Shameless Season 5 Episode 4, is where's it's at

Based off an a British television series, Shameless tells the story of the Gallaghers a impoverished family living in the South side of Chicago. Fiona Gallagher, played by Emmy Rossum, is the matron mother to the house, she manages to keep her younger brother Carl, played by Ethan Cutkosky, out of trouble, her younger sister Debbie, played by Emma Kenney, from growing up to fast, Lip, played by Jeremy Allen White, from making stupid decisions, and Ian, played by Cameron Monaghan, from wearing his heart on his sleeve. She also somehow manages to keep, or try to at least, keep their alcoholic father Frank, played by William H. Macy, from destroying whatever is left of the family. A show that is funny, random, and often very poignant, Shameless has been consistently strong seasons after season, until this most reason one.

Season 5 found our beloved Gallaghers not where we left them. Fiona is attempting to establish a relationship with her boss, Carl has a broken leg, Ian and Mickey, played by Noel Fisher, are living together, Debbie's friendless, and Lip is away at college. All right, some of the characters should be where we left them, but the creation of this low interest between Fiona and her boss abruptly began and Carl's leg being broken is explained through a skate boarding accident. The episodes themselves aren't that well written nor original. Fiona is struggling to come to terms with being an adult while wanting to hold onto her childish tendencies. Seen it. Debbie is struggling with womanhood. Seen it. Lip is struggling with a relationship he's in. Seen it. Carl's a menace. Frank's got a money making scheme that involve some form of substance abuse. Seen. It.

The show really stands on it's own in episode 4 of this season. It's as if the writers watched their best work and made it unique. Frank must solve the mystery of where all his money went, Lip decides to double down on his relationship and surprise surprise it works out for him, Ian becomes symptomatic, and Carl tries to become a thug but in reality he must be a Gap-esque drug dealer, because white people are scared of black drug dealers. Debbie decides to train after punching one of her ex best friends in the face. Fiona gets lost in a relationship and loses herself while head over heals in love. It's a fantastic episode in which all the family members have their own story that really says something about them. While in the end, everything comes to an end.

And that's what makes this show so good. It's light-hearted and serious when it has to be and it's the combination of both that makes this show Shameless. One minute you can be laughing at Frank's idiotic decisions while in the very next scene feel for him as he makes choices that, surprisingly benefit someone other then himself.

So, if you haven't watched this show. Take a chance and give it a binge. This season is good but in episode 4 is where it really finds itself again.