Some of you may have heard of the latest series, Shameless, on Netflix. Why is this show so addictive and good? Many reasons. At first I didn't have that much interest in the show, only seeing it advertised on Facebook or TV but never really though too watch it. Then I decided to start it over my winter break, and have binge-watched seasons at rapid speed. Although long, it's easy to binge-watch since it's so damn entertaining.
1. The Gallaghers as a Family
No matter what mind-blowing event happens in each episode, every member of the Gallaghers has a distinct personality that helps shape them into a relatable and complex family. It's never a normal day with them, and they all have their flaws. You have Fiona the older and somewhat bossy sister, Lip the cocky know-it-all, Carl the trouble-maker little brother, Ian the brother who is open-minded and strives to be in the army, Debbie the odd but smart little sister who just wants to be a grown up already, and Liam the youngest brother who snorts cocaine in Season 4 but is an overall happy and funny child. Oh and don't forget Frank, he's just indescribable. Overall, this family is just lovable no matter what.
2. The Theme Song is Pretty Lit For a Theme Song
Although most of the time I just want to get to the actual show, I don't mind dancing in my dorm room to this hit every once and awhile.
3. It's Always Funny
4. Kev and V's crazy but cute relationship
Whether it's their two baby girls or Veronica's videos to Kev not being able to read and their upkeep of the Alibi, Kev and V always keep you on your toes with this passionate and unexplainable relationship.
5. Bad Ass Russian Svetlana
6. The One-and-Only Frank and His One-and-Only Constant Antics
Even when he gets liver cancer and basically dies, Frank still keeps up drinking when he masters how much he can drink per day. My personal favorite times are when he shouts and goes off on his tangents about the world and America, deciphering complex issues while he drinks his life away at the Allibi. He's constantly running away or to somewhere/something/someone. Even though he really only cares for himself, for some reason we still love him. How many times can he screw up and still end up somewhat okay? The world may never know. He's the epitome of comic relief.
7. Fiona's Sacrifice to Play Mother and Protect Everyone She Loves
Maybe she gets a little bossy sometimes, but we all love Fiona. She certainly isn't perfect, especially when she accidentally leaves her cocaine out for Liam to snort, but she constantly sticks up for her family members, even Frank sometimes, and she always puts others before herself.
8. The Important Emphasis on Mental Illness
Two characters-Monica and Ian, exemplify a popular mental illness, bipolar disease. I learned a lot about this disease from this show, seeing how it affects the people themselves while also the people around them, and how to cope and try to get better. By the end of the season, Monica and Ian seem a lot better than they were when they were first diagnosed, and we feel sympathy with them their entire journeys. They both grow as independent and happier individuals.
9. Sheila
Although not always present in the show, Sheila is a truly one of a kind character. She is the kindest and most selfless person on the show by far, yet has a weird fetish with the contaminants of her box under her bed. All in all, she sticks by Frank and all of the characters through hard times, and even leaves the house when certain people are in danger. She may not always have herself together, but she does always have the best intentions for those around her.
10. Ian and Mickey
These two go through the most chaos and unfortunate events in their relationship, including jail, Ian's bipolar disease, Ian leaving for the army, Mickey constantly having to go to jail, Ian taking Mickey's baby, Mickey denying he loved him for the longest time, and more, yet they always have had a special and unique bond on this show that is unbreakable no matter the circumstance or how many times they "break up."
11. Those Characters We Hate but are Necessary
We all know who I'm talking about if you watch the show. Sammi and her annoying but somewhat cute Chuckie, Monica, Holly, Steve/Jimmy, that random cousin that tries to take their house, Kev and V at times, Frank at other times. They constantly make us angry, yet we know they are relevant and needed to the show even though they don't always seem it. I personally loved those sammi/sheila fights, or when Fiona tells Monica off. I almost liked Sammi when she took care of Frank, but when she called the army to take Ian away and made Chuckie rat out Carl to the cops, I've wished ever since Mickey killed her correctly.
12. Something Crazy Happens Every Episode
Last but not least, you never get bored watching this show. It seems like every episode gets crazier, and it doesn't have to be the season finales like in other shows for something big to happen. The Gallaghers and the characters from the south side always keep us on our toes, and just when you've thought you'd seen the worst it only gets crazier. You never know if you should laugh, cry, be afraid, get angry, or all of them at the same time when watching this show. I never know what I'm in for, but this show never disappoints.
