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Frank tells Carl his liver has “finally given up.” “No more alcohol. Just drugs — whatever you can get me.” Carl tries to find drugs and a liver transplant for Frank. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Aug 1, 2015 - 0 comments

At the beginning of season 4, Debbie is a surly teenager, Lip is starting college, Fiona and Mike are adjusting to their new relationship, V finds out she’s pregnant, and Ian is missed. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Jul 9, 2015 - 3 comments

After Frank collapses in his jail cell, he wakes up in a hospital bed and thinks he’s in Heaven. A doctor tells him he’s not dead, but he will be soon unless he stops drinking. Meanwhile, Fiona leaves a dramatic series of messages for Jimmy … [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Apr 6, 2015 - 2 comments

The Department of Family Services (DFS) puts Fiona’s siblings in foster care. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Mar 15, 2015 - 1 comment

The city plans to do some sewer work in the Gallaghers’ backyard soon, so Frank and his kids need to dig up Aunt Ginger first. Fiona tells Frank his motivation: “You buried a body and you stole from the federal government — you will never get out of prison.” But Fiona also realizes that any of them could them could be charged as accomplices. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Mar 13, 2015 - 2 comments

Kevin’s estranged wife, Cheryl, and her son, Kyle, are staying at Kev and V’s house. V doesn’t believe that Cheryl showed up because her car broke down. Kevin: “What do you think, she broke her car on purpose?” V: “I think she broke you on purpose … and I put you back together, and now she’s here to take back what I fixed.” Kevin is preparing divorce papers, but forgets about them when Cheryl says Kyle might be his. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Mar 5, 2015 - 0 comments

Frank is stuck in Mexico without a passport. Debbie is the only one who seems to care that Frank has been missing for 137 days. She’s made a shrine to him with a bottle of Old Style beer. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Feb 28, 2015 - 2 comments

Monica discovers her kids’ “squirrel fund” and uses it to buy drugs, a car, and toys. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Feb 20, 2015 - 2 comments

Monica and Frank are back together — the first time we get to see what they’re like as a couple. Fiona walks in on them having sex in the kitchen, and scolds them for the inappropriate location (hypocritically — see the pilot). Fiona puts her mom on birth control because “the world doesn’t need another Gallagher.” [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Feb 18, 2015 - 0 comments

Frank’s mom, Peggy, is staying at the Gallaghers’ house. Peggy to Carl: “Anything you’re good at? How about let’s teach you a skill” — starting a meth lab. Jasmine has a boat party, and invites both Steve and Fiona. Steve, who still doesn’t see why it’s such a big deal whether he’s named Steve or Jimmy, tells Fiona to “just say the word” and he’ll leave his wife. Fiona: “The fact that you would do that, means that we can never be together.” [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Feb 14, 2015 - 0 comments

Frank learns that one of the former regulars at the bar, Dottie, a.k.a “Butterface,” doesn’t have long to live unless she gets a heart transplant. Frank keeps stopping by her house, being uncharacteristically nice about helping her out. [more inside]
posted by John Cohen on Jan 20, 2015 - 3 comments