Next a negligible sophomore hunch, season 3 is “Shameless” firing on all cylinders, no longer simply giving all its characters enough of robust subject material to paintings with but additionally bringing the Milkovich people additional into the wrinkle. For the upcoming few seasons, Mandy and Mickey are each honorary Gallaghers, and it’s some of the highest selections the display ever made.
It’s additionally a wretched season for Frank, as his implausible selfishness has now even misplaced him the affection of Debbie, the only child left nonetheless younger plenty to wish he’ll beef up. Even for his used youngsters who concept they already understood the depths Frank will sink to, it turns available in the market’s nonetheless enough of room for remaining sadness, as proven in Fiona’s standout scene the place she discovers the telephone name of Frank reporting them to the CPS. Frank’s the worst this season, and his most cancers analysis within the finale completely units him up for a extra introspective storyline that season 4 most commonly follows up on. (Extra on that after.)
Season 3 has most likely the darkest finishing of any of them: Ian has his center damaged, Mickey reputedly embraces a closeted, fatal way of life, Lip and Mandy’s courting falls aside, and Fiona and Jimmy/Steve after all name it quits. However not like season 5, this season correctly understands the load of these types of moments, and permits them to clash in herbal, fulfilling techniques. Season 3 could have had a couple of bizarre subplots (specifically relating to Kev and V’s absurd technique for having kids), however it’s sturdy general, and it completely prepared the groundwork for the most efficient run of episodes the display’s ever had.
