Show cover for Shameless

The Best Episodes of Shameless

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

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 passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.

Genres:DramaComedy
Network:Showtime

Top Episode Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Shameless" is "Lazarus", rated 9.4/10 from 4486 user votes. It was directed by Mark Mylod and written by N/A. "Lazarus" aired on 4/6/2014 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Emily".

  • Lazarus
    9.4/10 4,486 votes

    #1 - Lazarus

    Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 4/6/2014

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

    Director: Mark Mylod

    Writer: N/A

  • Emily
    9.3/10 3,198 votes

    #2 - Emily

    Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 3/30/2014

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

    Director: Anthony Hemingway

    Writer: N/A

  • Requiem for a Slut
    9.2/10 2,474 votes

    #3 - Requiem for a Slut

    Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 12/18/2016

    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: N/A

  • Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
    9.1/10 3,075 votes

    #4 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended

    Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 3/25/2012

    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

  • Survival of the Fittest
    9.1/10 2,687 votes

    #5 - Survival of the Fittest

    Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 4/7/2013

    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

    Writer: N/A

  • Crazy Love
    9.1/10 3,019 votes

    #6 - Crazy Love

    Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 2/15/2015

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

    Director: Anthony Hemingway

    Writer: N/A

  • Happily Ever After
    9.1/10 2,379 votes

    #7 - Happily Ever After

    Season 7 Episode 11 - Aired 12/11/2016

    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: N/A

  • There's the Rub
    9.0/10 2,509 votes

    #8 - There's the Rub

    Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 2/9/2014

    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: N/A

  • Carl's First Sentencing
    9.0/10 2,393 votes

    #9 - Carl's First Sentencing

    Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 3/15/2015

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

    Director: Christopher Chulack

    Writer: N/A

  • Found
    9.0/10 1,987 votes

    #10 - Found

    Season 9 Episode 14 - Aired 3/10/2019

    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: N/A

  • Drugs Actually
    8.9/10 2,263 votes

    #11 - Drugs Actually

    Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 3/29/2015

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

    Director: Mimi Leder

    Writer: N/A

  • Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!
    8.9/10 2,180 votes

    #12 - Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!

    Season 6 Episode 12 - Aired 4/3/2016

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

    Director: Christopher Chulack

    Writer: N/A

  • You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?
    8.9/10 2,139 votes

    #13 - You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?

    Season 7 Episode 8 - Aired 11/20/2016

    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: N/A

  • God Bless Her Rotting Soul
    8.9/10 1,781 votes

    #14 - God Bless Her Rotting Soul

    Season 8 Episode 3 - Aired 11/19/2017

    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: N/A

  • Face It, You're Gorgeous
    8.9/10 1,842 votes

    #15 - Face It, You're Gorgeous

    Season 9 Episode 6 - Aired 10/14/2018

    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: N/A

  • "Gallavich!"
    8.9/10 1,909 votes

    #16 - "Gallavich!"

    Season 10 Episode 12 - Aired 1/26/2020

    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: N/A

  • Father Frank, Full of Grace
    8.8/10 2,892 votes

    #17 - Father Frank, Full of Grace

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 3/27/2011

    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

  • Cascading Failures
    8.8/10 2,397 votes

    #18 - Cascading Failures

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 2/24/2013

    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: N/A

  • Frank the Plumber
    8.8/10 2,312 votes

    #19 - Frank the Plumber

    Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 3/17/2013

    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: N/A

  • Iron City
    8.8/10 2,268 votes

    #20 - Iron City

    Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 2/16/2014

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

    Director: James Ponsoldt

    Writer: N/A

  • A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, and Parasitic Twin
    8.8/10 2,313 votes

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

    Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 2/23/2014

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

    Director: Gary B. Goldman

    Writer: N/A

  • The Legend of Bonnie and Carl
    8.8/10 2,366 votes

    #22 - The Legend of Bonnie and Carl

    Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 3/16/2014

    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: N/A

  • Uncle Carl
    8.8/10 2,259 votes

    #23 - Uncle Carl

    Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 3/8/2015

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

    Director: Wendey Stanzler

    Writer: N/A

  • Sleep No More
    8.8/10 1,958 votes

    #24 - Sleep No More

    Season 6 Episode 11 - Aired 3/27/2016

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

    Director: Anthony Hemingway

    Writer: N/A

  • Liver, I Hardly Know Her
    8.7/10 2,185 votes

    #25 - Liver, I Hardly Know Her

    Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 3/23/2014

    Fiona violates terms of her probation, sending the family into search party mode.

    Director: Christopher Chulack

    Writer: N/A