The Helpful Gallaghers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Episode 4
| "The Helpful Gallaghers" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Randall Einhorn |
| Written by | Mike O'Malley |
| Cinematography by | Rodney Charters |
| Editing by | Gregg Featherman |
| Production code | 2J6604 |
| Original release date | February 10, 2013 |
| Running time | 51 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Helpful Gallaghers" is the fourth 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 28th overall episode of the series and was written by consulting producer Mike O'Malley, and directed by Randall Einhorn. It originally aired on Showtime on February 10, 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, Lip and Mandy go to get her half-sister, while Fiona tries to change the status quo at the grocery store.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.53 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising its dark humor, pacing and storylines.
While having sex with Lip (Jeremy Allen White), Mandy (Emma Greenwell) receives a message from her half-sister, Molly, who states her mother died. Mandy wants her to go to the foster care system, but is convinced by Lip that she must take care of her and they decide to drive to Milwaukee.
As part of making him believe he has cancer, Frank (William H. Macy) sends Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) to a camp with other kids diagnosed with cancer. Carl is bored with the camp's activities and unable to get what he wants, but establishes a friendship with a kid named Hanley (Charles Henry Wyson). Wanting to help him see breasts, they sneak at night to steal pills, only to be discovered by the camp counselor, Wendy (Galadriel Stineman). They convince her in showing her breasts, but she is caught by her co-workers. Fiona (Emmy Rossum) starts working at the grocery store, only to discover that the rest of the employees willingly accept Bobby (Eric Edelstein) as their boss, as he gives them benefits for sexual advances. She decides to host a meeting at the house, where it initially gets support from the other employees, but it ends with most of them voting to keep it as it was.
Sheila (Joan Cusack) starts to feel unsatisfied in her sexual life with Jody (Zach McGowan), as the latter refuses to get involved with her dominatrix style and use of sex toys. She asks Frank to help him convince Jody in changing his mind. Jody explains that part of his Sex Addicts Anonymous program, he wants to reduce the amount of sex he had, but agrees to try it for Sheila if Frank helps him as his coach. In Milwaukee, Lip and Mandy discover that Molly has no close relatives, and they decide to take her in temporarily. Lip gets Molly to stay with him at the house, where Debbie (Emma Kenney) is shocked to realize that Molly is transgender.
While helping Fiona with the savings, Jimmy (Justin Chatwin) is called by Lloyd (Harry Hamlin) to meet at a bar. There, Lloyd reveals he and his wife are getting divorced, but does not disclose what was the reason. As Lloyd gets drunk, Jimmy allows him to stay in the house. Later, a naked Lloyd tries to jump into the bed with Ian (Cameron Monaghan), but accidentally touches Lip instead. Ian is forced to reveal his relationship with Lloyd, forcing Jimmy to deal with his father's sexuality. Lloyd decides to stay the night at a hotel, while Fiona consoles Jimmy.
Production
Development
The episode was written by consulting producer Mike O'Malley, and directed by Randall Einhorn. It was O'Malley's fourth writing credit, and Einhorn's first directing credit.[1]
