Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)
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Episode 12
| "Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Christopher Chulack |
| Written by | John Wells |
| Cinematography by | Kevin McKnight |
| Editing by | Kevin D. Ross |
| Original release date | April 5, 2015 |
| Running time | 59 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)" is the twelfth episode and season finale of the fifth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It originally aired on Showtime on April 5, 2015.
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. In the episode, Frank spends time with Bianca in Costa Rica, while Ian leaves with Monica. The episode marked the final appearance of Emily Bergl in the series.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.55 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics, although some questioned the closure of Ian and Mickey's storyline.
Frank (William H. Macy) and Bianca (Bojana Novakovic) are enjoying a vacation in Costa Rica. Despite Bianca's enthusiasm, her health continues worsening. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) and Monica (Chloe Webb) have been hitchhiking, although Ian is confused over how Monica gets to earn money for their expenses.
While Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is content with his relationship with Helene (Sasha Alexander), Amanda (Nichole Sakura) makes it clear she dislikes it and grows upset when Lip abandons her for other activities, believing him to dump her for Helene. Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) go to the doctor, where Kevin has himself checked for any potential STD. While he is not diagnosed with anything, Veronica is taken aback when Kevin reveals he slept with more than 20 college students during their break-up. Carol (Vanessa Bell Calloway) suggests Veronica should role play as a schoolgirl to get Kevin's attention, but Kevin is uninterested. As they argue, the babies start crying, but Kevin surprises Veronica by staying with her, reconciling.
Fiona (Emmy Rossum) is shocked when she walks in on Debbie (Emma Kenney) and Derek (Luca Oriel) having sex. When Debbie suggests she might be pregnant, Fiona scolds her as she might ruin her life. She advises Debbie to get an abortion, but Debbie insists on keeping the baby. With Gus (Steve Kazee) back from his tour, Fiona still decides to seduce Sean (Dermot Mulroney), but he dismisses her advances. When Fiona shares her problems with Gus, it is clear neither Gus nor Fiona are interested in their marriage. The following day, Fiona finds that Gus left her apartment, and his bandmate asks her to end her relationship for the sake of Gus. Fiona later goes with Sean, admitting her feelings for him, but Sean only tells her to grow up.
Monica takes Ian to the trailer home of her boyfriend Walter (Ryan Dorsey), who takes a dislike to Ian. Ian discovers that Monica has been selling methamphetamine, with Walter acting as the cook. Monica defends her actions, claiming this can give them the happy life they deserve. Fed up with Lip's actions, Amanda slaps him and breaks up with him. Back in Costa Rica, Frank buys a gun when Bianca asks him, but is alarmed when she plays Russian roulette. While staring at the ocean, Bianca thanks Frank for making her happy in her final days. The following morning, she leaves a note for Frank, takes off her clothes and swims in the ocean to presumably drown herself. A desperate Frank tries to find her, but eventually realizes what she did.
Ian returns to Chicago and calls Mickey (Noel Fisher) to meet him at his house. Ian makes it clear he will not use his meds, and then breaks up with Mickey, feeling he will not truly love him for what he is now. Suddenly, Sammi (Emily Bergl) arrives and starts shooting at Mickey for trying to kill her. Their chase goes through the neighborhood until police cruisers arrive. As Ian and Lip discuss the recent events, a depressed Frank is shown arriving home. At a juvenile prison, Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) and Chuckie (Kellen Michael) get into a fight with their respective gangs.
Production
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The episode was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It was Wells' 11th writing credit, and Chulack's fourth directing credit.[1]
The decision to break up Ian and Mickey, portrayed by Cameron Monaghan and Noel Fisher respectively, was written as a result of Fisher deciding not to return as a series regular for the sixth season. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, series developer John Wells revealed that Fisher decided not to renew his contract to pursue other projects: "[Fisher] was going to do a movie and wasn't prepared to sign on for another year, so I have to check back in with him in a few months and see. He has a very thriving film career, and we really just hired him for a few episodes when we started, but we keep expanding it, and he always comes back when he's available. So, some of where the characters end up will be dictated by availability."[2] The break-up scene between Ian and Mickey was controversial among fans, many of whom sent death threats to Wells following the airing of the episode.[3] Fisher would ultimately continue to make guest appearances in subsequent seasons, before officially returning as a series regular in the show's tenth season.