May I Trim Your Hedges?
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Episode 3
| "May I Trim Your Hedges?" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Steve Shill |
| Written by | Krista Vernoff |
| Cinematography by | Rodney Charters |
| Editing by | Regis Kimble |
| Production code | 2J6603 |
| Original release date | January 27, 2013 |
| Running time | 53 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"May I Trim Your Hedges?" is the third episode of the third season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 27th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Krista Vernoff, and directed by Steve Shill. It originally aired on Showtime on January 27, 2013.
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, Debbie and Fiona experience sexual harassment, while Frank tries to use Hymie and Carl for a new scheme.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.99 million household viewers and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised the series' handling of its themes.
At a store, Debbie (Emma Kenney) tries to cash some coupons, and her conversation causes the cashier to quit. Fiona (Emmy Rossum) seizes the opportunity to ask the manager, Bobby (Eric Edelstein), for a job. However, Fiona is disgusted when he makes sexual advances towards her. Veronica (Shanola Hampton) helps Fiona by getting an incriminating tape of Bobby's sexual harassment, allowing Fiona to blackmail him into giving her a job. On the bus, Fiona discovers a man masturbating while staring at Debbie; she angrily kicks him out and consoles a shaken Debbie.
Frank (William H. Macy) helps Sheila (Joan Cusack) with Hymie, claiming he will take him to get a vaccine. However, Frank instead takes him to the Alibi Room, where Kate (Kerry O'Malley) is disgusted by his treatment of the baby. Seeing a news report of a child with cancer getting to meet the Chicago Bulls team, Frank decides to take Hymie to the agency to get an autographed basketball to sell. However, Frank is informed that the agency only tends to dying children. Later, Frank tells Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) that he has been diagnosed with cancer and makes him shave his head. Upon bringing Carl into the agency, the employee explains that the process may take a year; instead, she invites Carl to join their upcoming summer camp for children with cancer.
After discovering Debbie's experience, Lip (Jeremy Allen White) and Ian (Cameron Monaghan) discover that their neighborhood is home to a registered sex offender named Blake Collins. They team up a few neighbors, including Mickey (Noel Fisher) to assault Blake, but they are shocked to discover that Blake is actually a woman (Justine Lupe) who seduced her student and served prison time. The neighbors decide not to go forward, with Mickey even claiming he would've allowed the teacher's advances, but Lip is unwilling to let her stay. He offers himself to work as her gardener and gets her to kiss him on the lips. Lip, however, feels satisfaction when Blake uses peanut butter to shave his crotch. He later tries the trick on Mandy (Emma Greenwell), who walks out upon learning of his scheme. Upon learning that Ian is sleeping with Lloyd (Harry Hamlin), Mickey publicly beats him. He runs off with Ian, and while the latter is surprised, he also feels ecstatic.
Jimmy (Justin Chatwin) spends time with Estefania (Stephanie Fantauzzi) creating false wedding photos in order to protect her from immigration services. Afterwards, Estefania initiates a sexual encounter with Jimmy, shocking him. Kevin's wife, Cheryl (Cameron Richardson), is trying to get him back by pretending her sister's child is hers and his. When Veronica finds out, she fights with Cheryl and forces her to sign the divorce papers. That night, Mandy scares Blake into moving out of the neighborhood by tricking her into thinking her brothers are preparing her grave.
Production
Development
The episode was written by co-executive producer Krista Vernoff, and directed by Steve Shill. It was Vernoff's first writing credit, and Shill's first directing credit.[1]
