The essential episodes of Shameless
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Shameless — each pick states its reason.
- 01
The premiere of a series following the escapades of a hard-partying Chicago father who provides no guidance to his dysfunctional brood of six. First up: daughter Fiona has her purse snatched but manages to make the acquaintance of a handsome young man, and Lip discovers an unsettling secret about younger brother Ian.
- 02
Fiona contemplates romance with a policeman who has had a lifelong crush on her, but Steve isn't about to remove himself from the picture. Meanwhile, Ian spurns a girl's attentions and her brothers come looking for him; and elderly Aunt Ginger, who actually owns the Gallagher house, goes missing and the whole family joins in the search.
- 03
Frank is in line for some settlement money, but there's a catch: he needs his ex-wife's signature on the paperwork. Elsewhere, Debbie discovers a secret about Steve; Monica turns up and announces she's taking baby Liam with her; and an angry Fiona moves out of the house and in with Steve.
- 04
Monica returns and the Gallagher clan are in a tizzy as they try to determine if Frank is their real father. And Fiona, who is thoroughly disgusted with Monica, decides to move in next door with Steve. Meanwhile, Eddie invites Karen to a Purity Ball; and Frank uses Carl in an effort to thwart a disability worker's attempt to pull the plug on the state funds he receives.
- 05
Fiona befriends an alluring young lady after Debbie talks her into joining a mothers' group. Elsewhere, Tony suspects he knows the truth behind Steve's car-stealing business; Lip and Ian try to learn which of their uncles is Ian's dad; and Frank sees his workman's compensation benefits come to an end, so he sends the kids on a mission to find him a job, preferably one that is highly dangerous.
- 06
Jimmy gets back into Fiona's good graces and decides to have her meet his family; Frank plots to free Monica from the psychiatric institution; and Jody and Sheila attempt to hide Karen's newborn in the second-season finale. Later, Ian runs into the guy he slept with; and the late Eddie's long-awaited insurance check arrives.
- 07
Frank has a major problem on his hands when the city announces it will be doing work on the main sewer and they'll be digging up his yard, where Aunt Ginger's remains are located. Meanwhile, Fiona's boss finds her work unsatisfactory; Molly uncovers a startling secret; and Ned wants Ian to break into his wife's house.
- 08
Fiona goes wild and violates multiple terms of her probation by partying with Robbie's degenerate friends. A search for her gets underway when she fails to contact anyone.
- 09
Frank plays tour guide to the seedier side of life for his doctor after she is diagnosed with terminal cancer; Fiona prepares Carl for his sentencing hearing; Lip sleeps with a professor; Ian realizes he needs to get back on his meds.
- 10
Frank offers to pay for Fiona's reception; when Sean worries that Frank will only hurt Fiona in the end, he confronts Frank.
- 11
Frank worries that he and his new family will lose their Home for the Homeless shelter, so he plans a little goodwill for the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Fiona drums up business by throwing a speakeasy party at Patsy's Pies.
- 12
Frank re-lives his 20s and joins the workforce for the first time! Meanwhile, Fiona grapples with evicting someone from her building; Lip works out a plan to sabotage Charlie's chances with Sierra; Ian and Carl make a troubling discovery about Monica; and Kev says his goodbyes as he prepares to go under the knife.
- 13
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.
- 14
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.
- 15
Ian and Mickey shop for furniture for their new place and Kev and V look for a buyer for the Alibi. While Lip settles for a new job, Carl finally finds his calling in a new role on the police force. Debbie plunges into a treacherous world when she meets someone new. Frank comes to terms with his own mortality. Series finale.
Shows like Shameless
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Parenthood2010–2015·NBC
Parenthood is the critically acclaimed one-hour drama inspired by the box office hit of the same name. - 02Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of The Durrells2016–2019·ITV1
The Durrells is based upon Gerald Durrell's classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs including the much loved ‘My Family and Other Animals'. - 03Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Girl Meets World2014–2017·Disney Channel
Girl Meets World is based on ABC's hugely popular sitcom, Boy Meets World (1993). - 04Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of The Wonder Years1988–1993·ABC
Set in 1968-1973, the series tackles the social issues and historic events of that time through the eyes of main character Kevin Arnold. - 05Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Victorious2010–2013·Nickelodeon
Tori Vega's thrown into the spotlight at a musical showcase and lands a spot at Hollywood Arts, the most prestigious arts high school in the country. - 06Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Better Things2016–2022·FXBetter Things is a semi-autobiographical vehicle for Pamela Adlon similar to the way "Louie" is for CK.
