Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)

"Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)" is the twelfth episode and season finale of the fifth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It originally aired on Showtime on April 5, 2015.

"Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)"
Shameless episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 12
Directed byChristopher Chulack
Written byJohn Wells
Produced byPrincess O'Mahoney
Cinematography byKevin McKnight
Editing byKevin D. Ross
Original release dateApril 5, 2015 (2015-04-05)
Running time59 minutes
Guest appearances

The series is set on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, and depicts the poor, dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher, a neglectful single father of six: Fiona, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam. He spends his days drunk, high, or in search of money, while his children need to learn to take care of themselves. In the episode, Frank spends time with Bianca in Costa Rica, while Ian leaves with Monica. The episode marked the final appearance of Emily Bergl in the series.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.55 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received positive reviews from critics, who considered a satisfying closure to the season.

Plot

Frank (William H. Macy) and Bianca (Bojana Novakovic) are enjoying a vacation in Costa Rica. Despite Bianca's enthusiasm, her health continues worsening. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) and Monica (Chloe Webb) have been hitchhiking, although Ian is confused over how Monica gets to earn money for their expenses.

While Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is content with his relationship with Helene (Sasha Alexander), Amanda (Nichole Sakura) makes it clear she dislikes it and grows upset when Lip abandons her for other activities, believing him to dump her for Helene. Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) go to the doctor, where Kevin has himself checked for any pontential STD. While he is not diagnosed with anything, Veronica is taken aback when Kevin reveals he slept with more than 20 college students during their break-up. Carol (Vanessa Bell Calloway) suggests Veronica should role play as a schoolgirl to get Kevin's attention, but Kevin is uninterested. As they argue, the babies start crying, but Kevin surprises Veronica by staying with her, reconciling.

Fiona (Emmy Rossum) is shocked when she walks into Debbie (Emma Kenney) and Derek (Luca Oriel) having sex. When Debbie suggests she might be pregnant, Fiona scolds her as she might ruin her life, telling her they will abort the baby. With Gus (Steve Kazee) back from his tour, Fiona still decides to seduce Sean (Dermot Mulroney), but he dismisses her advances. When Fiona shares her problems with Gus, it is clear neither Gus nor Fiona are interested in their marriage. The following day, Fiona finds that Gus left her apartment, and his bandmate asks her to end her relationship for the sake of Gus. Fiona later goes with Sean, admitting her feelings for him, but Sean only tells her to grow up.

Monica takes Ian to the trailer home of her boyfriend Walter (Ryan Dorsey), who takes a dislike on Ian. Ian discovers that Monica has been selling methamphetamine, with Walter acting as the cook. Monica defends her actions, claiming this can give them the happy life they deserve. Fed up with Lip's actions, Amanda slaps him and breaks up with him. Back in Costa Rica, Frank buys a gun when Bianca asks him, but is alarmed when she plays Russian roulette. Bianca thanks him for making her happy. The following morning, she leaves a note for Frank and takes off her clothes before swimming to the ocean, presumably drowning. A desperate Frank tries to find her, but eventually realizes what she did.

Ian returns to Chicago and calls Mickey (Noel Fisher) to meet him at his house. Ian makes it clear he will not use his meds, and then breaks up with Mickey, feeling he will not truly love him for what he is now. Suddenly, Sammi (Emily Bergl) arrives and starts shooting at Mickey for trying to kill her. Their chase goes through the neighborhood until police cruisers arrive. As Ian and Lip discuss the recent events, Frank is shown arriving home. At a juvenile prison, Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) and Chuckie (Kellen Michael) get into a fight with their respective gangs.

Production

The episode was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It was Wells' 11th writing credit, and Chulack's fourth directing credit.[1]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)" was seen by an estimated 1.55 million household viewers with a 0.7 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.7 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode.[2] This was a 8% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 1.43 million household viewers with a 0.6 in the 18–49 demographics.[3]

Critical reviews

"Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)" received positive reviews from critics. Joshua Alston of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "John Wells wrote the finale, as is customary for each season with the exception of the third, and it follows the loping rhythm of Wells’ previous finales, full of suspense-free cliffhangers and the wiping of slates in preparation for the season to come."[4]

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote "Because of the time needed to get rid of Sheila and JimmySteve, and as usual to figure out a Frank storyline that existed largely apart from the rest of the family, this was something of a transition year, for both the show and the family – Fiona adjusting to life on probation, Ian battling both his illness and the side effects of its treatment, Debbie trying to embrace her sexuality too soon, Kev and Vee struggling with new parenthood – but one with the kind of highs (particularly anything to do with Ian and Mickey) we know the series is capable of."[5]

Marc Snetiker of Entertainment Weekly wrote "And so Fiona is alone, wondering whether she's a good person as she finds herself back at home, watching Sammi chase Mickey with a gun."[6] Allyson Johnson of The Young Folks gave the episode a 7.5 out of 10 rating and wrote "There is a big sense of everything being reset to the status quo in the season five finale of Shameless. Nothing big happens, people shift in the roles they've dug themselves, and the Gallaghers regroup, pick up the pieces and start another day anew. Such is a day in their life."[7]

David Crow of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Watching a finale like this, we all probably feel as confused and chagrined as that wayward Gallagher patriarch, thunderstruck by the odd beauty (or humor) in this ugly side of life. And like Frank's tragedy, it can remain Shameless fans' own little secret."[8] Whitney Evans of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.8 star rating out of 5, and wrote, "To me, nothing beats Shameless Season 4. It felt the most complete and I really felt like everyone elevated their performances and the stories were incredible. So if that's the holy grail season, I'd have to rate this season just a notch below that, but not by much."[9]

References
  1. "Shameless - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  2. Kondolojy, Amanda (April 7, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: MLB Baseball & 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' Top Night + 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Mad Men' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  3. Bibel, Sara (March 31, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Tops Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Going Clear', 'Killing Jesus' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  4. Alston, Joshua (April 6, 2015). "Shameless: "Love Songs (In The Key Of Gallagher)"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  5. Sepinwall, Alan (April 5, 2015). "Season finale review: 'Shameless' – 'Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)'". HitFix. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  6. Snetiker, Marc (April 6, 2015). "'Shameless' recap: 'Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  7. Johnson, Allyson (April 6, 2015). "TV Review: Shameless (5×12), "Love Songs (In The Key of Gallagher)"". The Young Folks. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  8. Crow, David (April 6, 2015). "Shameless Season 5 Finale Review: Love Songs (in the Key of Gallagher)". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  9. Evans, Whitney (April 5, 2015). "Shameless Season 5 Episode 12 Review: Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)". TV Fanatic. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
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