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The Worst Episodes of Shameless

Every episode of Shameless ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Shameless!

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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 Worst Episode
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    Shameless Season 11 Episode 7 - Two at a Biker Bar, One in the Lake
    5.4/10(13 votes)

    #1 - Two at a Biker Bar, One in the Lake

    S11:E7

    The Gallaghers disagree on the fate of their childhood home so a stranded Frank tries to get back to weigh in on the matter. Realizing that they have none, Ian and Mickey embark on a journey to find gay friends. Carl is upset after his night with Tish, and Debbie and Sandy have another visitor from Sandy’s past.

    Director:Satya Bhabha
    Writer:Philip Buiser

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  2. Shameless Season 11 Episode 10 - DNR
    5.6/10(11 votes)

    #2 - DNR

    S11:E10

    Lip has a million projects going on, and Frank is one of them. Liam is forced to watch Frank, so the two of them embark on a journey to take down Liam’s classmate in an effort to get Liam into STEM school. Carl’s disillusionment with the police force comes to a head.

    Director:Anthony Hardwick
    Writer:Corina Maritescu

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  3. Shameless Season 11 Episode 12 - Father Frank, Full of Grace
    6.0/10(15 votes)

    #3 - Father Frank, Full of Grace

    S11:E12

    Ian and Mickey shop for furniture for their new place and Kev and V look for a buyer for the Alibi. While Lip settles for a new job, Carl finally finds his calling in a new role on the police force. Debbie plunges into a treacherous world when she meets someone new. Frank comes to terms with his own mortality.

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:John Wells

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  4. Shameless Season 11 Episode 6 - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good... Eh, Screw It
    6.2/10(11 votes)

    #4 - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good... Eh, Screw It

    S11:E6

    A surprising twist of fate has left the Milkovich’s vulnerable, forcing Ian and Mickey to step in to help. Frank’s day takes some unexpected turns and Liam deals with inner turmoil after doing a bad thing. Debbie confronts Sandy on their relationship, while Carl enjoys the spoils of his day off.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:Corina Maritescu

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  5. Shameless Season 11 Episode 9 - Survivors
    6.2/10(11 votes)

    #5 - Survivors

    S11:E9

    Frank wants to pull one last heist with the old gang. Debbie struggles with the idea of change and blames Lip, while Lip and Brad find out the new owners of BornFree are in the mob. Mickey and Ian learn a surprising truth about Terry’s past, and Liam tries to find a new place to live.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:Joe Lawson

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  6. Shameless Season 10 Episode 9 - O Captain, My Captain
    6.3/10(16 votes)

    #6 - O Captain, My Captain

    S10:E9

    Frank goes back in time to uncover his connection to Faye, as Debbie’s day with Claudia’s daughter goes awry. Carl takes extreme measures to toughen up his new group of cadets. Ian struggles to connect with Mickey after their blowup.

    Director:Anthony Hardwick
    Writer:Philip Buiser

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  7. Shameless Season 11 Episode 5 - Slaughter
    6.3/10(12 votes)

    #7 - Slaughter

    S11:E5

    Ian and Mickey get creative when the safety of their security gig comes into question. Dynamic duo Frank and Kev make a last-ditch effort to take down the Milkovich’s. V canvasses to get black people to the polls but realizes there’s barely any black people left on the Southside.

    Director:Daniella Eisman
    Writer:Joe Lawson

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  8. Shameless Season 11 Episode 8 - Cancelled
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #8 - Cancelled

    S11:E8

    Frank and Liam compete in a renaming contest of the Dennis Hastert Middle School. Debbie has a day of zero responsibilities, while Ian and Mickey take on all the responsibility for Terry. Veronica is depressed about her mom moving so Kevin tries to cheer her up, all while planning a special surprise.

    Director:Shanola Hampton
    Writer:Sherman Payne

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  9. Shameless Season 2 Episode 2 - Summer Loving
    6.7/10(21 votes)

    #9 - Summer Loving

    S2:E2

    As Sheila conquers her agoraphobia, a worried Frank finds a new financial plan in fellow bar patron Dottie, whose declining health and city pension make her an ideal match; Fiona juggles her job, the kids and her burgeoning love life, and Jasmine tries to help by setting up Fiona with a sugar daddy; Veronica takes some old folks from the home on an excursion; Lip worries about Karen's growing relationship with Jody; Ian tries to land a recently released Mickey a job at the Kash and Grab; Debbie wants her own room; Carl moves into the van.

    Director:John Wells
    Writers:Mike O'Malley, LaToya Morgan

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  10. Shameless Season 7 Episode 5 - Own Your Sh*t
    6.7/10(14 votes)

    #10 - Own Your Sh*t

    S7:E5

    Frank learns that a billionaire philanthropist has bought the homeless shelter and he and his clan can stay. Meanwhile, Fiona gets smart financial advice from a Tinder hookup as Ian struggles with his feelings for Trevor.

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:Dominique Morisseau

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  11. Shameless Season 9 Episode 4 - Do Right, Vote White!
    6.7/10(14 votes)

    #11 - Do Right, Vote White!

    S9:E4

    Election day puts Frank and Fiona in a head to head battle as they each try to round up votes for their candidates. Lip has to make an important choice about Xan’s future. Debbie gets in over her head with Alex. Carl’s killer instinct is put to the test. With his trial looming, Ian struggles to decide how to plead. 100th episode!

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:John Wells

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  12. Shameless Season 7 Episode 6 - The Defenestration of Frank
    6.8/10(14 votes)

    #12 - The Defenestration of Frank

    S7:E6

    Fiona sees opportunity in a laundromat for sale and decides to invest. Frank revels in the good fortune of his scam, but the troops catch a whiff of foul play. Meanwhile, Kev and V discover a shocking secret about Svetlana's father.

    Director:David Nutter
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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  13. Shameless Season 11 Episode 4 - NIMBY
    6.8/10(13 votes)

    #13 - NIMBY

    S11:E4

    The Milkoviches move in next door and wreak havoc, leading Frank, Kev and Liam to scheme to get rid of them. Mickey embarks on a security gig for Kev and V and drags Ian along. Gemma and Franny compete in the Little Miss South Side beauty pageant.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:Sherman Payne

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  14. Shameless Season 3 Episode 8 - Where There's a Will
    6.9/10(17 votes)

    #14 - Where There's a Will

    S3:E8

    The family gathers for the real Aunt Ginger's fake funeral.

    Director:Danny Cannon
    Writer:Davey Holmes

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  15. Shameless Season 2 Episode 3 - I'll Light a Candle for You Every Day
    7.0/10(21 votes)

    #15 - I'll Light a Candle for You Every Day

    S2:E3

    Fiona hopes her moral compass isn't leading her astray when she reconnects with her married high school crush, but when she finds an abandoned purse with over five hundred dollars inside, she assumes her luck is finally changing; Frank is willing to do just about anything to stay in Dottie's good graces, even marry her; after Harry's passing, Debbie becomes obsessed with death; Kevin thinks about buying the Alibi; Lip meets with a colonel to glean information for Ian about West Point; Jody asks Frank for Karen's hand in marriage.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  16. Shameless Season 3 Episode 4 - The Helpful Gallaghers
    7.0/10(17 votes)

    #16 - The Helpful Gallaghers

    S3:E4

    Carl says his goodbyes; Frank is on babysitting duty; Sheila wants to introduce Jody to toy time.

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Mike O'Malley

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  17. Shameless Season 4 Episode 1 - Simple Pleasures
    7.0/10(21 votes)

    #17 - Simple Pleasures

    S4:E1

    Frank returns, disrupting life; Lip attends college; Ian is missing; Fiona tries to connect with Debbie and Carl.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:John Wells

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  18. Shameless Season 7 Episode 3 - Home Sweet Homeless Shelter
    7.0/10(19 votes)

    #18 - Home Sweet Homeless Shelter

    S7:E3

    Kevin, Veronica and Svetlana start a topless maid service. At the shelter, meanwhile, Frank makes new friends to replace his old family - leading them to a for-sale house converted into the Gallagher Home for the Homeless. Plus, Debbie's new lifestyle comes to an abrupt end; Carl gets a syphilis scare; Ian struggles with a breakup; and with Fiona on the run to clean up after her siblings, business at Patsy's hits the skids.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  19. Shameless Season 8 Episode 9 - The Fugees
    7.0/10(15 votes)

    #19 - The Fugees

    S8:E9

    Frank's business takes a turn for the worse, sending him on the run through the Great White North. Ian's run-in with a minister brings about some unexpected allies. Meanwhile, Fiona tries (and fails) to fit in with Ford's group of friends, Carl's new girlfriend suffers separation anxiety and Lip must decide whether to tell Sierra about Charlie's past.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Dominique Morisseau

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  20. Shameless Season 11 Episode 11 - The Fickle Lady Is Calling It Quits
    7.0/10(12 votes)

    #20 - The Fickle Lady Is Calling It Quits

    S11:E11

    Kev and V announce their big news. Lip has some promising leads on selling the house, forcing Debbie to reevaluate her future and her history of regrettable love interests. Ian and Mickey try to adjust to a vastly different life on the West Side. Carl’s commitment to the force is challenged when he’s reassigned to an unglamorous police unit. Liam reminds Frank of everything that makes Frank, Frank.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  21. Shameless Season 2 Episode 9 - Hurricane Monica
    7.1/10(17 votes)

    #21 - Hurricane Monica

    S2:E9

    Monica returns to party and plot scams with Frank, but the rest of the family suspects she hasn't returned to stay; Fiona reconsiders her decision to kick Lip out of the house; Grammy's death affects everyone differently, and leaves Frank determined to make sure he gets every last penny his mother left behind; Sheila and Jody think Eddie's ghost is haunting the house.

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:Alex Borstein

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  22. Shameless Season 7 Episode 2 - Swipe, F**k, Leave
    7.1/10(15 votes)

    #22 - Swipe, F**k, Leave

    S7:E2

    Ready to disown his family, Frank takes Liam under wing and starts a new life barricaded on the top floor of the Gallagher home. Fiona, meanwhile, adopts a new, relaxed attitude and starts running Patsy's Pies on her own terms. Debbie gets into trouble in the stroller business; Ian tries out heterosexuality; and Carl finds himself forced into abstinence.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  23. Shameless Season 8 Episode 1 - We Become What We... Frank!
    7.1/10(29 votes)

    #23 - We Become What We... Frank!

    S8:E1

    The Gallaghers find themselves with money to burn as Carl sells their inheritance from Monica. Fiona swears off random hookups to focus on her new apartment building. Lip deals with the sacrifice that comes with sobriety. Frank emerges out of a meth-induced haze to make amends for decades of depravity.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:John Wells

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  24. Shameless Season 9 Episode 11 - The Hobo Games
    7.1/10(10 votes)

    #24 - The Hobo Games

    S9:E11

    The finals of the Hobo Games have arrived, and Frank faces off against his friend and greatest opponent while Ingrid grows anxious about his commitment to their future family. Lip prepares to officially adopt Xan, but his plans collide with Fiona’s partying. Debbie starts developing feelings for someone surprising, and Carl excels at the shrimp shack.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:Molly Smith Metzler

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  25. Shameless Season 10 Episode 10 - Now Leaving Illinois
    7.1/10(12 votes)

    #25 - Now Leaving Illinois

    S10:E10

    An incident in the Tamietti family presents Lip and Tami with a new opportunity. Faye’s betrayal lands Frank in front of a judge. Mickey’s antics drive Ian to online dating. Carl makes an unexpected discovery at his new job.

    Director:Kevin Bray
    Writer:Sherman Payne

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Two at a Biker Bar, One in the Lake" is the worst rated episode of "Shameless". It scored 5.4/10 based on 13 votes. Directed by Satya Bhabha and written by Philip Buiser, it aired on 3/7/2021. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "DNR".