the gay couple looking to adopt a biracial baby filed paperwork to legally adopt Liam. They want to take Liam away for good. Sure, Carl might be getting daily baths and healthy meals, but this isn't his family and it's not Liam's either. Apparently this isn't the first time around the block for any of these kids in the foster system.

The case worker was shaking and seemed to have no clue what she was getting into. It's true what Fiona said, one anonymous person can call and rip another family's entire life apart. It's total BS. Sure maybe these kids aren't growing up in the best conditions but there's love there. They do what they can to get by and stay together. 

I always forget that Lip and Ian are minors because they take care of their family almost as much as Fiona does. They all have their talents and I consider those three the rulers of the house, especially Fiona and Lip. We witnessed a power struggle over the family's financial well being between those two earlier on Shameless Season 3 because they really are the ones in charge, the responsible parents if you will. Fiona said it best when she schooled their case worker.

Hey I know you think you're helping, but as someone who has been in and out of the system my entire life, I can tell you it's a nightmare. These kids have a big sister who loves them and I just want to make sure they're okay. | permalink

As the Gallaghers dealt with their own set of problems involving their huge family, V was doing everything possible to create a family of her own. She's so desperate for a kid she somehow talked Kev and her mother into having sex with a sheet in between them like a Hassidic couple. Or, as Kev felt, he was banging Casper the ghost. As whack as that scene was it definitely brought the laughs which was necessary in this episode.

Mickey's dad beating the crap out of and pistol whipping Mickey and Ian made me feel so ill. As much crap as we give Frank, nobody is as horrible a father as Mickey and Mandy's. He rapes his daughters, that's really all that needs to be said. I felt so horrible for Ian (and Mickey of course) I had a visceral reaction to seeing that man on screen.

I'm glad Sheila is a good mother and agreed to help the kids and pretend to be Monica. We all know Monica can't be found when she doesn't want to be. She's a total space cadet. I love Sheila!

What did you all think of this week's intense Shameless? Are you surprised Jimmy came back? What scene was your favorite and what was your least favorite? What do you think will happen with the kids?

Cascading Failures Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.2 / 5.0 (48 Votes)
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Shameless Season 3 Episode 6 Quotes

Hey I know you think you're helping, but as someone who has been in and out of the system my entire life, I can tell you it's a nightmare. These kids have a big sister who love them and I just want to make sure they're okay.

Fiona

Fiona: I wasn't sure I'd see you again.
Jimmy: Yeah I wasn't either.