Shameless: Season 9 Finale- Emmy Rossum's Departure

Fiona (Emmy Rossum) packs her bags as she prepares to leave her home.

 

 
     I was able to watch the season nine finale of Showtime's Shameless earlier in the day for some strange reason. I am not sure why. I have been able to watch this whole season a day before it premiered on television, which is super convenient for me because The Walking Dead has been on at the same time. So, thank you Showtime for releasing the episodes early. I guess I am a special viewer or something? I don't know. It will always be a mystery to me. Ok. Back to what I was writing about. The Shameless season nine finale. If you read one of my previous blogs, I really went in on the recent seasons of Shameless, particularly this one. I have hated the direction the writers have been taking us for the past three seasons, and this season took the cake; however, the past few episodes have been decent including this one. I have mainly positive opinions on Emmy Rossum's departure, but there  is one small detractor.

     Aspects of the episode I liked (not including the main plot of Emmy Rossum departing from the cast) were Ethan Cutkosky's acting when he says he will always be a loser. I never saw Carl's character get that upset about something before, let alone being upset with himself. Plus, another positive was him screaming in Debbie's face. I hate Debbie, but you all already know that and probably agree with me. I really liked the scene where Liam is asking permission to live at his friends' house while his family ignores him. That was a funny little scene even though that whole storyline just felt odd to me. The last thing I liked about the finale was when Fiona visited Ian in prison. Maybe it was a little too soon to see him again especially since he left not too long ago, but that's okay. I appreciated Ian being the one to get Fiona to leave Chicago and start a new life for herself. It was a great scene, and I am really excited to have Cameron Monaghan return next season.

     Let's discuss the aspects of the episode I did not like such as Debbie and Carl vandalizing Kelly's car. There really was not a need for that considering Kelly didn't really do anything to them to warrant that type of behavior. Typical Debbie. Ugh. This whole storyline with Debbie and Carl trying to win over Kelly has been exhausting to watch. So boring. Kelly has not been intriguing to me this whole season. I could not care less for her. Speaking of people I could not care less for, let's talk about Tami. Honestly, Tami might be one of the worst characters I have ever witnessed in television history. The way she treats people around her is truly awful. Lip has been nothing but kind to her and all she does in return is bitch and moan. I feel like the producers tried to get the audience to understand why she is the way she is because she ended up with the BRCA gene. Uh, yea no. Just because you are carrying a disease that is very serious, does not give you a reason to act like a brat and an ass to everyone. I'm sorry, it doesn't. I have known so many people that have had serious diseases, but instead of being negative about it, they turn it into a positive and live their life to the fullest. Tami did and does not. Lip needs to run away from her next season, but he won't considering now she is going to have the baby. Tami, please be written off the show next season. Thanks.

Fiona (Emmy Rossum) makes her decision to leave Chicago.

Ok. Let's get to the main story of the episode. Fiona Gallagher's departure. Is it me or should they have focused on her more? She is and was the heart of this show. Every action she made or her family made impacted her and how she dealt with it. They made this feel like a side plot, even though it was intended to be the main plot. That is my detractor from her departure. I'll let it slide though, because I actually think the writers did an average job in the way they handled it, and in today's Shameless seasons, average translates to above average. I wish all the siblings could have properly said goodbye to Fiona, but what are you gonna do? Fiona did what was best for her. She could not take the time to say goodbye because she knew she would not end up leaving. I loved how the writers handled Frank saying goodbye to her. At first, I thought we would get shitty writing where Frank would get really emotional and say how sorry he was to see her go and to just shower her with compliments on how she raised his kids, but I am glad they went the opposite approach. Yes, we saw Frank get a little emotional. You could see the tears in his eyes, but of course he did not show Fiona that he was sad. He also did thank Fiona, but he really did not at the same time. He said she only really "helped out" rather than doing everything. It was very in character for Frank to be a complete douche, so I have to give an A+ to the writers on that one. The ending scene with Fiona boarding the plane was also a nice touch the episode. Both Fiona and the little girl that sits next to her have never been on an airplane before. The little girl compares to the grown Fiona in that they are both inexperienced with life beyond what is in front of them, but they both will finally find out. Again, good job writers. Never thought I would give the writers so much praise on a recent Shameless episode.

     Emmy Rossum leaving is a major lose to the show. I do not think the show can afford a hug blow especially with ratings and quality declining. Fiona was the heart of the show, and there is going to be a major void in the next season. Hopefully next season is its last, so the audience does not have to experience that void of a missing Fiona. Emmy, you killed it on this show! I hated what they did to your character for the recent episodes, and I am glad they fixed you up before you departed. We will miss you and I hope you do not stay away from the show a long time!

     Thank you for reading my Shameless season finale blog. What did you think of the finale and Fiona's departure? Leave a comment! Thank you!