Shameless Series Finale Review: Father Frank, Full of Grace (Season 11 Episode 12)
After ten years and 11 seasons, fans say goodbye with Shameless Season 11 Episode 12, “Father Frank, Full of Grace.”
For a show that hasn’t always been consistent, the finale is a beautiful homage to who the Gallaghers are and what this show is all about. It utilizes a mix of flashback scenes and open-ended storytelling to show life ending and life continuing.
For the character of Frank, his time has finally come to a close, not that his family shows much care. While it may seem like the wrong way to go having him die alone in the hospital, it is actually the most poetic ending for him.
At this point, his actions have alienated his family from him, and when he disappears their thoughts move on to what is going on in their lives. It’s perfect that the only one concerned for him is Liam, because he is the only one who is still actively trying to have a relationship with Frank.
The nurse who stands at his bedside as he takes his last breath is the only remaining person who cares enough to show him the kindness of compassion as he dies. Frank flashing back to how his kids were in the Shameless series premiere is a beautiful moment of clarity for him and nostalgic for the viewers.
Without saying anything it shows that Frank is thinking of his children as he passes on. The only thing about his death sequence that is maybe a bit over the top is that he floats over the bar with a beer in his hand as he does the final voiceover and the episode comes to a close.
It would have been enough to have his ghost be sitting in the bar as they all filed out and Liam looks back, smiles, and follows his family out to the street. No need to slowly float his body up toward heaven as he looks down to his family. It’s completely unnecessary for the voiceover.
Shameless also does a fantastic job of setting up what each character’s future is going to be. We are left with an open-ending for each of them allowing their lives to continue beyond the end of the show.
The most interesting one is definitely going to be Carl. I personally really hope he decides to buy the Alibi with his cop friend.
He could leave the force but still be a part of it by making the bar a cop bar. Sure, he is enjoying his time nailing it to the rich as a parking officer, but he’s not going to be fully satisfied.
Carl has always been a character who has little direction and no ambition, but this potential future for him makes more sense to his character development than being a cop ever did.
Lip has had so many setbacks this season it is nice to see him engage his mind with technology for the first time in a very long time. This could mean that he will finally remember his beginnings and just how smart he really is.
Lip and Tami deserve a more stable life than Lip’s Zippy Zebra job can provide. If Lip can open his mind to the possibility of there being more options for him, they won’t have to worry about adding another child to their family.
The only future that is disappointing is Debbie’s. But then again, she has been on a path of destruction this season. Having her continue that into the future makes complete sense.
I just wish that Franny wasn’t being dragged into Debbie’s destructive decisions. The Gallaghers all went through it with their mom Monica, and now Franny is going to know that life because her mom is following Monica’s footsteps.
It’s like Frank says in his voiceover, Debbie got all the best of her mother, which isn’t a good thing. Hopefully, Debbie will make the wise decision and leave Franny with one of her siblings before she goes galavanting off to El Paso with her latest lover.
Finally, the party at the Alibi is a subtle way for the writers to rewrite Ian and Mickey’s history. The last time they both were at a party at the Alibi was for Yevgeny’s Christening.
Mickey gave a speech at that celebration in which he comes out to his abusive, homophobic father because Ian threatened to leave him. It’s not the best memory for them because Terry then proceeded to beat the crap out of them both. Not to mention they weren’t able to freely love each other back then.
So, for Mickey to plan their first wedding anniversary at the bar is beautiful and erases all those bad memories they have of celebrations together. Shameless Season 10 and Season 11 have been all about Ian and Mickey reclaiming their lives and their love for themselves.
It’s been a wonderful journey full of heart and love like only these characters deserve.
Ian saying that he loves Mickey with such conviction drives home that their futures are no longer uncertain or bleak in any way. They have moved into a place by themselves and they have survived the first year of marriage despite all odds.
Shameless’ final scene where they surround a burning car and sing is reminiscent of the end of the pilot episode, which just drives the full-circle moment that much more. The Gallaghers are all moving up in the world and it’s beautiful to see.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.
One thought on “Shameless Series Finale Review: Father Frank, Full of Grace (Season 11 Episode 12)”
Did you watch the full series or just the finale? It was NOT a beautiful homage. it was a sexist, cruel episode. Did you catch Frank fails to mention his granddaughter & eldest daughter in his goodbye note? And, the only child he makes mean remarks in the farewell note is Debbie, who at age 19 has a stable job, nice child and manages her dysfunctional brothers. William H Macy should be ashamed.