Shameless 10X9: O Captain, My Captain

I actually didn't hate this. I certainly didn't love it, but it was far from the worst episode of Shameless I've seen. We'll skip over Carl and his weird baby police training. But I kind of think the rest of it is worth mentioning.

So, Mickey punching Ian down the stairs apparently messed up his leg; he's limping around and full of bruises. However, Mickey seems to have moved on with a twink (who bears a striking resemblance to Ian) although it's been less than a day and he's already moving in with him and claims it's true love. He's obviously hurt by Ian not marrying him, but he's Mickey Milkovich, so he's certainly not gonna talk about his feelings.

After conversing with several members of the family, Ian shows up at Mickey's new place (Byron is thrilled he's there, dying to get rid of Mickey) and offers him a promise ring. One that says, I'm here for the long hall, but I don't know if marriage is necessarily for me. Mickey balks and basically calls him a teenage girl. Tells him to come back when he's ready to man up. (I'm totally paraphrasing).

Debbie is tasked with picking up her girlfriend's daughter from school. Her daughter is like 15 or 16 and Debbie is like 18 of 19. It's totally bizarre. And it gets even more bizarre when the daughter kisses Debbie. She immediately apologizes, but Debbie hauls her back in for more. Debbie. She's a minor. And you're dating her mom. What the fuck are you doing? I mean, at least it's kind of interesting, but come on. How much more dysfunctional can this show get?

Faye is still keeping Frank hostage. She basically dangles drugs in front of him to get the story of what happened so many years ago. Frank really has no idea, so he just keeps guessing until he gets it right. And, every time he does, she gives him some drugs. Until, finally, he's passed out and she props him up in a car and surrounds him with a crazy about of drugs. I assume she's trying to get him busted for possession? Or dealing?

Plus, Tami seems to be upset that Lip has spent most of his life stealing shit. But it seems like Tami is rubbing off on him. He totally has the opportunity so steal some money from the ATM, he ends up trying to return it. But then it gets stolen from him, and he chases the guy down and gets it back. However, this time he keeps it, so maybe not. He does end up getting a side job from the shop that pays decently well though, so perhaps he's trying.

And then we've got Kevin and V who are running a mobile first aid van basically. Veronica plans to just handle minor injuries, things she did when she worked as a nurse's aid, but charge less than urgent care so it's a win/win for both her and the neighborhood. But, it turns out, a girl shows up to try to get an abortion since she can't get one in her state. V wants to help and calls her doctor friend, who accidentally loses her prescription pad so V can write scripts of the abortion pill for her and bunch of other girls who show up. But, at the end, they are inundated with girls who need help. I can't see how this is sustainable. But maybe we're ready for some advocating? I mean we did have that whole #AbortionRules episode, but it was really heavy handed. Maybe we'll get something better here?