It's Party Time at the Gallaghers! Review: Shameless - "Hurricane Monica" @SHO_Kareem @SHO_Shameless

Review: Shameless, S2, E9 – “Hurricane Monica”

Air Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

: Fiona and Debbie can’t believe Monica is back

So Peg (Louise Fletcher) dies and Frank (William H. Macy) moves Monica (Chloe Webb), the kids’ mom, into the Gallagher household? What’s up with that? No one likes her and they can’t believe Frank does this. Don’t they have enough to deal with without having an unwanted mother constantly underfoot disrupting their routine? I’m shocked that Frank feels the need to have Monica around and I’m not sure what her real reason is for staying. I know she says she wants to make up for missed time but honestly, do you believe that? Nah, me neither.

Observations and highlights:

Monica goes around kissing and hugging the younger Gallaghers like she actually cares when we know she doesn’t. Her fake oohing and aahing over Debbie (Emma Kenney), Liam (Blake Alexander/Brennan Kane Johnson) (“my little brown bear”) and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) practically turns my stomach. The Valley girl expression, “Gag me with a spoon,” comes to mind. But I think Fiona (Emily Rossum) is taking it the hardest.

It's Party Time at the Gallaghers! Review: Shameless - "Hurricane Monica" @SHO_Kareem @SHO_Shameless 2

Carl doesn't like Monica's touchy-feely approach

I get the reference to the episode’s title, “Hurricane Monica,” when Fiona tells Frank, “It’s like I’m watching a hurricane head for shore.” Monica is definitely the good-time mom while Fiona has to be the bad guy, always trying to enforce the rules. The two of them remind me of divorced parents—usually mom (in this case, Fiona) is the disciplinarian while dad (Monica) is the fun parent, giving the kids too much candy, ignoring bed time rules, and never making the kids do their homework. In “Hurricane Monica,” it’s more about partying and having a good time. I understand how angry and useless Fiona must feel. One way or another, Monica eventually works her magic on all the kids, including Fiona and Ian (Cameron Monaghan) who exhibits absolutely no respect for his previously absent mother.

It's Party Time at the Gallaghers! Review: Shameless - "Hurricane Monica" @SHO_Kareem @SHO_Shameless 3

Monica and Frank about to get it on, as Fiona predicts

Karen’s (Laura Slade Wiggins) a real piece of work. After everything Lip (Jeremy Allen White) has done for her, she wants to charge him rent for staying at her place. It’s unbelievable the lengths to which this girl will go! She has absolutely no conscience and could care less about anyone other than herself. She’s all about the money as evidenced by what she says during her and Lip’s meeting with a couple who want to adopt her unborn baby. “Two cars! You guys are flush!”

I don’t know who is more ridiculous—Jody (Zach McGowan) or Sheila. Jody hangs around Sheila’s on the off chance Karen will take him back. Not happening, dude! Sheila keeps him around because…well, to tell the truth, I don’t know why. What’s really laughable is they don’t think Karen knows Jody’s been visiting with Sheila when, in actuality, she does but could care less. I’m still getting an uncomfortable vibe from these two – but all I’ll say at this point is what I yelled at my TV screen: “I knew it; I knew it!”

It's Party Time at the Gallaghers! Review: Shameless - "Hurricane Monica" @SHO_Kareem @SHO_Shameless 4

The Gallaghers are nothing if not supportive of each other. Here, they cheer Carl on in his football game.

I find it funny that Jody and Sheila hear strange noises and Sheila thinks it’s because Eddie’s spirit inhabites the house. Cusack is pure comedic genius in “Hurricane Monica.” She gives me a total laugh-out-loud, side splitting, gut busting moment when she comes down the stairs in the middle of the night, holding a flashlight and a Dustbuster™. I don’t want to reveal anymore than that because I want you to have the full experience of this scene.

Memorable lines:

Ian to Mandy (Emma Greenwell) about Karen: “See, Karen’s like cancer. You know, you kill it in one spot and it pops up in another.”

***

Frank: “You had Monica for years before she took her little sabbatical. Give Debbie some mommy time.”

Fiona: “Why am I always the one compromising?”

***

Frank questions Jody about who got Peg’s cash: “What? Mail it? Where? To who?”

Jody: “Whom…To whom.”

Frank: “To whom the fuck did she mail the fucking money!?”

***

Karen to Lip when he wants to tell Steve (Justin Chatwin) what he found out: “What’s in it for you if you do?”

Lip: “Well, it’s not about me.”

Karen: “Exactly. If there’s no money involved, don’t get other people’s shit on your shoes.”

***

The end of “Hurricane Monica” reveals a surprise when Terry Milkovich (Dennis Cockrum), Mandy’s dad, comes storming in the Gallagher household and begins beating on Ian. Seems Mandy’s pregnant and he thinks Ian is the dad. Of course, we all know that’s not possible so the question is: Who is Mandy’s baby daddy?

“Hurricane Monica” is a very entertaining episode that deals with a more serious topic. It gives us a good look at how kids view their parents. Somehow, it doesn’t seem to matter how bad a parent is, or how lacking when it comes to the parenting gene. Kids always end up forgiving their parents because basically, they just want to be loved. And certainly, the Gallaghers are no different. Watching Monica work her charm on each and every one of the Gallaghers is like watching a magician in Las Vegas. You can’t believe your eyes yet somehow, the trick always works. I’m going to feel sorry for the Gallaghers when Monica decides to blow out of town—you know that’s going to happen, and poor Fiona will be left to pick up the pieces. After all, she’s the responsible one, right?

Tune in to Shameless, Sunday nights at 9:00 pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!