The American Shameless is one of the most popular comedy-dramas in the world, which came up with different and interesting storylines every season, and up to the third season, the show did a terrific job of keeping the audiences gripped to their TV screens.
The character development has been a thing of beauty on the Showtime Original and while some stay true to their former selves, some evolve to become someone bigger and better. The likes of Lip and Fiona Gallagher are considered to be the mature ones, with Ian, Carl, Debbie, and Frank far from it. In Season Four, the daily problems just refuse to go away.
"Simple Pleasures" (8.3)
The first episode of season 4 is exactly as the title suggests. Every character is doing whatever it is they have to do in order to get by. Fiona is working for a company and is dating her boss, Mike Pratt, while Lip is attending college and has a new assignment to do. Ian is missing, though, and no one has seen him. Debbie is growing up and Carl is taking care of Frank, whose health has worsened.
"Like Father, Like Daughter" (8.5)
In the third episode of season 4, the focus is on Fiona, again, because she seems intent on destroying the good life she has right now. She finds herself in trouble by making things intimate with Robbie (Mike's brother). Carl is stealing dogs for some reason, while Frank is stalking his daughter, Sammi, who he hasn't met for a while. Also, Sheila is making strides in her personal life.
"My Oldest Daughter" (8.6)
In the second episode of season 4, Lip is dealing with college life, and frankly, he is finding it very difficult, thanks to the kind of people on show there. Fiona, on the other hand, is loving life, at the moment as she is enjoying the benefits of having a good job. But, she can't stay out of trouble, can she? Fiona bangs the company car into something and tells a lie about it.
"Strangers On A Train" (8.6)
In the fourth episode of season 4, Frank is getting desperate because his liver cannot hold for much longer. He decides to get himself into an accident so that the insurance can pay for his transplant.
Also, Fiona is continuing her affair with Robbie and right now, it doesn't make any sense. Fiona has always been bad at choosing partners, though. And this one might be her biggest mistake.
"Hope Springs Paternal" (8.8)
In the eighth episode of season 4, Ian, who has been living with Mickey for quite a while, is kicked out of the house by Svetlana and with nowhere else to go, Ian makes a return to the Shameless household, much to the surprise of everyone. Wait, there's more, the Probation Officer is going to visit the house too and Fiona must get rid of everything that might put her back in jail.
"Liver, I Hardly Know Her" (8.9)
In the tenth episode of season 4, everything bad revolves around Fiona, who has gone absolutely berserk because either she can't take care of her family any more, or she just doesn't want to. She is done with the responsibilities and trying to act like Frank, again. That is the one thing The Gallaghers hold personally, never becoming like their dad and mom.
"Iron City" (9.0)
In the sixth episode of season 4, The Gallaghers are waiting patiently in the hospital for an update from the doctor on Liam's condition, after the events that transpired in the previous episode. Fiona has found herself in county jail and that's because of the series of bad decisions she has taken over the past couple of weeks. Frank also gets some news about his damaged liver.
"A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, And Parasitic Twin" (9.0)
In the seventh episode of season 4, Lip has the act like an adult and take over the responsibility of looking after The Gallagher children. Fiona is out of jail but she has been told to stay inside the house, while Frank is still nursing his bad health.
Fortunately, though, Lip does get some assistance from his friend's girlfriend, Amanda. Lip has come a long way, hasn't he?
"The Legend Of Bonnie And Carl" (9.0)
In the ninth episode of season 4, Mickey is spending time with Ian, who is behaving quite badly and because of that, Mickey has to ignore the birth of his child. Lip is growing close to Amanda, which is not a bad thing actually, while Fiona cannot seem to find a new job, now that she has a criminal record. Moreover, Sheila has returned from her trip, looking good as new.
"There's The Rub" (9.1)
In the fifth episode of Season Four, Lip is surprised to get a visit from Army Investigators and his first thought right then would be where is Ian and what has he done? Obviously, the army wouldn't be searching for him if he hasn't done anything. Elsewhere, Fiona's bad personal decisions finally come to light and while she didn't lose any sleep over it, she definitely will, starting now. Also, Frank and Sammi are catching up.
