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Love, Divorce, and a Failed Meth Lab. Review: Shameless, S2, E7 – “A Bottle of Jean Nate” @SHO_Kareem

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  • February 20, 2012

  • 8 mins to read

Shameless, S2, E7 – “A Bottle of Jean Nate”

Air Date: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

Jasmine (Amy Smart) fails to tell Fiona (Emily Rossum) that Steve (Justin Chatwin) and his wife Estefania (Stephanie Fantauzzi) will be among the guests at her end-of-summer bash aboard her lover’s yacht. Frank (William H. Macy) is having a really hard time dealing with his mother, and Kev (Steve Howey) can’t handle Ethel’s (Madison Davenport) disappearance. Karen (Laura Wiggins) regrets her decision to marry Jody (Zach McGowan), and Lip (Jeremy Allen White) and Ian (Cameron Monaghan) finally work things out. Another terrific episode of Shameless!

Highlights and observations:

Carl after blowing up his makeshift meth lab

I can’t believe the amount and type of things Frank’s mother Peg (Louise Fletcher) makes him do for her. He is virtually her slave and can’t stand it. I don’t blame him; some of the things she has him do are pretty gross. Changing her diaper, for one. Eww! I have to say, some of Frank’s attempts to find alternate housing for Peg are pretty funny. As much as Peg seemingly detests Frank, she’s trying very hard to be a good Grammy to the kids. While her intentions may be noble, I don’t think teaching Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) how to make meth is a good idea, nor is teaching him how to panhandle outside the convenience store for the necessary Sudafed. Why not just give the kid a gun and tell him to rob the place?

We knew from previous episodes that Peg is ill.  I didn’t expect it to be something as serious as Stage 4 pancreatic cancer though. I do have to take issue with how Frank and Fiona learn about this. A paramedic would never tell family members what the diagnosis is—only a doctor would do that. It seems the writers are taking the easy way out here, and that’s just plain lazy. At least Peg’s illness stops Frank and Fiona from plotting to get rid of her by having her committed to a mental institution, although the look that passes between them leads me to believe they just might act on the paramedic’s suggestion to put her in hospice. Perhaps they’ll put her in the same room they stashed Stan (Jack Carter) in. Speaking of Stan, I could have lived without seeing him naked with only a jock strap on.

Lip and Ian say some pretty nasty things to each other and agree to a fist fight when Peg correctly analyzes the problem between them and suggests they “work it out.” A few good punches later and the problem is resolved. I’m glad this story line is over as I like it much better when these two Gallagher boys are friends and working together.

Kev can’t seem to concentrate on anything with Ethel gone. Not even sex, which is very unusual for him. He’s also sporting a “Find Ethel” tee shirt, complete with her picture, which Veronica finds objectionable. Veronica isn’t letting Ethel’s disappearance bother her at all—or at least that’s the way it appears to Kev. Then again, she never reveals her true feelings when presented with a problem. I love that she finally breaks down and admits how upset she is. I adore the Kev/Veronica relationship and I’d hate to see anything happen to it. It’s the one bright spot in this series of dysfunctional ruthless people.

As much as Fiona is attracted to Steve, oops, Jimmy, she’s furious now that she knows he’s been lying to her about his real name. His audacity of constantly trying to be near Fiona and the things he tells her really screw with her head and irk the hell out of me. (Although I didn’t mind seeing Chatwin in that thong.) As for Estefania, I’m not sure what purpose she serves. She has little to do, nothing to say—in English, that is—and is nothing more than eye candy for the male viewers. Oh, and she gives Fiona another reason to be angry with Steve/Jimmy. I think there were a lot of ways the writers could have reintroduced Steve/Jimmy this season but for some reason, they chose this one.

Karen can't even stand watching an episode of "Take the Money and Run" with Jody

It’s getting to the point where Karen can’t even stand being around Jody. Not that I blame her. The guy is a real tool. I don’t mind him listening to Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” while having sex, but what was that crying jag afterwards all about? He’s a little too in touch with his feminine side for me. For Karen too, apparently, because she asks Lip to make Jody “go away.”  I know Lip has feelings for Karen and I’m all for helping people, but what Lip does seems immature and just plain idiotic. I mean, who drops out of school for the town whore? What a waste! He could do so much more with himself given his intelligence.

How pathetic is Jody anyway? He sits outside Karen’s house singing Air Supply’s “All Out of Love” while Lip is inside receiving a blow job from her. While Karen is planning to divorce Jody, I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of McGowan. He’s already signed on to be a regular on Shameless in season three so don’t count him out of the picture just yet.

Fiona looks miserable after telling Steve not to love her

I haven’t previously mentioned Jasmine in my reviews because I didn’t have much to say about her. So far, she’s been pretty much a one-dimensional character who I don’t really care for. She’s married and cheating on her husband, and trying to pimp out Fiona under the guise of helping her. Additionally, despite her whoring ways, I’ve always questioned her sexuality. Finally, in “Jean Nate,” Smart has a meatier role to undertake and she does it well. Not only does Jasmine try to seduce Fiona in an excellently played scene on the yacht, she gets angry when Fiona won’t come to her rescue after she’s thrown out of her marital home. There’s a lot than meets the eye with Jasmine. Now this is a character I can sink my teeth into.

Memorable lines:

Frank: “Hurry up in there. I gotta help my mother outta bed and take her to the bathroom.”

Fiona: “Really putting a damper on your drink/puke/sleep schedule, huh?”

***

Peg to Frank: “Scrub harder. You’re scrubbing like a pussy.”

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Peg to Frank: “Take me upstairs. And I’m gonna need you to powder under my tits. I’m chafing like a son of a bitch.”

***

While there are a few things I find objectionable with “Jean Nate,” it is still a five-star episode in my opinion. Sharp, witty dialogue; sensational acting—especially by Rossum and Smart; fantastic story lines; and a good deal of character development make it so. Summer is over and the new school season is upon us. I can’t wait to see what shameless things the Gallaghers get into next.

Tune in to Shameless, Sunday nights at 9:00 pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

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All photos © 2011 Showtime/CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

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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!

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!