Ep 1. Shameless: I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing

In season 6 episode 1 of Shameless, titled "I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing," we find the Gallagher family in various stages of chaos and turmoil. The episode opens with Frank waking up in Mexico after taking a cocktail of drugs and alcohol, having no memory of how he got there. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, the rest of the family is dealing with their own problems.

Debbie has just given birth to a baby girl and is struggling to come to terms with the reality of motherhood. She's getting little support from her siblings, who are all wrapped up in their own dramas. Ian is dealing with the aftermath of his bipolar disorder diagnosis and is facing financial trouble, as he's been unable to work. Lip is trying to balance his studies at college with his responsibilities as the family's breadwinner, while Carl is facing a possible stint in juvenile detention.

As the episode unfolds, we see the various Gallagher siblings trying to navigate their way through their respective problems. They're all dealing with their own demons, but they're also coming together as a family to support each other. We see them bickering and arguing, but we also see moments of tenderness and love.

As always, the show doesn't shy away from the gritty reality of life on the margins. We see the Gallaghers struggling to make ends meet, dealing with addiction and mental illness, and navigating the complexities of relationships. But we also see their resilience and their ability to find joy and humor in even the darkest moments.

The episode ends on a poignant note, as Fiona reflects on the recent upheavals in her life and realizes that she's been putting her own needs last for too long. As she watches her siblings bicker and joke around, she decides to make a change and take control of her own future.

Overall, season 6 episode 1 of Shameless is a raw and emotional hour of television that doesn't pull any punches. It's a testament to the show's ability to balance humor and heartbreak, and to its commitment to telling honest stories about the lives of working-class families.