Shameless (season 4)

The fourth season of Shameless, an American comedy-drama television series based on the British series of the same name by Paul Abbott, premiered on January 12, 2014, at Sunday 9:00 p.m. EST on the Showtime television network. Executive producers are John Wells, Abbott and Andrew Stearn, with producer Michael Hissrich. The season concluded after 12 episodes on April 6, 2014. The show’s season premiere brought in 1.69 million viewers, while the episode airing February 2, "Strangers on a Train", received 1.22 million total viewers, its lowest-rated episode of the season. The season finale scored 1.93 million viewers, becoming the show’s highest-rated episode for the season.

Shameless
Season 4
DVD Cover
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes12
Release
Original networkShowtime
Original releaseJanuary 12 (2014-01-12) –
April 6, 2014 (2014-04-06)
Season chronology

Plot

Unlike previous seasons, the fourth season of Shameless begins shifting into a darker tone, with the season's core stories mainly revolving around Fiona's sudden trouble with the law, and Frank's possible death. The beginning of the season is majorly different in comparison, revolving around Fiona getting past the disappearance of Jimmy and adjusting to her new job at Worldwide Cup. Keeping the family afloat, Fiona has begun dating her boss, Mike Pratt.

The lives of other characters have shifted: Lip no longer lives at the house, struggling to adjust to new life at Chicago Polytechnic. Sheila finds solace in online dating, meeting a Native American cowboy that takes care of his junkie sister’s five children. Veronica is pregnant with triplets, though her initial surrogate mother is also pregnant. Kevin gets full ownership of The Alibi Room. Debbie begins pining after an older boy, Matty. Mickey is depressed over the disappearance of Ian, and he has a strained relationship with his wife, Svetlana. Mickey eventually tracks down Ian, who has gone AWOL from the army and now works at a sketchy gay bar with a new, odd behavior. Knowing that her husband is spending time with Ian, Svetlana begins to extort money from Mickey. During his son's christening, Mickey publicly comes out in The Alibi Room.

Frank, in declining health, is returned home by the police, to most of the family's dismay. Forced to stay on the wagon, Frank is desperate for a new liver, and reveals the existence of his oldest child, Sammi. To his surprise, Frank tracks Sammi down and discovers that she lives in a trailer with her son, Chuckie. Frank makes a good impression on Sammi, who does not know that Frank is her father; Sammi is initially furious when she finds out the truth, but she eventually reconciles with Frank, wanting to begin a father/daughter relationship. As she isn't a viable donor, Sammi cares for Frank as his health begins to deteriorate; Sheila, wanting to adopt the kids of her online boyfriend, marries Frank in order to increase her chances of winning custody, though she ultimately fails to do so. Frank is eventually given a last minute liver transplant.

Fiona's life is drastically turned upside down on her birthday. Against her better judgement, Fiona pursues a secret affair with Mike's brother, Robbie. Mike is devastated when he learns the truth, punching Robbie in the face and breaking up with Fiona once and for all. When Fiona is gifted a baggie of cocaine from Robbie, Fiona throws a party; Liam gets into the stash of cocaine and is found unconscious in the kitchen. As Liam is sent to the hospital, Fiona is arrested and lands in county jail, getting a rude awakening. Originally put on house arrest, Fiona goes on a bender and breaks her curfew; she is sent to a correctional facility for a 90-day sentence, wrecking havoc for the rest of the family.

Fiona's arrest leaves parental duties on Lip. Some unexpected assistance comes from Lip's roommate's girlfriend, Amanda, who Lip eventually begins dating. Lip begins to put his previous relationship with Mandy behind him; Mandy is stuck in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Kenyatta. Meanwhile, Ian finally turns up and reunites with his family, but his new behavior concerns both Mickey and the family, who compare Ian's odd behavior to Monica's bipolar disorder.

Fiona is released early from the correctional facility due to overcrowding. Thanks to her parole officer, Fiona gets a job as a waitress at the Golden House Restaurant, a diner run by Charlie Peters. Frank is back to drinking with his new liver, and has simultaneously brought Sammi and Chuckie into the Gallagher's lives. During the final episode, a post-credits scene reveals Jimmy, who we haven't seen all season, watching the Gallagher home from his car with an unnamed woman.

Cast and Characters
See also: List of Shameless (American TV series) characters

Regular

Special guest stars

Episodes
See also: List of Shameless (American TV series) episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
371"Simple Pleasures"John WellsJohn WellsJanuary 12, 2014 (2014-01-12)1.69[1]
Fiona is three months into a corporate job, while semi-dating her boss, Mike. Debbie is starting to blossom, physically and emotionally, and she befriends an older pizza-delivering bachelor, Matt. Lip begins classes at Chicago Polytechnic, living on campus and working in the cafeteria. Frank is found by the police nearly unconscious in a drug house, and is returned home to his family. Frank shows Carl that he is physically addicted to alcohol, but coughs blood when he drinks it. Mickey has become a wannabe pimp and mafia Don; he is depressed over Ian's disappearance. Carl starts to have nocturnal emissions, and Frank teaches him about masturbation before sleep to avoid this. Veronica discovers she is pregnant and informs Kevin. Fiona finally has sex with Mike, but doesn't seem very satisfied by it. Lip gets a D on his English paper and confronts the grader; Lip is told that he needs to work harder, or change his course at college.
382"My Oldest Daughter"Mimi LederNancy M. PimentalJanuary 19, 2014 (2014-01-19)1.60[2]
Fiona begins to enjoy the perks of living life just above the poverty line, using her newly activated health benefits to take the kids for checkups. However, when a road rage incident damages the company car, Fiona lies to Mike about how it happened. Lip seems to have lost his mojo as he struggles in school and with the ladies. After Stan, the owner of The Alibi Room, passes away, Kevin discovers that Stan had left the bar in his will, fulfilling Kevin's dream. However, Kevin finds out that the bar is in deep debt. Veronica turns out to be pregnant with triplets. Fiona refuses to donor for Frank, despite Carl's pleas. Frank states that he will go to his older daughter, Samantha, for help, to Fiona's shock.
393"Like Father, Like Daughter"Sanaa HamriSheila CallaghanJanuary 26, 2014 (2014-01-26)1.83[3]
Fiona has dinner with Mike's family and meets his self-proclaimed "life addict" brother, Robbie. Sheila looks for love through an online Christian dating service. In an attempt to raise money for Frank, Carl steals various dogs around the neighborhood and holds them ransom. Lip continues to struggle in college and finds himself cracking under the pressure. A disheartened Mickey tries to mask his pain with alcohol and sex. Veronica and Kevin desperately try to make more money, in preparation for their four children. Frank meets his eldest daughter, Sammi, who does not know of their relation; Frank discovers that he has a grandson, Chuckie. Frank makes a good impression on Sammi, but this leads to her pursuing Frank romantically. Though Frank rebuffs her, Sammi still offers her liver to him. Debbie is turned down when she tries to have sex with the much older Matt. After another dinner, Fiona has sex with Robbie while Mike is passed out.
404"Strangers on a Train"Peter SegalEtan FrankelFebruary 2, 2014 (2014-02-02)1.22[4]
Frank discovers that a transplant costs $150,000. Carl successfully breaks Frank's leg, in order to give Frank a large insurance payout. Mickey, angered by how little Svetlana is being paid, tells her and all the other prostitutes not to work until they are paid more by their employer. His efforts prove unsuccessful when the women are replaced within a matter of hours. Lip goes on a destructive rampage when he is denied the opportunity to take one of his midterms. Lip and Mandy briefly reignite their former flame, but it quickly ends in a fight. Fiona succumbs to Robbie's seductive nature, and the pair are almost caught by Mike. Sammi tells Frank that she isn't a viable donor, and an angry Frank accidentally reveals that he is her father. Sammi is initially furious and throws him out, but she eventually reconciles with Frank, warming up to the idea of having a father. Lip returns to college and is granted a retest.
415"There's the Rub"David NutterDavey HolmesFebruary 9, 2014 (2014-02-09)1.58[5]
At college, Lip is surprised by two military officers who claim that his identity has been stolen; they show him a photograph of Ian. Fiona ends things with Robbie. When Fiona visits Mike's family, Mike and Robbie get into an argument; Robbie reveals his tryst with Fiona, resulting in Mike punching Robbie in the face and breaking up with Fiona. Kevin and Mickey open a brothel in the apartment aboard the bar. Frank is told that the claim for his broken leg will take a year to process. Desperate for a cure to his liver disease, Frank gets Sheila's Native American boyfriend to build a sweat lodge to rid his body of toxins. Lip and Debbie go searching for Ian. They track him down to a gay bar, but he isn't behaving normally and dodges all of their questions. Robbie surprises Fiona by turning up at her house with cocaine, but she chases him out. Fiona later throws a birthday party and snorts the cocaine. Disaster strikes when Liam consumes the remainder of the cocaine and is found unconscious in the kitchen.
426"Iron City"James PonsoldtJohn WellsFebruary 16, 2014 (2014-02-16)1.90[6]
Liam's accidental cocaine ingestion lands Fiona in county jail, where she experiences the wrongs of her actions. After getting the prognosis on Liam's condition, Lip blames Fiona for her lack of responsibility and disregards Fiona's attempts to be a guardian again. Debbie runs off to Matt's apartment to find solace. After fainting in the sweat lodge, Frank gets some sobering news from his doctor, who tells him he doesn't have much time left to live. Though Sammi expects the worst-case-scenario, Frank believes his time is not up yet and is too stubborn to die. Sheila says goodbye to her new boyfriend's family. Experiencing an empty nest, Sheila leaves Chicago to visit her boyfriend's reservation. Fiona gets bailed out of jail by Mike, who doesn't ever want to see her again. As Fiona returns home, the rest of the Gallagher family visits a recovered Liam in the hospital.
437"A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard and Parasitic Twin"Gary B. GoldmanNancy M. PimentalFebruary 23, 2014 (2014-02-23)1.89[7]
Guardianship duties fall upon Lip, who attempts to make the house more presentable for the social worker's visit. At college, Lip gets some unexpected assistance from his roommate's girlfriend, Amanda, who offers to babysit Liam during his classes. Mickey goes searching for Ian, and discovers him at the gay bar, passed out from drugs. Mickey brings Ian back to the Milkovich home. Debbie is once again rebuffed by Matt, who states that she's too young for him. Fiona sees her public defender, who states that she may serve some time if she pleads guilty. Lip and Fiona get into a nasty argument over the incident with Liam. After the bar is robbed, Kevin gets a gun for protection. Veronica loses one of her triplets through fetal resorption. At the Gallagher home, Sammi gives Frank hard drugs to calm him down, prompting Lip to kick her, Frank, and Chuckie out. At her hearing, Fiona is given house arrest and is charged as a felon.
448"Hope Springs Paternal"Mimi LederSheila CallaghanMarch 9, 2014 (2014-03-09)1.77[8]
In preparation for a visit from her probation officer, Fiona must remove all contraband from the house, putting her at odds with Debbie and Carl. Ian is kicked out of Mickey's house by Svetlana, who feels threatened by Ian's presence. Ian returns to the Gallagher house, to Fiona's surprise; he reveals little of his time in the Army, but continually has "ideas" for future endeavors. Mickey is torn between his relationships with Ian and Svetlana, and he succumbs to Ian's demands. Debbie finds solace in Sammi, who guides Debbie through her first period and sex. Carol gives birth, but she wants to keep the baby. Though Kevin is disappointed, Veronica convinces him to agree. Lip finds that caring for Liam has its benefits. Robbie visits Fiona to apologize, but Fiona slams the door in his face. Lip comes home to find a drunken Fiona, resulting in him taking Liam to his dorm so she can figure things out.
459"The Legend of Bonnie and Carl"Mark MylodEtan FrankelMarch 16, 2014 (2014-03-16)1.70[9]
Carl connects with a girl named Bonnie. They appear to have the same interests for recklessness and violence, causing Carl to fall head over heels. After discovering that Matt is dating someone else, Debbie stalks his new girlfriend. Amanda tries to seduce Lip, which he tries to resist, as she is dating his roommate. Lip finds that Amanda brings structure to his life, but it comes at a cost. Sheila returns from the reservation, and she discovers Frank in dire health. Sheila reveals that she wants to adopt the kids of her boyfriend. Sammi and Sheila bring Frank's wish of visiting The Alibi Room to him. Fiona searches for a job as part of her probation, but her prior actions continue to haunt her. Fiona angrily confronts Robbie. Mickey spends more time with Ian. Svetlana wants Mickey to help take care of their child, but Mickey is reluctant to do so. Mickey discovers Mandy having been beaten by her abusive boyfriend, Kenyatta.
4610"Liver, I Hardly Know Her"Christopher ChulackDavey HolmesMarch 23, 2014 (2014-03-23)1.63[10]
Immediately following her confrontation with Robbie, Fiona spirals out of control and goes on a binge, partaking heavily in narcotics and alcohol. Waking up periodically, Fiona regains coherence in a gas station in Sheboygan, where the people she was riding with strand her there. The Gallaghers go into search mode to find her, applying the methods they use to find Frank when he disappears. Lip eventually finds Fiona and, seeing how broken she is, forgives her, apologizing for his harsh attitude towards her. Carl and Bonnie bond through theft. In order to increase her chances of adopting, Sheila marries Frank, who is in deteriorating health. Frank moves up the hospital's waiting list, and he is given a liver transplant. Mickey argues with Kev over the money they're making on their joint venture. Veronica gives birth to twins. Ian and Mickey discover that Mandy is back with Kenyatta. Ian wants to take Mandy to a safe place, but the ensuing argument reveals Ian still has some issues he's dealing with, especially when he holds a knife to Kenyatta's throat.
4711"Emily"Anthony HemingwayNancy M. PimentalMarch 30, 2014 (2014-03-30)1.76[11]
Fiona is taken to a correctional facility for a 90-day sentence. Frank wakes up from his transplant, suffering from post-operative delirium. While there, Frank bonds with Emily, a young girl waiting for a new heart. Believing that Emily is a young Fiona, Frank is upset when Emily dies before her pending transplant. Sammi and Sheila clash while visiting Frank. As Lip and Amanda begin dating, Amanda insists that Lip have dinner with her parents, who she is trying to rebel against. A social worker visits the house, which is now under Lip's guardianship. The social worker is impressed with Lip's responsibility and aids him. After witnessing the Gallaghers' lifestyle, Amanda's parents bribe Lip to break up with her. Lip takes the money, but he and Amanda continue dating nonetheless. Debbie is the victim of a humiliating internet prank. Ian crashes Mickey's son's christening. At a post-party, Terry Milkovich shows up. Mickey announces his homosexuality to everyone. This causes a bar brawl between the Milkoviches, and Terry is arrested once more.
4812"Lazarus"Mark MylodJohn WellsApril 6, 2014 (2014-04-06)1.93[12]
Frank has recovered from his post-operative delirium. He discovers that his transplant medication will produce a number of side effects, and he still can't drink alcohol. Following a random drug test, Fiona is released from jail due to overcrowding and has a renewed probation. Fiona's probation officer secures her a job waiting tables at a diner. Carl finds out that Bonnie's family has disappeared. Sheila's petition to adopt the Native American children is denied. Svetlana and Mickey come to an understanding about their child and how to raise him. Mickey is worried when he finds Ian in a depressed state. Following an initiation at Amanda's sorority, Lip and Mandy run into each other at a restaurant. Fiona meets with Mickey and concludes that Ian may be bipolar. She suggests hospitalizing Ian, but Mickey disagrees, stating that he will care for Ian. Frank escapes the hospital with the help of Carl. The two stop at the edge of Lake Michigan and share a bottle of alcohol together. In a post-credits scene, a woman and her male companion pull up outside the Gallagher house. The passenger is revealed to be Jimmy – using the alias 'Jack' – who is very much alive.

Development and production

On January 29, 2013, Showtime announced the series would be renewed for a fourth season.[13] The show's fourth season began production on September 20, 2013 and began filming the following week,[14] and premiered on Sunday, January 12, 2014.

Reception

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the fourth season 100%, based on 15 reviews. The critics consensus reads, "Shameless shows no signs of fatigue as it barrels into its fourth season, with the Gallaghers stirring up new and novel forms of mischief."[15]

DVD release
The Complete Fourth Season
Set details[16] Special features[17][18]
  • 12 episodes
  • 642 minutes (Region 1); 624 minutes (Region 4)
  • 3-disc set
  • 1.77:1 aspect ratio
  • Languages:
    • English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
  • Subtitles:
    • English, and French (Region 1)
    • English, Spanish, Danish, French, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, English and German for the Hearing Impaired (Regions 2 and 4)
  • Being Gallagher – (featurette)
  • Shameless Neighbors – (featurette)
  • Deleted Scenes – A small selection of deleted scenes of the series.
    • Episodes: TBA
Release dates
 United States  Australia
December 30, 2014 (2014-12-30)[19] December 17, 2014 (2014-12-17)[20]

References
  1. Kondolojy, Amanda (January 14, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Wins Night, 'True Detective', 'Ax Men', 'Shameless' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  2. Bibel, Sara (January 22, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Wins Night, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Shameless', 'True Detective', 'Girls' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 25, 2014.
  3. Kondolojy, Amanda (January 28, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Wins Night + 'Live From the Red Carpet', 'Curse of Oak Island', 'Sister Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 31, 2014.
  4. Bibel, Sara (February 4, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'NFL Primetime' Wins Night, 'Puppy Bowl', 'Shameless',' Zombie Bowl' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  5. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 11, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Tops Night + 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  6. Bibel, Sara (February 19, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, NBA All Star Game, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'True Detective', 'Shameless' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  7. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 25, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, + 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'True Detective' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  8. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 11, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'True Detective' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  9. Bibel, Sara (March 18, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' 'Naked And Afraid', 'Shameless' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  10. Kondolojy, Amanda (April 1, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Tops Night + 'Talking Dead', 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta', NCAA Basketball & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  11. Bibel, Sara (March 25, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Shameless', 'Naked and Afraid' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 4, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  12. Kondolojy, Amanda (April 8, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night + 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Silicon Valley', 'Married to Medicine' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  13. Seat42f. "Showtime Renews Shameless". Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  14. "Amazing first table read with my #shameless family! This seasons gonna ROCK.". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  15. "Shameless S04". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  17. "Shameless: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  18. "Shameless – The Complete 4th Season". Tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  19. "Shameless DVD news: Announcement for Shameless – The Complete 4th Season – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  20. "Buy Shameless; S4 Emmy Rossum, Drama, Blu-ray – Sanity". Sanity. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
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