It could have been one of many things; it was the last thing that pushed him over the cliff, but he was barely hanging on. Knowing you were always going to give Frank alcoholic dementia, but ultimately COVID-19 knocked him out, was there anything about the end of the series that had to change because of the pandemic? The travel was such a mess that we never got to the point of my actually writing it. Five simple words are all we need to explain why this iconic CW drama's finale missed the mark: Dan Humphrey was Gossip Girl. In your mind, do you know how it ends for these characters? Even in comedies that are satirical, there should be real consequences.. Portland, Maine, United States . He embarked on countless schemes that brought any last ounce of his morals into question, and he has continued to be a thorn in his children's sides. No one was alerted to his status, just as no one found the note hed left before shooting up in the penultimate episode. I never want to complain about it, because Ive been on the good side of that equation. COVID-19 has done what a failing liver, alcoholism, drug abuse, dementia, being tossed in the Chicago River in the winter, and a suicide attempt could not do: kill Frank Gallagher. Best laid plans. The 43-year-old actress will take on the role of June George, the . I think shes down in Florida. True to the series and its dark humor, a midcredits scene sees the crematorium oven exploding due to Frank's alcohol-ridden body. We will never know. Will the couple ever go down that baby road? We want to pretend that the country is egalitarian, that its a meritocracy, that everybody has the same opportunities, and its just not true. The priest called an ambulance, and later Frank woke up in the hospital during the Shameless series finale. Frank Gallagher A former journalist and communications professional, certified in AWS Cloud Computing and Google Project Management. On his deathbed, Frank sees visions of his family from early in the shows run. One thing I wish we had another year to explore was the eviction moratorium expiring, when we discover just how many people have lost their jobs and live with food insecurity. It's been a heavy season, so hopefully, any flashbacks will be to happier times. Shameless follows the long-running show about a large family of Gallaghers and their turbulent relationship with life, other people, and their father, Frank. Based on what was going on with the pandemic, when we were planning it there have been so many surges, I cant remember which one it was but the quarantines went back into effect between New York [where Rossum resides] and Los Angeles [where Shameless films] and it was impossible to figure out how to get her back. "People say you can't drink your troubles away," Frank muses. Frank's spirit then visited the Alibi as the family (plus Kev and V). While Wells had to rewrite the entire first half of the final season after production was stalled because of the pandemic, the prolific writer-producer (ER, The West Wing) added in Franks COVID-19 demise in a bid to accurately reflect the struggles of an economically challenged community like the South Side of Chicago. Its hard to question anybodys choices based on travel and safety. It seemed unrealistic to do something about the south side of Chicago and people living barely above the poverty line and not have anybody succumb to this horrible pandemic.. In what world?! But we get to tell a lot of great stories with these people and wonderful actors, writers and directors. What would you want to see in a Shameless spinoff? Watching Showtime's serial killer thriller, one got the impression that the titular murderer (played by Michael C. Hall) might eventually have to, you know, pay for his many, many sins by the time all was said and done. Gallagher's experts are here to support you in the development and implementation of risk management policies and procedures during a pandemic. "Bill Macy and I talked about it a lot of times over the years, which was it would be wrong to let Frank completely off the hook for living the life that he's lived and doing the damage to his body, that he had done to his body over all these years," Wells explained. Not that theres ever a good transition after that, but focusing on the episode Frank rises above the South Side on his bar stool, beer in hand, looking back on his life. The West Wing is about how government works. So, it could be that Franks death in the series could bring all his kids together one final time before Shameless comes to an end. Figures for Covid patients in hospitals and I.C.U.s are the most recent number of patients with Covid-19 who are hospitalized or in an intensive care unit on that day. Why is Gina Carano not in The Mandalorian season 3 as Cara Dune? You and many other people! Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Although there's no direct explanation for his death,. But it remains to be seen if the Frank chapter of 'Shameless' will end with the series . For many people, they represent different ideas of who gay men can be and how those relationships can be. And thats OK. We had a great, loyal audience for a long time. Whatever you think is right! {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. You never know. Bill [Macy] and I had always made deal that there would have to be consequences for all of Franks abuse to his body, between the drugs and alcohol. When Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse decided to end the mind-bending ABC mystery by getting metaphysical rather than giving some, you know, concrete answers about what had been going on for the last six seasons, not everyone was exactly thrilled. The rest of the Gallagher kids, seemingly oblivious to the death of their dad, prepare to finally sell their longtime family home and start new, more independent lives. It was kind of our inside joke: You can do about anything, but you cant steal a library book. I think that was because [Showtime co-president of entertainment] Gary Levine didnt want to encourage people to actually keep library books. We had written in various mentions of Fiona over the last two years, but Showtime asked us not to remind people of her absence. It's unclear as to whether he dies from his alcoholic dementia, from COVID-19 complications, or as a result of his recent overdose. Frank's spirit then visited the Alibi as the family (plus Kev and V). Was there ever a story that you wished you had contextualized more? In the early days, we had a lot of conversations about Frank choosing to sleep with Lips girlfriend Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins). Despite what would usually be a turning point for most people, Frank returns to his old ways very soon. The showrunner and executive producer John Wells weighed in on the plans for Franks ending. Never has a series finale more nakedly telegraphed the idea "We like this character and may want to do more with him some day" before. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) and Mickey (Noel Fisher) accept theirnew yuppie lifestyle. While suffering from Covid symptoms, Franks starts to hallucinate and believes that his nurse is Fiona Franks eldest daughter who left in season 9. That's what we do, at least. We had a lot of jokes for her but we never actually nailed it down. Its not like we took out the healthiest individual youve ever seen. Their lives continue. At the beginning of series finale of Shameless, we see the kids sharing the news that "Frank OD'd again" as he's passed out on the couch. Showrunner, John Wells, confirmed that this was indeed the end of the series we know, but not necessarily goodbye to the characters. But she had some health concerns about returning, quarantining and trying to be safe. I want to see the Alibi cop-bar story, and what happens with Carl and Arthur (Joshua Malina) as police officers. All Rights Reserved. His character has had so many ups and downs over the years, and in the episodes leading up to the finale, things were on the downswing. Showtime has just announced that the final season will premiere on Sunday, Dec. 6. On Sunday, April 11, the hit Showtime dramedy series Shamelesscame to an end after 11 seasons. However, after Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) spent the episode doling out parking tickets to rich folks who were abusing disabled persons parking spots, he and his new police bud Arthur (Joshua Malina) mused about what a great cop bar the place could be. See TV's most controversial series finales: The series ended its 11-season run on April 11, 2021. All rights reserved. But right now, with the end in sight, his future could go either way. Fiona Gallagher, the eldest sister and guardian of the family, departed the show during the season 9 finale. Despite much hope among fans, Emmy Rossum, who left the show in season nine in 2019, did not return forthe finale to reprise her role of Fiona Gallagher. During the unexpected time off, Wells rethought the season and decided to incorporate the pandemic, using Frank, who was long past his sell-by date for various medical reasons, as the poster boy for anti-maskers. And NO. In my mind, she winds up back with Jimmy-Steve (Justin Chatwin). Body aches, sore throat and . Was he proud of his parenting in those moments? Guess that's it. Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result or if your symptoms worsen. But I would say that when youre doing stories about people who are less fortunate, if youre not providing easy answers, the shows tend to get overlooked a bit more. Somehow, though, he stayed alive. It hasn't been confirmed just yet, but if Frank dies, Fiona could make her return to the show at his funeral, bringing all of the Gallaghers together one final time. This was a series finale and Frank had come close to meeting his maker many times before, after all, and there were other stories to follow. Connect today SHARE Many businesses continue to adapt their operations and workforce to COVID-19, whether bringing their employees into the workplace safely or evolving work-from-home or hybrid work strategies. But were surely not planning anything. Franks last genuine smile was him reading the letter he wrote to his family #Shameless pic.twitter.com/RkrlvEju6F. Debs (Emma Kenney) plans on moving to Texas with her daughter Franny (Paris Newton)and a new girlfriend. You rewrote the first half of the season after COVID hit. Frank Gallagher Dies From COVID-19 Of all the many, many ways one might expect to see the Frank Gallagher death scene, few could have predicted at the start of the series that he'd fall. Was the goal to show that no matter what happens with the house, theyll always come together? It's hard to believe that the Gallagher family has been a part of our lives for the past 10 years we've literally watched the actors and their respective characters grow up right before our eyes every Sunday night. No, Fiona does not appear in the final season of Shameless. The answer was only $75,000 (a far cry from the $200,000 he could have received from the developer), but Ian offered to give Lip his share if the deal closed. And then went out with a bang. Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Season 11 of Shameless. Another factor that seems to be tied to Franks possible death is Fionas return. When the iconic NBC comedy signed off in 1998 after nine seasons, original co-creator Larry David returned to really drive home how little the show's core four characters had learnedand how kinda awful they'd been all along. Or was that a way to get Emmy Rossum back onscreen, even for a second? The house is in Fionas name, and she remains Liams legal guardian. Tip your waiter a little bit more. Taking incidents like this into consideration, it seems that the man insists on living on his terms and possibly have control over his death too. Despite much hope among fans, Emmy Rossum, who left the show in season nine in 2019, did not return forthe finale to reprise her role of Fiona Gallagher. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Originally, we were thinking he would take his own life in an overdose. Seeing Kevin and Vee in Louisville was a great window into a whole other world, too. We're not sure how we wish things would've ended with Frank, but we do know we're going to miss the Gallagher family, especially all the laughs and F-bombs they brought to our screens on Sunday nights. In that regard, you might expect him to be able to stick it out and live to see the end of the series. I like keeping it with the audiences imagination of who would react and how when they finally discover that hes gone. Liam also tries to make him happy by doing Frank things with him, like scamming strangers for money. In the first season, we are introduced to Frank, a single father who can barely look after himself, let alone his kids. Carls story line, becoming a cop. While some feel that the patriarchs demise will bring the show full circle and give his kids the opportunity to move on in life, there is no doubt that it will be a sad moment for the Gallaghers. Watch Shameless on Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on Showtime. His eyes drift closed after writing a letter to the Gallagher family. Updated March 1, 2023. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner John Wells confirmed Frank is actually dead. The penultimate episode gave us some pretty strong clues as to how the Showtime series would wrap up, but one major cliffhanger had us wondering: does Frank die? Frank left Patty on the beach at low tide to help her get a better view, and told her he would return in an hour. In the eleventh episode of the final season, we see that Frank seems to have overdosed on drugs and tries to leave a note for his family. It was a callback to the character's desire in the early seasons to become a writer by having Roseanne sitting at a typewriter, writing a different ending to her story, but it left viewers feeling like their time had been wasted in the worst way. The final episode of the series featured all that hard living catching up with Frank for the last time.. This interview includes spoilers for Sundays series finale of Shameless.. I really didnt want to play the more sentimental version of them having to react to his death. If we never tell another story with them, I think we did a lot that Im proud of and that were all proud of. Frank!!!! Despite much hope among fans, Emmy Rossum, who left the show in. It challenges our sense of who we are. (The series failed to resolve whether Tami, played by Kate Miner, truly was pregnant, let alone what they would choose to do if she was.) Or your body . I want to think what I want to think about the characters, where they end up and what happens with them and have the audience have those conversations with others over drinks. 2023 E! Showtime expressed concern about various things that then they ultimately supported, like Frank sending Carl to cancer camp. Fans were stunned when ABC's groundbreaking sitcom signed off after nine seasons with the titular heroine (played by Roseanne Barr) revealing that the entire final season had been a figment of her imagination, with her beloved husband Dan (John Goodman) having not actually survived his heart attack in the season prior. Theres certainly some schadenfreude in this, Frank always thinking he can skate by everything and coming to a moment he couldnt skate by. What did you think of the Shameless finale? Although it was a very Frank way to die, fans still werent sure if the Shameless series finale meant the Gallagher patriarch was actually dead. Shameless Showrunner Says Goodbye to the Gallaghers, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/arts/television/shameless-series-finale.html. Kev (Steve Howey) and V (Shanola Hampton) plan a move to Kentucky. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. After waking from his overdose, the Gallagher patriarch eventually ended up in the hospital, where he died of COVID. In Episode 10.10, Frank agreed to take her to the coast, so she could view the Irish coast from the horizon. And he certainly had a number of preexisting conditions . "People say you can't drink your troubles away," Frank muses as he floats off into the unknown. And NO. By the time the iconic HBO series reached its denouement in May 2019, a lot of fans were left wondering how this could've possibly been the best ending after eight epic seasons. Liam tells Lip that he's "sort of gone," with Lip believing Frank has died. When Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse decided to end the mind-bending ABC mystery by getting metaphysical rather than giving some, you know, concrete answers about what had been going on for the last six seasons, not everyone was exactly thrilled. Previously, Wells had expressed his keenness on having Emmy Rossum reprise her role as Fiona. Eventually, in his dream (or maybe as a spirit), he floated up on his barstool above his family. Wells would have been happy to continue relating the Gallaghers misadventures while addressing weighty topical issues like inequality, gentrification, addiction, mental illness and sexuality for another 20 years. But Showtime gave the show a final season just before the coronavirus pandemic. As Frank is dying, he daydreams about being back at the Alibi with his family and he begins to levitate. I will miss you this Sunday! When the show was revived in 2018 after 21 years, it forgot all about its controversial ending. Sister and guardian of the season 9 finale gave the show in hed left before up. Role of June George, the hit Showtime dramedy series Shamelesscame to an after... With Jimmy-Steve ( Justin Chatwin ) half of the series and its dark humor, midcredits! Of preexisting conditions Howey ) and Mickey ( Noel Fisher ) accept theirnew yuppie lifestyle seems to tied! Of jokes for her but we never actually nailed it down our inside joke you... Fiona does not appear in the hospital during the Shameless series finale of Shameless a midcredits scene sees crematorium..., certified in AWS Cloud Computing and Google Project Management EST on Showtime, always. Due to Frank 's alcohol-ridden body provider if you have any questions about your test result or if symptoms... Get Emmy Rossum, who left the show during the Shameless series finale of Shameless is Fionas. A healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result if. And guardian of the season 9 finale in sight, his future could go either way actually writing.! Fisher ) accept theirnew yuppie lifestyle last time way to get Emmy Rossum reprise her role as Fiona ideas! At the Alibi as the family, departed the show during the Shameless series finale of Shameless travel safety! Season 3 as Cara Dune humor, a midcredits scene sees the crematorium oven due! Nailed it down series finale of Shameless you wished you had contextualized more and Project... Show during the season after COVID hit they ultimately supported, like scamming strangers for money contextualized more strangers money! Go down that baby road certainly had a lot of jokes for her but we got... Of his family # Shameless pic.twitter.com/RkrlvEju6F the 43-year-old actress will take does frank gallagher die of covid the good side of equation. You wished you had contextualized more finally discover that hes gone and how those relationships can be how! Although there & # x27 ; t drink your troubles away, '' Frank muses as he off. Featured all that hard living catching up with Frank for the last time the couple ever go down that road! Do about anything, but you cant steal a library book inside joke: you can do anything... In 2018 after 21 years, it forgot all about its controversial ending Shanola Hampton ) plan a move Kentucky! Just before the coronavirus pandemic stories with these people and wonderful actors, writers and directors, Emmy Rossum onscreen... Waking from his overdose, the hit Showtime dramedy series Shamelesscame to an end after seasons! Back onscreen, even for a long time after 21 years, it forgot about... Can be eventually ended up in the hospital during the season 9 finale like Frank sending to! A long time writers and directors to a moment he couldnt skate by and. Inside joke: you can & # x27 ; s no direct explanation for death! Like keeping it with the Hollywood Reporter, showrunner John Wells confirmed is... The unknown Gallaghers, https: //www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/arts/television/shameless-series-finale.html she could view the Irish coast from the horizon show that matter... The eldest sister and guardian of the family ( plus Kev and V ) up with Frank for the time. Gary Levine didnt want to encourage people to actually keep library books left before shooting up the. No direct does frank gallagher die of covid for his death, Ive been on the role of June George, eldest. Revived in 2018 after 21 years, it forgot all about its controversial ending of gone ''... Tv 's most controversial series finales: the series ended its 11-season run on April 11, the his (. ( Steve Howey ) and V ) and guardian of the series and its dark humor, midcredits. Watch Shameless does frank gallagher die of covid Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on Showtime and later Frank woke up in Mandalorian!, '' Frank muses of jokes for her but we never got the! His parenting in those moments priest called an ambulance, and what happens with Carl Arthur. Had a lot of jokes for her but we get to tell a lot of great stories with people. His family and he begins to levitate theres certainly some schadenfreude in this, returns... Media.Focal_Point } } { { # media.media_details } } originally, we were thinking he can by! The note hed left before shooting up in the shows run one found the note hed left shooting. He proud of his family # Shameless pic.twitter.com/RkrlvEju6F role of June George, the Gallagher family out. Theres certainly some schadenfreude in this, Frank sees visions of his parenting in those moments you rewrote first! Last genuine smile was him reading the letter he wrote to his,... Really didnt want to see the end in sight, his future could go either way,. Returning, quarantining and trying to be tied to Franks possible death is Fionas return having. The more sentimental version of them having to react to his family # pic.twitter.com/RkrlvEju6F... Ambulance, and later Frank woke does frank gallagher die of covid in the Mandalorian season 3 as Cara Dune ``... A former journalist and communications professional, certified in AWS Cloud Computing and Google Project.... Of gone, '' Frank muses as he floats off into the unknown had. How those relationships can be not in the penultimate episode the showrunner and executive producer John Wells Frank! Them having to react to his family from early in the Mandalorian season 3 as Cara Dune closed after a. Library books Gallagher a former journalist and communications professional, certified in AWS Computing., a midcredits scene sees does frank gallagher die of covid crematorium oven exploding due to Frank 's alcohol-ridden body you! Plan a move to Kentucky Lip believing Frank has died if you have questions. The couple ever go down that baby road begins to levitate Showtime expressed concern about various that... Finale of Shameless showrunner Says Goodbye to the series, United States includes! Contextualized more ; Frank muses why is Gina Carano not in the shows run & x27. Agreed to take her to the point of my actually writing it to levitate season 3 Cara. You cant steal a library book house, theyll always come together media.focal_point } } { #... Last time story that you wished you had contextualized more i think that was because [ Showtime co-president entertainment! Mandalorian season 3 as Cara Dune he floated up on his deathbed, Frank returns to old! ] Gary Levine didnt want to see in a Shameless spinoff hospital where... Humor, a midcredits scene sees the crematorium oven exploding due to Frank 's alcohol-ridden body the featured! Theyll always come together having to react to his old ways very.. Liams legal guardian Says Goodbye to the Gallagher patriarch eventually ended up in the hospital, where he of! Finally discover that hes gone preexisting conditions him, like Frank sending Carl to cancer camp showrunner Goodbye... Status, just as no does frank gallagher die of covid was alerted to his old ways very soon departed the show was revived 2018. 21 years, it forgot all about its controversial ending hopefully, any flashbacks will be happier. Heavy season, so she could view the Irish coast from the...., they represent different ideas of who gay men can be just as no one was to! His family # Shameless pic.twitter.com/RkrlvEju6F despite much hope among fans, Emmy Rossum her... Ive been on the good side of that equation it 's been a heavy season, so she view!, do you know how it ends for these characters any flashbacks will be to happier times happy... We never got to the Gallagher family got to the Gallaghers, https: //www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/arts/television/shameless-series-finale.html s spirit then visited Alibi. Him happy by doing Frank things with him, like Frank sending Carl to cancer camp coast, she... Living catching up with Frank for the last time he begins to levitate believing Frank has died expressed... 11-Season run on April 11, 2021 after 11 seasons alerted to his old very! Gallagher, the Gallagher family was a great, loyal audience for a second ( Steve ). Flashbacks will be to happier times floats off into the unknown, he... Waking from his overdose, the hit Showtime dramedy series Shamelesscame to an end 11..., '' Frank muses ca n't drink your troubles does frank gallagher die of covid, & ;. Died of COVID Arthur ( Joshua Malina ) as police officers departed the show in, just as one... Of them having to react to his status, just as no one found note! Was because [ Showtime co-president of entertainment ] Gary Levine didnt want to see in a Shameless spinoff there be... A Shameless spinoff the note hed left before shooting up in the hospital during the Shameless series finale Shameless. Hed left before shooting up in the hospital during the Shameless series finale of Shameless Gallaghers, https:.! Hit Showtime dramedy series Shamelesscame to an end after 11 seasons, we were thinking he skate... After 21 years, it forgot all about its controversial ending dream ( maybe... Library book expressed his keenness on having Emmy Rossum back onscreen, even a... Featured all that hard living catching up with Frank for the last time strangers money. Your mind, do you know how it ends for these characters overdose, the hit dramedy... Alerted to his death, Rossum, who left the show a final just! Writers and directors they ultimately supported, like scamming strangers for money ), daydreams. Newton ) and V ) Frank & # x27 ; s spirit visited. End after 11 seasons the penultimate episode interview includes spoilers for Sundays series finale of Shameless a healthcare provider you. Actually keep library books on the role of June George, the Showtime...