LisaS848

You guys have said so much and I agree with it all! There's not much more I can add except that I am at peace if there is no Season 8. I'm ready for this to be over. Is Sunday the Season Finale? (I think it is)

I agree. I will add that I'm glad to see Noel Fisher back as Mickey and I'm interested to see where the story goes.

Geesh! No one said Ian's problems were Mickey's fault or that he's doing better "because of Mickey's absence." And Thanks for recapping, but I'm pretty sure I watched the show. And Mickey and Ian BOTH did plenty to contribute to the dysfunction for whatever reason. That's all I'm saying.

OMG YES In so many ways! Mickey and Ian have always had a toxic relationship. It was always so unhealthy! And to now suddenly say how wonderful a partner Mickey was is confusing to me. Did he help Ian? Yes. But he also beat the shit out of Ian. And fucked with him at the store. And wanted to kill Frank (although who doesn't at some point) and the list goes on. We all love Mickey and Ian. But I think some people have overly romanticized the relationship.

Ian is doing much better without Mickey. Not saying it's Mickey's fault. It's just a fact. And Mickey will "set a match" to his life. Again, just a fact with the whole being on the run from the law thing. I don't think anyone, including Fiona, ever said it's all Mickey's fault or that Mickey doesn't love Ian. They are clearly drawn to each other. Similar to the way Frank and Monica can't live without each other. But I do agree that Mickey had no expectation Ian would go with him (even though he was hopeful). I believe Mickey loves Ian and wants what's best for him. And he's going to let Ian make his own decision. And Ian did. And now that Ian has made a decision they will figure it out. That's how they work. Just like Mickey wanted to figure out how to handle the bipolar disorder without the hospital. (He then learned he couldn't)

I don't know why everyone hates on Fiona so much. I really enjoy her character. Some of her decisions in earlier seasons were awful and heartbreaking, but I always rooted for her to make good decisions. And now I think she is. And I think she's encouraging her family to do so. So what if it comes across as being a bitch. This family needs that! They're a mess. Sweet sensitive loving care is not gonna work. lol And as far as her and Vee not talking about their problems more.... sometimes friendship is just like that. I know my bestie and I will fight. And we won't talk about it. We'll just need each other. And our need to support each other and be there for each other will overcome whatever dumb shit we were fighting about. That being said it's never been anything unforgiving and neither was Vee and Fiona's fight. And they addressed it in their own way. When it comes to a friendship like that does it really matter who was the more selfish person? Not really. And I didn't get that she blamed Mickey for Ian's problems. I didn't get that at all. I think she was just like... you have your shit together. (And he does, he's managing his bipolar, he has a good job) How the hell are you gonna keep your shit together if you go on the lamb with Mickey. That was what I got from Fiona's conversation with Ian. Not that Mickey is the root of Ian's problems, just that Ian can't maintain the progress he's made if he's with Mickey because of Mickey's fugitive status. Debs is bossy, but rightfully so. Stepping up and taking care of Neil. Yes, it's a page from her dad's book, but when she stood up for him to Frank and Monica I was thrilled. While not perfect, she wants what's best for Franny and is standing up to make that happen. Ian and Mickey felt empty to me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM! I am Team Gallavich all the way. But they just felt empty to me. But there was a moment in a scene where I felt as though Mickey was shown as more feminine and I really hated that. Mickey has a tough guy. I like that about him. Even though he's sensitive when it comes to Ian, he's a rough guy. And there were some moments that I just didn't enjoy. There was some redemption at the end when Mickey seemed like his old self for a moment when he was like is this good bye or what (paraphrasing). Because it was like I love you, but I gotta do what I gotta do. And that's Mickey the tough guy <3 Oh Lip.....tragic story of addiction. Just like in life, we're not gonna get closure with everything in our tv shows. That's just how shit happens. (I'm referring to someone's comment about closure with Lip and Helene.) It provided enough closure for me. I saw that she still cared, but she was not going to be drug into his chaotic world. Lip has an addictive and obsessive personality. I have a loved one in my life like Lip, he becomes obsessed with women. And addiction will be his demise. It's a vicious cycle that does not end. Lip's story is heartbreaking. Frank and Monica's antics contributed nothing to this story. We love to hate them. But at least they usually contribute to the story line... nope..... (except maybe to give Debs the opportunity to stand up for Neil, but we didn't need at that ridiculousness.) None of these character's are good people and beyond reproach. They're all fucked up assholes. And I think it's important to remember that when we talk about their decisions. They're "Shameless." They wouldn't do what normal rational functional people do.

I think there may be something wrong. I'm ready to see her go. She's a fantastic actress, has a great dynamic with the cast and brings out some really great things (I mean passion/acting) in the other characters/actors. I know some people love her character because of the chaos and the reaction to the chaos which really is fun, but I just don't think we need her. Frank does that well, although in a different way. I'm over her disappearing and coming back, apologizing and saying love me, love me, love me, I promise I'll stay bullshit. It's just same old same old. If she's gonna stay on then she needs to do something different. Although maybe "dying" real or fake is her something different. I wonder what her scheme is this time. At first I thought perhaps insurance money, but insurance won't cover a preexisting condition. And I hope the bank robbery that was in the previews isn't her plan. That's gonna be a bust obviously, albeit a hysterical bust. Also..... Frank and Monica.... LOVED when she starting reciting the statute verbatim when she was breaking the windows with the baseball bat. I was cracking up! And when she was throwing the shoes at the window. Frank's head against the window softened him. She is definitely his soft spot. Is anyone else missing more "touching" moments from the show? This episode had the Frank and Monica scene with her aneurism, but I feel like I haven't been moved by the characters for a while. Like when Fiona gave her speech in court about Frank....or when Fiona dies.... when Monica attempts suicide at Thanksgiving and Debs and Carl curl up to Fiona.... or when Nick kills the boy with the hammer. And so many more. (Don't get me started with Gallavich, we'll be here all day lol) I feel like I haven't gotten that as much this season. Am I forgetting something?

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle.

Anyone thinking there may be a Kev and Fiona story growing?

All excellent examples. But I also think these examples are Fiona's way of asserting herself. She was never really around professionalism or class so I'm confident she had no idea how to handle herself in the workplace. And the route she took was pretty much the Gallagher route (sexual harrassment accusations, etc). She had no role models for raising a family. She was just winging it, apparently beginning from age 6 and I think her dictatorship was her way of trying to reign the family back in. I'm certainly not saying she's not in the wrong. Please don't think that. I'm just explaining (not excusing) her behavior. Hopefully distancing herself and finding this new role model (the business woman) will help that. Plus I think she's that way because she was a child raising 5 other children and somehow they all survived. That speaks volumes. But I do see your points. I think both Vee and Fi are at fault for their friendship bump in the road. And for the record.... I think Vee has been too enamored with Lana to see some things (aside from Fiona) which is also causing her to be dismissive of Kev. So glad I joined this board! The hubs and colleagues won't have in depth discussions with me like this! They are like it's a tv show. Who cares. lol I CARE! I'M OBSESSED! lol I love this!

Very good point, but not this huge friendship ruining thing. At least I don't think so. Not for the kind of lifelong friendship they've built. IDK if it's possible for Fiona to be huge entitled bitch. She never had anything to feel entitled. However, I think that she tends to take from more than she gives to Vee. And Vee just ain't got time for that shit right now. And I do think that Fi is entitled to focus on herself. And that she should just like she is. Otherwise she will become more destructive and just hurt her siblings more instead of help. But her and Vee have been like BFFs to the Nth and now they just stop being friends? Fiona is a lot about "me" to Vee. And Vee hasn't had time to entertain Fiona like she always has. As far as the bar and asking for wine.... Fi still considers Vee her friend which is why she went to her and she does try to talk to Vee like when Vee shut the door in her face. Vee just doesn't have time to "be friends." The dynamic has changed. I think their lives have gone in different directions. Vee doesn't have time for Fiona. (She should make time.) And Fiona is still the whiney clingy needy friend. So I guess I do see both sides of this "fight." As far as Lana... I don't think Fiona ever really liked her. I think she just let her do the wedding thing because she had a need and Vee offered Lana as a solution, not because she approved of or liked Lana. I think they're both being stupid girls and need to just talk and be BFFs again. I kinda feel like Vee is doing this to Kev in a way too. Just blowing him off. All for Lana. I see why he was worried she loves Lana more. Vee seems to be chutting down to people other than Lana, who does no wrong in Vee's eyes. I see you make some very interesting points for the tension. thank you!

I'm not even really sure what Fi and Vee are fighting about. I think Lana is playing a long con. She's about taking care of herself and her son. She will do whatever it takes. That being said, I do think she cares about Vee and Kev. Lana's personality is such that she just does things and tells people what to do and won't be questioned. She probably does think it's more efficient to just have the bar in her name since she runs it instead of constantly having them sign paperwork. Which by the way.... is probably how she got the bar... they never review the paperwork she has them sign. I'm not sure that she's actually trying to hurt Kev and Vee. We'll see. But I think her loyalty will lie with Mickey. Mickey was her pimp, her boss when she was working upstairs in the bar. He was always in charge. Not to mention he's the baby daddy. Last we saw, he was taking care of business in jail ("in the eye"). I think Lana is gonna owe Mickey. She and the Russians are behind his escape. I think the writers owe Team Gallavich some closure.... or even better a reunion! I'm still not over them. I'm ready for the throuple to be over. I loved it when Kev and Vee were the loving couple that would do anything for the other and always put each other first. <3 Ian's story is too much for me to wrap my head around. I agree that it's more like a PC documentary on trans life. It has no real depth or dimension. I also agree that Trevor demands respect but is insensitive and gives little in return. Ian and Trevor's relationship appears to be rather one sided. I'm ready for it to be over. Not a Trevor fan. Ian will find that passionate love again. Monica adds nothing to the story line. I loved to hate seeing Monica sweep in and cause a bunch of chaos. But now that the kids are old.... it just doesn't add anything to the storyline. I'm ready for her to go entirely and be a bad memory. I also think that the writers did an excellent job with using Monica to remind us the Lana is not original to the show and also to show us how young and innocent Liam is by them not knowing who she is. But she needs to go. I love to hate Frank. But I disagree with many people that said he needs to go. He adds to the storyline and to the dimension of the family. I understand what someone said about how he can take care of Etta, but not his kids.... but think about it.... he takes care of his kids on occasion as well. He shows up, swoops in, helps or gives gems and then fucks up again. He doesn't stick around. And he will do the same with Etta. Just give him time. He won't stick around. He'll be on to the next con. And Fiona knows that there's nothing she can do to stop him. She just has to keep an eye out. I'm proud of Fiona for stepping away from the family. It's what she needed. She had nothing left to give them and was on the fast track to destruction. She stepped away, is getting her shit together and when she's able to take care of them again she will. She will never let them go. I loved the moment around the table when they were all "fucking Monica" It reminded us of how the show started and how close knit this family once was and hopefully will be again. Debbie... ugh..... I am disgusted by her behavior. Shame on her. However, I think Debbie was stuck being that middle child and always looking for love from parents who never gave it. Debbie so desperately wanted love and a family and that's where Franny comes in. She gave it to herself. She's messing up. But she honestly doesn't know better. She's too young. But she is trying to step up and do what she needs to do for Franny. She didn't listen to Fiona when Fiona said she was too young to have a baby. But Episode 9 showed that she's ready to start maybe hearing what Fiona has to say. I see the kids rallying as a family like they once were. And I like that. I was worried that Monica was going to mess up the hearing when she showed up. Glad she didn't and the worker put them all in their place. A real wakeup call for Debs. I remember Fiona, even after everything, wanted to believe that things would change... remember when Monica took the squirrel fund. Remember that heartwrenching scene..... I thought things would be different...... Fiona was older than Debs is now. And she still believed. Debs is still young enough to have hope. And that's why she let Monica take a baseball bat to the house. Plus she was willing to do whatever it took to get Franny back. Lip is Frank 2.0 as someone else put it. Addiction is awful. I have seen this exact story with addicts in my life. It's a very real story. He's unraveling. I'm so disappointed. Perhaps the pressure of being the family's savior was too much. Also.... what's up with professor? Why all the help after Lip fucks you over time and time again. I get he sees himself in Lip, but really? What's his end game? Is there a con in this for him too? I don't see his angle.