Shameless: Season 3, Episode 12 “Survival of the Fittest” (A-)
This emotional finale was full of major life cycle developments for each one of the characters. It was heartbreaking to see Fiona continually call Steve to leave him angry messages, only to finish off on a more apologetic, melancholy note. Not seeing his ultimate fate forces that relationship to end with a sense of dread, and particular tragedy that his final gift for Fiona would be delivered without the important addendum that he was incapacitated and hadn’t left by choice. Confident that she was no longer going to Michigan, however, Fiona did seize on a major opportunity and made a great impression, which secures her continued future as the breadwinner for a household that may be two children down. Both Debs and Carl had the chance to grow up in this episode, with Debs telling Fiona off for treating her like a child only some of the time and Carl shaving his father’s head. Watching Frank and Lip bond was unexpectedly intoxicating, cut short by the brutal sight of Frank coughing up a troubling amount of blood after Lip vomited everything he had taken in during their free lunch. It looks like Lip might actually go to MIT after all, while Ian ships out to the army despite Mickey’s surprising plea for him to stay. I’m glad that Kev managed to convince Veronica that it wasn’t worth it to be angry at her mother for continuing their twisted tryst after she was already pregnant, and that process is sure to bring even more craziness in the future. This season has reached new lows and highs, and it’s been a terrific ride. I eagerly await next January for this show’s fourth season.
Season grade: A-
Season MVP: William H. Macy as Frank
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