Shameless backdrop
Drama•Comedy

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

Airs on
Showtime
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons11

All1234567891011

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Shameless Season 4 Episode 11 - Emily
    9.3/10(3864 votes)

    S4:E11

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

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Shameless Season 4 Episode 12 - Lazarus
    9.3/10(5175 votes)

    S4:E12

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

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:John Wells

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Shameless Season 7 Episode 12 - Requiem for a Slut
    9.2/10(3027 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Shameless Season 2 Episode 11 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
    9.1/10(3862 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Shameless Season 3 Episode 12 - Survival of the Fittest
    9.1/10(3333 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Shameless Season 5 Episode 6 - Crazy Love
    9.1/10(3584 votes)

    S5:E6

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

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:John Wells

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Shameless

    READ
  7. Shameless Season 7 Episode 11 - Happily Ever After
    9.1/10(2904 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Shameless Season 5 Episode 9 - Carl's First Sentencing
    9.0/10(2936 votes)

    S5:E9

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

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:Etan Frankel

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Shameless Season 9 Episode 14 - Found
    9.0/10(2495 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Shameless Season 4 Episode 5 - There's the Rub
    8.9/10(3087 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Shameless Season 5 Episode 11 - Drugs Actually
    8.9/10(2774 votes)

    S5:E11

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

    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:Davey Holmes

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Shameless Season 6 Episode 12 - Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!
    8.9/10(2694 votes)

    S6:E12

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

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:John Wells

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Shameless Season 7 Episode 8 - You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?
    8.9/10(2613 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Shameless Season 8 Episode 3 - God Bless Her Rotting Soul
    8.9/10(2269 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Shameless Season 10 Episode 12 - "Gallavich!"
    8.9/10(2407 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Shameless Season 1 Episode 12 - Father Frank, Full of Grace
    8.8/10(3677 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Shameless Season 3 Episode 6 - Cascading Failures
    8.8/10(3000 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Shameless Season 3 Episode 9 - Frank the Plumber
    8.8/10(2895 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Shameless Season 4 Episode 6 - Iron City
    8.8/10(2830 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Shameless Season 4 Episode 7 - A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, and Parasitic Twin
    8.8/10(2861 votes)

    S4:E7

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

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Shameless Season 4 Episode 9 - The Legend of Bonnie and Carl
    8.8/10(2909 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Shameless Season 5 Episode 8 - Uncle Carl
    8.8/10(2762 votes)

    S5:E8

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

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Shameless Season 6 Episode 11 - Sleep No More
    8.8/10(2415 votes)

    S6:E11

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

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Sheila Callaghan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Shameless Season 9 Episode 6 - Face It, You're Gorgeous
    8.8/10(2310 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Shameless Season 5 Episode 5 - Rite of Passage
    8.7/10(2754 votes)

    S5:E5

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

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:Etan Frankel

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Emily" is the best rated episode of "Shameless". It scored 9.3/10 based on 3864 votes. Directed by Anthony Hemingway and written by Nancy M. Pimental, it aired on 3/30/2014. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Lazarus".