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A couple years back, I rented the first season of Shameless from the local video store. There were only a couple of episodes; the first season of the American version was longer. The season finale for the first season of the original featured Monica’s (brief) return and Frank faking his death. This all happened in the American, but in earlier episodes. Fiona and Steve depart around the end of season two in the original.

I’ll admit I was a bit upset to learn Allison Janney dropped out of the show; she was originally cast as Sheila. Joan Cusack has won me over. Some of her scenes have been just heartbreaking.

At first, Emma Kenney didn’t stand out to me as Debbie, who, in the original, assumed the mother’s role when Fiona left town. Kenney surprised me during the Aunt Ginger story. The girl broke my heart when she had to watch the first person in her life to dote on her unconditionally be left to rot in the nursing home. I desperately wished Aunt Ginger could have hung around, but I understand why she had to leave.

Another one of Kenney’s stronger scenes was Debbie / Ethel’s chat about childbirth. Debbie’s jealousy over Ethel’s child was spot on and then Debbie’s reaction to Ethel’s comments regarding childbirth / sex was hilarious.

I don’t think Jane Levy gets enough attention either. Her Mandy is delightful and underutilized. I cannot wait for Levy to play the scenes were Mandy learns her brother is banging her BFF Ian.

Frank isn’t going to win “Father of the Year,” but he stayed when Monica left. They benefit from his benefits and his occasional paternal feelings. Overall, he’s a selfish prick who should just have walked away with Monica. His presence allow Fiona, the only person with an innate parenting ability, to raise the family. For that, Frank is good guy

I thought the Ian / Fiona scene was perfect. Ian confesses and Fiona admits she always knew. They could have made a joke of it, but they played it straight (bad pun).

Re-watching the finale, I’m wondering why everyone thinks Steve is a goner. I still think Steve might return. Once the truth comes out, Tony and Fiona will never make it. Tony sent Ian and Lip to prison because of his feud with Steve. Stupid move on his part. Plus, I think the contrast of Steve’s / Lip’s journeys will be played up. Lip is destined to a better life, while Steve is desperately escaping his ‘better’ life. Anyway, I’d keep Steve around if only to see Julia Duffy again.

Juliajms, I think Steve knows how much Fiona loves the kids; he bought her the house next door. He has spent an entire season trying to allow her to have her own life outside the kids. If Tony wasn’t forcing his hand, Steve wouldn’t have offered to take her out of the country.

Several people comment the writing for Karen has been inconsistent. I don’t feel that way at all. I feel Karen’s descent into darkness was logical based on the events she went through during the season. From the beginning, Karen had issues with her father and had a bizarre relationship with Frank. Karen / Lip’s relationship was rather open until the final episode where Lip realized he cared for her. Karen’s goth look seemed an extreme reaction to her father declaring her a whore at the Purity Ball, but that whole sequence has produced some wonderful drama. I don’t think Karen has been inconsistent, but just extreme.

I do worry a bit about Veronica / Kevin with the introduction of Amy Smart. I don’t understand the point of Smart’s character. I would have rather seen Veronica in the scenes with Fiona especially now that Veronica has her own kid. The introduction of Ethel should have strengthened the Fiona / Veronica bond, but I feel like they don’t know what to do with Veronica / Kevin.

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I actually meant to type that it is the same premise however there is are various differences in the writing approaches; which are the differences I pointed out. I don't know why I kept thinking Shameless was a movie, I remember seeing it a while ago and maybe I just caught one epi or something I don't know.

Interesting observation, it's interesting how quickly I began to question the character of Steve and embraced Tony's bit of Darkness as soon as the events were unfolding but it is open ended and can go either way that was good writing.

That was a brilliant epiphany played out and written, I love that the character of Karen came full circle. I would have more appreciated Karen's ultimate jump into darkness though if the father wasn't written so flatly. I feel like besides the way it was timed and executed, the events leading to the conclusion of the first season for the character of Karen (i.e. her sleeping w/Frank, broadcasting it on the internet, practically isolating herself) makes sense, but the pacing was a bit off for me. I would have understood it, if I saw more of where the father was coming from. I kinda wanted to make my own full decision on the father myself and not have the show tell me who the character is without my interpretation. It wasn't bad, it was just a bit in my face and unsubtle in its developments . Though I still think that father-daughter purity scene was dark, wrong, perverted and brilliant!

I so want them to develop the character of Veronica more and I am wondering about the effect of Fiona and Veronica's dynamic with the addition of this mysterious chick with an unclear agenda.

Edited by classicmoment
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I've only seen the first two episodes of the UK version, but it seemed to me that the U.S. version has a more desperate, raw tone to it at times. There is a lot of humor, but there's also the pain of abandonment right under the surface. In the first two episodes of the UK version Fiona seemed happier and as if she were taking it all in stride.

I'm pretty sure the scene where Fiona screamed at Frank to get up wasn't in the first episode of the UK version. I think that was an important scene in "our" version. I'd like to see the rest of the UK version to compare, but I don't want to ruin the plot for myself because they do seem to be following many of the plot points.

Yeah, but after the scene where Monica handed her Liam, it was clear that she sees herself as their mother. There was no way she was leaving and I liked Steve a little less for asking her to. As far as I can see those kids are her life, right or wrong. That's something Frank knows and uses. I do like Steve though, so I hope he does come back in season two. I imagine he will just when Fiona gets close to someone else.

He doesn't get credit from me for any of that (forgive the rant I am about to go on, I feel really passionate about the character of Frank). It would be like giving someone credit for not slamming on the gas when there is a puppy in the street. Hitting the breaks doesn't make you good, its just what half way decent people have a responsibility to do.

I'm not sure I remember Frank ever having a paternalistic feeling (his week of sobriety doesn't count, since he did it for money). He walked by Liam when he was out in the cold and unsupervised, he didn't even bother to comfort Debby when she was sobbing at the nursing home. He head butted Ian and hasn't even talked about the paternity issue with him. I guess he did think of Lip after he f*cked Karen, but he didn't consider that he was a father figure to Karen, on the subconsious level at the very least. I thought Lip was justified to be pissed during the time Frank was sober. He can do it for money, but not for his kids? F*ck you, Frank. Seriously.

Presumably they benefit to a small degree from the benefits he gets because the children exist. . That only makes him slightly less shitty. He's letting the state take care of his kids, instead of stealing the food from their mouths (oh wait, he tried and Fiona called him on it) what a hero. I mean, yes, he could take their food stamps and sell them for alcohol money. He doesn't do that, but we know that he drinks away his disability money and that the older kids have to chip in to pay for food and the rest of the bills. Yet, Frank manages to delude himself into believing he's the victim. :mad:

I do give both WHM and the show credit for evoking my emotions when it comes to the character of Frank. There are few characters that I have hated more in the history of televison, while recognizing the amazing talent of the actor. Honestly, I think I have wanted to beat his face in during every single episode. Of course, then came Monica, and somehow, she really is worse than he is. For me, it's that she dares to reach for any sort of happiness at the expense of her children. She's saving herself, while they are on the verge of drowing. At least Frank has the grace to be miserable.

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Yeah I think Frank's place on the show is wierd. At this point he's written and potrayed in a way where it is known he isn't to be loved (though you can understand why the kids love him and hate him all at the sametime) but tehre's a need for him to be explored and maybe a possibility of understanding

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Oh, I don't dispute that, as I said I think Frank is driving most of the story. The kids definitely love him. There is no doubt, after episode two. Also, how hurt they were when he showed up at that parent's conference with Karen and left all of them hanging.

Edited by Juliajms
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OMG GUYS!! Today I went to a Shameless Q&A/Screening at the Regal Cinema in LA. It was awesome!! I have to post my experience :)

Well first off it was only for "Guild" members to attend but also regular people were allowed to attend exclusively. First come first serve, basically. There was no way I was getting there and being denied so I made damn sure I was the first in line!! Unfortunately I was 5th but it was ok because WE GOT IN!!!

Before we got in we had to wait a long ass time for them to get ready and for all the guild members to arrive. Then, we had to go to this desk where they gave us this booklet and FREE STUFF. The FREE STUFF included a DVD of the first season of Shameless!! AWESOME!! They also gave us this little ticket that allowed us to get FREE POPCORN & SODA :)e8112.gif LOLOL!!

Before I go any further I have to mention the lady that got kicked out!! This crazy bitch got in at the last minute before they started letting people into the theater room. She came up to the line and was like "I'm here for the Shame-uh-less screening!!" and the guy was like "Sorry but we've reached full capacity, unless you're a guild member your not allowed in at this point.". LOL she huffed for a second and then obviously LIED and told the guy she was a guild member. LOLOL so he told her to come over to the desk so he could verify. She stood right in her tracks as he started walking over to the desk. LOL! She said, "You know what, no, I'm going in. I don't need to be verified. I'm a member of the Shameless guild and I don't need to confirm any kind of proof. You should know who I am. Where do I go for the screening?" LOL!! It was something like that. Anyways she kept going on and on with her web of lies until eventually she had to be escorted out!! It was insane & everyone was laughing at her! LOL! There is no such thing as a "Shameless guild". It's the Writers Guild you dumbass LOL!!!

Anyways, back to Shameless :)

We got into the Theater with our food and stuff and everyone got situated in their seats. Then this LA Times guy came out (the screening was sponsored by LA Times/The Envelope) and introduced himself, etc, then they screened an episode of Shameless!

They showed the episode where Frank decided to go sober to get the $3000, Lip goes on the Chicago College tour, Ian sleeps around with Mickey, Steve's mysterious story starts, Kev & Veronica start fostering a child for the benefit payments.

After the episode aired, the cast of Shameless came out!! People from the cast included Emmy Rossum (Fiona), William Macy (Frank), Justin Chatwin (Steve), Jeremy Allen White (Lip), Steve Howey (Kev), and Lauren Slade Wiggins (Karen). Unfortunately Joan Cusack (Sheila), Shanola Hampton (Veronica), and Cameron Monaghan (Ian) weren't there.

Jeremy Allen White was looking BEAUTIFUL, SEXY, and LICKABLE! I seriously was ready to get out of my seat and pounce him. Emmy Rossum looked stunning.

Basically after that, questions were asked and the cast was nice and answered them swiftfully. The shows Executive Producer John Wells was also there answering questions. One person brought up the nudity on the show and asked the cast how they felt about it. Steve Howey noted how uncomfortable it was but said it's interesting and fun at the same time. Emmy Rossum noted how this was her first time ever getting nude on TV. She was iffy about it at first but grew to love it because on Shameless, it's real (not literally) and not all glamorized and gratuitous like it is on most shows. Basically, she said the way it happens on the show is close to how it would happen in real life. It's how people in real life would do it. The women aren't wearing sexy lingerie and stuff like that. I understood what she was saying and agreed with her.

William Macy will be writing an episode for the show in the next season. They talked about the writing process. The show has recently begun writing for the next season. William said he was fascinated by the process. One person asked how much ad-libbing the actors do and Justin Chatwin surprisingly said that they don't ad-lib. Everything they say is scripted and they never ad-lib.

The show begins taping again after the 4th of July either on the 5th or the 6th. They tape in LA on some lot and also in Chicago. Someone asked if the show will be set in a different season other than Winter and John said yes. The first episode will be titled "Summertime". Shameless returns next January!! :)

I think that's it...probably not but it's what I most remember. OMG after the cast started to leave I bolted out of my seat to go shake their hands! I was NOT supposed to do that but I did it anyways and the security guys got mad!! They didn't do anything though!! I shook Emmy, Justin, William, and Steve's hands! I held Jeremy's for a little bit longer and pondered dragging it a little lower if you know what I mean ;-) LOLOL!!! He said "Thanks for coming, man" and then left :) I stood and stared as he left and tried to picture it in slow motion!

Can't wait for the show to be back!!!

Edited by AllmyDaysatGH
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The Season 2 opener was nothing short of amazing! I'm so happy that the gang is all back and I'm already wanting more. I'm also glad that we get to see them in another setting besides Winter. I'm starting to like Sheila a little more and Frank is... Frank. ... And nuMandy is just no. I miss Jane Levy in the role sfm!

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I found the premier to be a mixed bag. Some things that I expected to hate, I loved, but overall I found the episode background noise rather than exciting television.

After this episode, I don't think I can defend Frank any longer. The situation with Liam was too much for me.

I still don't care for Amy Smart's Jasmine. The character's purpose is still to vague and I much prefer the time be spent on Veronica. I was surprised to find myself enjoying Fiona's fling, the guy who was on that show a year or two ago about a man living two lives. He was charasmatic and I hope we haven't seen the last of him.

It may seem nitpicky to some, but I really didn't like how Kev manipulated Ethel by telling her the pot was for glaocouma patients. I thought it corrupted the relationship between Ethel and Kev, which was one of Kev's redeemable features. I'm not sure how I feel about selling cigarettes and alcohol to minors. I tried to ignore Carl's drinking during family parties. Overall, I found the tone to the stories incredibly bleak.

On the other hand, I found the cinematography amazing. I'm not usually a visual person, but I love how they have taken advantage of the summer season. Ian / Mandy / Lip walking the streets on a summer night was beautifully shot. I could almost feel the summer heat. Similarly, I could hear the sounds of the summer morning when Fiona returned after spending the night with the investment banker.

I'm loving Jane Levy on 'Suburgatory,' but I'll miss her on 'Shameless.' The character is still pretty much a background character, but I don't like the clothing choices made for her.

The Lip / Ian scene in the shower was the best scene of the episode. It was true to their relationship and was one of the more genuine moments of the episode. Debbie was in her element running the summer daycare.

I'm hoping subsequent episodes will be better.

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The thing with this show is that sometimes it descends into farce/camp/satire, I can't quite put my finger on the right word, but you get my point. Things happen that are so outragous, I can't quite moralize about them because they never could or never would happen. Like the G's being ok with Carl torturing and killing neighborhood animals. But then things turn on a dime and this becomes a serious drama like when Monica handed Liam over to Fiona. These quick changes in tone make it hard for me to know how I feel about the characters.

Edited by Juliajms
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I do understand what you're referring to, but I hadn't really noticed it until you mentioned it. The original has these farcical dream sequences, but they are usually balanced with the strong dollop of drama. I think my problem with the latest episode was I didn't get the serious drama.

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