Shameless (USA)/Pilot

Pilot
Season 1, Episode 1
Airdate	January 9, 2011
Production Number	296769
Teleplay by	Paul Abbott and John Wells
Based on	the original British series pilot written by Paul Abbott
Directed by	Mark Mylod
Stream
— N/A	1x02 → Frank the Plank
Shameless — Season One

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Pilot is the first episode of the first season of Shameless.

Starring: William H. Macy (Frank Gallagher), Emmy Rossum (Fiona Gallagher), Justin Chatwin (Steve), Ethan Cutkosky (Carl Gallagher), Shanola Hampton (Veronica Fisher), Steve Howey (Kevin Ball), Emma Kenney (Debbie Gallagher), Cameron Monaghan (Ian Gallagher), Jeremy Allen White (Lip Gallagher)

Special Guest Star: Joan Cusack (Sheila Jackson)

Guest Starring: Marguerite Moreau (Linda), Joel Murray (Eddie Jackson), Pej Vahdat (Kash), Laura Slade Wiggins (Karen Jackson)

Co-Starring: Noel Arthur (Bouncer), Charin Alvarez (Rita), Yves Bright (Customer 2), Ben Cornish (Customer 1), Thomas F. Duffy (Tommy), Sabah El-Amin (Waitress), Matt Eyde (Delivery Guy), Tyler Jacob Moore (Tony), Patrick Sarb (Aston Martin Guy), Leslie Thurston (Woman)

Plot Overview

The pilot focuses on the family of alcoholic patriarch Frank Gallagher, who introduces his six kids: his eldest daughter, Fiona; the extraordinarily intelligent Lip; the strong-hearted Ian; the mature and grounded Debbie; the troublemaking Carl; and the baby Liam. Frank also introduces his neighbors, bartender Kevin Ball, and former nurse Veronica Fisher.

At a dance club, Fiona meets Steve Wilton, an internet savings manager who had attempted to rescue Fiona's purse from a thief. After Steve punches a bouncer who insults her, Fiona brings Steve to her house, where he meets Fiona's siblings and her neighbors. The two have sex, but they are quickly interrupted by the police, who return a drunk and unconscious Frank. This prompts Steve to leave. Steve returns the next day, but Fiona turns him down, dismissing him as "just desperate."

In order to impress Fiona, Steve secretly buys Fiona a new washing machine; an impressed Fiona decides to go on a date with Steve. Following their date, Steve dresses up as a car valet outside the restaurant and steals a couple's car. Steve confesses to Fiona that he actually steals cars for a living, increasing Fiona's appeal for him. Steve gets to learn more about Fiona's upbringing; it is revealed that Frank's estranged wife, Monica, had run away from the family, leaving only Fiona to fend for her siblings and deal with her alcoholic father.

Meanwhile, Lip discovers that his brother, Ian, is a closeted homosexual. To confirm his suspicions, Lip hooks Ian up with Karen Jackson, a promiscuous classmate whom Lip tutors. During a study meeting, Karen performs oral sex on Ian, whom she later dismisses as unfazed, describing to Lip: "Ever try to play pool with a rope?" The event is interrupted by Karen's stern religious father, Eddie, who angrily attempts to attack Lip and Ian. Eddie promptly moves out afterwards, outraged by his daughter's behavior. After visiting the Kash 'n' Grab, a convenience store that Ian works at, Lip discovers that Ian is in a sexual relationship with his married boss, Kash. A dismayed Lip chastises Ian for the affair, but he shows some acceptance over Ian's sexuality.