“Shameless” Season 7 is a continuation of the wild and unruly journey of the Gallagher family in the tough South Side of Chicago. The season, which premiered in 2016, brings new challenges, struggles, and unexpected turns for the dysfunctional yet endearing family. With its trademark blend of comedy, drama, and raw emotion, this season delves deeper into the lives of the Gallagher siblings as they navigate through various personal and family issues.
Frank’s Storyline
1.Surviving and Returning
One month after being thrown off a bridge in the previous season, Frank wakes up from a coma. He finds that his family has seemingly abandoned him, and he is furious. Frank is disowned by his family for his past actions, but he is not one to give up easily. He decides to take revenge on his family and declares war on them, though his threats are largely ignored by Fiona, who is focused on improving her own life46.
2.The Homeless Shelter and Its Downfall
Frank starts a successful homeless shelter, using his charm and manipulation skills to gather a group of homeless people around him. He becomes a sort of leader for this makeshift family, but his true motives are not entirely altruistic. He takes advantage of the situation to gain personal benefits and even hides a small fortune for himself. However, his scheme is eventually discovered, and he is kicked out of the shelter.
3.Monica’s Return and Their Final Days
Frank then finds out that Monica, his long-absent and troubled ex-wife, is suffering from brain damage and is going to die. Despite their tumultuous past, the two decide to make the best of Monica’s last days. Their relationship is complex and filled with both love and hate, but in this final chapter, they seem to find a certain peace in each other’s company. Their story arc in this season is a bittersweet exploration of their past and the realization that their lives have been a series of mistakes and missed opportunities6.
Fiona’s Storyline
1.Taking Control of Her Life
Fiona has finally decided to take control of her life after the chaos of the previous seasons. She becomes the manager of Patsy’s Pies, a local diner, and starts making changes to increase its popularity. She fires the lazy employees and hires younger, more attractive waitresses who can bring in more tips. Her efforts pay off, and the diner starts to do better business6.
2.The Laundromat Venture
When a local laundromat building goes up for sale, Fiona sees an opportunity. After speaking with the senile owner, Etta, who has Alzheimer’s, Fiona buys the laundromat at a discounted price. With the help of Frank and Kevin, she renovates the laundromat and turns it into a trendy place with a DJ and free snacks. However, running the laundromat is not without its challenges, and Fiona soon realizes that the business is more difficult than she expected7.
3.Love and Relationships
After being hurt in her past relationships, Fiona decides to focus on herself and declares that she will no longer date. She starts using a dating app to have casual hookups, believing that it will save her energy for other things. But as she continues to explore this new way of dating, she realizes that she still craves a meaningful connection6.
Lip’s Storyline
1.Struggling with Alcoholism
Lip is still struggling with alcoholism, even after completing rehab. He is determined to stay sober, but the temptation is always there. He starts a relationship with Sierra, a single mother whom Fiona hires as a waitress at Patsy’s. Sierra is also dealing with her own problems, having left her ex-boyfriend, Charlie, due to his drug addiction. Lip tries to support Sierra and her son, but his own demons keep getting in the way.
2.Academic and Career Struggles
After being expelled from college, Lip attends an appeal at his college that Professor Youens had orchestrated. However, the committee refuses to expunge his disciplinary record and refuses to let him re-enroll. This setback is a major blow to Lip’s academic and career aspirations. He feels frustrated and lost, and his struggle to find a direction in life becomes even more difficult.
3.Relapse and Relationship Breakdown
The stress of his academic failure and personal problems leads Lip to relapse back into alcoholism. When he drunkenly attacks Charlie, Sierra breaks up with him, not wanting her son to be around two addicts. Lip’s life seems to be spiraling out of control once again, and he is forced to confront his addiction and its impact on his relationships.
Ian’s Storyline
1.Relationship Turmoil
Ian is in a relationship with Caleb, but their relationship hits a snag when Caleb is caught cheating on him with his ex-girlfriend. This betrayal leads to a breakup, and Ian is left heartbroken. He also starts to question his own identity and his place in the world, especially when it comes to his sexuality6.
2.Finding a New Connection
After the breakup, Ian finds a new boyfriend named Trevor, a transgender man. Their relationship is not without its challenges, as Ian struggles to come to terms with Trevor’s gender identity. But through their relationship, Ian learns more about himself and begins to accept the complexity of his own sexuality6.
3.Mickey’s Return
Meanwhile, Ian discovers that Mickey is out of prison. This news throws his life into turmoil once again, as he is still conflicted about his feelings for Mickey. The dynamic between Ian and Mickey has always been a central part of the show, and their potential reunion adds another layer of drama to Ian’s storyline.
Debbie’s Storyline
1.Struggling to be a Mother
Debbie is still struggling to raise and take care of her daughter, Franny. She is constantly looking for ways to provide a better life for Franny but often finds herself making bad decisions. She steals to make ends meet, which not only gets her into trouble with the law but also makes her question her own morality6.
2.Engagement to Neil
Debbie gets engaged to Sierra’s disabled brother, Neil. Neil is paralyzed and has some cognitive impairments, but Debbie sees their relationship as a way to provide a stable home for Franny and to have someone to take care of her. However, both Sierra and Lip are disapproving of the relationship, believing that Debbie is not ready for such a commitment.
3.Dealing with Family Drama
Debbie also has to deal with the drama within her family, especially her relationship with Fiona. She feels that Fiona is not supportive enough of her, and their arguments often lead to tension between them. But through the various challenges she faces, Debbie starts to grow up and realizes that she needs to take responsibility for her own life and her daughter’s future.
Carl’s Storyline
1.Personal Growth and Ambitions
Carl is determined to make a better life for himself. He wants to break away from the cycle of poverty and violence that has surrounded him growing up. He is interested in joining the military, and with the help of his girlfriend’s father, who writes him a recommendation letter, he applies to military school7.
2.Overcoming Obstacles
Carl faces several obstacles on his path to military school, including the issue of race and ethnicity. When the white enrollment quota is full, he discovers that he has Native American ancestry, which allows him to be considered as a minority candidate. This revelation gives him a new opportunity, and he is finally accepted into military school, marking a significant turning point in his life7.
Kevin and Veronica’s Storyline
1.Thrupple Drama
Kevin and Veronica continue their relationship with Svetlana, but their threesome arrangement is not without problems. Svetlana’s actions start to cause tension between them, and they soon realize that their relationship is more complicated than they thought. They feel betrayed when they find out that Svetlana has lied to them and manipulated them into giving her full ownership of the Alibi, their bar.
2.Business and Friendship Challenges
As they struggle to deal with the fallout from their relationship with Svetlana, Kevin and Veronica also have to find new ways to make a living. They try various business ventures, such as offering a nude maid service, but these attempts are not successful. Their friendship with Fiona is also tested as they all deal with their own personal issues and have less time to support each other6.
Conclusion
“Shameless” Season 7 is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, filled with both hilarious and heart-wrenching moments. The Gallagher family continues to face numerous challenges, but they also show remarkable resilience and the ability to adapt in the face of adversity. Each character’s storyline is intertwined, creating a complex web of relationships and conflicts. The season explores themes such as family, love, addiction, and the pursuit of a better life, while also shedding light on the social issues faced by the working-class in Chicago. As the season comes to an end, the Gallagher family is left with a mix of hope and uncertainty, but they are still determined to survive and thrive in their own unique way.
Related content: