MovieChat Forums > Shameless (2011) Discussion > My thoughts on the season 9 premier...

My thoughts on the season 9 premier...

posted 6 years ago by CinemaDemon989 (1286)
13 replies | jump to latest

I hate to say it, but this show has gone downhill. I was skeptical on how this series was going to turn out with a new extended story-line, outside of the original one. Obviously, giving the writers an opportunity to come up with new material just isn't working. I didn't notice any major changes in the whole tone of the show at first...but now I do. The show went downhill in a slow subtle kind of way. Last season was bad enough, and this season doesn't seem to be on a good start. I hate to bash Shameless, seeing that it's undoubtedly been the best series on Showtime since 2011 and has been quite entertaining to watch...but the overall plot doesn't seem to have any direction. Since last season, the show has entered into some really goofy plots. Debbie becomes a welder? Ian becoming some sort of political activist? Fiona dating some random weird Irish guy? I don't know...maybe it's just me. But I'm just not buying into these scenarios anymore. The whole show seems to be so goofy and unrealistic at times. Compared to the earlier seasons, Shameless just isn't the same anymore. And now that Emmy Rossum has decided to leave the show, I really don't see how it can go on any longer. Without Fiona in the picture, the show will never be the same. Whether you like Fiona's character or not, she's the glue that keeps the plot together. That would be like Nancy from Weeds or Dexter Morgan suddenly not being the lead characters. It simply wouldn't make sense. But hey, Shameless has had a good run. It's sad to see the series coming to an end. But I think it's time...

[–] TinaKimo (892) 6 years ago

LOL, I have yet to finish last season!!! Shameful on me as I love this show, but that's how boring it was last year.

[–] Mister Babadook (2685) 6 years ago

Eh i think the show can go on without Fiona, shes not as crucial to the show as say Dexter was to Dexter cause the show was called Dexter lol. Fiona usually has her own separate storyline going on away from her siblings anyways, so its not like if you take her out the whole show falls apart.

But i do agree about the show becoming too goofy, the earlier seasons did have a much realer grittiness to them, it was funny and had some goofy scenarios but it also had that raw serious undertone with it, like Fiona crying and breaking down cause Frank was passed out in the floor and she hated her life. Or like when social services took the kids, or when Monica tried to kill herself, or when Fiona was crying and begging her mom to get up when she was laying in bed depressed.

The show used to have a really good balance of humor and seriousness, now it seems like its just 100% goofy/funny and not serious at all.

[–] modica (4169) 6 years ago

Season 4 was the best and if it continued in that vein then the show would have stayed good. The first show of this season is an indication that the writers are just out of good stories and ideas. Too bad the show couldn't end on a high note. Sad that the goofy parts will dominate until the show is finished.

[–] Mister Babadook (2685) 6 years ago

Season 4's finale was so good, with Frank and Carl out by the ocean and Frank takes a drink and yells at god that he's alive, that and Exitmusic's The Cold playing, man that scene was so powerful and poetic.

I feel like this show has no more scenes like that left in it, none of thier finales comes close to being as good as that last scene in season 4 imo.

[–] modica (4169) 6 years ago

I was thinking of that final scene from season 4. That would have been a powerful way to end the show, but instead we are watching a bunch of nonsense on our screens. Some say just don't watch it, but I have gone through this journey with these characters and as bad as it is, it is hard to let go.

[–] Mister Babadook (2685) 6 years ago

Yeah you feel like you gotta see it through after following it this long. And yeah Season 4's final scene would have been a perfect way to end the show, and it would have went out on a high note.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 6 years ago

I agree. Seeing that Shameless started out as such a promising show, it's difficult for me to simply 'stop watching it'. The characters have become such familiar faces. What I always liked (or at least used to like) about Shameless, is that it focused on topics that could be related to every day life. It was a real change of pace compared to other shows on Showtime. I mean, sure, there have always been far-fetched and over the top situations in Shameless from time-to-time; but overall, it was entertaining and kept the viewer wanting to see more. But now, the show has totally flipped the script. Ridiculous writing, ridiculous situations, ridiculous scenarios, and dull character development. Shameless reminds of how I felt about the show Weeds. It started out promising and then went downhill. That seems almost inevitable for all good shows. But with that being said...I'll continue to watch it. I might as well at this point into the series. Such a shame though.

[–] modica (4169) 6 years ago

Weeds is a perfect examples of how a show hits the skids. Both start out great and then suddenly everything goes south. I haven't stopped watching yet, but seeing how bad the show is I just might. These shows seem to go on long past their expiration dates. Season 4 was the perfect ending. The show got worse after that.

[–] TracesOfLove (37) 6 years ago

Yeah I feel the same. I was looking forward to the premiere and then I remembered how lame it was.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 6 years ago

I am glad that the clumsy Everyman preachiness seems to be gone; at least, I hope that it is. I have always thought that the alleged Dramedy format program was a dimwitted idea. I am glad that Svetlana is gone. I see nothing at all that is goofy about Fiona’s new boyfriend. He seems to be a rock of good sense. If Fiona bails Ian out, it’s a forgone conclusion that he won’t show up for his hearing.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 6 years ago

Well, I'm gonna have to disagree with you about Fiona's Irish boyfriend. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those Shameless fans who wants Steve to return. But seriously, the Irish guy is so unfitting for the show. But I agree with you about Fiona bailing out Ian. My prediction: Ian won't show up to the hearing, Fiona will cry and feel let down; and the moral of the story will be that Fiona cares too much, even for people who probably don't deserve it. Something like that anyways.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 6 years ago

Yeah, Irish Guy does not fit in with the show, because he’s a good, productive person with a level head. We agree that he is a dissonant chord in a three-penny opera; but I hope that means that, no matter how improbable it may be, Shameless, clearly in the end papers of its tenure, will take a turn toward hope and joy and success and health and maturity. What a magnificent finale THAT would be, wouldn’t it? Maybe not for all. The title is, after all, Shameless. But for me, and for those of us who enjoy poking a sharp stick into the eye of jaundice and cynical expectation, a resounding YES! It would/will be! For Fiona to discover—and through her example—her siblings—that they are not damned to repeat the path of their toxic parents, that they can set their own course, that they can follow in the footsteps of the Samurai who did not like the palm-reading they received and draw their Samurai sword and cut NEW lines into their hand? THAT would be a FANTASTIC series finale. And thank you for agreeing about Ian. I respect him greatly for his integrity, by the way. I am just fed up with Gallagher family culture fucking each and every member of the family—except for Liam, who seems to have broken free. God love him. Hmm . . . Liam. Irish name. Level-headed Irish boyfriend for Fiona. Can Fiona be far behind?

Not for nothing, I think that you are a very good addition to MC, CinemaDemon. We need more posters who discuss actual entertainment issues in a reasoned and respectful manner.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 6 years ago

Well...I was wrong about Ian. I guess I can write off that scenario. Lol