Ep 9. But at Last Came a Knock

The Showtime dramedy Shameless follows the exploits of the Gallagher family, a dysfunctional yet fiercely loyal clan that resides in the gritty South Side of Chicago. Season 1, episode 9, titled But at Last Came a Knock, follows the family as they grapple with their ongoing issues and traumas.

The episode opens with Frank, the family patriarch, trying to scheme his way out of paying his share of a bar tab by seducing the waitress, only to end up in the bathroom with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Fiona, the eldest Gallagher daughter, is trying to hold down multiple jobs to keep food on the table and the utilities on. She also wrestles with her feelings towards Steve, a charming but duplicitous man she's been seeing.

The younger Gallagher siblings are dealing with their own problems. Lip, the family genius, continues to struggle with his identity and responsibilities, while Ian, the closeted gay brother, deals with the fallout of his relationship with a Muslim classmate.

The family's woes are only compounded by the arrival of Monica, Frank's estranged wife and the mother of their six children. Monica's return shocks the family and dredges up painful memories, as she has a history of abandoning them.

The episode explores the underlying tensions within the Gallagher family and the ways they try, and sometimes fail, to hold themselves together. As the title suggests, a knock on the door brings a surprising new development that has the potential to change everything.

Throughout the episode, the characters grapple with their predicaments, often resorting to desperate measures to survive. But despite their flaws and foibles, the Gallaghers remain a family bound by love and a fierce loyalty that is often tested but never broken.

But at Last Came a Knock is a poignant and often hilarious entry in the Shameless canon, showcasing the show's impeccable writing and standout performances from its talented ensemble cast. For fans of the show, this episode is a must-see.