The Best Episodes of Shameless Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.3/10(5011 votes)

   #1 - Pilot

   S1:E11/9/2011

   Having her handbag stolen proves to be a blessing for Fiona when a handsome stranger named Steve comes to her rescue. Lip is shocked to discover Ian could be gay and decides his brother should pay a visit to the ever-accommodating Karen Jackson down the block. But the sudden arrival of her furious father Eddie ensures Ian's already-slim chances of happiness with Karen take a severe blow. Meanwhile, Steve buys Fiona a romantic gift, but for some reason she's less than impressed with it.

   Director:Mark Mylod

   Writers:John Wells, Paul Abbott

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Mark Mylod

   Writers:John Wells, Paul Abbott
2. 

   8.0/10(3879 votes)

   #2 - Frank the Plank

   S1:E21/16/2011

   Drunk as a skunk, Frank has a run-in with Karen's father and returns home to take it out on Ian. The next day is Friday, and Frank is nowhere to be found, which is a bit odd since he never misses disability check day. The family starts a manhunt. .

   Director:John Wells

   Writers:John Wells, Paul Abbott

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:John Wells

   Writers:John Wells, Paul Abbott
3. 

   8.3/10(3719 votes)

   #3 - Aunt Ginger

   S1:E31/23/2011

   Fiona turns her attentions to Tony, a cop who has had a crush on her since childhood, but Steve isn't willing to give up without a fight; Ian is targeted by the brothers of a girl he spurned; the whole family searches for elderly Aunt Ginger, who owns their house.

   Director:Stephen Hopkins

   Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Stephen Hopkins

   Writer:Nancy M. Pimental
4. 

   8.3/10(3529 votes)

   #4 - Casey Casden

   S1:E41/30/2011

   Debbie, sad and lonely after Aunt Ginger leaves, steals a little boy from a birthday party. In classic Gallagher style, the family hatches a plan to return the toddler safe and sound without attracting attention from the Chicago Police Department, who has made the kidnapping a top priority. Karen, in complete defiance of Eddie, starts to tease Frank sexually. Frank not knowing what to make of it keeps himself busy with booze, picking up Sheila'­s meds from the pharmacy and concentrating on finding the missing boy. What began as an innocent lie for Kevin to protect himself from a hot girl ultimately becomes a proposal of marriage for Veronica.

   Director:Todd Holland

   Writer:Cindy Caponera

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Todd Holland

   Writer:Cindy Caponera
5. 

   7.8/10(3347 votes)

   #5 - Three Boys

   S1:E52/6/2011

   When the Gallagher's find out Veronica comes from a wealthy family, they try to scheme a fake wedding for the dowry. Meanwhile, Frank gets some bad news about his health.

   Director:Mimi Leder

   Writer:Alex Borstein

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Mimi Leder

   Writer:Alex Borstein
6. 

   7.9/10(3270 votes)

   #6 - Killer Carl

   S1:E62/13/2011

   Fiona tries to prove the Gallagher home is suitable for rehabilitating a delinquent after receiving a letter from Carl's teacher; Lip gets busted taking the SAT for fellow students in exchange for cash; Kash and Ian are ashamed at their failure to stop a string of robberies at the Kash and Grab; Frank's poor business acumen continues to have negative consequences.

   Director:John Dahl

   Writer:Mike O'Malley

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:John Dahl

   Writer:Mike O'Malley
TRENDING NOW
The 20 BEST Episodes of Shameless
READ
7. 

   8.2/10(3211 votes)

   #7 - Frank Gallagher: Loving Husband, Devoted Father

   S1:E72/20/2011

   Frank gets into trouble with two goons he owes money. Fiona asks Sheila to take care of Liam while she spends a night with Steve, and Ian tries to stop Mickey from bullying Kash.

   Director:David Nutter

   Writer:Etan Frankel

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:David Nutter

   Writer:Etan Frankel
8. 

   8.4/10(3174 votes)

   #8 - It's Time to Kill the Turtle

   S1:E82/27/2011

   Sheila fears to lose Frank when he gives up drinking. While Lip suspects their dad hasn't changed, Debbie and Carl enjoy having Frank back in their life. Meanwhile, Fiona tries to find a better paid job.

   Director:Scott Frank

   Writers:Nathan Jackson, Nancy M. Pimental

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Scott Frank

   Writers:Nathan Jackson, Nancy M. Pimental
9. 

   8.6/10(3316 votes)

   #9 - But at Last Came a Knock

   S1:E93/6/2011

   Monica comes back when Frank needs her to sign documents and decides to take Liam with her. Meanwhile, Steve and Fiona move together.

   Director:Mark Mylod

   Writers:Alex Borstein, Paul Abbott

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Mark Mylod

   Writers:Alex Borstein, Paul Abbott
10. 

    8.5/10(3114 votes)

    #10 - Nana Gallagher Had an Affair

    S1:E103/13/2011

    The children's paternity is put into question and Frank needs Carl's help.

    Director:Adam Bernstein

    Writers:Cindy Caponera, Paul Abbott

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Adam Bernstein

    Writers:Cindy Caponera, Paul Abbott
11. 

    8.4/10(3057 votes)

    #11 - Daddyz Girl

    S1:E113/20/2011

    Tony comes closer to discovering what Steve is doing, while Fiona makes a new friend. In the meantime, Lip helps Ian look for his father.

    Director:Sanaa Hamri

    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Sanaa Hamri

    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental
12. 

    8.8/10(3315 votes)

    #12 - Father Frank, Full of Grace

    S1:E123/27/2011

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Mark Mylod

    Writer:John Wells