Cancelled (Shameless)
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Episode 8
| "Cancelled" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 11 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Shanola Hampton |
| Written by | Sherman Payne |
| Cinematography by | Anthony Hardwick |
| Editing by | Chetin Chabuk |
| Original release date | March 14, 2021 |
| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Cancelled" is the eighth episode of the eleventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 130th overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Sherman Payne, and directed by main cast member Shanola Hampton. It originally aired on Showtime on March 14, 2021.
The series is set on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, and depicts the poor, dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher, a neglectful single father of six: Fiona, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam. He spends his days drunk, high, or in search of money, while his children need to learn to take care of themselves. The family's status is shaken after Fiona chooses to leave. In the episode, Lip gets interrogated by the police on his knowledge of the robbery. Meanwhile, Ian and Mickey are forced to find a caretaker for Terry, while Carl is reassigned to the vice unit.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.55 million household viewers and gained a 0.09 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, with many criticizing the writing, humor and characterization.
In police custody, Lip is questioned over the robbery, as his criminal record makes him a prime suspect. Without proper evidence, they are forced to let him go. On his way out, Lip is informed by Carl that the police will get a warrant to check his house.
Mickey decides to solve the problem with Terry once and for all when his family stops taking care of him. He and Ian hire many caretakers, but they all quit due to Terry's racist nature. Eventually, they hire Sister Mary Luke, who implements a very strict doctrine with Terry. Ian and Mickey are content with her, until she later tells them she suffocated Terry to death. Carl is not allowed to get a new partner, as the department believes he has a curse as his previous partners were injured. Instead, he is reassigned to the vice division, paired with two detectives. While Carl likes their hard-edged attitude, he is disappointed to learn they do not arrest drug dealers, and even take some cars from the evidence locker. When the detectives plan to investigate and frame the Alibi, Carl crashes their car.
Debbie stays with Calista after her fight with Lip and Sandy. Joining Calista at her bar, she uses cocaine and has sex with a man. When Calista discovers her state, a humiliated Debbie returns home with her daughter Franny. She subsequently has another fight with Sandy, scolding her for abandoning her child, and ended their relationship. With Veronica sad over Carols leaving, Kevin finally appears to find a solution: they will officially get married. With Carol's help, they are declared a marriage at the Alibi. The police searches Lip's house, but they do not find any evidence, as Tami moved it to her father's house. As they reconcile, they discover that Brad plans to confess his role in the robbery, forcing Lip to tackle and take him to his house.
Liam competes at his school to propose a new name, as the school previously had Dennis Hastert's name, and he could win an iPad if he wins. Frank is disgusted by the name change, and complains over cancel culture. Frank decides to participate in the renaming, intending to have it named after himself, but Liam is confused when Frank forgets that he already told him his plan. At the event, Frank forgets what he was going to do, and mistakes a student for an old bully, causing him to strip and get arrested. He is taken to the hospital, and the family is called to take him. The doctor finally reveals Frank's dementia to the family, surprising them.
Production
Development
The episode was written by co-producer Sherman Payne, and directed by main cast member Shanola Hampton. It was Payne's fourth writing credit, and Hampton's first directing credit.[1]