Shanola Hampton

In the series premiere, we meet the fabulously dysfunctional Gallagher family of working-class Chicago. Dad's a drunk; Mom split long ago; eldest daughter Fiona tries to hold the family together; eldest son Philip (Lip) tutors the neighborhood girls in physics and is repaid in kind; middle son Ian is grappling with homosexuality -- and being grappled by his married Pakistani employer at the corner liquor store; youngest daughter Debbie is stealing money from her UNICEF collection to help put food on the table; ten year old Carl is a budding sociopath and arsonist; and toddler Liam is -- well, he might actually be black, but nobody has a clue how. Meanwhile, the electric bill is due, there's no money, and someone has to look after the baby... It's one day at a time for this crazy dysfunctional family, but their mutual love and support for each other always see them through.

Monica's return to the family wreaks havoc on the Gallagher clan, leaving the children determined to find out if Frank is their real father. Fiona, disgusted with Monica, moves in with Steve next door and tests the waters of living outside the Gallagher home. Karen decides to trust Eddie and his seeming desire to be close to her when she agrees to join him at the Purity ball. Frank hits a new low when he uses Carl to stop a disability worker from tampering with his free money from the state.

It's time for Frank to pay the piper -- specifically, the two goons who are demanding their six thousand dollars, or else. This sends Frank into a panic, requiring every brain cell to try to think of a way to get the money fast. He finally stumbles onto a risky solution that might work --provided his family helps him out. Speaking of the Gallagher family, they have their own troubles. Ian is fed up with Mickey's bullying of Kash and goes to do something about it, leading to a violent scene. Meanwhile, Fiona finally succumbs to Steve's badgering and agrees to take a night away with him -- leaving Liam in Sheila's protective arms. Who better, since the agoraphobic Sheila (guest star JOAN CUSACK) never leaves home. But what happens when Liam wanders outside the house...?

Frank has some settlement money coming his way. The only catch -- he needs his ex-wife's signature on the documents. Debbie goes on a mission to find out if Steve is cheating on Fiona, only to discover Steve may not be who he says he is at all. Kev and Veronica receive a visit from Ethel's baby son Jonah...and the Department of Child and Family Services. Lip needs money to take Karen on a date so he turns to Steve for help. Meanwhile, Eddie reaches out to Karen and invites her to a Purity Ball. Things don't end well when Frank's ex-wife Monica (guest star CHLOE WEBB) shows up, announcing her plan to take Liam. Kash catches Ian and Mickey going at it. An enraged Fiona moves out of the house and in with Steve.

Debbie, sad and lonely after Aunt Ginger leaves, steals a little boy from a birthday party. In classic Gallagher style, the family hatches a plan to return the toddler safe and sound without attracting attention from the Chicago Police Department, who has made the kidnapping a top priority. Karen, in complete defiance of her father, starts to tease Frank sexually. Not knowing what to make of it, Frank keeps himself busy with booze, picking up Sheila's meds from the pharmacy and concentrating on finding the missing boy. What began as an innocent lie for Kevin (series star STEVE HOWEY) to protect himself from a hot girl ultimately becomes a proposal of marriage for Veronica (series star SHANOLA HAMPTON).