Shameless is my favorite show to watch and the writing used to be so sharp. In this episode especially, it feels like there is zero characterization anymore. Would V and Debbie really act like that towards each other over a small pageant? Veronica especially, it just does not seem like a way that their characters would handle that situation. Mickey has also felt really out of character this season. They are writing him as if his entire personality is based off of funny little gimmicks. His character development from seasons 1-10 are being completely thrown aside so that he can be the comedic relief. Noel is such a talented actor and he has barely gotten any decent material so far.
Also, there are just way too many story lines going on. The scenes change so rapidly that before you can even begin to get engrossed into a particular storyline, you're immediately drawn right back out. Shameless thrived when the scenes were allowed to take more than 2 minutes at a time, now everything feels so rushed. The characters barely interact with one another and it really doesn't feel like Shameless anymore. I realize that it's realistic for a family to separate like this over time and I can appreciate the writers trying to add this detail, but the it is starting to feel like any other cable tv show. The rawness and natural storylines just aren't there anymore. I will continue watching the season to see how all of the characters end up, but I am definitely disappointed that this is how they are ending the series. Maybe there will be some improvement by the end, but at this point I'm not going to get my hopes up.
Also, there are just way too many story lines going on. The scenes change so rapidly that before you can even begin to get engrossed into a particular storyline, you're immediately drawn right back out. Shameless thrived when the scenes were allowed to take more than 2 minutes at a time, now everything feels so rushed. The characters barely interact with one another and it really doesn't feel like Shameless anymore. I realize that it's realistic for a family to separate like this over time and I can appreciate the writers trying to add this detail, but the it is starting to feel like any other cable tv show. The rawness and natural storylines just aren't there anymore. I will continue watching the season to see how all of the characters end up, but I am definitely disappointed that this is how they are ending the series. Maybe there will be some improvement by the end, but at this point I'm not going to get my hopes up.
