best episodes of Shameless poster

Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the bar spending what little money they have, he's passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.

11 Seasons
134 Episodes
Ended
Drama Comedy
episode image Emily
9.3/10 (3283 votes)

#1 Emily

S4:E11

Fiona is hauled off to a correctional facility. Amanda’s parents bribe Lip.

episode image Lazarus
9.3/10 (4565 votes)

#2 Lazarus

S4:E12

Fiona gets out of jail. Frank is feeling like his old self.

episode image Requiem for a Slut
9.2/10 (2543 votes)

#3 Requiem for a Slut

S7:E12

The Gallaghers grapple with the loss of one of their own. As Lip takes steps to improve his future, Debbie, Carl and Liam get roped into Frank's new scheme.

episode image Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
9.1/10 (3174 votes)

#4 Just Like the Pilgrims Intended

S2:E11

It's a typical Gallagher nontraditional Thanksgiving that includes a suicide attempt by Monica, Carl shooting a bald eagle, and Karen going into labor; Steve agrees to allow Estefania's boyfriend to steal his identity; Ian sleeps with a businessman named Ned; Frank tries to get his share of his mother's money from his brother Clayton.

episode image Survival of the Fittest
9.1/10 (2773 votes)

#5 Survival of the Fittest

S3:E12

Fiona and the family prepare a surprise high school,graduation party for Lip. Frank wins a bet and uses the winnings to take Lip out for lobster and some quality father/son time.

episode image Crazy Love
9.1/10 (3084 votes)

#6 Crazy Love

S5:E6

Fiona is thrown into chaos by the return of Jimmy. Ian takes Mickey's baby.

episode image Happily Ever After
9.1/10 (2446 votes)

#7 Happily Ever After

S7:E11

Frank and Monica have an interesting proposal for the kids. Lip buckles under pressure from Debbie to get his sobriety under control. Meanwhile, Fiona sees a business opportunity as Kev and V attempt to start a new chapter.

episode image There's the Rub
9.0/10 (2568 votes)

#8 There's the Rub

S4:E5

Fiona's series of bad decisions involving Robbie finally boil over. Meanwhile, Frank and Sammi pursue a cure for Frank's liver trouble and try to catch up on missed father-daughter time; and Lip gets a surprise visit at college from Army investigators.

episode image Carl's First Sentencing
9.0/10 (2449 votes)

#9 Carl's First Sentencing

S5:E9

Frank plays tour guide for his doctor. Fiona preps Carl for sentencing.

episode image Found
9.0/10 (2058 votes)

#10 Found

S9:E14

As the Gallaghers decide what to do with a bedridden Frank, Fiona has to make a decision about her future. Carl and Debbie share their heartbreak together. Lip has to deal with a distressed Tami.

episode image Drugs Actually
8.9/10 (2317 votes)

#11 Drugs Actually

S5:E11

Frank grows concerned as Bianca's behavior becomes erratic and dangerous.

episode image Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!
8.9/10 (2244 votes)

#12 Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!

S6:E12

It's wedding day and Frank shows up uninvited - and high.

episode image You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?
8.9/10 (2194 votes)

#13 You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?

S7:E8

Fiona takes a DIY approach to renovating the laundromat. Lip agrees to go before the school board in hopes of getting reinstated. Meanwhile, Kev's trust in Svetlana wanes even further when the titty van goes missing.

episode image God Bless Her Rotting Soul
8.9/10 (1839 votes)

#14 God Bless Her Rotting Soul

S8:E3

A violent meth dealer threatens the Gallaghers, forcing Ian, Carl, Lip and Debbie to find a way to pay him off without involving Fiona. Fiona battles it out with a vindictive tenant. Lip cares for a down-and-out Professor Youens. Frank - miraculously - attains something resembling sainthood.

episode image Face It, You're Gorgeous
8.9/10 (1899 votes)

#15 Face It, You're Gorgeous

S9:E6

Frank employs Liam to help him chase down a romantic connection; Fiona struggles to keep up with the demands of her new investment as Ford pushes her to get serious about their relationship.

episode image "Gallavich!"
8.9/10 (1970 votes)

#16 "Gallavich!"

S10:E12

Liam out-Gallaghers Frank, Lip works to convince Tami to stay in Chicago with their baby, Debbie turns over a new romantic leaf and Kev’s new business takes off, but V wonders where the money is going.

episode image Father Frank, Full of Grace
8.8/10 (2972 votes)

#17 Father Frank, Full of Grace

S1:E12

Steve tries to convince Fiona to skip town with him now that his true livelihood as been discovered; Frank and Karen's secret is revealed, forcing Frank to go into hiding; Fiona tries to figure out how to get Lip and Ian out of jail after their arrest for car theft.

episode image Cascading Failures
8.8/10 (2466 votes)

#18 Cascading Failures

S3:E6

The Department of Family Services hauls the Gallagher children away, leaving Fiona desperate to get them back. With Monica nowhere to be found, Fiona is forced to find Frank and get him to make a "Father of the Year" appearance in court. It all goes well until Fiona discovers that Frank's not the solution to her problem - he's the cause. Meanwhile, Kev and Veronica recruit V's mother as a surrogate and Terry catches Mickey and Ian in a compromising situation.

episode image Frank the Plumber
8.8/10 (2382 votes)

#19 Frank the Plumber

S3:E9

Fiona starts a new office job but has a hard time fitting in with the corporate culture. In an attempt to get medical coverage, Frank inadvertently becomes involved in the gay rights movement where he meets Abraham Paige, a powerful activist.

episode image Iron City
8.8/10 (2320 votes)

#20 Iron City

S4:E6

Fiona ends up in jail; the family waits for news about Liam; Frank wakes up in the emergency room.

episode image A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, and Parasitic Twin
8.8/10 (2365 votes)

#21 A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, and Parasitic Twin

S4:E7

Guardianship duties fall upon Lip - who gets some unexpected assistance.

episode image The Legend of Bonnie and Carl
8.8/10 (2420 votes)

#22 The Legend of Bonnie and Carl

S4:E9

Carl connects with a girl in detention; Lip and Amanda grow closer; Sheila returns with big plans; Fiona searches for a job; Mickey spends time with Ian.

episode image Uncle Carl
8.8/10 (2312 votes)

#23 Uncle Carl

S5:E8

Gus tells Fiona he's leaving to go on tour. Frank seeks revenge on Sammi.

episode image Sleep No More
8.8/10 (2007 votes)

#24 Sleep No More

S6:E11

A confrontation between Sean and Frank quickly descends into a brawl.

episode image Liver, I Hardly Know Her
8.7/10 (2239 votes)

#25 Liver, I Hardly Know Her

S4:E10

Fiona violates terms of her probation, sending the family into search party mode.

episode image Rite of Passage
8.7/10 (2305 votes)

#26 Rite of Passage

S5:E5

Fiona's plans to announce her marriage unravel. Mickey asks for Lip's help.

episode image South Side Rules
8.7/10 (2247 votes)

#27 South Side Rules

S5:E10

Frank has a ball with his new sick friend and formerly uptight doctor.

episode image Ride or Die
8.7/10 (2068 votes)

#28 Ride or Die

S7:E10

Fiona, facing mounting issues, contemplates Margo's offer to buy the laundromat. Meanwhile, Ian tries to deal with the fact that Mickey might be out of prison and Kev and V take matters into their own hands after Svetlana's betrayal.

episode image But at Last Came a Knock
8.6/10 (2938 votes)

#29 But at Last Came a Knock

S1:E9

Monica comes back when Frank needs her to sign documents and decides to take Liam with her. Meanwhile, Steve and Fiona move together.

episode image Fiona Interrupted
8.6/10 (2509 votes)

#30 Fiona Interrupted

S2:E12

A lonely Frank schemes to break Monica out of the psychiatric facility. Jimmy earns his way back into Fiona's good graces and she asks to meet his family while Ian runs into Ned again.

episode image May I Trim Your Hedges?
8.6/10 (2506 votes)

#31 May I Trim Your Hedges?

S3:E3

Frank tells Carl he has cancer to scam a charity foundation; Lip hunts down pedophiles in the neighborhood.

episode image The Sins of My Caretaker
8.6/10 (2382 votes)

#32 The Sins of My Caretaker

S3:E5

The city of Chicago gives notice that they're doing work on the sewer main. The problem? Aunt Ginger's bones are still buried in the yard and Frank needs to find her before the city does. Meanwhile, Fiona is picked on at work for not satisfying her boss. When Fiona fails to provide the support Jimmy needs, he turns to Este. Molly learns that she's a boy and Ned asks Ian to rob his wife's house.

episode image A Long Way from Home
8.6/10 (2286 votes)

#33 A Long Way from Home

S3:E7

Frank and Fiona go to extreme lengths in court to claim custody of the kids.

episode image Hope Springs Paternal
8.6/10 (2292 votes)

#34 Hope Springs Paternal

S4:E8

To prepare for a visit from her probation officer, Fiona must remove all paraphernalia from the house; Ian is kicked out of Mickey's house.

episode image The Two Lisas
8.6/10 (2266 votes)

#35 The Two Lisas

S5:E3

Frank enlists Carl to scare off the lesbians. Debbie throws a wild party.

episode image A Night to Remem... Wait, What?
8.6/10 (2339 votes)

#36 A Night to Remem... Wait, What?

S5:E4

Frank retraces the path of an epic bender. Fiona and Gus head to city hall.

episode image Nana Gallagher Had an Affair
8.5/10 (2774 votes)

#37 Nana Gallagher Had an Affair

S1:E10

The children's paternity is put into question and Frank needs Carl's help.

episode image Parenthood
8.5/10 (2395 votes)

#38 Parenthood

S2:E8

With Grammy near death, Frank exits the house but walks in on Ian and Mickey locked in passion at the Kash and Grab; when Lip drops out of school, Fiona proposes a deal where they both earn their diplomas, but Lip acts out and gets himself expelled when he realizes that Karen plans to sell their baby to the highest bidder.

episode image Order Room Service
8.5/10 (2264 votes)

#39 Order Room Service

S3:E11

Fiona takes the kids on a camping trip. Essentially homeless, Frank seeks out Carl who sneaks him into the Gallagher van for the night.

episode image Tell Me You F**king Need Me
8.5/10 (2214 votes)

#40 Tell Me You F**king Need Me

S5:E7

Ian finds himself at the psych ward. Fiona decides between Jimmy and Gus.

Cast & Chracters

character image Frank Gallagher

Frank Gallagher

Actor: William H. Macy
character image Lip Gallagher

Lip Gallagher

Actor: Jeremy Allen White
character image Carl Gallagher

Carl Gallagher

Actor: Ethan Cutkosky
character image Veronica Fisher

Veronica Fisher

Actor: Shanola Hampton
character image Kevin Ball

Kevin Ball

Actor: Steve Howey
character image Debbie Gallagher

Debbie Gallagher

Actor: Emma Kenney
character image Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher

Actor: Christian Isaiah
character image Ian Gallagher

Ian Gallagher

Actor: Cameron Monaghan
character image Mickey Milkovich

Mickey Milkovich

Actor: Noel Fisher
character image Tami Tamietti

Tami Tamietti

Actor: Kate Miner

The highest rated episode of Shameless is "Emily" (S4E11) with a rating of 9.30.

This episode received 3,283 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Father Frank, Full of Grace" (S11E12) with a rating of 6.70.

This episode received 2,741 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Father Frank, Full of Grace" (S1E12) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 2,972 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Three Boys" (S1E5) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 2,988 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Just Like the Pilgrims Intended" (S2E11) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 3,174 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Summer Loving" (S2E2) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 2,578 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Survival of the Fittest" (S3E12) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 2,773 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Civil Wrongs" (S3E10) with a rating of 8.20.

This episode received 2,151 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Emily" (S4E11) with a rating of 9.30.

This episode received 3,283 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Simple Pleasures" (S4E1) with a rating of 8.10.

This episode received 2,365 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Crazy Love" (S5E6) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 3,084 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Milk of the Gods" (S5E1) with a rating of 8.20.

This episode received 2,369 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!" (S6E12) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 2,244 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "#Abortion Rules" (S6E2) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 2,054 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Requiem for a Slut" (S7E12) with a rating of 9.20.

This episode received 2,543 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Own Your Sh*t" (S7E5) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 1,781 votes.

The highest rated episode is "God Bless Her Rotting Soul" (S8E3) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,839 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Church of Gay Jesus" (S8E10) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 1,408 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Found" (S9E14) with a rating of 9.00.

This episode received 2,058 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Mo White For President" (S9E2) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 1,432 votes.

The highest rated episode is ""Gallavich!"" (S10E12) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,970 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "O Captain, My Captain" (S10E9) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 1,201 votes.

The highest rated episode is "The Fickle Lady Is Calling It Quits" (S11E11) with a rating of 8.40.

This episode received 1,398 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Father Frank, Full of Grace" (S11E12) with a rating of 6.70.

This episode received 2,741 votes.

Name Department Job
Andrew Stearn Production Executive Producer
Iain B. MacDonald Production Executive Producer

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