Mo White!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Episode 2
| "Mo White!" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 9 Episode 2 |
| Directed by | Erin Feeley |
| Written by | Molly Smith Metzler |
| Cinematography by | Anthony Hardwick |
| Editing by | Chetin Chabuk |
| Original release date | September 16, 2018 |
| Running time | 55 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Mo White!" is the second episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 98th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by Erin Feeley. It originally aired on Showtime on September 16, 2018.
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 tries to find a new way to make money, while Fiona considers a future investment. Meanwhile, Ian is released from prison, and Lip realizes that Xan may be more difficult for him than expected.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.12 million household viewers and gained a 0.39 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized the thin characterization and development of the episode.
Frank (William H. Macy) walks into the Alibi, lamenting that he is broke. A nearby customer suggests a possible job; with the congressional elections underway, a candidate offers money to people that pull out the rival's pickets. Due to Frank's STD scandal, Liam (Christian Isaiah) is kicked out of Hopkins Academy.
Fiona (Emmy Rossum) takes Liam with her, as she decides to invest in some commercial properties. She meets skeezy investor Max Whitford (Neal Bledsoe) and Liam helps her by using his knowledge from the academy. Max offers her a $100,000 investment in a retirement home, but Ford (Richard Flood) does not like the idea. When Xan (Amirah Johnson) is caught stealing a woman's wallet and abandoning Amy and Gemma, Lip (Jeremy Allen White) confronts her over her actions; Xan reveals she wanted the money for her mother. Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) is given an opportunity to get a promotion, although he is frustrated by the amount of tasks needed to prove his worth. However, he shows growth by saving dogs from being put to rest, preferring to give them a proper burial.
Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) consider sending Amy and Gemma to pre-school. They discover a prestigious pre-school, but it is expensive. They are redirected to an affordable Catholic preschool, but the school only has one slot left. To get the twins enrolled, Kevin and Veronica get Gemma and Amy to pretend to be one girl. Debbie (Emma Kenney) continues to protest for women rights, leading a protest outside a construction site. Nevertheless, no one is interested in joining her, and she is ridiculed by some of the employees. Later, she is visited by Alex (Ashley Romans), a woman disguised as a man in the construction site, who supports her movement.
Ian (Cameron Monaghan) is surprised when he is bailed out from prison. He believes Fiona did, but it is revealed that his followers have paid for the bail. His Gay Jesus Movement has spread nationwide gaining millions in funding from donors and getting various conversion camps shut down. However, Ian realizes his actions have inspired arsonist acts outside the city, and decides to abandon the church. Frank earns money by scamming both political parties, but ends up fired for more diversity hires. At the Alibi, he tells the patrons that they need a person who can support their ideologies. One of them suggests Mo White (Dan Lauria), a retired Republican representative. They collect money to support his campaign and visit him at his house to convince him to run. Despite Ford's opposition, Fiona makes the $100,000 investment, and celebrates with Liam in a vacant development land.
Production
The episode was written by producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by Erin Feeley. It was Smith Metzler's second writing credit, and Feeley's first directing credit.[1]