Shameless, S2, E6 – “Can I Have a Mother?”
Air Date: Sunday, February 12, 2012, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime
Rating:
“Can I Have a Mother” actually makes me feel sorry for Frank (William H. Macy)—something I never thought could be possible. His ex-convict mother Peg, played by the incredible Louise Fletcher, returns from jail on a medical dispensation and she’s as crazy as a loon. But as Frank-centric as this episode is, there are plenty of other things going on too. Fiona (Emily Rossum) screws up royally when it comes to Adam (James Wolk); Lip (Jeremy Allen White) and Ian (Cameron Monaghan) are still fighting; and Ethel (Madison Davenport) runs away with Malik (Justin Mitchell).
Observations and Highlights
Grammy Peg takes a shot at Sheila. Photo cr: Sonja Flemming
Peg is a sociopath without a clue of what’s right or wrong. She’s every kid’s worst nightmare when it comes to parents. She’s loud and foul-mouthed, and ten times worse than Frank could ever be. It’s weird watching how the dynamic between Frank and Peg makes the rest of the Gallagher clan so empathetic with his plight. It’s easy to see how the generations of Gallaghers have evolved, each becoming less ruthless than the previous.
Peg also brings out the worst in Sheila (Joan Cusack), who loses her cool entirely at Karen (Laura Wiggins) and Jody’s (Zach McGowan) wedding reception. Yet, she tries to redeem herself with the younger Gallaghers. “I’ve got some serious Grammy time to make up for around here,” Peg declares to Fiona. Could there possibly be some redeeming quality in Peg? Nah, I don’t think so.
Speaking of Sheila, did you love her as much as I did when she tells Peg off at the party? Someone had to, you know, and I’m happy it’s Sheila. This particular scene brings us some of the best acting Cusack has done throughout the entire run of Shameless so far. I hope Sheila makes it all the way down the stairs soon because there’s only so much one can do in one’s bedroom.
Fiona can't hide her feelings for Steve as he and his wife approach their lunch with her and Adam. Photo cr: Sonja Flemming
I wish Fiona would make up her mind as to what—or should I say, who—she really wants. I think she makes a big mistake on her double date with Steve (Justin Chatwin) and his lovely, Portuguese-speaking, wife Estefania (Stephanie Fantauzzi), who he married to escape the clutches of her drug lord father. I don’t blame Adam for walking out. What is Fiona thinking? Adam is so much better for her than Steve could ever be. I understand the physical attraction, but could Fiona be having daddy issues? Steve is, after all, a con man just like Frank.
I have to ask this question: how freaking stupid is Lip!? He’s totally in love with Karen, hates that she’s married to Jody, yet he tells her he wants her to have an abortion. What sane man says that? Does he really think Karen’s going to chuck it all for him? However, I don’t get what Karen sees in Jody. I know he has a great body, but the man is a little light in the loafers for me, if you get my drift. He’s really beginning to annoy me, which, in reality, speaks to McGowan’s acting abilities. Good job!
Lip and Ian still aren’t speaking. I don’t blame Ian for being angry with Lip because he doesn’t know what really happened, and won’t let Lip explain. I love the scene at the store when Lip smashes fruits all over the place in an effort to get Ian to talk to him. White knocks it out of the park—his anger and fury come through loud and clear with each thing he throws. I feel sorry for Lip and hope, like Fiona, that these two guys get their shit together. After all, there’s nothing like family.
Don't Ethel and Malik make an adorable couple? Photo cr: Chuck Hodes
After Ethel’s sister wives come to tell her their husband has been killed in jail, she runs away. I know her living with Kev (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) started out as a way for them to make some extra money but over time, she’s become much more than a dollar sign to them, especially Kev, so I’m not surprised that he wants to go after Ethel and her son. I love his reference to the sister wives: “Jesus Witches” and “Jesus Puppy Mills.”
Funny and Memorable Lines
Fiona to Lip when he walks into the party: “What? You don’t get enough abuse just being Frank’s son?”
***
Sheila to Frank after seeing Peg at the party: “I don’t want her in my house. Get her outta here!”
Frank: “I can’t do that…she would slaughter me and feast on my flesh.”
***
An angry Sheila to Peg during her toast: “You’re a loud, mean, vicious bitch … And I don’t know how an angel like that man could have come out of your poison womb!”
Peg: “Shut up, you batty bitch!”
Sheila: “You’ve got a demon mind and a devil’s womb and heart, and your coochie smells of brimstone and sulphur!!”
***
How funny that Fiona can empathize with Frank about having lousy parents. Photo cr: Chuck Hodes
“Can I Have a Mother” is brilliantly written and acted. For those who have been saying Macy was miscast in the role of Frank, I say “Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.” Macy more than hits it out of the park in this episode. He rides the wave of dutiful yet hateful son like a world-class surfer. Cusack also knocks it out of the park. She gives us a wonderful, caring mother, and mother-in-law; a wise woman when it comes to Frank and his mother; and a sympathetic character all rolled up in one. This is not to say the others don’t shine in this episode as well, because they all do. Monaghan’s silence in the fruit-throwing scene spoke words about his anger and sadness. And what can I say about Fletcher other than she is one of the most skilled actresses of her day? Her turn as Peg is no exception when it comes to her body of work. When I think back to her role as Nurse Ratchet in One Flew Over a Cuckoo’s Nest, I am, once again, in awe of her brilliance.
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All photos © 2011 Showtime/CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Linda
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1 comments
I DO blame Ian for the Ian/Lip dispute BECAUSE he won’t let Lip explain. Lip didn’t do a thing wrong- he was trying to HELP Ian, as Lip had no interest in the army or in Ian going to West Point in the first place- and if Ian would just be reasonable and talk to Lip, they’d realize that there isn’t actually a problem here. If Ian continues down the path of mediocrity (in grades and in failing to obtain a letter from an officer), I hope the show doesn’t make him magically get into West Point, because that wouldn’t be believable at all.