What I’m Watching: Shameless

Shameless: Season 3, Episodes 7 and 8 “A Long Way From Home” and “Where There’s a Will” (B+)

A custody battle between Frank and Fiona is not something I would have ever expected, but it’s still quite enthralling to watch. It’s magnificent to see the Gallagher family spring into action to make sure all the pieces are functioning, and it’s reassuring to see them break free of their current unfortunate situations. Carl did a great job of discouraging his guardians from keeping him and Liam, and Debbie made a daring prison break to escape from her predicament. Hearing Carl and Debs testify somewhat on Frank’s behalf was interesting, but nothing beat Fiona’s tales of his deadbeat nature. The biggest problem turned out to be Cousin Patrick, played by Brent Sexton, currently making the TV tour after his guest appearance this past week on “Justified.” Carl listing the symptoms of rat poison was fantastic, and Patrick really is a terrible nemesis, even besting the Milkovich brothers. Debs’ performance did the trick in the end, and it’s good to know that the Gallagher family isn’t going anywhere. Karen’s return is a big deal, and Mandy is not going to go down without an angry, violent fight. Sheila’s latest cause is horribly ill-advised, and she’s far too out of tune with the world to realize just how poorly it’s going to work out. Steve meeting his med school friends was an interesting development, and I wonder how he’ll be able to continue his new barista job after realizing where he could have been in life. The Veronica/Kev/Carol baby-making situation is getting out of control, and let’s hope their marriage doesn’t suffer as a result. Christian Clemenson is the perfect actor to play Frank’s new roommate Christopher, who may not be a serial killer but is definitely peculiar.