We cover it all…
Well my predictions were way off.
As per usual, I am not sure what one would call this annual send-off.
The episode opens by making up for lost time from all the lack of nudity lately.
Yet right off the bat, something is clearly different from what came before.
Its like the flipside of that famous Rodney DangerfieldCaddyshackquote, Hey everybody, were all going to get laid!
Indeed we are, but nobody seems to be really enjoying it.
We spent all of season four establishing Fis self-destructive tendencies and her disquieting Frank-isms.
Instead, Fi reaches the inevitable decision, but is then left in limbo until next season.
Its not satisfying, and its not what a season of her waffling needed to end on.
She feels pushed aside and she thinks this will give her life stability.
Further, Fionas recourse is worthy of several hours in itself.
But Lip was both older and a little wiser of the real world despite his then considerably larger shoulder-chip.
Debbie is very much a kid who, besides everything else, is preggers.
Fiona is not a monster (I hope).
But that gives her also less leverage with Debbie.
Who probably will not be coming back next season is Amanda, the girl Lip totally Mandyd this year.
Frank and Bianca has been a perplexing ride.
Franks greatest pain belongs to a drunkard who cried wolf too many times.
Fortunately, Ian realized what a bad idea trying to set sail into Hurricane Monica might be.
Yet, Ian is still not fully changing directions.
Mickey has trouble accepting that Ian does not want to take his meds.
I still feel like he is taking the wrong interpretation of Monicas diatribe last week.
It also brings Ian and Lip together for some nice brotherly bonding moments.
These moments of levity are so few and far between that fans should grasp onto them.
The legion of infidelity is forgiven), the humor is a release after so much damn trauma.
Its probably why they saved the best note for last as Carl and Chucky go to gang war.
These jarring swings between comedy and drama allowShamelessto coast around a lot of issues one can raise.
The supposed encroachment of lesbian realtors blew away along with Sheila Jacksons home.
Quite honestly, it is a missed opportunity.
A strong ending for one ofShamelessmessier years.
Other than Sammi chasing Mickey with a gun, this hour featured few of the shameless touchstones fans expect.
Or, for that matter, Frank alone on a beach.
And like Franks tragedy, it can remainShamelessfans own little secret.
Most Shameless Quotes of the Week:
Um, frontalandanal?…They call it the poop loop hole.
Kev
Rating:
4 out of 5
