Shameless - "South Side Rules" Retrospective. Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold...or Not.

Season 5, Episode 10

Air Date: Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“Don’t claim responsibility for anything. That’s the Gallagher way!” – Sammi

Mickey and Ian play hard and love hard.

Following Chuckie’s (Kellen Michael) sentencing in last week’s episode, “Carl’s First Sentencing,” Sammi (Emily Bergl) finally gets the revenge she so desperately wants in “South Side Rules.” Lip (Jeremy Allen White) learns an invaluable lesson courtesy of Professor Helene (guest star Sasha Alexander); and Frank (William H. Macy) has a problem with his new friend Bianca (guest star Bojana Novakovic). In the meantime, Debbie (Emma Kenney) and Derek (Luca Oriel) take their friendship to the next level.

I feel so sorry for Ian (Cameron Monaghan). He hates the way he feels, or should I say doesn’t feel, on his new meds. Most likely, it’s going to take some time before he gets the right combination of medicines for him to feel ‘normal’ again. The lengths Ian goes to in order to experience emotions—from pain to pure joy—is shocking. I actually cringed during the kitchen scene, and later, had a hard time understanding why Ian treats Mickey (Noel Fisher) the way he does. Seeing them laughing together, acting like the Ian and Mickey of old, gave me great pleasure.

I don’t think Lip can believe his ears.

Lip has had some strange relationships in the past but none as weird as the one he’s having with Helene. “How can we make you more comfortable?” Really? Poor Lip looks like a deer caught in the headlights when Helene asks him this loaded question. This being Shameless though, having your mistress’ husband (guest star Michael Reilly Burke) make crepes for you after sex with his wife isn’t bizarre at all. I do feel sorry for Amanda (Nichole Bloom) though; Lip is obviously more into Helene than he is her. Amanda is quite the cunning little bitch, isn’t she? She certainly knows how to control her men…and women.

Kev is enjoying his new lifestyle way too much. He needs to go back to Vee (Shanola Hampton), damn it! Those two belong together. At least we don’t see the “rape walker” again. Kev is now more interested in selling the weed he and Lip laced with additives. Too bad it turns out to have dangerous consequences. While the way some of the students react is humorous, what the “sun god” does is anything but. Well, it is but it isn’t. It reminds me of the days when Dr. Timothy Leary cooked up some good old-fashioned LSD. I got a good chuckle out of the way this kid gets back at Lip in the hospital, although his little trick serves as quite a wake-up call for Lip.

Thankfully, Helene talks some sense into Lip about where his future is going…or not going, depending upon the decisions he makes. Not only does Helene have a positive effect on Lip, the impact her speech has makes Lip think twice about his current relationship with Kev. I’m glad Lip can tell Kev the way it is without either one getting mad. Plus, it gives me the reunion I’ve been waiting for.

The way writer Sheila Callaghan moves Debbie and Derek’s story line ahead is a bit too fast for my liking. One minute, they’re friends and now, they’re having sex. The saddest part of this is Debbie telling Derek, “Nobody cares what I do.” Is that what Debbie truly thinks? Fiona always does her best to be there when Debbie needs her; hell, even Sammi has stepped up on occasion. The problem with this story line is it’s a little too predictable. I think we all know where it’s going when Planned Parenthood Dr. Bennet (Angela Bullock) explains to Debbie when the pills take effect.

Oh Fiona. Think about the consequences.

As I mentioned in my review last week, Dermot Mulroney has been underutilized in his guest starring arc this season as Fiona’s boss Sean. Sean and Fiona started out with a little dalliance, which went no further due to her sudden marriage to Gus (Steve Kazee). Then, Mulroney was given a bit more to do courtesy of a story line regarding his ex-wife and son moving to Pittsburgh. Now, finally, Mulroney is used to his full potential in “South Side Rules,” as he deals with his family’s departure. Fiona takes it upon herself to comfort Sean, although he reads her loud and clear, making a good point by saying, “When you focus on other people’s problems, it’s a lot easier to ignore your own.” And Fiona sure does have her fair share of problems—not the least of which is Gus. While she initially seems interested in working things out with him, even promising to have “Skype sex” later that night, that changes when she realizes she might have feelings for Sean. Fiona’s whole existence is based on two things—helping others and dealing with the men in her life. I would truly appreciate it if Fiona were given a story line relating just to her.

I hope Frank keeps his promise to Bianca.

I never thought I would say I feel sorry for Frank but there it is. After he and Bianca had such a good time in “Carl’s First Sentencing,” she’s afraid of Frank’s feelings and throws him out. But Frank isn’t one to “go quietly into that good night,” as he tells Elizabeth, Bianca’s sister (Annie Little). I admire Frank for fighting for what he wants; he truly seems to have no ulterior motives for wanting to be with Bianca other than his feelings to support her. As a matter of fact, he almost waxes poetic in his efforts to regain her trust. I’m not sure where this story line is going; all I know is I’m enjoying seeing Frank like this. It’s a nice change from the shameless, ruthless, drunk we’ve come to know.

I knew Sammi was pissed about Chuckie going to juvie because of Carl but I never expected her anger to be handled the way it is in the final few minutes of “South Side Rules.” I swear, if Sammi doesn’t leave the Gallagher house, like yesterday, I’m going to go through the screen and drag her out by her hair—something Fiona should have done already! Although if Mickey and his bros get to Sammi first, I don’t think she’ll be long for this world.

Overall

I truly enjoyed “South Side Rules”—outside of Debbie’s story line. I am ecstatic that Kev and Vee are living in the same house again, and am enjoying the maturity Lip shows in this episode. I also like seeing Frank as a ‘real’ man, as he deals with the ups and downs of a new relationship. Although the acting is top-notch, I hate what happens to Ian, and my heart goes out to Mickey. They’ve had enough problems in their relationship; they shouldn’t have to deal with something as despicable as what happens.

What did you think of “South Side Rules?” Do you think Sammi is right for seeking revenge like that? Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV, or leave me a comment below.

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

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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!