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The Best Episodes Directed By Iain B. macdonald

Every TV Episode Directed by Iain B. macdonald Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 2 Episode 8 - The Southern Cross
    8.1/10(46 votes)

    S2:E8

    The city and its heroes enter an unprecedented era.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  2. undefined Season 2 Episode 7 - The Hateful Darkness
    8.1/10(48 votes)

    S2:E7

    A trial close to Matt Murdock's heart grabs the city's attention.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  3. undefined Season 0 Episode 18 - Shameless Hall of Shame: Ian & Mickey - Daddy Issues
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    S0:E18

    Covid has taken a toll on newlyweds everywhere and Ian and Mickey are no different. When someone from Ian’s past dies, Mickey has to accept the facts about Ian’s past relationships, the dynamics of their relationship and the men they both married.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  4. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One: Get Some Then
    8.0/10(8 votes)

    S1:E1

    Wayne, a 16 year-old Dirty Harry with a heart of gold, sets out on his dirt-bike from Boston to Florida with his new crush Del, to get back a s*** hot '79 Trans Am that was stolen from his father before he died.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  5. undefined Season 9 Episode 13 - Lost
    7.8/10(12 votes)

    S9:E13

    Frank’s injury gets in the way of everyone’s plans as Fiona attempts to get her life back on track and Lip grows frustrated with his relationship with Tami. Carl gets some bad news about his future, and Debbie finally makes a move on Kelly. Kevin and Veronica get in trouble at the twins’ preschool.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  6. undefined Season 4 Episode 8 - Fear of the Lord
    7.8/10(13 votes)

    S4:E8

    Tulip and Cass struggle to keep Humperdoo hidden from the Grail, while Jesse remains MIA.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  7. undefined Season 9 Episode 1 - Are You There Shim? It's Me, Ian.
    7.6/10(21 votes)

    S9:E1

    Frank’s latest sexual escapades get him into trouble with the Hopkins Academy PTA. Fiona struggles with her decision to bail Ian out of jail, while he continues his Gay Jesus antics inside. Lip juggles taking care of Xan with a potential romance. Debbie fights for equal pay at work, and Carl has to prove himself at military school. Kev and V have trouble with the twins without Svetlana.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  8. undefined Season 4 Episode 7 - Messiahs
    7.6/10(13 votes)

    S4:E7

    Tulip and Cass tear after God; an old friend presents Jesse with an unique opportunity.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  9. undefined Season 8 Episode 5 - The (Mis)Education of Liam Fergus Beircheart Gallagher
    7.5/10(20 votes)

    S8:E5

    As Fiona tries to raise the profile of the neighborhood, Ian helps Trevor to raise money for a new youth shelter. Meanwhile, Carl loses his scholarship and gets creative with securing the tuition, Lip stands up to a friend and gets hurt and Frank teaches the parents at Liam's school all about the working class.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  10. undefined Season 8 Episode 7 - Occupy Fiona
    7.5/10(20 votes)

    S8:E7

    Ian tests Fiona's patience and resolve by bringing a messy “Occupy Fiona” movement right to her front door. Lip struggles to get Professor Youens to court for his DUI trial. Meanwhile, a now unemployed Frank goes on a job hunt and Carl gets a feisty new rehab client with a plan to help him get the rest of his tuition.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  11. undefined Season 2 Episode 4 - Scar Tissue
    7.5/10(71 votes)

    S2:E4

    Rachel recalls the night everything changed and lets Frank in on the truth about her name. Russo sits down with a face from his childhood.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  12. undefined Season 8 Episode 11 - A Gallagher Pedicure
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    S8:E11

    Fiona's homeless tenants barricade themselves inside her apartment. Lip takes in a terrified Sierra and Lucas when her father is released from prison. Meanwhile Ian, despite warnings, provides sanctuary to a runaway teen, Frank considers his retirement and Debbie must choose between paying for school and paying for surgery to keep her toes.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  13. undefined Season 6 Episode 2 - #Abortion Rules
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    S6:E2

    Debbie carries a bag of flour around - determined to prove Fiona wrong.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  14. undefined Season 10 Episode 4 - A Little Gallagher Goes a Long Way
    7.3/10(18 votes)

    S10:E4

    Frank and Mikey set off on a day of adventure around the city in pursuit of Mikey’s dreams. Debbie discovers a new way to make money in the midst of a strike as Lip leans on his new friend for parenting advice. Carl gets more than he bargained for when he offers to help Anne. Liam grows suspicious of his seemingly perfect mentor.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  15. undefined Season 8 Episode 1 - We Become What We... Frank!
    7.0/10(34 votes)

    S8:E1

    The Gallaghers find themselves with money to burn as Carl sells their inheritance from Monica. Fiona swears off random hookups to focus on her new apartment building. Lip deals with the sacrifice that comes with sobriety. Frank emerges out of a meth-induced haze to make amends for decades of depravity.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  16. undefined Season 9 Episode 11 - The Hobo Games
    6.9/10(13 votes)

    S9:E11

    The finals of the Hobo Games have arrived, and Frank faces off against his friend and greatest opponent while Ingrid grows anxious about his commitment to their future family. Lip prepares to officially adopt Xan, but his plans collide with Fiona’s partying. Debbie starts developing feelings for someone surprising, and Carl excels at the shrimp shack.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  17. undefined Season 6 Episode 8 - Be a Good Boy. Come for Grandma.
    6.9/10(17 votes)

    S6:E8

    Sean catches Will with one of Carl's guns and Fiona bears the brunt.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  18. undefined Season 7 Episode 3 - Home Sweet Homeless Shelter
    6.8/10(22 votes)

    S7:E3

    Kevin, Veronica and Svetlana start a topless maid service. At the shelter, meanwhile, Frank makes new friends to replace his old family - leading them to a for-sale house converted into the Gallagher Home for the Homeless. Plus, Debbie's new lifestyle comes to an abrupt end; Carl gets a syphilis scare; Ian struggles with a breakup; and with Fiona on the run to clean up after her siblings, business at Patsy's hits the skids.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  19. undefined Season 11 Episode 1 - This Is Chicago!
    6.2/10(36 votes)

    S11:E1

    The Gallaghers adjust to life during the pandemic. Frank fears gentrification of South Side. Bar closures force Kev and V to get creative. Lip and Tami work to make their new house a home as Carl finishes his time at the police academy.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  20. undefined Season 11 Episode 11 - The Fickle Lady Is Calling It Quits
    5.8/10(20 votes)

    S11:E11

    Kev and V announce their big news. Lip has some promising leads on selling the house, forcing Debbie to reevaluate her future and her history of regrettable love interests. Ian and Mickey try to adjust to a vastly different life on the West Side. Carl’s commitment to the force is challenged when he’s reassigned to an unglamorous police unit. Liam reminds Frank of everything that makes Frank, Frank.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  21. undefined Season 11 Episode 4 - NIMBY
    5.7/10(21 votes)

    S11:E4

    The Milkoviches move in next door and wreak havoc, leading Frank, Kev and Liam to scheme to get rid of them. Mickey embarks on a security gig for Kev and V and drags Ian along. Gemma and Franny compete in the Little Miss South Side beauty pageant.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  22. undefined Season 11 Episode 6 - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good... Eh, Screw It
    5.2/10(19 votes)

    S11:E6

    A surprising twist of fate has left the Milkovich’s vulnerable, forcing Ian and Mickey to step in to help. Frank’s day takes some unexpected turns and Liam deals with inner turmoil after doing a bad thing. Debbie confronts Sandy on their relationship, while Carl enjoys the spoils of his day off.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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  23. undefined Season 11 Episode 9 - Survivors
    5.2/10(19 votes)

    S11:E9

    Frank wants to pull one last heist with the old gang. Debbie struggles with the idea of change and blames Lip, while Lip and Brad find out the new owners of BornFree are in the mob. Mickey and Ian learn a surprising truth about Terry’s past, and Liam tries to find a new place to live.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:N/A

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Iain B. MacDonald Ratings Summary

"The Southern Cross" is the best rated episode directed by Iain B. MacDonald. It scored 8.1/10 based on 46 votes. It was written by N/A. It aired on 5/5/2026 and is rated 0.0 points higher than their second-best episode, "The Hateful Darkness".