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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 23h•Peaking at 9.3/10

Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the bar spending what little money they have, he's

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Shameless Season 4 Episode 12 - Lazarus
    9.3/10(4895 votes)

    #1 - Lazarus

    S4:E12

    Fiona gets out of jail. Frank is feeling like his old self.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:John Wells

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  2. Shameless Season 4 Episode 11 - Emily
    9.2/10(3611 votes)

    #2 - Emily

    S4:E11

    Fiona is hauled off to a correctional facility. Amanda’s parents bribe Lip.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  3. Shameless Season 7 Episode 12 - Requiem for a Slut
    9.2/10(2797 votes)

    #3 - Requiem for a Slut

    S7:E12

    The Gallaghers grapple with the loss of one of their own. As Lip takes steps to improve his future, Debbie, Carl and Liam get roped into Frank's new scheme.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:John Wells

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  4. Shameless Season 2 Episode 11 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
    9.1/10(3560 votes)

    #4 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended

    S2:E11

    It's a typical Gallagher nontraditional Thanksgiving that includes a suicide attempt by Monica, Carl shooting a bald eagle, and Karen going into labor; Steve agrees to allow Estefania's boyfriend to steal his identity; Ian sleeps with a businessman named Ned; Frank tries to get his share of his mother's money from his brother Clayton.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  5. Shameless Season 3 Episode 12 - Survival of the Fittest
    9.1/10(3081 votes)

    #5 - Survival of the Fittest

    S3:E12

    Fiona and the family prepare a surprise high school,graduation party for Lip. Frank wins a bet and uses the winnings to take Lip out for lobster and some quality father/son time.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writers:Nancy M. Pimental, Etan Frankel

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  6. Shameless Season 5 Episode 6 - Crazy Love
    9.1/10(3349 votes)

    #6 - Crazy Love

    S5:E6

    Fiona is thrown into chaos by the return of Jimmy. Ian takes Mickey's baby.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:John Wells

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Shameless

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  7. Shameless Season 7 Episode 11 - Happily Ever After
    9.1/10(2686 votes)

    #7 - Happily Ever After

    S7:E11

    Frank and Monica have an interesting proposal for the kids. Lip buckles under pressure from Debbie to get his sobriety under control. Meanwhile, Fiona sees a business opportunity as Kev and V attempt to start a new chapter.

    Director:John M. Valerio
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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  8. Shameless Season 5 Episode 9 - Carl's First Sentencing
    9.0/10(2706 votes)

    #8 - Carl's First Sentencing

    S5:E9

    Frank plays tour guide for his doctor. Fiona preps Carl for sentencing.

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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  9. Shameless Season 9 Episode 14 - Found
    9.0/10(2285 votes)

    #9 - Found

    S9:E14

    As the Gallaghers decide what to do with a bedridden Frank, Fiona has to make a decision about her future. Carl and Debbie share their heartbreak together. Lip has to deal with a distressed Tami.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:John Wells

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  10. Shameless Season 4 Episode 5 - There's the Rub
    8.9/10(2851 votes)

    #10 - There's the Rub

    S4:E5

    Fiona's series of bad decisions involving Robbie finally boil over. Meanwhile, Frank and Sammi pursue a cure for Frank's liver trouble and try to catch up on missed father-daughter time; and Lip gets a surprise visit at college from Army investigators.

    Director:David Nutter
    Writer:Davey Holmes

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  11. Shameless Season 5 Episode 11 - Drugs Actually
    8.9/10(2552 votes)

    #11 - Drugs Actually

    S5:E11

    Frank grows concerned as Bianca's behavior becomes erratic and dangerous.

    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:Davey Holmes

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  12. Shameless Season 6 Episode 12 - Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!
    8.9/10(2481 votes)

    #12 - Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!

    S6:E12

    It's wedding day and Frank shows up uninvited - and high.

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:John Wells

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  13. Shameless Season 7 Episode 8 - You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?
    8.9/10(2408 votes)

    #13 - You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?

    S7:E8

    Fiona takes a DIY approach to renovating the laundromat. Lip agrees to go before the school board in hopes of getting reinstated. Meanwhile, Kev's trust in Svetlana wanes even further when the titty van goes missing.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  14. Shameless Season 8 Episode 3 - God Bless Her Rotting Soul
    8.9/10(2065 votes)

    #14 - God Bless Her Rotting Soul

    S8:E3

    A violent meth dealer threatens the Gallaghers, forcing Ian, Carl, Lip and Debbie to find a way to pay him off without involving Fiona. Fiona battles it out with a vindictive tenant. Lip cares for a down-and-out Professor Youens. Frank - miraculously - attains something resembling sainthood.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  15. Shameless Season 10 Episode 12 - "Gallavich!"
    8.9/10(2195 votes)

    #15 - "Gallavich!"

    S10:E12

    Liam out-Gallaghers Frank, Lip works to convince Tami to stay in Chicago with their baby, Debbie turns over a new romantic leaf and Kev’s new business takes off, but V wonders where the money is going.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:John Wells

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  16. Shameless Season 1 Episode 12 - Father Frank, Full of Grace
    8.8/10(3368 votes)

    #16 - Father Frank, Full of Grace

    S1:E12

    Steve tries to convince Fiona to skip town with him now that his true livelihood as been discovered; Frank and Karen's secret is revealed, forcing Frank to go into hiding; Fiona tries to figure out how to get Lip and Ian out of jail after their arrest for car theft.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:John Wells

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  17. Shameless Season 3 Episode 6 - Cascading Failures
    8.8/10(2755 votes)

    #17 - Cascading Failures

    S3:E6

    The Department of Family Services hauls the Gallagher children away, leaving Fiona desperate to get them back. With Monica nowhere to be found, Fiona is forced to find Frank and get him to make a "Father of the Year" appearance in court. It all goes well until Fiona discovers that Frank's not the solution to her problem - he's the cause. Meanwhile, Kev and Veronica recruit V's mother as a surrogate and Terry catches Mickey and Ian in a compromising situation.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Alex Borstein

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  18. Shameless Season 3 Episode 9 - Frank the Plumber
    8.8/10(2659 votes)

    #18 - Frank the Plumber

    S3:E9

    Fiona starts a new office job but has a hard time fitting in with the corporate culture. In an attempt to get medical coverage, Frank inadvertently becomes involved in the gay rights movement where he meets Abraham Paige, a powerful activist.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  19. Shameless Season 4 Episode 6 - Iron City
    8.8/10(2591 votes)

    #19 - Iron City

    S4:E6

    Fiona ends up in jail; the family waits for news about Liam; Frank wakes up in the emergency room.

    Director:James Ponsoldt
    Writer:John Wells

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  20. Shameless Season 4 Episode 7 - A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, and Parasitic Twin
    8.8/10(2630 votes)

    #20 - A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, and Parasitic Twin

    S4:E7

    Guardianship duties fall upon Lip - who gets some unexpected assistance.

    Director:Gary B. Goldman
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  21. Shameless Season 4 Episode 9 - The Legend of Bonnie and Carl
    8.8/10(2681 votes)

    #21 - The Legend of Bonnie and Carl

    S4:E9

    Carl connects with a girl in detention; Lip and Amanda grow closer; Sheila returns with big plans; Fiona searches for a job; Mickey spends time with Ian.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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  22. Shameless Season 5 Episode 8 - Uncle Carl
    8.8/10(2541 votes)

    #22 - Uncle Carl

    S5:E8

    Gus tells Fiona he's leaving to go on tour. Frank seeks revenge on Sammi.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  23. Shameless Season 6 Episode 11 - Sleep No More
    8.8/10(2214 votes)

    #23 - Sleep No More

    S6:E11

    A confrontation between Sean and Frank quickly descends into a brawl.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Sheila Callaghan

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  24. Shameless Season 9 Episode 6 - Face It, You're Gorgeous
    8.8/10(2107 votes)

    #24 - Face It, You're Gorgeous

    S9:E6

    Frank employs Liam to help him chase down a romantic connection; Fiona struggles to keep up with the demands of her new investment as Ford pushes her to get serious about their relationship.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  25. Shameless Season 5 Episode 5 - Rite of Passage
    8.7/10(2542 votes)

    #25 - Rite of Passage

    S5:E5

    Fiona's plans to announce her marriage unravel. Mickey asks for Lip's help.

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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Best Episodes Summary

"Lazarus" is the best rated episode of "Shameless". It scored 9.3/10 based on 4895 votes. Directed by Mark Mylod and written by John Wells, it aired on 4/6/2014. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Emily".