Series 8 of the once-unmissable Shameless delivered 22 episodes, with a break for summer, and saw Frank and Carl as the only Gallaghers left in Chatsworth. Pauline McLynn's Libby departed for pastures new, while Tina Malone's distressingly slimmed down Mimi Maguire got inexplicably hitched to the 16 year old father of her child. A new family, the Powells moved in next door to the Gallaghers to bring some colour to the estate while most episodes concentrated on the Maguires, with prositute Kelly (Sally Carman).
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| The last best reason for tuning into Shameless |
As I wrote earlier in the year, the US version of Shameless has surpassed what the parent show has become. There are still sparks of originality and moments of top humour, with some fun characters - Alice Barry's Lillian is a constant delight, nabbing most of the best lines; Elliott Tittensor has made the final Gallagher child the unexpected emotional heart of the show (as well as looking smokin' hot in just a pair of boxers); and Mickey's struggles with his sexuality continue to provide humour and warmth. Sadly, I've lost the ability to care. Even Frank Gallagher, one of TV's finest creations, has lost something of the anarchist spirit he had. Even show creator Paul Abbott's return for the 100th episode felt a bit 'so what'. I don't like the fact that the Gallagher clan has contracted, diluting the focus of the show - if Carl and/or Frank were the stars it would be fine, but some weeks they barely have a line of dialogue. The Maguires have become too dominant - Shane and Jamie have become murderous thugs with no redeeming features, and although Mickey's gay storyline is fun, it needs to move forward; plus Mimi, who still has the odd hilarious put down, swears and shouts her way through nearly every scene. I think that after this lacklustre series, I'll be giving up on the British version and sticking to the more satisfying remake.
briefly...
A long and painful decline for a once-innovative and funny drama means I won't be returning to the Chatsworth Estate next year, however often Elliott Tittensor gets his pecs out.
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