Shameless (U.S.) follows the story of the eldest child, Fiona Gallagher, sacrificing her life to raise her five siblings. Their mother left them long ago, and their father, Frank Gallagher, is an alcoholic who spends most of his time at bars. This leaves 14-year-old Fiona, now 21 years old, with most of the bills and responsibilities until her younger siblings can contribute more. Shameless shows how far siblings will go for each other.  

The Shameless series is complete after 11 seasons, and it was one hell of a ride. After re-watching it many times, I'm jealous of people that get to experience the craziness of the Gallaghers for the first time. This show is funny, dramatic, sad, frustrating and pretty much everything else possible. Be warned, though, Shameless is NOT rated P.G. (not even close.) There is sex and nudity in most episodes, and you will see it all. Don't let that be a deal-breaker, though, because the plot is well worth it. Maybe it's even an incentive.  

I would say it's a show about family above all else, but more accurately, it's about siblings. Every other family member cannot be trusted, and these siblings are quite the pair. From oldest to youngest, there's Fiona, Lip (Philip), Ian, Debbie, Carl and Liam, with Liam being only a year old. The Gallagher children live in a rough area, and Fiona works multiple jobs to keep them going. You get to watch them grow up, with them being 10 years older by the last season.  

Shameless (U.S.) is the remake of the U.K. version. Shockingly, the U.K. version is even wilder. Who knew that was possible? I haven't watched the original, but I'll give it a chance if the remake was that good. Although I'm warning you, the original is even less censored. A significant benefit of watching Shameless is feeling more normal. Seeing the insane things the Gallaghers must face every day just to get by makes you feel more in control of your life. 

"Do you think I'm a bad mother?" 

"Did you leave either kid on the porch last night while you were gone on a drug run?" 

"No," 

"Then compared to what I grew up with, you're an excellent mother." 

The side characters are unforgettable. Kevin and Veronica are the next-door neighbours and my favourite characters. Veronica and Fiona are best friends, and it's a beautiful friendship to see. There's also Sheila, a crazy yet delightful person. She looks like an innocent middle-aged woman, but there's much more than meets the eye.  

The series also touches on many important subjects, such as: 

1. Alcoholism and substance abuse

2. Mental illness

3. Domestic abuse

4. LGBTQ+ rights

5. Poverty

6. Abortion

7. Racism

In 2018, actor William H. Macy, who plays Frank Gallagher, won an award for his outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series. Once you watch the show, you'll understand why. His performance makes it hard to believe that he's a normal person and has acted in movies like Jurassic Park.  

If you're looking for your next binge-worthy series, look no further. Shameless (U.S.) is the way to go, and if you finish this one, there's always the more unhinged and uncensored U.K. version to binge next. 

Melissa Mahlig

Hi, my name is Melissa! I’m a 20-year-old student in the Professional Writing Program, and my love of writing manifested from an obsession with fanfiction. I love Wattpad, spicy food, anime and sleep. Weird/fun fact about me: I have a strange infatuation with Caesars (extra spicy, please!). Who needs therapy when you have iced coffee and books?