Ep 1. Ian & Mickey: Daddy Issues

Shameless: Hall of Shame is a spin-off of the hit show Shameless on Showtime. This first season of the Hall of Shame follows some of the show's most beloved characters, sharing their backstory and filling in some important blanks left by the main series. Episode one, Ian & Mickey: Daddy Issues, focuses on two of these well-known characters, Ian Gallagher (Cameron Monaghan) and Mickey Milkovich (Noel Fisher).

Ian and Mickey have been entwined in each other's lives for years, and their complicated relationship has been one of the most interesting storylines throughout the entirety of Shameless. The show has always hinted at the tumultuous relationships they have had with their fathers, and this episode finally dives into those relationships, exploring how they shaped the men they became.

The episode opens with a young Ian, played by Ethan Cutkosky, struggling to find a suitable father figure. A drug-dealing neighbor named Lloyd (played by the always excellent Lenny Clarke) takes Ian under his wing, regaling him with tales of his exploits and even taking him on a drug run. For Ian, this is a much-needed male role model in his life, but it soon becomes apparent that Lloyd is not the best influence.

Meanwhile, Mickey's story is told through the eyes of his father, Terry, portrayed by the great Dennis Cockrum. Terry is a violent, homophobic man who regularly beats Mickey and screams homophobic slurs at him. We see that Mickey's home life is a living hell, with his mother Karen (played by the ever-terrific Laura Wiggins) ignoring the abuse and his siblings all growing up to be just as damaged as he is.

As the episode continues, we see how both Ian and Mickey's relationships with their fathers impact the way they lived their lives. Ian becomes a medic in the army, attempting to find a sense of purpose and meaning that he never had at home. Mickey, on the other hand, turns to crime, becoming embroiled in his family's scams and even robbing a convenience store.

Despite their different paths, it's clear that both Ian and Mickey are struggling to find their place in the world. When they meet as teenagers, there's an instant attraction, and their relationship begins to develop. It's a rocky road, as anyone familiar with Shameless knows, but seeing how they came together in the first place is an interesting look at their characters.

One of the best things about this episode is how it fills in some of the gaps in their backstory without feeling like a retcon. Everything we learn about Ian and Mickey feels like a natural extension of what we already know about them, and it all helps to inform their choices later on in the main series.

Overall, Ian & Mickey: Daddy Issues is a fantastic start to the first season of Shameless: Hall of Shame. It's a great blend of humor, heartbreak, and character development, and it should delight fans of the main series. Whether you're a longtime fan of Shameless or a newcomer looking to dive in, this episode is definitely worth a watch.