The show is called "Shameless," so I guess it's not surprising that we shame one Gallagher a little more than the others. Sometimes it just seems like the writer of the show aspires to make Debbie totally unlikable. Yet, when the show began, she wasn't introduced as a character we groan about whenever she receive screen-time. In fact some of us “awe-ed.” When she was just a freckled kid, she was the only one who stood up for Frank. It shows her lack of judgement, sure, but her kindness has to count for something. She was protective of Fiona too. Afterall, she did become a private investigator when Jimmy/Steve was still around.
As she grew older, we watched her skin thicken. Remember the time she gave Holly and her girl-gang the whoopin' they deserved? After Debbie tried to be like them for so long, didn't you feel so incredibly proud that she literally punched peer pressure right in the face?
She didn't exactly have it easy, being a girl growing up in a house full of dudes and a sister who seemed so different from her. Sure, (for the most part) Fiona handled all of the guardian duties and fulfilled the role of a protective older sibling, but she was light years away. She never had a problem talking to a guy, getting a job, or expelling confidence. Naturally, this made Debbie feel inferior and outcasted.
When Svetlana gave her a makeover, it was clear to her that there was no mother figure in the picture. Sure, she was showing her how to play guys using her physical appearance, but the point was made. Debbie never had a nurturing figure to teach her anything. And we all know how shaping those delicate pubescent years are.
Where did it all go wrong? Rhetorical question. Boys and relationships were always on her mind, because dating is always a huge pressure for teenager, but it's always been a world she still doesn't understand. Not only that, but she jumped into it all with the same authenticity of playing house in Pre-K. There was no parent to give her the sex talk or to dish about that cute boy to.
If you don't remember, she was so set on losing her virginity that she had a virginity countdown chart. In her mind, this was a rite of passage. Her maternal instincts activated and wanted to become a woman desperately. In her mind, this was the only logical way of doing so.
The arc with Sam was a true disaster. She didn't quite understand the age divide, nor the concept of consent. Long story short, she did in fact rape Sam. When he asked to meet up with her afterward, she was giddy about her magical night and had hopes of beginning a relationship with him. Instead of explaining her fault, he scolded her with an explanation that she didn't comprehend.
Considering Debbie's thought process and lack of understanding, it's not a huge surprise that she became pregnant with Derek's baby. She rushed herself into adult situations with the reasoning of a kid. Being on the pill made her feel invincible and mature. Condom? Why would she need that? You could literally see how suave she felt when she told Derek that information.
Thrust in an adult situation, she was treated like a child. For the purpose of parallels, years before when they had returned the fake Aunt Ginger to the nursing home, Debbie had kidnapped a child back when she was one. Debbie thought it was an okay thing to do, and Fiona naturally told her that its not.
Fiona applied the same logic when she learned Debbie was pregnant. There was no discussion, nor options presented. Fiona simply stated that Debbie was going to have an abortion and that it was a mistake. Say what you want about Debbie and her choices thus far, but her autonomy is hers. She is 100% the only owner of her body and Fiona shouldn't have forced the decision of abortion upon her. All this does is enforce the message that consent is a meaningless word in her mind.
All of this spiraled into the mess she left off with in season seven. A marriage to a man who she sees as an opportunity, for the sake of survival. Certainly a manipulative move that has to give Frank paternal pride.
When it comes down to it, she's a girl who loves her family and wants to make something of herself. She makes mistakes, maybe worse and less reversible than others' on the show, but she earned her place on the show and she is a Gallagher.
Hate her character all you want, but just remember how much flavor she adds to the show. Her scenes are as entertaining as they are memorable. Not to mention, cringe-worthy. I don't think that I can ever forget the time that she fought a homeless woman with Franny on one arm. Hands down, one of my favorite Debbie moments, and surely it was as entertaining as it was shameless. No matter how much you hate her, you gotta love her.
What was Debbie's most shameless moment?
