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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
    4.5/10(18 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
    4.6/10(16 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 6 - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good... Eh, Screw It
    4.9/10(16 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Shameless Season 11 Episode 9 - Survivors
    4.9/10(16 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Shameless Season 11 Episode 12 - Father Frank, Full of Grace
    5.0/10(20 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Shameless Season 11 Episode 5 - Slaughter
    5.1/10(17 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. Shameless Season 11 Episode 8 - Cancelled
    5.1/10(16 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Shameless Season 11 Episode 4 - NIMBY
    5.5/10(18 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Shameless Season 11 Episode 11 - The Fickle Lady Is Calling It Quits
    5.6/10(17 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. Shameless Season 11 Episode 3 - Frances Francis Franny Frank
    6.0/10(21 votes)

    #10 - Frances Francis Franny Frank

    S11:E3

    Debbie loses track of Franny, while Frank and Franny have a day of weed runs and adventure. Ian and Mickey question who is the "man" in their relationship. Carl gets a new training officer. Lip and Tami help Brad and Cami with their baby.

    Director:Jude Weng
    Writer:Philip Buiser

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  11. Shameless Season 7 Episode 5 - Own Your Sh*t
    6.4/10(16 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. Shameless Season 9 Episode 4 - Do Right, Vote White!
    6.4/10(16 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. Shameless Season 10 Episode 9 - O Captain, My Captain
    6.4/10(17 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. Shameless Season 2 Episode 2 - Summer Loving
    6.5/10(23 votes)

    #14 - Summer Loving

    S2:E2

    Sheila becomes increasingly capable of navigating the world on her own, worrying Frank, who fears she will discover his true identity. He visits an old acquaintance awaiting a heart transplant in search of a new plan. Mickey is released from prison and reunites with Ian, rekindling their relationship. Fiona discovers that Frank has been renting out her bed to a pregnant Asian woman for money. Karen attends a sex addiction support group but continues sleeping with Lip, who disapproves of her involvement with Jody, her sponsor. Ian studies hard for the West Point entrance exam with Lip’s help. Veronica earns money by driving elderly people around town. Fiona continues working at the bar with Veronica, where Jasmine introduces her to Richard, a wealthy man. Deb moves Liam’s bed to the boys’ room to claim her own space, leading Fiona to let Carl sleep in the van. Lip later catches Karen kissing Jody.

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

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  15. Shameless Season 7 Episode 6 - The Defenestration of Frank
    6.5/10(16 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. Shameless Season 11 Episode 1 - This Is Chicago!
    6.5/10(32 votes)

    #16 - This Is Chicago!

    S11:E1

    The Gallaghers adjust to life during the pandemic. Frank fears gentrification of South Side. Bar closures force Kev and V to get creative. Lip and Tami work to make their new house a home as Carl finishes his time at the police academy.

    Director:Iain B. MacDonald
    Writer:John Wells

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  17. Shameless Season 11 Episode 2 - Go Home, Gentrifier!
    6.5/10(23 votes)

    #17 - Go Home, Gentrifier!

    S11:E2

    Frank helps Kev and V's pot business. Debbie prepares a princess party for Franny while Mickey gets a real job. Lip runs into trouble with his new neighbors. Carl's first day on the force is not what he thought it would be.

    Director:Silver Tree
    Writer:Nancy M. Pimental

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  18. Shameless Season 3 Episode 4 - The Helpful Gallaghers
    6.7/10(19 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. Shameless Season 4 Episode 1 - Simple Pleasures
    6.8/10(23 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Shameless Season 7 Episode 2 - Swipe, F**k, Leave
    6.8/10(17 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Shameless Season 7 Episode 3 - Home Sweet Homeless Shelter
    6.8/10(21 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Shameless Season 3 Episode 3 - May I Trim Your Hedges?
    6.9/10(18 votes)

    #22 - May I Trim Your Hedges?

    S3:E3

    Frank tells Carl he has cancer to scam a charity foundation; Lip hunts down pedophiles in the neighborhood.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  23. Shameless Season 6 Episode 8 - Be a Good Boy. Come for Grandma.
    6.9/10(16 votes)

    #23 - Be a Good Boy. Come for Grandma.

    S6:E8

    Sean catches Will with one of Carl's guns and Fiona bears the brunt.

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

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  24. Shameless Season 2 Episode 3 - I'll Light a Candle for You Every Day
    7.0/10(22 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. Shameless Season 2 Episode 5 - Father's Day
    7.0/10(19 votes)

    #25 - Father's Day

    S2:E5

    Frank tries to claim Eddie's insurance benefits and pension, despite being a prime suspect in his death; Fiona attends a ritzy wedding with Richard and lies about her background; Lip is devastated by Karen's rejection; Carl rents Frank's room to a hooker.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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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 4.5/10 based on 18 votes. Directed by Satya Bhabha and written by Philip Buiser, it aired on 3/7/2021. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "DNR".