SHAMELESS “Are You There Shim? It’s Me, Ian” (S9E1): Testing The Bonds

I’ve been watching the US version of Shameless since it first aired. Now, in the ninth season, we’ve recently learned that this will be the final one for our lead, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) the eldest Gallagher child. How will it fair without her? Will they give her a good send off? These questions swirled in my head as I started the premiere, but I quickly realized that I wouldn’t get any answers here, yet.

First, we had to get reacquainted with the family. The first episode, “Are You There Shim? It’s Me, Ian” lays the groundwork for each character’s individual stories, and while not without its stumbles, by its close is mostly enthralling.

The Gallaghers Are Back

Right now most of the cast is doing well. Fiona owns an apartment complex, and is successfully building herself as an entrepreneur. She’s also in a relationship with Ford (Richard Flood), though her trust of him is raised into question. Expected, given her bumpy experiences with relationships.

Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is remaining sober, working as a mechanic and taking care of Xan (Amirah Johnson), a young girl whose mother is nowhere to be seen. Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) seems to be thriving at military academy though he can’t seem to shake Kassidi (Sammi Hanratty) who camps outside the grounds, his personal cheerleader/stalker. Debbie (Emma Kenney) is working hard as a welder, but has some trouble earning equal pay to her fellow male employees. A problem she finds an uncomfortable solution too.

Ian (Cameron Monaghan) is in jail, having been arrested at the end of last season for blowing up a car. He’s being called the “gay Jesus.” Ian has suffered from Bipolar disorder for a while, which his recent behavior making his family wonder if he’s gone off his meds.

Young Liam (Christian Isaiah) seems to love his new private school and the friends he’s gained, forgoing his father’s attempts to help him steal from them. Speaking of the patriarch-Frank (William H. Macy), you might say he’s flourishing too, since he’s sleeping his way through the PTA of attractive mothers, and keeping souvenirs from their homes (of the silver cutlery persuasion). However, when it’s discovered that several STD’s have been transmitted, an emergency PTA meeting has Frank outed, as all the parents are forced to stay until they’ve received treatment.

In only a Frank sort of way, he manages to persuade the other parents of the benefits of this knowledge. Frank, marriage counselor, to the rescue. Macy seems always up for the challenge, holding nothing back when it comes to this role.

Meanwhile, their neighbors and basically extended family, V (Shanola Hampton) and Kevin (Steve Howey) are struggling to keep their bar going and caring for their twins, while finding intimate time for themselves. Hopefully these two have a chance this year for a fulfilling storyline, as this charismatic couple is often sidelined with lackluster subplots.

Another Year, Another Season Premiere Of Complicated And Far-Fetched Narratives

Fiona is trying to get money together to bail Ian out, but he seems content inside, helping others. Which brings the question: she can bail him out, but should she? Is she taking a risk? Maybe it’s time to think about herself and not her siblings.

Ian’s story, I feel, is the weakest one right now. His character was always one of my favorites, with Monaghan delivering a sincere portrayal, but I feel this current trajectory is lazy writing. Shameless tests the bonds of family and also tests us as viewers, do we stay?

They do a good job of working in themes that match the times. Such as Debbie and gender rights, and Ian with equality for the LGBTQ community. This is always a refreshing addition. I wish I liked Ford more, because I have a feeling this relationship is here to stay. Richard Flood isn’t exactly unlikable per se, but his character hasn’t been established enough to be genuinely rooted for.

Iain B. MacDonald directs the premiere, giving us a hair above a mediocre reintroduction to the Gallaghers. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy this show for what it is, still, but I think some of the directions they have gone in the writing room are a bit excessive. Therein lies the charm…sort of.

We need a healthy dose of ridiculous, and suspended belief, mixed with some grounded human emotions. For the most part, and with the help of a terrific cast, this is accomplished. This is a family known for their bold and often illicit activities. Shameless takes us down some hilarious paths, but it is also about the familial bonds that remain strong despite all they have been through, and this group has definitely been tested in seasons past.

For a time creators John Wells and Paul Abbott have kept a balance of humor and drama within the confines of their eccentric storylines. As I mentioned before, that has been part of the appeal. As a longtime fan of any show, with this long of a running time, you keep with it because you feel connected to the characters. Once that dissipates, it becomes difficult to argue a reason why you should stick with it. This premiere began slow, and it had me questioning just that. Once it found its rhythm, I was reminded of the capacity that Shameless has of being moving television within its cooky shell.

Shameless Season 9, Episode 1: Conclusion

This particular series might be in its last stretch, and it most certainly is for Rossum, who seems comfortable in Fiona’s shoes now more than ever. Which might be for the best. “Are You There Shim? It’s Me, Ian” doesn’t deliver the sort of Shameless panache that the earlier seasons had, but it bodes promising.

What did you think of the premiere? Are you hopeful for the season? Let us know in the comments below!

Shameless airs every Sunday on Showtime. This season will be airing in two parts, with seven episodes in each.