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The Best Episodes of Shameless

Every episode of Shameless ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Shameless!

Binge this in 4d 15h•Peaking at 9.0/10

The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Shameless Season 1 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    9.0/10(282 votes)

    #1 - Episode 4

    S1:E4

    The Gallaghers have a big problem on their hands when a local child goes missing from a party. Debbie steals/kidnaps a baby from the estate. However, the local residents immediatly think that the kid has been kidnapped by a pervert not least because Frank thinks he saw one outside the house of the missing girl. The race is on to find the girl while the Gallaghers, Veronica & Kev come up with a madcap scheme to get the baby back. It looks set for disaster but somehow they manage to get it off. The baby is returned and Debbie is flooded with money and praise by the Police little knowing she actually kidnapped the kid in the first place. Meanwhile after all the excitement Karen Jackson seduces Frank and they pair embark on a dangerous and likely disasterious affair.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:Paul Abbott

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  2. Shameless Season 1 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    9.0/10(287 votes)

    #2 - Episode 7

    S1:E7

    The balifs and Mr Wilson are still after Frank. And Frank seems to be more interested in spending time with his ex-wife, Monica, than dealing with his spiraling debts. However, much to Frank's annoyance Norma, Monica's lesbian partner, gives Frank a good idea, to fake his own death! Meanwhile Maggie realises that Frank isn't as interested in her as she hoped. When Anthony comes around to talk about Fiona she accidentally gets Chilli in her eyes and staggers out into the Garden! The first time she has been out in five years! Tony has finally found the perfect way to get rid of Steve and get with Fiona for he has stumbled across Steve's car stealing scam. The balifs aren't so convinced that Frank is dead until one of them attacks Frank in his coffin, in front of the family! When Frank doesn't stir the balif finally realises that Frank is really dead, and how sick his violent outburst/attack seemed. At Frank's wake Frank bursts out of the coffin and a party starts. Maggie turns up to ever

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Paul Abbott

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  3. Shameless Season 2 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    9.0/10(197 votes)

    #3 - Episode 5

    S2:E5

    Sheila asks Lip to water the plants for a neighbour who's away on holiday, but the house is burgled and Lip is arrested by a bent copper, stitched up and charged. Frank goes to the police station and makes matters a lot worse.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Phil Nodding

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  4. Shameless Season 2 Episode 10 - Episode 10
    9.0/10(201 votes)

    #4 - Episode 10

    S2:E10

    The local elections are underway and Kash is running to be Chatsworth's councillor against dirty-dealing Bernie Creme. However, it turns out that Bernie is just a racist who exposes himself to the entire pub and loses all his supporters. Lillian's husband is involved in a tragic accident which, at first, appears to be caused by Tony and Stan's Police van. But it later turns out that moments before he was hit by the van he was shot in the head. And it seems he was a junkie, according to the Police. Lillian is dashed off down the Police station to be interviewed about her late husband while Carol realises who shot him-Carl! Tony and Stan quickly figure out it was Carl as well due to CCTV footage. The family (bar Fiona who doesn't know) rallies behind Carl and just about manage to get him off the hook. Frank meanwhile decides to take the deadman's indentiy to get his benifits and then tries to kill his pet dog through various methods.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Paul Abbott

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  5. Shameless Season 3 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    9.0/10(144 votes)

    #5 - Episode 8

    S3:E8

    In preparation for her wedding to Frank, Sheila commissions the building of a conservatory in her back yard - but she suddenly remembers her first husband is buried under the patio. Veronica's last stab at IVF on the NHS fails, so she hatches a macabre plan to raise cash for private treatment.

    Director:Paul Walker
    Writer:Emma Frost

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  6. Shameless Season 2 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.5/10(228 votes)

    #6 - Episode 4

    S2:E4

    Plans are afoot for Steve and Fiona's upcoming wedding. They pay a visit to the local vicar who eventually agrees to let them marry in the church but only after Steve agrees to pay a lot of money. Then disaster strikes when his car is stolen outside the church. Steve begins to panic and calls Tony. However, unknown to Steve Tony has actually stolen it for a joke but decides to look inside the car and finds a lot of money and drugs. Veronica becomes convinces her mother is going crazy when she continues to talk to her dog. Marty packs her off on a mystery cruise and then takes the dog to have an operation to loose its voice! Steve persaudes Tony to hand over the car. Steve drops the car off with some drug dealers but Tony and Stan turn up. Things turn nasty when a gun is pulled and then fired. One of the drug dealers is killed and the other one escapes but is quickly captured. A warrant is issued for Steve's arrest and he has to flee the estate.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Paul Abbott

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Shameless

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  7. Shameless Season 2 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.5/10(189 votes)

    #7 - Episode 6

    S2:E6

    Lip is sleeping with Mandy while she pretends to be Ian's girlfriend to hide the fact that he's gay. However, after Mandy falls pregnant with Lip's baby everyone thinks Ian's the dad and the Maguires welcome him to the family - with the threat of castration if he doesn't marry her. Fiona gets mugged on her way home from a drunken night out.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Daniel Brocklehurst

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  8. Shameless Season 8 Episode 17 - Episode 17
    8.5/10(76 votes)

    #8 - Episode 17

    S8:E17

    A new gang has rolled into Chatsworth with an unlikely mission - to save the souls of the community.

    Director:Paul Unwin
    Writer:Tom Higgins

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  9. Shameless Season 9 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.5/10(75 votes)

    #9 - Episode 4

    S9:E4

    Micky ends up becoming the victim of a gay bashing, leaving him mentally and physically scarred whilst enjoying a night out with the boys. Carl falls for Clem on the night out. Aidan has a new group of older friends, headed by gang leader Frasier Kane. Events end up spiraling out of control one evening on the estate and Aidan is faced with a life-changing decision. Ruby Hepburn shows up on the estate and is revealed as being Mimi's niece.

    Director:Luke Watson
    Writers:Ed McCardie, Jonathan Harvey

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  10. Shameless Season 9 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.5/10(71 votes)

    #10 - Episode 5

    S9:E5

    Somebody from Jamie's past arrives on the estate, looking for a favour to be returned. D.S. Brooks, is currently suspended pending some serious charges and Jamie doesn't know if he can go through with what he wants and the safety of his family ends up being in the balance. Aidan skips school after he is haunted with nightmares about his doing nothing to stop Frasier attacking his school teacher. After Frasier turns his attention to Letitia, Aidan ends up feeling like he has no choice but to act. Micky has to deal with a life-changing decision after a debt collection goes badly wrong.

    Director:Andrew McDonnell
    Writer:Jimmy Dowdall

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  11. Shameless Season 9 Episode 9 - Episode 9
    8.5/10(71 votes)

    #11 - Episode 9

    S9:E9

    When Chesney arrives home from hospital, he finds his cousin Toof waiting there for him. After he reveals his plan to close the shop and take Chesney back to Bradford, Chesney refuses to agree to it. Chesney decides that it is time for him to strike out on his own and live life to the full.

    Director:Paul Cotter
    Writer:Tom Higgins

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  12. Shameless Season 9 Episode 10 - Episode 10
    8.5/10(73 votes)

    #12 - Episode 10

    S9:E10

    Jamie and Shane come up with a plan to steal a stash of scratch cards from the Lottery rooms in Manchester. Frank ends up being recruited along with Aidan and Ruby but things don't go to plan. Letitia and her friends form a girl group. Karen is determined to prove to Mimi that she can handle the Maguire business in Jamie's absence.

    Director:Justin Molotnikov
    Writers:Ed McCardie, Jonathan Harvey

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  13. Shameless Season 11 Episode 14 - Episode 14
    8.5/10(107 votes)

    #13 - Episode 14

    S11:E14

    After spending months in jail, Frank returns to Chatsworth hoping for a welcome home party. However, he discovers Monica has took up residency at the Gallaghers - and is expecting his tenth child, and the return of a few faces from his past heralds the end of an era. Meanwhile, it's business as usual at Chesco's, as an old face re-instates herself.

    Director:David Threlfall
    Writer:Jack Lothian

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  14. Shameless Season 1 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    8.0/10(296 votes)

    #14 - Episode 3

    S1:E3

    Kev accidentally proposes to Veronica, and although he soon admits he's still legally married to Roxy, they decide to go ahead with a fake ceremony anyway in order to claim a small inheritance from Veronica's father.

    Director:Jonny Campbell
    Writer:Daniel Brocklehurst

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  15. Shameless Season 1 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.0/10(263 votes)

    #15 - Episode 6

    S1:E6

    Frank brings down the power of the social services on his family in a failed attempt to extract money from Monica.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Paul Abbott

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  16. Shameless Season 2 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.0/10(217 votes)

    #16 - Episode 1

    S2:E1

    Frank is forced to take a job as a window cleaner when his father arrives. But is the window cleaning round really the best form of employment for Frank? Meanwhile Karen eyes up Kev down the pub.

    Director:David Evans
    Writer:Paul Abbott

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  17. Shameless Season 2 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    8.0/10(203 votes)

    #17 - Episode 2

    S2:E2

    Frank takes a call while partying at Kev and Veronica's, but only much later does he pass on the message that social services are coming to discuss fostering. After a mad clean up, the social worker arrives with a child in tow. Next morning, the boy collapses at breakfast. After an anxious rush to hospital, it is found that he is suffering from nothing more life-threatening than the digestion of last night's leftover hash cake.

    Director:Peter Lydon
    Writer:Daniel Brocklehurst

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  18. Shameless Season 2 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    8.0/10(167 votes)

    #18 - Episode 7

    S2:E7

    Ladies Night at the Jockey proves to be more trouble than its worth. For one thing its full of blokes which only serves to anger Jez. Fiona eyes up footballer Ryan but when she wakes up the next morning it isn't Ryan who is lying next to her. Instead its the less-than-desirable Joey Dawson. Fiona decides to take contraception but before she can actually take them Liam swallows them and then Marty traps Joey's arm in a door. At the hospital they discover that Joey's arm is broken but Liam is fine and there will be no ill effects. A follow up visit from social services isn't as simple for the Gallagher family. The inspector is Katrina a woman who went to school with Fiona and who's life was apparently hell because of Fiona dubbing her "Sperm Whale". But the family pass the visit but Katrina reveals she's engaded-to Joey Dawson. At the Jockey Joey confesses he loves Fiona while Ryan lets slip to Katrina that Fiona and Joey were all over each other the night before.

    Director:David Evans
    Writer:Amanda Coe

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  19. Shameless Season 2 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    8.0/10(159 votes)

    #19 - Episode 8

    S2:E8

    After walking out of her job at the nursery, Fiona confesses to Veronica that she is pregnant by Craig and hasn't told him. Frank falls foul of two shifty accident claims salesmen after being hit in the mouth by Kash's shop door. Kash and Yvonne cannot afford to pay out and are forced to close the shop.

    Director:David Evans
    Writer:John Griffin

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  20. Shameless Season 2 Episode 9 - Episode 9
    8.0/10(170 votes)

    #20 - Episode 9

    S2:E9

    Debbie's on a mission to help Marty who has an impending court appearance for a breach of the peace. Fiona is suffering from morning sickness, so Craig is planning a surprise trip to Wales to relax. Craig's wife, Sue, is jealous of his new relationship and seeks a showdown at the Gallaghers' house.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Daniel Brocklehurst

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  21. Shameless Season 3 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.0/10(165 votes)

    #21 - Episode 1

    S3:E1

    When five year-old Liam denounces religion at his RC Primary School and is subject to a home-visit by his teacher and the local priest, sister Debbie has to think fast. But shaving his head and pretending that he is dying of cancer is NOT one of Debbie's better ideas. In fact, by the time the rest of the Gallagher clan realise what's going on and try to set the record straight, the news has leaked out into the wider community and Debbie's lie lands the family in true Gallagher-style catastrophe. Could things get any worse for Debbie?

    Director:Catherine Morshead
    Writer:Daniel Brocklehurst

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  22. Shameless Season 3 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.0/10(137 votes)

    #22 - Episode 4

    S3:E4

    When Carol discovers her best friend Lillian had an affair with her husband back in the seventies, she takes revenge by reporting her to the DSS for benefit fraud. Frank Gallagher, who has been posing as Lillian's dead husband and claiming his benefits, comes under suspicion.

    Director:Catherine Morshead
    Writer:Amanda Coe

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  23. Shameless Season 3 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.0/10(143 votes)

    #23 - Episode 5

    S3:E5

    On the day that Kev should be happily celebrating his 35th birthday, his mother throws herself from her balcony. To add to his woes, he sees his ex-wife Roxy, who's recently out of prison and far from reformed, at the funeral. Fatherhood has had a positive effect on Lip and Mandy.

    Director:Jim O'Hanlon
    Writers:Daniel Brocklehurst, Emma Frost

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  24. Shameless Season 3 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.0/10(156 votes)

    #24 - Episode 6

    S3:E6

    The Gallagher clan can't believe it when Carl starts to bring money into the household - but his mini-enterprise involves growing cannabis for the Maguires and the police are quick to bust him. Lip is jealous when Mandy gets a new boyfriend and he later discovers that she was the brains behind Carl's business.

    Director:David Threlfall
    Writer:Emma Frost

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  25. Shameless Season 3 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    8.0/10(139 votes)

    #25 - Episode 7

    S3:E7

    Debbie has a new best friend who is everything she wants to be and has the boys falling at her feet. Suddenly Debbie realises what other girls her own age have been getting up to and what she's been missing out on while left holding the fort at home. Sue disappears leaving Marty to deal with the debt collectors in the only way he knows how.

    Director:Paul Walker
    Writer:Amanda Coe

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Best Episodes Summary

"Episode 4" is the best rated episode of "Shameless". It scored 9/10 based on 282 votes. Directed by Mark Mylod and written by Paul Abbott, it aired on 2/3/2004. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Episode 7".