I Am a Storm

Last updated
"I Am a Storm"
Shameless episode
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 4
Directed by Emmy Rossum
Written by Sheila Callaghan
Produced by
  • Terri Murphy
  • Jinny Howe
Cinematography byLoren Yaconelli
Editing byToby Yates
Original release dateOctober 23, 2016 (2016-10-23)
Running time55 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Home Sweet Homeless Shelter"		Next →
"Own Your Shit"
Shameless season 7
List of episodes

"I Am a Storm" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless , an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 76th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by main cast member Emmy Rossum. It originally aired on Showtime on October 23, 2016.

Contents

The series is set on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, and depicts the poor, dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher, a neglectful single father of six: Fiona, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam. He spends his days drunk, high, or in search of money, while his children need to learn to take care of themselves. In the episode, Fiona tries to save Patsy's by establishing new rules, while Frank tries to prevent the neighborhood from shutting down the homeless shelter. Meanwhile, Lip discovers the purpose of the company, while Ian finds a new love interest.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.38 million household viewers and gained a 0.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with Emmy Rossum receiving praise for her directing and acting.

Plot

To increase profitability at Patsy's, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) decides to get the diner open 24/7. However, there is very little interest in customers visiting during the early morning hours. Fiona follows some girls, and discovers that a competing restaurant is offering alcohol. Fiona then gets Patsy's to secretly offer alcohol in the menus.

Frank (William H. Macy) continues heading the homeless shelter, although his neighbors dislike the people's presence in their houses. He attends a meeting to dissuade their fears, but the community votes to have the shelter demolished. Refusing to move out, he gets a local news reporter to make a statement and chaining himself to the house. Debbie (Emma Kenney) fails to pay her costs at the house, and Fiona forces her to apply for a job at a donut shop. Debbie does not get the job, and is frustrated that Fiona does not want to help her with the baby. She asks Kevin (Steve Howey) for a job at the Alibi Room, but he refuses as she is not an adult. Svetlana (Isidora Goreshter), however, suggests that Debbie should offer her services to a man so she can have a home, and she puts flyers across the city to find a man.

Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is promoted to senior intern at the tech company after his boss gets a new job, although he is still not getting paid. He mentors a new intern, who is confused over the company's activities as online gambling is not fully legal. That night, after everyone leaves, Lip sneaks into the server room and discovers that the company is using proxy servers to reroute IP addresses to places where the online gambling is illegal. The company hides this information everytime the FBI constantly checks on them. He confides this on Fiona, and when Fiona complains about her "paid" job, Lip tells her he can make far more money to finally help their family. An angered Fiona packs her stuff and moves out to Patsy's, deciding she is done in taking care of anyone but herself.

Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) starts hanging out with Luther (Peter Macon), angering Dominique (Jaylen Barron). Luther takes him to a shooting range, where Carl expresses interest in joining a SWAT team. While Luther cannot promise him a place, he suggests Carl could join military school to properly work within the law, telling him he also used to be a delinquent in his youth. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) meets an employee named Trevor (Elliot Fletcher) and takes a liking to him. However, he is surprised when Trevor reveals that he is a transgender man. To aliviate his concerns, Trevor takes him to meet some of his friends, although Ian is still confused. Kevin and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) are worried that Yvon (Pasha Lychnikoff) spends so much time with their children, and grow alarmed when he later takes them without permission. They call the police, although Yvon is revealed to simply have made a family portrait to thank them for letting him stay.

Lip is confronted by his new boss, Dylan (Khleo Thomas) for checking the servers. He offers him some iPads by signing a non-disclosure agreement, but the FBI suddenly arrives for a check-up. Lip takes the iPads and sneaks out. He confronts Youens (Alan Rosenberg) over giving him that company, but Youens explains that Lip can use his abilities to scam the people who scam other people. He takes the iPads to Fiona, using them to provide online service for Patsy's and mending their relationship. With Patsy's providing alcohol, Fiona is delighted to realize that they made $1,500 for the night.

Production

Development

Main cast member Emmy Rossum made her directorial debut in the episode. Emma-Rossum 2011-03-08 photoby Adam-Bielawski.jpg
Main cast member Emmy Rossum made her directorial debut in the episode.

The episode was written by executive producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by main cast member Emmy Rossum. It was Callaghan's ninth writing credit, and Rossum's first directing credit. [1] Rossum was confirmed to make her directorial debut in July 2016. [2]

Filming

To prepare for her directorial debut, Rossum took a cinematography class at New York University. She said, "I felt like if I prepared my ass off and studied and took a cinematography course and did all the things that a Type A person would do and trusted my instincts, it might not be bad." [3] Rossum said that she considered directing for years, before finally getting approval from series developer John Wells. [4]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "I Am a Storm" was seen by an estimated 1.38 million household viewers with a 0.5 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.5 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [5] This was a slight decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 1.44 million household viewers with a 0.6 in the 18–49 demographics. [6]

Critical reviews

"I Am a Storm" received critical acclaim. Myles McNutt of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, "This is the strongest episode of the season to date because it ends up feeling like a thesis statement on what it means to be a Gallagher, which is the unifying principle of this show and what it stands for. Not every story is working, but the ability to capture a throughline is something that has seemed absent the past few seasons." [7]

Christina Ciammaichelli of Entertainment Weekly gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote "The “new Fiona” is here, which means no more Mrs. Nice Girl. While we've seen Fiona try to change herself and her circumstances many times before, will this be the time it really sticks? And is it just me, or is she being a little harsh with Debbie? Plus, the episode's events take place on “the hottest day of the year” and just about everyone's a little more pissed off than usual." [8]

Dara Driscoll of TV Overmind wrote, "In the end, Fiona is the storm. She looks stoic outside of her new twenty-four hour Patsy's, with most of her family inside. Another solid episode for this amazing show." [9] Paul Dailly of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5, and wrote, ""I Am a Storm" was another solid episode of this Showtime drama. The storylines continue to be fresh and exciting and I can't wait to see where we go next." [10]

Related Research Articles

"But at Last Came a Knock" is the ninth episode of the first season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. The episode was written by consulting producer Alex Borstein, and directed by co-executive producer Mark Mylod. It originally aired on Showtime on March 6, 2011.

"My Oldest Daughter" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 38th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental and directed by Mimi Leder. It originally aired on Showtime on January 19, 2014.

"Like Father, Like Daughter" is the third episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 39th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by Sanaa Hamri. It originally aired on Showtime on January 26, 2014.

"There's the Rub" is the fifth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 41st overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Davey Holmes and directed by David Nutter. It originally aired on Showtime on February 9, 2014.

"Iron City" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 42nd overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by James Ponsoldt. It originally aired on Showtime on February 16, 2014.

"Hope Springs Paternal" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 44th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by Mimi Leder. It originally aired on Showtime on March 9, 2014.

"Lazarus" is the twelfth episode and season finale of the fourth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 48th overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Mark Mylod. It originally aired on Showtime on April 6, 2014.

"South Side Rules" is the tenth episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 58th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by Michael Uppendahl. It originally aired on Showtime on March 22, 2015.

<i>Shameless</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of Shameless, an American comedy-drama television series based on the British series of the same name by Paul Abbott, premiered on January 10, 2016, concluded April 3, 2016. Executive producers are John Wells, Andrew Stearn, Nancy M. Pimental, Davey Holmes, Christopher Chulack, Krista Vernoff and producers Terri Murphy and Princess Nash.

"I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing" is the first episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 61st overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It aired on Showtime on January 10, 2016, but it was available online on January 1, 2016.

"NSFW" is the sixth episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 66th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by Jake Schreier. It originally aired on Showtime on February 14, 2016.

<i>Shameless</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of Shameless, based on the British series of the same name by Paul Abbott, is an American comedy-drama television series with executive producers John Wells, Christopher Chulack, Krista Vernoff, Etan Frankel, Nancy M. Pimental and Sheila Callaghan. The season premiered on October 2, 2016, the first time the series has debuted in autumn. Showtime premiered a free preview of the season premiere online on September 23, 2016, ahead of the October 2 broadcast.

<i>Shameless</i> season 9 Season of television series

The ninth season of Shameless, an American comedy-drama television series based on the British series of the same name by Paul Abbott, was announced on November 8, 2017, following the season 8 premiere. The season premiered on September 9, 2018, and consisted of 14 episodes, split into two seven-episode parts. The second half of the season premiered on January 20, 2019. The season also includes the 100th episode of the series.

"Order Room Service" is the eleventh episode of the third season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 35th overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Sheila Callaghan, and directed by Sanaa Hamri. It originally aired on Showtime on March 31, 2013.

"The F Word" is the third episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 63rd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Krista Vernoff and directed by Nisha Ganatra. It originally aired on Showtime on January 24, 2016.

"Sleep No More" is the eleventh episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 71st overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by Anthony Hemingway. It originally aired on Showtime on March 27, 2016.

"Hiraeth" is the first episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 73rd overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It aired on Showtime on October 2, 2016, but was available online on September 23, 2016.

"Swipe, Fuck, Leave" is the second episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 74th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental and directed by Rob Hardy. It originally aired on Showtime on October 2, 2016.

"Home Sweet Homeless Shelter" is the third episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 75th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Krista Vernoff and directed by Iain B. MacDonald. It originally aired on Showtime on October 16, 2016.

"Own Your Shit" is the fifth episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 77th overall episode of the series and was written by Dominique Morisseau and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It originally aired on Showtime on October 30, 2016.

References

  1. ↑ "Shameless - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  2. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (July 9, 2016). "'Shameless' Star Emmy Rossum to Make Directorial Debut With Showtime Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  3. ↑ Birnbaum, Debra (October 24, 2016). "'Shameless' Star Emmy Rossum on Her Directing Debut, Fiona's Future, and Hope for Season 8". Variety . Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  4. ↑ Whitney, Alyse (October 21, 2016). "'Shameless' Season 7: On the Scene With Emmy Rossum for Her Directorial Debut". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ Porter, Rick (October 25, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'The Walking Dead' premiere kills it with second-highest ratings ever". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  6. ↑ Porter, Rick (October 18, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Westworld' improves, Dodgers-Cubs leads". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  7. ↑ McNutt, Myles (October 23, 2016). "Emmy Rossum's directorial debut is a season-high for Shameless". The A.V. Club . Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  8. ↑ Ciammaichelli, Christina (October 24, 2016). "Shameless recap: Season 7, Episode 4". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  9. ↑ Driscoll, Dara (October 23, 2016). "Shameless Season 7 Episode 4 Review: "I Am A Storm"". TV Overmind . Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  10. ↑ Dailly, Paul (October 23, 2016). "Shameless Season 7 Episode 4 Review: I Am a Storm". TV Fanatic. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.