Ep 9. Frank the Plumber

Frank the Plumber is the ninth episode of the third season of the American television series Shameless. The episode aired on March 17, 2013, on the Showtime network.

The episode begins with Sheila, who is still coping with her agoraphobia, refusing to leave the house. Frank, who is now a licensed plumber, offers to fix her toilet as a way of getting her to trust him and to get out of the house. While fixing the toilet, Frank talks Sheila into allowing Karen, who is now pregnant with Jody's baby, to move back in with her.

Elsewhere in the Gallagher household, Fiona is trying to provide for her siblings and her unemployed boyfriend, Jimmy. Fiona lands a job at a grocery store, but the job is low-paying and offers no benefits. Lip, who is forced to drop out of college to help out with the family, decides to team up with Mandy to sell stolen bikes to make some quick cash.

At the same time, Ian is still struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. He continues hooking up with Mickey, who is uncomfortable with his homosexuality and often lashes out at Ian. Later in the episode, Ian and Mickey engage in a heated argument that leads to a physical altercation.

Meanwhile, Debbie, who is the only Gallagher child still in school, is dealing with bullies who torment her relentlessly. Despite the bullying, Debbie continues to strive for good grades and becomes determined to attend college unlike the rest of her family.

As the episode progresses, the struggles and challenges faced by the Gallagher family continue to mount. Fiona's job at the grocery store becomes increasingly demanding, Lip and Mandy's bike-selling scheme goes awry, Ian's relationship with Mickey becomes more complicated, and Debbie's bullying worsens.

Overall, Frank the Plumber is a poignant and powerful episode that delves into the complex lives of the Gallagher family. The episode highlights the family's struggles with poverty, addiction, and discrimination, while also showcasing their resilience and determination to overcome these obstacles.