Vernon Francis Gallagher waxes Shakespearean after electrocuting himself while urinating on a electrical generator. At the hospital a woman he confuses for a nurse tells him it would be a small miracle if he survived the weekend. He starts seeing visions of his twelve-year old self, who confronts him with the meaninglessness of his life. With death at his doorstep, he scrambles to find any significance in his life, his marriages, his children, only to be reminded of his failures, his absence, and his nearly continuous drunken stupor. His younger self reminds Frank of his mother’s death, and how he promised to make her proud. Before he dies, he needs to know what his legacy is. During a bar fight at the Jockey it hits him: this is his legacy, everybody having a merry old time getting drunk, kicking and punching, or having a little screw in the bedroom. Then he learns that the woman at the hospital wasn’t a nurse, but the wife of a dying patient, who resented his odious behavior – not to mention the stench coming out of his mouth. He’ll live.
Meanwhile Lip returns from university, but the cheer doesn’t last long. His girlfriend from Nottingham arrives, sending Mandy in a tantrum. They agreed to an open relationship, but with four simple rules: use condoms, don’t get involved, don’t tell, and don’t bring it home. Lip hasn’t even been able to abide by a single one of these rules. He lies to both girls, then tries to make amends with both. When he can’t choose, the other girl, Alex, suggests sharing and offers to be a part of Katie’s life. That spins Mandy over the edge, you don’t involve her daughter in this sordid mess. After the above mentioned bar fight ensued, Mandy breaks up with Lip, so he can fulfill his dreams. For her part, busy-body Lillian has started a little brothel business to earn some easy money. She believes she’s helping the girls out, as they would otherwise be on the street. When the local police are tipped off, they can’t believe it’s Lillian. They find the hookers, but no paper trail or evidence of unlawful gain. They have to let her go, leaving her to count her wad of cash. Shameless is called comedy, and it is often hilarious, but it is also profoundly honest about the real life tragedies of living in poverty.
Meanwhile Lip returns from university, but the cheer doesn’t last long. His girlfriend from Nottingham arrives, sending Mandy in a tantrum. They agreed to an open relationship, but with four simple rules: use condoms, don’t get involved, don’t tell, and don’t bring it home. Lip hasn’t even been able to abide by a single one of these rules. He lies to both girls, then tries to make amends with both. When he can’t choose, the other girl, Alex, suggests sharing and offers to be a part of Katie’s life. That spins Mandy over the edge, you don’t involve her daughter in this sordid mess. After the above mentioned bar fight ensued, Mandy breaks up with Lip, so he can fulfill his dreams. For her part, busy-body Lillian has started a little brothel business to earn some easy money. She believes she’s helping the girls out, as they would otherwise be on the street. When the local police are tipped off, they can’t believe it’s Lillian. They find the hookers, but no paper trail or evidence of unlawful gain. They have to let her go, leaving her to count her wad of cash. Shameless is called comedy, and it is often hilarious, but it is also profoundly honest about the real life tragedies of living in poverty.
This looks very interesting. I haven't heard of it. I wonder if it is on TV here? I will look for it.
ReplyDeleteHeya Cubist (-: It's a great series, especially the first three seasons. There's an American version on HBO, but I would try to find the British version if I were you.
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