As Raunchy As Ever! Advance Review: Shameless Season 4 Premiere - "Simple Pleasures"

Season 4, Episode 1

Air Date: Sunday, January 12, 2014, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“The Gallagher clan is flush! We’re creeping up on the poverty line…haven’t quite dragged ourselves over it yet, but at least we can see it from here.” – Fiona

Shameless fans, rejoice! With so much left up in the air at the end of last season, it was difficult to consider the new season could be as great as past seasons have been. But with “Simple Pleasures,” Shameless comes roaring back as shameless as ever, filled with the drama, comedy, raucousness, and human pathos we have come to expect from this award-winning series. And thankfully, most of the characters return!

The full definition of “pleasure” from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary includes “desire, inclination wait upon his pleasure — Shakespeare>; a state of gratification; sensual gratification; frivolous amusement; and a source of delight or joy.” Any one of these could explain the title of this season’s premiere as there is plenty of gratification, amusement, and joy to go around for everyone, particularly Carl (Ethan Cutkosky).

Has Frank Changed?

Tony carries a disgusting Frank up the stairs for Carl.

In my review of last season’s finale, “Survival of the Fittest,” I asked “Can Frank change? Does he want to change?” With Frank (William H. Macy) unable to drink anymore due to a damaged liver, we were left to ponder what would happen to him—especially because the final scene of that season shows him wandering down the snowy streets of Chicago with his bare ass hanging out of his hospital gown. Well, in “Simple Pleasures,” Frank is back in all his disgusting glory and thanks to Tony the cop (Tyler Jacob Moore), we find out what Frank has been up to. Now that he’s back living at the Gallagher household, let me just say this: if Frank smells as bad as he looks, I give kudos to Sheila (Joan Cusack) and Carl for getting near him, let alone dragging him into the tub. Of course, with Frank, the tub has a dual purpose and what he uses it for can only be described as revolting. Shame on him for dragging Carl into his perverse plan to get alcohol into his system. I will say this, though—Frank cleans up pretty good.

Raging Hormones and Impending Womanhood

Debbie with new friend Matty.

Speaking of Carl, he’s entering puberty and has no idea how to deal with his raging hormones. But it’s Frank to the rescue when he explains to Carl how to handle himself (pun intended). Debbie (Emma Kenney), on the other hand, is having a hard time entering womanhood. The new friends she’s hanging with aren’t exactly what you would call a good influence. While Debbie may look all grown up wearing makeup, short skirts, and heels, she still gives off a little girl vibe and appears somewhat uncomfortable in this new phase of her life—due to Kenney’s fantastic acting. Little does Fiona (Emmy Rossum) know what’s going on in Debbie’s life. She’d freak if she knew what Debbie is advertising for sale on the internet. I wonder how long Fiona is going to put up with how rude and sarcastic Debbie is before putting her in her place. What a mouth that kid has! What I found most amusing is the juxtaposition of Fiona and Debbie getting dressed, putting on makeup, and texting on their cellphones on a split screen. Is Debbie really becoming a younger version of Fiona? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

The Fiona/Mike Relationship

Fiona and Mike having a great time tailgating at the Bears game with his family.

Fiona is on the verge of leaving poverty behind with her job at World Wide Cup but she doesn’t realize how much her burgeoning relationship with her boss Mike (Jake McDorman) could cost. She isn’t experienced with the corporate world so she probably doesn’t realize having this kind of relationship with her boss is a big no-no. Hell, she doesn’t even know what a 401K plan is! I fully expect their relationship to take a hit; I don’t believe it can ever succeed because without living in poverty, none of the Gallaghers would know how to act. It’s a shame because Fiona looks like she’s really enjoying her time with Mike and his family. On a side note, may I just say what a cute ass McDorman has!

Gone But Not Forgotten

Ian (Cameron Monaghan) isn’t seen in “Simple Pleasures” but the old adage, “Out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t apply here. His absence is deeply felt by Mickey (Noah Fisher). I have no idea how he is going to survive being married to a woman when all he really wants is to be with Ian. That scene in the bathroom is very intense and it made me feel sorry for Mickey. I wonder how long he’s going to keep up this farce before breaking. Plus, I’m sure his new wife (Daria Badanina) realizes something is not right with him. Whether she knows he is gay has yet to be revealed and for his sake, I hope his sexuality stays hidden from his family. I shudder to think what his father Terry (Dennis Cockrum) would do to him if he learned the truth about his son.

So Lip’s Not a Genius After All

Lose the beer and weed while studying, Lip, if you want to succeed in college!

Lip (Jeremy Allen White) has always been the smart one in the family so it’s a blow to his ego when he realizes he’s not the sharpest tack in the box. College isn’t a breeze and he’s feeling like a fish out of water. Maybe leaving the beer and weed behind and focusing on studying would be the right thing to do but since when do any of the Gallaghers do the right thing for themselves? And life is made even harder because of his libidinous roommate Ron (Adam Cagley) and girlfriend Amanda (Nichole Bloom). The least Ron could do is put a sock on the doorknob. Geez!

Memorable Lines

Carole to Vee: “Honey, I was still doing coke when I was pregnant with you and now you’re worried about me eating cheese?”

***

Kev about Frank: “Nah, he’ll be back. Frank’s a cockroach. You can stomp on him, spray him, try and drown him but he always comes crawling back up out of the toilet bowl.”

***

Vee: “I’m sorry, baby. I’m not feeling so good.”

Kev: “Oh. Want me to take your temperature with my big, red thermometer?”

***

Sheila brings over a dish for Fiona to take to the football game.

As far as season premieres go, “Simple Pleasures” does an excellent job of making you feel like you haven’t missed one second of living with the Gallaghers as you experience all the ups and downs of their lives. It’s almost like the show hasn’t been on hiatus since last April. The episode is filled with happiness, sadness, great acting as usual, sharp and witty dialogue, and makes me wish I could watch all of this season’s episodes at once. I can’t wait to find out what happens to Fiona’s relationship with Mike; how Lip and Fiona deal with their foray into the middle class, white collar world; Frank as he goes in search of a new liver (as is hinted at in the promo for next week’s episode); Debbie and her new (boy)friend Matty (James Allen McCune); and of course, the Veronica (Shanola Hampton)/Kev (Steve Howey)/Carole (Vanessa Bell Calloway) pregnancy storyline, which I left out of this review on purpose. I didn’t want to spoil anything for you!

Tell me what you thought about “Simple Pleasures” after you watch the episode. Leave a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!