Will Shameless’ Season 10 Be Worth Your Time?

Shameless is an American comedy-drama television series developed by John Wells. It is based on the British series of the same name by Paul Abbott and debuted on Showtime in January, 2011.

The tenth season of the immensely popular show was announced on January 31, 2019, two days after the premiere of season 9’s last episode. The season premiered on November 10, 2019.

Wedding bells were ringing during Shameless’ Season 10 finale as Ian and Mickey finally tied the knot after a long and tumultuous journey. But how did they get there? Read on to find out.

1. Quick Review

The tenth season of this darkly comedic series sees Kevin and V get engaged, while Lip falls off the wagon after a huge fight with Tami. Although she was planning to move out, she eventually comes around to Lip’s plan to fix up a house in Chicago.

Carl returns home from the military, not knowing what to do. Debbie takes on Rossum’s role as matriarch, and Ian and Mickey’s love blooms into a wedding at the end of the season.

2. Info

3. Is It Worth Watching?

Season 10 is a shell of its former self. Most of the storylines have been done before, and some of the characters have become excruciating to watch. The more tedious plots from season 9 appear to be back as well.

Shameless Season 10 Trailer (HD)

Emily Rossum’s exit from the series should have allowed its plot-lines to evolve and take some risks. However, season 10 feels like the series is trudging on without knowing where it’s going.

Debbie’s character feels like a missed opportunity because she was slowly morphing into Rossum. To be fair, however, her character has been going round in circles for the better part of the last five seasons.

Carl’s story-line feels frustratingly familiar as well. It is essentially a replay of season 9, with minor differences. Carl is regarded as one of the show’s best characters; it’s a real shame that his character hasn’t been developed.

The character of Lip becoming a father is one of the strongest arcs of season 10. In a twist of fate, he finds himself thrown into fatherhood. Although he has cared for his siblings, his reaction feels very different towards the newborn.

With little character development and recycled story-lines, the series has undoubtedly come to a jerky, screeching halt. Or perhaps not; a season 11, albeit delayed by the pandemic, is reportedly in the works.

I. Plot

The tenth season of Shameless picks up six months after last season’s finale.

Debbie, emboldened by the $50,000 left to her by Fiona, has stepped in as the new matriarch. She rules over the Gallagher household with an iron fist. Lip navigates his relationship with a newly affectionate Tami.

Frank uses his leg injury to collect as many prescription drugs as possible. His exploits lead him to an old friend he may not have wanted to meet.

Carl has to decide what to do with his life as he finishes military school and heads back to the South side. Ian and Mickey struggle to keep the romance alive in prison, single cell with a public toilet and all.

Liam is committed to learning more about black history and culture under the tutelage of V. Kev faces an identity crisis and learns to properly channel his anxiety.

II. Music and Visuals

The theme song for Shameless is The Luck You Got by indie rock group The High Strung. A majority of the music featured is the product of indie rock bands. This was introduced by music director Anne Kline.

Kline is an experienced music supervisor and attorney with film and television credits. This includes some of the most successful and prestigious television series, such as Suicide Kings, ER, West Wing, The Good Doctor, and Shameless.

Season 10 of the series is no different. It sees a soundtrack packed with indie songs by performers such as Floral Fauna, Mother Sun, The Ginger Faye Bakers, Chair Model and War.

Songs include Lovesick, Time to Time, Black Man in a White World, Police the Police and Homebound. 

Since the series is a dark comedy, there are plenty of visual gags throughout the show. Shameless’ season ten also provides amusing visuals for the sake of comedic relief, as well as heartwarming ones in the case of the newborn, Lip and Carl.

4. Grade

5. Final Thoughts

Season 10 will go down as an experimental season of Shameless. It is riddled with salvaged storytelling, identity crises, and the pain of growing apart. This season finale finds a reassuring amount of focus with Ian and Mickey’s upcoming wedding.

Rather than double down on the sentiment of Rossum’s exit, Shameless’ tenth season seemed more interested in putting characters on their own separate journeys. At least the season’s last episode succeeds in holding together a much-awaited finale.