#Shameless meta

[sam-loves-seb]

whatever you do don’t think about mickey in 4x12 up and dressed and ready for the day, excited to go get lunch with his fucking boyfriend because he can just do that now, because he’s allowed to exist with a boyfriend now, because everyone fucking knows and he doesn’t have to hide any part of himself anymore and he doesn’t care if there’s blood still drying on his nose from his father, he’s fucking free

but whatever you do don’t think about this mickey, happy and smiley and ready to go out into the world with his boyfriend, with this boy he maybe loves, with this boy he can’t fucking live without, and all he wants to do is go out in chicago and show him off to anyone who dares to cross their path today

don’t think about mickey, dressed and smiling and ready to brave this big new world for himself, only to find out that his usually too-hyper boyfriend won’t get out of bed. and it’s not like mickey thinks something is wrong, per se, at least not yet, but fine, whatever, ian doesn’t want to get up so he’ll go brave this big new world by his fucking self. he’s a little less confident, a little less excited to do it by himself, but whatever.

don’t think about mickey, not even in the ballpark of worried about ian being sick yet, just mickey thinking that his boyfriend doesn’t want to go out into the world with him. not never, just not today. and that’s fine. it’s fine. mickey is fine.

mickey is free, so mickey is fine.

and maybe it stings a little, showing up at the alibi alone the day after he tells everyone within earshot that he’s gay. the day after he made it very clear who he’s been fucking, and it’s not his wife. maybe his breath speeds up a little as he walks through the door, no one on his heels to back him up should things go badly. maybe it hurts deep in his chest, but it’s fine because his split lip and his bloodied knuckles still hurt more, and he chooses to focus on the cost of true freedom rather than the cost of free will

he’ll meet up with ian later, do so some other shit, probably, maybe, but for now he’ll face the local lowlifes at the bar on his own because he’s fine. he’s always been fine alone. this should be no different.

whatever you do, just don’t think about it.

[redwiccanrobin]

This hug wasn’t in the script. In the script, it was only written for Debbie and Lip to embrace Ian. Not Mickey. But, Noel just pulled Cameron in. Cameron just went with it and hugged him back.

This kiss wasn’t scripted. It was just meant to be a simple embrace. Cameron just made the decision to pull Noel closer and give a soft kiss to his head. And Noel just let it happen, didn’t react to it.

I love these moments. They’re tender, soft, loving. It also shows this level of trust and how comfortable Noel and Cameron were with each other. Sometimes they understood the characters better than the writers did. I think some of the reason that Gallavich works so much is that it’s Cameron and Noel. They’re great actors and they developed this chemistry that you could feel while watching. They put in care, they loved portraying these two and their love story. And that’s an amazing thing.

[octoberscigarettes]

soemtimes I wish someone who isnt a romantic partner would have cared for Ian enough. like ofc mickey cares immensely and I don't wanna discredit the good he does for Ian. But there are so many things in Ian's life where he needed care and love and reassurance from someone he is not romantically involved with.

being groomed from a young age, and nobody cared enough to see what's going on with kash, and when lip did, he did nothing. when Fiona and Jimmy Steve found out Ian was sleeping with Ned, nobody cared enough about Ian to help him. Instead it was all about Jimmy Steve and his man baby feelings about his dad being queer.

when Ian was crying about the aftermath of s3ep6 and s3ep9, Frank was heading a gay rights movement purely for his own gain, while Ian's siblings feasted on a gift basket sent to their house. Nobody wondered where Ian was, so he was sobbing in his bed, alone.

when Ian ran away to the army, his entire family just accepted it, the fucking Milkoviches were more worried about Ian than his own family.

when in s6 Ian doesnt know what to do with himself, nobody cares enough to show him that his life isnt over bc of his diagnosis. nobody cares enough to tell Ian that he still has options, that he can survive.

when Ian is heartbroken, nobody cares enough about it to tell him anything but "good riddance".

when Ian has a crisis of faith and loses himself in religion and mania, nobody cares about him enough to talk to him until its to late. nobody sees him enough to know if he is taking his meds.

In the Gallagher household Ian doesn't exist. Fiona and Lip are bonding and supporting each other (no matter how angry and misguided sometimes) in their role as the eldest. Debbie and Carl are looking out for each other, and Fiona and Lip always have an eye on them bc they're younger. Liam gets raised by everyone. But Ian just kind of floats around in the void, and while they all may love him, they don't notice him.

Lip and Ian are close, but they aren't caring for each other properly.

As long as Ian contributes to the squirrel fund and doesnt make a fuss, they dont see him.

And once his mental state gets bad they all sit around wondering why they didnt catch it sooner. But they never look.

I just wish that someone would see Ian Gallagher.

[lyricailove]

Does it ever hit you that because of Frank and Monica's emotional detachment, all of the Gallagher's seek out affection from romantic partners? But like to an almost obsessive degree.

Fiona's is obvious. She's hypersexual and falls in love easily. She will downplay her issues with Frank as something she's grown used to, but it's clear that it still affects her. She also does the same when it comes to Monica but I feel like her hostility towards other women comes from how she doesn't trust Monica, doesn't really trust herself, and sees those insecurities on other women. Ex: Her treatment of Mandy and distrust of her around Lip.

Lip is a classic case of a man dealing with his mommy issues by making it every woman's problem. He's hostile towards his romantic partners when they want a real commitment from him and he talks to women with so much disrespect that it's a wonder someone hasn't stomped his ass out yet. He's especially harsh towards his own sisters even though they've been the one's who have been there for him. He may hate Frank but he's noticeably giving and extremely forgiving towards men, even those he's only known for a short while. Almost like the story about the turtle was just as much about him hoping that he could fix Frank as it was about Frank crushing his hopes of a real father figure.

Ian being groomed is in no way his fault and is the fault of the creeps who pursued him. But I can't ignore the fact that Frank's abuse and neglect opened him up the further abuse he suffered at the hands of Kash and Ned. It's no coincidence that both Kash and Ned shower Ian with gifts and compliments about how impressive, smart, and mature he is.

Debbie 1. deals with comphet in the first few seasons, and 2. Feels ignored by her family so she tries to create her own family. Debbie is visibly the one most affected by Frank's issues and even when she for all intents and purposes gives up on him, it still affects her. Frank's hurtful words about her only finding love with someone "just as fucked up as she is" pushes her to put consider a dangerous situation with Heidi. She's also someone who struggles with control issues because she needs to help other people. She's a problem solver by nature. It's just that the two problems she wishes she could solve more than anything are out of her hands (Frank and Monica). She can't fix Frank's addiction, his selfishness, or his abusive tendencies. She can't fix Monica's wanderlust, her avoidance, or her aversion to long-term commitment.

Carl is so good at masking his emotions. It's easy to miss. But then you notice things like his attachment to Fiona, his absolute devotion to the girls he likes, and his need to protect. Carl is hypersexual, even though I've seen it rarely brought up in fandom, and longs for a long-term girlfriend. When he does get girlfriends he's all in from the beginning. When Carl loves someone he is all about them. He's so casual when it comes to talking about Frank and Monica, but that doesn't mean those feelings aren't there and they aren't affecting him.

Liam is still young so we don't get to see him in a relationship. He's the one Gallagher who's consistently treated like an actual kid. Probably the one who has the best chance at healthy emotional attachments. But then again, Fiona leaving most likely did a number on him and we weren't privy to what that looks like for him because the latter seasons forgot how to do long-term storytelling and emotional payoff. All we know is that he doesn't remember Monica, Frank being gone makes him an orphan and he's worried about where he's gonna live because Lip forgot that Liam was technically under Frank's care. We didn't get to see it, but I'd say Liam's first emotional crash is probably on the horizon.

[kandyzee]

I am both a mickey and Monica fan but this comparison doesn't hit the way they want it to.

Mickeys situation is much different. He was put in prison and yev went to live with his mother. Leaving yevgeny wasn't something he planned rather it was something he allowed to happen when the opportunity presented itself. Given that he was forced into making him, never truly consented to becoming a father and would likely not have been able to separate yev from his trauma leaving yev was the best thing for everyone and he was within his right to choose that. I also wanna mention that he was still getting money for svet while he was in prison and only gave up rights when svetlana had a job, home and would be able to support herself and yev.

First monica has six children, not 1, and we don't know how they were all conceived. We are told she's forced into keeping fiona and Carl, but other than that rape is hardly even alluded to in relationship to the others. ( I'm not saying it's not a valid assumption, but it's not definitely the case like with mickey.) So straight away Monica's impact is greater, meaning she's obviously gonna get more criticism.

Second, monica comes and goes. She didn't just leave she gave her children false hope time and time again. If she had fiona and never came back, u could say she's like mickey, but she didn't. The effect that has on children is completely different from basically never having a dad to begin with. With yev, he was so small. He didn't have time to create a strong bond with his dad, so when he lost him, the loss wasn't as bad. Monica is the complete opposite. She showers her children with love, seemingly building that parental relationship just to pull it away.

Okay next, mickey leaves yev with Svetlana and monica leaves them with Frank(and later fiona.) Leaving ur child with a woman you know is ridiculously capable and has a good thing going is not the same as leaving multiple kids with a hardly functioning alcoholic druggie. Not only does she leave them with Frank she continues to leave them even when she knows fiona(a children to young woman) is the person really looking after them. Svetlana is not physically abusive Frank is. Svetlana is not an alcoholic or addicted to drugs. She has a job and overall is a responsible adult.

Okay I think the last thing I wanna talk about is how this creator says monica is a "deadbeat" where as mickey "abandoned and neglected". Yes I know technically they are practically the same thing but the choice of language definitely makes monica seem better. If anything I think the two descriptions should be switched. Monica is abusive, as much as I love her character the way she treats her kids emotionally is abusive.

I don't want to overly defend mickeys parenting because it was not perfect but he never did anything to purposely hurt yev or do something that will have a life time effect on him(other than leaving ofc.) You can not say the same for Monica. I think the best way to get my point across is just to list things monica did to her kids that mickey didn't.

Took her underage child to a gay club and told him to sleep with grown men.

Slit her wrists at thanksgiving.

Drugged two of her children.

Physically fighting her kids dad in front of them.

Comes back into their life and says she wants to take her youngest child.

I know lots of what monica does isn't intentional, and Frank is to blame for a lot of her actions. That doesn't feel needed to get into, tho. Monica is in an abusive relationship, whereas mickey doesn't, and that makes her motivations different.

Anyway, mickey will never be as bad of a parent as monica. Their situations are not comparable.

[firecrxtch]

I like to think that the reason Mickey has a little extra weight on him in season 5 compared to the earlier seasons is that he is so focused on looking after Ian that he doesn't really work out like he used to. He has a boyfriend now, officially put a label on it and everything, so now instead of working out Mickey goes to the pharmacy to get all the fucking B's or he spends the day in bed with Ian when his brain and body is betraying him or he brings home a box of those donuts he knows Ian can't resist when he hasn't really been eating for a few days

[m4ndysk4nkovich]

question, have you written anything about ian's avoidant attachment?? i just dont really see anyone mention it even though its a big part of his character

i’ve said things about it off and on but i’ve never really talked about it in depth, but i’ve been wanting to post more so i’m gonna take this as an opportunity to:)

i do think it’s strange that nobody talks about it because as you said, it is SUCH a big and important part of his character. even in season one minor things like him running upstairs when people tried to help him with his broken nose or bigger things like running away from the chaos at home to go see mickey. the way fiona acted when he left also indicates it’s a common occurrence. ian always runs away. we even hear stories about him running away as a kid, specifically from his foster home with carl (there was probably abuse going on, but still, he runs away from conflict frequently and later on we see he can’t commit).

a lot of ian and mickey’s relationship early on wasn’t like how it ended up being, where ian runs. instead it was mickey always running, and we all know why- fear. i think he was trying so hard to keep mickey because he really was in love with him but also because he was so used to being left or being treated like garbage, and he didn’t want that. then obviously, season three he leaves, and the mania contributes for sure but i definitely think a big part of it is again, his tendency to run away. fiona even says, “he’ll be back when he’s back” (which i hated), but again it kind of proves he runs a lot. this time he just ran further and didn’t return for months.

anyway, ian’s avoidant attachment becomes more prevalent around the season five break up, which i could talk about for days because i feel like ian’s perspective isn’t talked about as often. but one of the reasons that he leaves is because they love each other and he doesn’t want mickey to be stuck with him, he can’t commit to this and he doesn’t want to drag mickey down with him. after this we see his struggles with commitment more often, visiting mickey in prison is a pretty good example, which is also something i’ll never really hate ian for. he tells svetlana that he doesn’t want to go because he’s done with that part of his life, he wants to leave everything behind him. when mickey shows him that he tattooed ian on his chest and asks him to wait years for him, it’s a big commitment, which ian is afraid of. he even states in season ten his parents contributed to this fear. he’s never known much about commitment, his parents could never commit to him, the men he fucked never commited to him, and mickey did, but it scares ian away.

season seven is pretty obvious, also. trevor wants a relationship and that also scares him away, and there were definitely other levels to it, but i’ve always viewed his hesitance for another relationship as a part of that. trevor wants commitment, ian isn’t good at that; and it shows when he runs off with mickey (after saying he’s staying and won’t do that). when ian and mickey talk while stargazing the night before mickey goes over the border, i could tell ian wasn’t going to go with him. mickey asks if ian ever thought of him, and ian says he did, but his demeanor to me always still seemed anxious. he realizes this is a big decision, and while he’s already made a lot of big commitments doing this whole thing with mickey, i feel like that’s when he realized. mickey’s leaving behind nothing, but ian’s leaving behind everything. his family, his job, trevor, probably even his stability. i don’t think i even need to talk about him leaving mickey at the border, because again, it was unsurprising and caused by fear and fear only. love was never a factor, and i think mickey must’ve known that.

there’s other examples within the next two seasons, like how he grieved, him hiding from the cops and running away after dyeing his hair black, but it’s always the most obvious when he’s in a relationship with mickey, because their attachment styles contradict each other. knowing he’s getting released on parole was a big thing, because to me, it was apparent he didn’t want to leave but also couldn’t wait to. his whole thing with mickey where he screams “i wanna be where you are!” and mickey responds with, “you don’t get to be.” was a big thing and showed a change in ian’s relationship with attachment. he was willing to throw his whole parole for mickey. it was growth. the marriage license is a whole other thing.

10x08/10x09 are pretty important episodes to me looking at it from ian’s perspective. he does love mickey and that should never be questioned, in fact, it irritates me when people imply he doesn’t, but he was afraid. the way his hand hovered over the paper was fear, and in 10x09 it all goes back to 5x12. ian’s bipolar, he doesn’t want mickey stuck with him. i think in the courthouse he did a good job of explaining why he didn’t want that. frank and monica had so many weddings and he’s watched so much shit go down, and he’s no stranger to being compared to monica. in season nine he states he doesn’t know who he is anymore, and i feel like he’s struggled with that for a while. he ends up marrying mickey, but there was so much trauma and fear he had to push past to do so. he asks mickey how he knows that he wants to spend the rest of his life with ian and everything that comes with ian, and obviously mickey is fine with all of that, he loves ian, but ian isn’t sure. like i said, he’s been left so many times and he’s seen what his disorder did to his mother, he’s seen frank and monica’s relationship, and he’s scared. debbie even tells him this. that’s why i felt like his whole promise thing made sense, it symbolized commitment, he tells mickey he can commit, but mickey doesn’t buy it (and i don’t blame him). he learns he has to marry mickey, he has to commit, he has to say vows. and he does, and the whole monogamy conversation further proves he’s still learning and trying to overcome everything.

i dont know if i even answered that question or not and just rambled, lol, but i tried😭😭

[elhopper1sm]

TW: Mentions of grooming

Everyone always talks about how Ian contributed to Mickey's character development but never vice versa. Like I truly believe had it not been for Mickey Ian may have accepted grooming or predatory relationships well into his twenties or beyond. Think about the show from Ian's perspective. We learn pretty early on he's the black sheep of the family. Comparisons being made to Monica the most hated member of the family and is closeted. Ian originally tends to hang out with or get with other older closeted men who've probably reinforced his their own internalized homophobia onto him. The Gallaghers are also social outcasts of the neighborhood so finding someone who could put up with his family antics and his own low self esteem. Ian was clinging to people who would show him love or appreciation even if it wasn't quality and he didn't really think he could have more. Then comes Mickey someone who is more destitute than him and of a lower social strata and the brother of his best friend. There are experiences of his life Mickey will understand and won't judge him for. Also Mickey adores Ian. He sees him as basically one of if not the best person ever. Mickey cares deeply about Ian and it's obvious. Even when he's trying to hide it. Maybe that's why in the earlier seasons he feels so quick to sort of mess with Mickey's feelings to see if he loves him it's confirmation that Mickey does love him and he needs that. Notice how after spending time with Mickey he isn't as likely to go to the people who are likely to hurt him. Mickey even keeps him from getting harmed making him feel like he deserves more than that. One of the reasons I believe Ian broke up with Mickey towards the end of season 5 is because he actually feels like he's not good enough for Mickey. Like he'll corrupt him or taint him. Which makes sense why he feels this way. One because when he was in a depressive state while making that decision. And two he was because he's constantly compared to Monica accused of corrupting Frank. Once he breaks up with Mickey he tries to join or listen in on the LGBTQ+ club at Lip's college and see if he'll fit in there. He's trying to find people who make him feel valuable and like he deserves more the way Mickey did. Even up to Season 10 he's still doubting whether or not it will work with Mickey but not because of who Mickey is but because of who he is and what's wrong with him. Which is also why I think Ian pressure Mickey to move to the West Side with him. I think in Ian's brain or own strange logic because Mickey gave him the courage to think he deserved more he thinks but getting him and Mickey into a nice apartment or better upgraded living situation that's his way of letting Mickey know he can and will and deserves to have better. Again a foolish decision to change the area where you and your partner live without asking them but I truly believe. It was because he thought it was his way of letting Mickey know he deserved better.

[darlingian]

Mickey in 7x10 at the docks

Mickey walks up self assured. Ian is there. This is all going to plan. He's confident. He's happy. He's ribbing with Ian about going to prison for him. It reads rehearsed to me. The whole meeting reads as something you think of when you have nothing to do. Like Mickey wondered what he would say to Ian, and where to meet "for real" after sussing out if he could still trust him. (1, 2)

So when Ian says "I have a boyfriend." it's the first time Mickey is unsure. Look at his anxious tells!!:

the step back. wide eyes. the nervous lip bite. scratching his eyebrow and face with his thumb. turning away to hold back. Ian mentions a boyfriend and immediately his insecurity flairs. Thinks of when he was his boyfriend. How Ian had really moved on while he was in there. He hadn't waited. He knew Ian had lied that day, but he still got Ian to say it. He's been clinging to that hope. Probably thrilled when he found a way back to him sooner than the end of his sentence. So Ian comes, like Mickey knew he would. He came and he looks healthy and he called him Mick. Mickey doesn't understand why they're not just getting to the fucking part. Because he knows he missed that part, knows Ian had to have. (3) "I have a boyfriend." and suddenly Ian isn't his yet. This isn't a celebratory fuck like he'd hoped. This is now Mickey convincing Ian, reminding Ian. Reminding him what they had together. Doing it in the way Mickey knows the two of them have never had trouble with. Sex. (footnotes after the read more.)

Bringing Ian to the bleachers is such an emotional manipulation! lmao Mickey knew what he was doing with that move. but also the fact that his hitman cellmate is right there like backup in case Ian snitched. Mickey's so smart guys.

Mickey thoughts: so it's gotta be somewhere neutral and quiet. and somewhere I can make an entrance. And i'm gonna walk up and say-- no wait, i'll walk up and kiss him. And then we'll probably have sex. And then I'll bring up going to prison for him... naturally. I really don't think Mickey had a contingency for anything other than Ian's following him at that stage. Mickey thinks he has Ian in the bag. Ian's there.

I've often wondered how quickly he started thinking about escape. Did he expect to keep taking jobs from Svet for however long he had to, so she'd bring Ian? Did he think Ian would be fine, and Ian had broken up with him, and he was still visiting, sooo... but then Ian didn't look better like he looked better last time. Ian didn't come back to him this time. No one else sees Ian like Mickey does. I think Mickey knows it. Saw it. Mickey notices. And Mickey does something he's good at. Finding Ian. This time he just had more physical obstacles than usual.

[marvelling-at-marvel-blog]

I find Trevor from shameless the most frustrating characther.

When he first introduced, I really liked him, the way he could really help Ian explore life outside of his southside world and more of the LGBT world was interesting. And I love the actor who plays him, but his character just did not work, and I know why. It was bad writing. (Also, I have to admit I didn't feel the chemistry between the actors, even if they were both playing their roles well.)

Now, first off, I think that Shameless really dropped the ball in writing new characters after season 5 or 6. Especially love interests. In the early seasons, all the Gallagher's interests were people outside of their relationship with a Gallagher. Love or hate them. I could tell you plenty about them, and they interacted and had storylines outside of their love interest.

I mean, think of Karen, Jimmy, Mandy, Shelia, Mickey and even Svetlana.l. They were all interesting outside of just being a love interest, and they all had personality and backgrounds. I really think Shameless lost that in their later seasons writing.

See Kelly, Trevor, Tammi, Caleb, Ford and Cassidy for example. It felt like they purely existed to only further thier LIs storyline. Even the writing of Mickey, when he returned as a main character, wasn't as in-depth as it was in either early seasons.l and just seemed to be more to drive storyline and comedy than in-charachter for him

So, back to Trevor. I wanted to like him, and I did for his first few episodes, but his writing frustrates me so complelty. I think as a person who also works in social services, his actions and contradictions make no sense. So in the episode that Mickey comes back when Ian goes to see him, he is really busy because his trying to place a kid. And when he thinks if he can't, he says he may have to just let them crash on his couch. Which pinged me as completely inappropriate as a social services worker as you can never have a child just say on your couch like that as you are crossing so many professional boundaries and as he rightfullylayer says can give the wrond ide. But in S8, when Ian has that girl stay over, he (rightfully) tells Ian that is completely inappropriate and then gets really mad at him for it, which just made him annoyingly hypocritical.

He is apparently working with at risk youth and abused kids, yet he tells Ian that Monica is trying and to give her another chance as Ian is being unfair to her, that he is being to hard in her. Crazy. I could not think of a single person in this job who would have that attitude towards neglectful or problematic parents. Because anyone in this job would know setting boundaries is healthy and that anyones trauma is thiers to feel how they feel about. Same with the way he treats Ian's grief after losing Monica. When he takes him to the place with the chubby guys, they lost me completely.

Then we have the idea that Ian was clearly sprialing later in S8 and going off his meds, but Trevor seems unaware even though anyone could see it let alone someone with any kind of training.

His writing is just so bad and seems literally to be only to serve Ian's storyline and screw his character development outside of that. Especially in S8. Then he doesn't even appear at Ian's court preceding and just disappears

I think he could have been good for Ian. And I think with the lack of chemistry I felt between them maybe they should have just been friends after the whole cheating thing. And maybe it's the fact that Cameron's chemistry is off the charts with Noel that made it really feel like he had none with Caleb or Trevor but that doesn't make up for bad writing. I get that writing a new post-Mickey love interest is hard after how much fans love him, but the writers can only blame themselves for that too as the never wrote a good ending storyline for a loved charcther they though was leaving for good at end of S5.

Shameless really lost a lot for me when they stopped writing their supporting character as interesting people outside of their relationship.

Trevor is my example charcther of that. That actor deserved better.

[abetterdaaye]

Rewatching S4E12 (again) and I realize that Mickey is trying out pet names for Ian. It’s like he’s trying on terms of endearment, seeing what feels right, both emotionally and in his mouth. Like he’s trying to see which one will make Ian do that giggle or look at him that way.

They’re finally publicly together after years of furtive glances, clandestine link ups, and feigned disinterest (🙄), Mickey is launching into this new experience in what is, to me, a distinctive Mickey way. He “re-names” folks: From the girls at the rub-and-tug (Nanook of the North) to Kev (Steven Seagal [I’ll come back to this at some point]) to Debbie (Peppermint Patty) to his favorite ginger, Ian.

Mickey obviously loves nicknaming Ian, which may or may not have always been a sign of his interest/affection. We first hear him nickname Ian before we see them share the any dialogue, calling him Firecrotch while threatening to beat him up for what he did(n’t do) to Mandy. Later he tosses around a few nicknames that can totally seem innocent if anyone hears him use them (like tough guy). But this morning (afternoon) after he comes out, he’s just tossing out random nicknames which are contextual but also unreasonably adorable and off-the-cuff. (Please also note that him trying to wake Ian up so they can go get a dog after arranging for his sister the babysit Yev is very little-domestic-bitches coded 😍🥲)

Cinderella. Sleepy-face. Mumbles. He’s got an adorable look of contentment and amusement on his face while gauging how Ian responds, eventually realizing he’s getting no responses which then leads him into concern. Y’all have seen the scene. Mickey asks Ian if he’s feeling sick, tries to get a peek at his face (that he’d caressed tenderly when he first got up that morning), and is confused and frustrated when he can’t coax Ian to even agree to let him bring him back food. (Canonically, I feel like we see Ian enthusiastically eating pretty frequently and Mickey’s desire to care for Ian ALWAYS manages to shines through so this being the point Mickey got annoyed made sense to me). He leaves in a bit of a huff and the scene ends.

As a rewatch, this scene has a lot going on because we know that there’s so much to come in their story. Even knowing that this particular moment of happiness is a flash in the proverbial pan, I appreciate seeing this first peek of Mickey entering his devoted boyfriend era.

[tequilaasquared]

God the fact that we were meant to fully take Fiona’s side during her whole ‘independent Fiona’ phase in s7 pisses me off. Asking the family that she CHOSE to become legal guardian of to put her at the bottom of their emergency contact lists, (underneath a couple with small children and a business who was unrelated to them, and their bipolar brother who had a super high pressure and high responsibility job) was completely unfair and irresponsible frankly. And doing it after she’d been called to Ian’s work as his emergency contact because he was clearly dealing with hypomania and his colleagues were concerned just felt like an extra twist of the knife. But I understood her reasoning to an extent.

But threatening to make her underage sister and her baby niece homeless because she was still pissed a traumatised 14 year old decided having a baby was the only way to become a part of a stable family environment? That was just plain cruel. Fiona didn’t have to be happy or agree with Debbie, and was well within her right to let Debbie know her disappointment and frustration, but she was still her legal guardian and she knew better! She was an adult and Debbie was a child being threatened with homelessness by the woman that raised her. Demanding Debbie get a job and getting her the application and Debbie following through and going to the interview, only for Fiona to actively sabotage it bringing Franny mid way through her interview was cruel and so unFiona like. Fiona was a grown ass 27 year old and should’ve sat Debbie down to communicate with her. I get that Debbie could be petulant and argumentative but she was a literal child! Fiona should’ve put her foot down and demand Debbie discuss with her how best to organise balancing work with childcare instead of offering zero support. She also lived with 3 brothers old enough to babysit Franny from time to time whilst Debbie worked. One of the overarching themes of Shameless was how the Gallaghers literally raised each other because their parents were awful human beings and you’re telling me Franny’s uncles couldn’t look after her for a few hours a week? It frustrates the shit out of me that the narrative successively villainised a young, impressionable girl because she made stupid decisions, influenced by grooming and the toxicity of her home life and her friends. And her following through with the decision to have a baby was further cemented by her sister’s cruel ultimatum and her only actual support at the time coming from her narcissistic, opportunistic father who used her vulnerability for his own gain.

Fiona was let down and emotionally neglected by Monica and she participated in that cycle of abuse with her pettiness towards Debbie. And I say that as someone whose favourite character for most of Shameless’ run was Fiona.

[swiftfootedachilles]

i NEED everybody to understand that the monogamy conversation was not ooc and the reason why mickey was so nervous is because he wanted to just do whatever ian wanted to do, but his autistic ass couldnt read ians body language to tell what ian wanted. its why he evades answering the question. its why he gets nervous when ian wants to write their answers down on paper. it has nothing to do with him wanting to fuck other people and everything to do with him knowing hes been an asshole lately and didnt wanna fight he just wanted to go along with whatever ian decided because he knew it'll be the right decision

[lupeloto]

a mickey milkovich + physical affection in s11 meta/analysis

Mickey Milkovich went from flinching away any time Ian tried to touch him in a non-sexual setting to accepting physical acts of love and affection even when it’s difficult for him to do so. andddd i wanna talk about it when it is most difficult and why!

I do think that the writers did an good job at portraying the difference in the moments in which he would accept the physical touch with a smile and when it was more difficult for him to do so. (ps me saying that the writers did like anything good in s11 is a rare occurrence)

Season four is when we really begin to see the beginning of that shift into accepting it from Ian. Season five we see that he has gotten more comfortable in receiving as well as giving, especially in times of distress regarding Ian. The next time we see them as a fully functioning couple, there are definitely times in which Mickey was hesitant to accept it but only in times when he felt vulnerable and exposed.

I am going to focus on the later season here as that is when we see Mickey begin to actually address the situation with his father. For example, 11x12 when he had just revealed a genuine fear of his that branches from the abuse he faced in childhood, he flinches at/recoils at Ian’s attempt to comfort him. However, later in the episode, he accepts these joyful acts of affection from Ian because it is something he is no longer ashamed of. He does not shy away from physical affection when it comes from a place of being open and in love with Ian anymore at this point in his life.

I think that this shows that although Mickey has become comfortable and unapologetic in his sexual identity, he has not made those strides in other areas of his life. He still feels this grave shame regarding his father and the abuse he faced. He thinks it makes him weak and has trouble admitting that it is something that has impacted him to this day. Although, Ian obviously sees straight through this facade.

It is also shown in 11x06 when Mickey accepts help from Ian in getting Terry up the steps. Ian stops him, holding his head and reassuring that he is nothing like Terry. Mickey struggles to even look Ian in the eye at this time, the vulnerability so overwhelming. It is so interesting how tends to resent any affection during times regarding that part of his life that he has never fully healed from. It is also incredible to see how Ian knows exactly how to deal with him in those situations. He knows what Mickey needs, offering small acts of affection in those times until the finale. It is as if Ian was holding in this urge to embrace him, so he finally gives in and forces Mickey into the hug, knowing it is what he needed once Mickey stops resisting almost immediately.

anyways, I think that mickey milkovich has done such a long way in accepting love from ian and being proud of who he is in that way. and i also think that he still had such a long way to come in terms of healing those others parts of himself and ian will be there the whole time and im so proud of him and he’s so proud of him. anddd enjoy these pics of them being happy and in love!

[kandyzee]

We don't talk about how Frank bringing monica back into the kids' lives was likely a purposeful manipulation tactic. He often uses the fact that monica comes and goes as a way to one up in arguments. They hate monica more because "at least Frank stuck around."

Monica had every right to leave imo, Frank forced her to keep fiona and literally hand cuffed her to the bed to stop her from aborting Carl. If monica had left and never came back no one would hate her nearly as much ( u can imagine it as she stayed up till liams born or that she just stops coming back for liam my point it still the same.) It's because she comes back and messes things up again and again that adds salt to the wound. Every time she leaves again, it pushes the kids closer to Frank.

Frank seeks validation in being a father. Making sure he's the favourite parent, disregarding fiona, is a good way to get that. He brings her back when he's feeling insecure

[wrinkly-fucking-qtip]

“I kind of earned my space or whatever... just don't move your shit is all I'm saying.”

If I think about this scene longer than a minute I might just fucking McLoose it. You can count with half a finger the amount of times Ian has asked for help. You can count with two hands the amount of times Ian has avoided asking for help.

"Name a single time I've let you down."

I have always loved the Lip and Ian dynamic because of how perfectly flawed it is. There's a lot of comparison between Lip, Ian, Monica, and Frank, so let me raise you this situation. Remember how in s2 Monica wanted to do better by signing herself for more days at the psychward? Trying to get her psyche under control but Frank wanted to keep enabling her in the wrong ways? Telling her that she's alright, she doesn't need the help? Well, how about Ian reaching out to his brother for a helping hand, because he is feeling overwhelmed, needing help now more than ever, and Lip just basically denies him the help... in a somewhat patronizing way?

So it's like, two people that for different reasons, and different circumstances, are seeking that help or support, and the other person who claims to care outright attempts against it? Monica always did what she wanted, never really accepting her illness and ignoring the repercussions of it, and the effects it has on her family. And the few times she tried, Frank always intervened in heinous ways. Ian has been going through a difficult time, and the one time he asks for help, it is denied because his brother, who has claimed to never let him down, achieved a status, something that inflates his already overgrown ego. Nevermind that this is his brother, and he is visibly depressed.

Ian had goals of his own, always on the lookout to achieve. Lip didn't care about that for a while, and practically forced himself to care, only to throw it all away. And I'm sure he didn't outwardly intend for it to come across as that, but it did. Ian wanted to make something out of his life, but shit hit the roof and he didn't. And I'm glad he found a job as an EMT, he really needed that job. And he worked hard for it, he earned it. Lip fucked it all up.

This is not a Lip hate post though, he's in my top 5 favorite characters, I love that mother fucker, and I hate him as well, and his high moral that only pretends to give him BDE.

But yeah. Ian needed support. And I know that each of the Gallaghers had their own shit going on this season, I know, but there is already a recurring theme of Ian being entirely dismissed by his siblings, except for Debbie in s4 and her attempts to help him in s5. She did more than was expected of Fiona to do in those seasons, given that she is the legal guardian and all.

I am also not hating on Fiona, she is a fantastic character and stepped up for her family obviously. But by stepping up at such a young age with a lack of tools to maneuver herself through this chaos, good parenting is unobtainable.

It hurts me to see that he reached this point. All he ever fucking needed was support. S6 Ian, you have my heart and soul, and I wish you weren't hurting as much.