Can I Have a Mother
| "Can I Have a Mother" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 6 |
| Directed by | John Dahl |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | Michael Hissrich |
| Cinematography by | Rodney Charters |
| Editing by | Kelley Dixon |
| Production code | 2J5956 |
| Original release date | February 12, 2012 |
| Running time | 53 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Can I Have a Mother" is the sixth episode of the second season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 18th overall episode of the series and was written by main cast member William H. Macy and Steven Schachter, and directed by John Dahl. It originally aired on Showtime on February 12, 2012.
The series is set on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, and depicts the poor, dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher, a neglectful single father of six: Fiona, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam. He spends his days drunk, high, or in search of money, while his children need to learn to take care of themselves. In the episode, Frank is dismayed upon learning his mother has been released from prison, while Karen and Jody prepare for their wedding party.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.44 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, although critics praised the focus on Frank's relationship with his mother.
Plot[edit]
Frank's mother, Peggy "Grammy" Gallagher (Louise Fletcher), is released from prison on medical furlough. She has Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) break a wall in the bathroom, where she retrieves money and a gun she hid before being sent to prison. She then pays Carl and Debbie (Emma Kenney) for their silence.
Fiona (Emmy Rossum) is surprised when Steve (Justin Chatwin) reveals he is married to a Brazilian woman, Estefania (Stephanie Fantauzzi). They decide to go on a double date, with Fiona bringing Adam (James Wolk) along. Both Fiona and Steve head to the bathroom, where Steve reveals he married Estefania to pay off a debt he owed towards Estefania's father Nando, a mafia mob leader. As they argue, they kiss and almost have sex before stopping. When they return, Adam correctly deduces they had an encounter and angrily walks off. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) starts ignoring Lip (Jeremy Allen White), with the family believing that it was because Ian insulted Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins).
Frank (William H. Macy) is shocked to discover his mother in the bar, and she asks him to help him in retrieving money. While taking a stop with Sheila (Joan Cusack), Peggy insults her, prompting Sheila to kick Peggy out of the house. Frank then accompanies Peggy into meeting Dr. Noah Pitts (Rob Benedict), his partner-in-crime who abandoned her to the police. Peggy wants $200,000 she is owed, and gives him one day to retrieve it. Peggy then confides in Frank that she plans to kidnap Noah children as a collateral. Frank secretly meets with Noah, asking him to pay him forward to avoid risking the lives of his children. Noah is only able to give him $50,000, but threatens to call the police if they contact him. Peggy is angry that Frank reduced her demands, and stabs him in the leg when he keeps some of the money for himself.
At a wedding party for Karen and Jody (Zach McGowan), a drunk Lip shows up despite not being invited. Sheila, overwhelmed by the large crowd of people, mixes her medication with alcohol. When Peggy insults Sheila, the latter goes on a drunken tirade, finally calling out Peggy for her actions. This prompts Peggy to aim her gun at her, only to be stopped by Steve. Following the incident, Lip talks with Karen over her baby, and they seemingly reconcile. However, Lip states that he wants her to get an abortion, causing a furious Karen to slap him. After finding out that Clyde had died, Ethel (Madison Davenport) packs her bags and secretly runs away with Malik, horrifying Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton). They also discover that they stole Kevin's marijuana, using it to get cash and leave the city. Seeing Steve back, Debbie finally reveals his real identity as Jimmy to Fiona.
Frank is disappointed to learn that Eddie gave his insurance money to Karen, and he lashes out at Jody. Sheila, finally seeing Frank's true colors, kicks him out of her house. He is forced to return home, where Peggy has found out that she has been cashing Aunt Ginger's checks, and she explains she will stay for some time. This causes Frank to go on an angry tirade, blaming her for his life. Peggy is not affected by his words, claiming he was always a loser from birth. Seeing this, Fiona joins Frank outside to comfort him.
Production[edit]
The episode was written by main cast member William H. Macy and Steven Schachter, and directed by John Dahl. It was Macy's first writing credit, Schachter's first writing credit, and Dahl's second directing credit.[1]
Reception[edit]
Viewers[edit]
In its original American broadcast, "Can I Have a Mother" was seen by an estimated 1.44 million household viewers with a 0.8 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.8 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode.[2] This was a 42 percent increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 1.01 million household viewers with a 0.5 in the 18–49 demographics.[3]
Critical reviews[edit]
"Can I Have a Mother" received mixed reviews from critics. Joshua Alston of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "C–" grade and wrote, "what an uneven season of Shameless this is shaping up to me. Honestly, what better adjective can describe a season of television that careens so wildly from nearly great to totally inessential? I really dug "Father's Day," and I was hoping for some continued momentum. But "Can I Have A Mother" represents the opposite of momentum. It is, at the very least, a speed bump."[4]
Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "“Can I Have a Mother” was co-written by William H. Macy. I have no idea if Macy pays any reaction at all to reviews of this show (most, but not all, of which single Frank out as the show's weakest link) and wanted this script to do some damage control and make Frank more sympathetic, but it certainly worked out that way."[5]
Tim Basham of Paste gave the episode a 8.3 out of 10 and wrote, "To live up to its reputation as fresh and inventive, Shameless continuously brings in new characters and new subplots. The downside is having to be patient while these multiple stories develop."[6] Kevin Fitzpatrick of TV Overmind wrote, "‘Can I Have a Mother’ isn't quite as rife with humor as some other Shameless episodes we're used to, but sets up enough for the second half of a season to be a very strong outing."[7]
Leigh Raines of TV Fanatic gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Grammy certainly doesn't hold anything back. She brought out the worst and, coincidentally, best in Sheila Jackson. Joan Cusack went balls to the wall with that wedding toast and it was phenomenal. I'd say it's the best we've ever seen her character."[8] Kelsea Stahler of Hollywood.com wrote, "The sixth episode of Shameless' sophomore season proves one thing: it's all our parents' faults."[9]
Accolades[edit]
For the episode, Joan Cusack received a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards.[10] She would lose to Martha Plimpton for The Good Wife.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ "Shameless - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (February 14, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Starts Big + Grammys Red Carpet, 'Ax Men', 'Pawn Stars,' 'Shameless,' 'House Of Lies' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (February 7, 2012). "Cable Ratings: ESPN Post Game Coverage Leads Quiet Super Bowl Sunday + 'Shameless,' 'Californication' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Alston, Joshua (February 12, 2012). "Shameless: "Can I Have a Mother"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (February 12, 2012). "'Shameless' – 'Can I Have a Mother': I learned it from watching you!". HitFix. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Basham, Tim (February 13, 2012). "Shameless: "Can I Have a Mother" (Episode 2.06)". Paste. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (February 13, 2012). "Shameless 2.06 "Can I Have A Mother" Review – Granny Goodness!". TV Overmind. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Raines, Leigh (February 13, 2012). "Shameless Review: The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree". TV Fanatic. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Stahler, Kelsea (August 6, 2014). "'Shameless' Recap: Can I Have a Mother?". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "Emmy Episode Submissions 2011-2012". Gold Derby. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Bell, Carrie (September 16, 2012). "On the scene at the Creative Arts Emmys: Triple-digit heat and hours of awards". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
