If you ask us, one of the main reasons why Shameless deserves credit is that it depicts a lifestyle that very much exists in the world but more often than not is ignored by storytellers. However, when you tune in to the show, it also is abundantly clear that the series can be a rather cartoonish depiction of those issues.
Despite the fact that viewers are perfectly OK with Shameless taking certain storytelling liberties, the fact remains that the series needs to have some kind of internal logic. Despite that, when you think about certain aspects of the show, it is clear that writers have at times allowed some illogical ideas to slip through. With that in mind, it is time to get to this list of 15 things that make no sense about Shameless.
15 Frank Getting Away Scot Free
When it comes to Frank Gallagher, there doesn’t seem to be any self-destructive behavior he hasn’t dabbled in. As a result, it is clear he has had several run-ins with the law and his health isn’t the best. However, the idea that he is alive at all is hard to believe given his past.
When you then consider the fact that his character is alive and remains out of prison, it doesn’t seem right.
14 Ian’s Finances
Typically a pretty realistic character, during a relatively recent storyline Ian’s character took a dramatic turn when he became a cult leader of sorts. While we admire him fighting for abused LGBTQ+ youths, we question how he got by during that time.
Sure, he had many followers but most of them seemed to be homeless teens so how could they afford to live?
13 Frank’s Shock
After going through a traumatic situation, Frank Gallagher briefly seemed to turn over a new leaf when he got an average job and more importantly, worked really hard at it. However, after his efforts didn’t quickly pay off for him, he was shocked, disillusioned, and gave up his new life.
Him quitting certainly fit his character’s history but he is far too cynical to have been surprised when his new career didn't take off.
12 Carl Choosing Chuckie
Certainly no stranger to the wrong side of the law, when Carl Gallagher became a smuggler it wasn’t very surprising. However, the idea that he manipulated his new-found half-nephew Chuckie into doing the same was hard to believe. After all, it seemed like only a matter of time until someone like Chuckie, who was so easy to dupe, would get them both caught by the police.
11 Frank’s Inconsistent Position
Let’s face facts, even though we count ourselves as Shameless fans, pretty much all of the show’s main characters can be inconsistent at times. That said, Frank is by far the worst offender in that department. After all, from one storyline to another, either everyone in his community knows better than to even listen to him or most of his neighbours are following his lead.
10 Fiona Walking Free
Depending on the season in question, Fiona could either be the most or least responsible Gallagher, and at times she paid for her mistakes. Yet, when she loudly crashed her car in a rural area while inebriated and left her vehicle in the crime scene overnight she somehow got away with it all.
Sure, she had a mechanic make things look like her car was stolen the next day but by then, cops should’ve already been all over her.
9 And Svetlana Makes Three
Clearly, very skilled at ingratiating herself to others, we could completely understand Svetlana finding her way in between a number of couples. However, Kev and V have always been so perfect for one another, even if they have their issues at times just like every couple, that them becoming a “throuple” never passed the sniff test.
8 Completely Dropped Storyline
If there is one thing that Shameless has made abundantly clear it is this, the people who live in the Gallaghers’ neck of the woods don’t really like outsiders. As such, they were up in arms when several wealthy people moved into the area. At least, they were up until the moment when the whole gentrification plot disappeared without being wrapped up in any way.
7 Debbie Choosing Liam
During a relatively recent Shameless storyline, Debbie suffered an industrial accident so severe that one of her toes needed to be amputated. Not able to afford that kind of surgery, she instead asked Liam to remove it for her but he passes out instead.
Putting aside how useless this whole storyline was, why would Debbie have an innocent like Liam help her when every other Gallagher has done some crazy stuff?
6 The Gallagher House
Despite how grungy the Gallagher house typically is, their place is large enough to have a rather large family to live there. That begs the question, how can the Gallaghers afford to live there? Sure, the show has made it clear that the family inherited the home but it still would cost a good amount of money to heat and cool and that is to say nothing about property taxes.
5 Frank Smuggling People
Since he is always looking to make a fast buck, Frank Gallagher deciding to smuggle cheap Canadian pharmaceuticals into America was in keeping with his character. However, his plans quickly shifted to sneaking his American neighbors into Canada to get their own medication and then bringing them back over the border.
Given the second plan involved far more people, it clearly was a lot riskier for Frank and his profits didn’t increase so the change makes no sense.
4 Mandy’s Treatment
For this entry, we’re not looking at an aspect of this show’s storylines that doesn’t pass muster. Instead, we are focusing on how hard it is to understand the way Shameless’ writers treated Mandy Milkovich.
Arguably the most caring person in Ian and Lip’s lives for quite a while, was it really necessary to have her get involved with an abusive partner and then become an escort?
3 Whatever Happened to Lip Being Brilliant?
During the early seasons of Shameless, it was abundantly clear that Lip Gallagher had huge potential due to how brilliant he was. While he often rebelled against any expectations, viewers still had faith in his mind at that time. Strangely enough, it has now been so long since Lip showed off his intelligence that it seems like the show’s writers must have forgotten how smart he is supposed to be.
2 A Tale of Three Liams
Considering that up until now Shameless has first and foremost been about the Gallagher family, you’d probably think that the actors that play those characters have remained the same. However, Liam Gallagher initially was portrayed by Brendon and Brandon Sims, then Blake and Brennan Johnson took over the role, and finally, Christian Isaiah brings him to life now. Of course, this means Liam has looked very different over the years if you pay any attention.
1 Bridge Toss
Over the years, Frank Gallagher has betrayed his children over and over again. As such, when they got together and threw him off a bridge, an act that easily could have led to his demise, it was understandable to a degree.
However, the Gallagher kids are far too crafty to do something that could take someone’s life on a busy bridge. After all, that would leave far too many witnesses.
Sources: vulture.com, avclub.com