I’ve been watching "Shameless" for the past four years. When I first started the show, the first season was everything I’ve ever wanted in a show and more. There was a strong female lead character, a family theme and hilarious hijinks the family found themselves in. Paired with the overall Southside Chicago setting, that has been utilized to illustrate the struggles of the family, it's all I ever wanted.
My favorite character on "Shameless" is Mickey Milkovich, who is the notorious neighborhood tough thug. He becomes acquainted with one of the main character's siblings, Ian. Ian's character illustrates a hardworking teenager who wants to help provide for his family. And he is gay. At first, Mickey tracks down Ian to get some retribution on him for allegedly wanting to assault his younger sister, although that wasn't the case at all. They become friends after a sexual encounter when a number of situations find them in close proximity, to put it shortly.
Even now, I stand by my opinion that Mickey Milkovich is the best character in the entirety of "Shameless." He may even be my favorite gay character on television for years to come. Mickey's character development, from being a teenager internalizing homophobia to one who he accepts and embraces his sexuality, was a roller-coaster of feelings that I did not expect to happen. I became instantly attracted to it all.
In one episode, Mickey comes out in front of his terrifyingly homophobic father so that he and Ian can be together with no qualms. He was the first one who said "I love you" to Ian. He was the one who turned his life around to be able to love and support his family. He wanted to be there for Ian with all of his might and ounce of care. He embraced his sexuality and was not afraid to call Ian his boyfriend, lover and family. He loved Ian through his discovery of bipolar disorder. Although Mickey was obviously worried as Ian severely struggled with his mental health, he still stuck by.
And it all ended with one episode when the writers started to go haywire. A lot of things happened that led to Ian and Mickey's break up. But most of it stemmed from Ian's pain from his bipolar disorder. He felt that he was being a burden to those around him and that no one could possibly stick around for long because of it.
Mickey was written off the show for a season. It was revealed that he was doing time in prison for about eight years. In that season, where Mickey was missing in action, Ian dated other men. It was a bad season and one that I did not care for because my favorite character was written off of it.
In the current season that is airing, Mickey comes back. He breaks out of prison and the only person he wants to see is Ian. Since Mickey is a fugitive, he wants to go to Mexico and start his new life. He hopes that Ian will come with him. Ian tags along with him on a trip from Chicago all the way down to Texas. They evidently both have feelings for each other but when they are about to cross the border, Ian doesn't go with him.This is when my heart shattered.
I realized that the only person Mickey began to trust left him. I realized that Mickey spent so much time thinking that Ian was on his side. He thought Ian would finally prove his love for him as he has done for Ian dozens of times throughout the show. The relationship that I had overanalyzed for the past three years ended in such a sad way that I truly do not want anything to do with this show anymore.
Well-written LGBT characters are so hard to come by. The way the "Shameless" writers butchered Ian's character to give up on the only person he was ever passionate about for something as fleeting as stability hurts me. I identify very closely with Ian, as we both struggle with mental illness. Mickey's character, in particular, is one that embraces sexuality but does not showcase it as the only "personality trait" of an individual. Mickey is a complex character that has gone through child abuse, sexual assault, violence and deaths. In addition to being someone that is hard around the edges, Mickey is gay.
Seven 7 of "Shameless" was a pain. The writing of the characters are complete opposites from the established individuals in the earlier seasons. Character development is a good thing but suddenly changing characters from night to day is lazy. "Shameless" exhibits large amounts of laziness for shock value. And even that is giving them too much credit. The "Shameless" from 2016 is so much more different than the "Shameless" from 2012. It's sad that my favorite character went in such a depressing way towards the end.
