Milk of the Gods

Last updated

"Milk of the Gods"
Shameless episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 1
Directed by Christopher Chulack
Written by Nancy M. Pimental
Cinematography byKevin McKnight
Editing byTim Tommasino
Original release dateJanuary 11, 2015 (2015-01-11)
Running time55 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Lazarus"		Next →
"I'm the Liver"
Shameless season 5
List of episodes

"Milk of the Gods" is the first 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 49th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It originally aired on Showtime on January 11, 2015.

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, Frank tries a new project, while Sheila clashes with Sammi.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.77 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, but noting it as a slow paced premiere. For the episode, Joan Cusack won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Plot

Frank (William H. Macy), still recovering from his liver transplant, is living with Sheila (Joan Cusack). Sammi (Emily Bergl) has moved in next to Sheila's house, and she has been picking up on some men at local bars. While Sheila is annoyed over her behavior, Frank constantly ignores Sammi.

Lip (Jeremy Allen White) has finished his first year at college and returns home, where he is surprised by the gentrification. Fiona (Emmy Rossum) works at the Patsy's Pie diner, and she has a friendly relationship with her new boss, Sean (Dermot Mulroney). A woman, Angela (Dichen Lachman), has been leaving large sums of tips to Fiona without explanation. Ian (Cameron Monaghan) has been allowed to stay with Mickey (Noel Fisher) at his house by helping Svetlana (Isidora Goreshter) with their baby, Yevgeny. While Mickey runs a truck scam with his brothers, Ian has been having random sexual encounters with some strangers.

Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) navigate their new life as parents. Frustrated by Kevin's obsession with the babies, she decides to cover for him at the Alibi Room while he takes care of them. When she returns, she finds him sleeping with the babies. The conflict between Sheila and Sammi escalates, to the point that Sheila decides to change the locks on the house. During this, Frank shows a partner his "job": he has been working on a new beer named Frank's Milk of the Gods. When they try it later on, they are both disgusted by its flavor. The following morning, Frank wakes up naked on a bench, and an art class has used him as reference for painting.

Production

The episode was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It was Pimental's 12th writing credit, and Chulack's second directing credit. [1]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Milk of the Gods" was seen by an estimated 1.77 million household viewers with a 0.8 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.8 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [2] This was a 9% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 1.93 million household viewers with a 0.9 in the 18–49 demographics. [3]

Critical reviews

"Milk of the Gods" received positive reviews from critics. Joshua Alston of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B–" grade and wrote, "As is the case with most Shameless premieres, "Milk Of The Gods" allows the Gallaghers to sort through last season's rubble and does a bit of table setting for what's to come, but it doesn't exactly demand attention, nor does it inspire confidence season five will continue the show's upward trajectory." [4]

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote "I've often viewed Frank as the cost of doing business with Shameless but I think this mostly sober but still despicable Frank suits Macy more than previous iterations of the character. He's still scruffy and selfish and gross, yet he seems more believable as someone the neighborhood in general and poor deluded Sheila in particular would tolerate. And it just seems a better fit of actor and character than previously." [5] Allyson Johnson of The Young Folks wrote "this was yet another strong season introduction with the show taking on a lighter, more comedic tone than its predecessor, which fits with the summer mood." [6]

David Crow of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Summer lasts for only so long, especially in Chicago. But before the leaves fall, it's nice to just be chilling with the Gallaghers in the backyard and happy for a moment. Or passed out by the lake again, as is Frank's preference. May he never change." [7] Whitney Evans of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.2 star rating out of 5, and wrote, "It feels so good to be back in the Shameless atmosphere and I thought this was a decent season premiere." [8]

Accolades

For the episode, Joan Cusack received her fifth nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards. [9] She would win the award, marking the first Emmy win for the series. [10]

Related Research Articles

"Pilot" is the series premiere of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. The episode was written by executive producer Paul Abbott and series developer John Wells, and directed by Mark Mylod. It originally aired on Showtime on January 9, 2011.

"Frank Gallagher: Loving Husband, Devoted Father" is the seventh 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 Etan Frankel, and directed by David Nutter. It originally aired on Showtime on February 20, 2011.

"It's Time to Kill the Turtle" is the eighth 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 Nathan Jackson and producer Nancy M. Pimental, and directed by Scott Frank. It originally aired on Showtime on February 27, 2011.

"Just Like the Pilgrims Intended" is the eleventh episode of the second season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 23rd overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Nancy M. Pimental from a story by LaToya Morgan and Pimental, and directed by co-executive producer Mark Mylod. It originally aired on Showtime on March 25, 2012.

"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.

"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.

"A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard and Parasitic Twin" is the seventh 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 43rd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental and directed by Gary B. Goldman. 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.

"The Legend of Bonnie and Carl" is the ninth 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 45th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Etan Frankel and directed by executive producer Mark Mylod. It originally aired on Showtime on March 16, 2014.

"Liver, I Hardly Know Her" is the tenth 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 46th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Davey Holmes and directed by Christopher Chulack. It originally aired on Showtime on March 23, 2014.

"Emily" is the eleventh 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 47th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental and directed by Anthony Hemingway. It originally aired on Showtime on March 30, 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.

"I'm the Liver" is the second 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 50th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Krista Vernoff and directed by Sanaa Hamri. It originally aired on Showtime on January 18, 2015.

"The Two Lisas" is the third 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 51st overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Sheila Callaghan and directed by Peter Segal. It originally aired on Showtime on January 25, 2015.

"Carl's First Sentencing" is the ninth 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 57th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Etan Frankel and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It originally aired on Showtime on March 15, 2015.

"Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)" is the twelfth episode and season finale of the fifth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It originally aired on Showtime on April 5, 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.

"The American Dream" is the second 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 26th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Nancy M. Pimental, and directed by Anthony Hemingway. It originally aired on Showtime on January 20, 2013.

"A Long Way From Home" is the seventh 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 31st overall episode of the series and was written by producer Etan Frankel, and directed by Mimi Leder. It originally aired on Showtime on March 3, 2013.

"Survival of the Fittest" is the twelfth episode and season finale of the third season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 36th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Etan Frankel and co-executive producer Nancy M. Pimental, and directed by executive producer Mark Mylod. It originally aired on Showtime on April 7, 2013.

References

  1. ↑ "Shameless - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 14, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Wins Night, 'The Librarians', 'Shameless', 'NFL Countdown' & More". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  3. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 8, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night + 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Silicon Valley', 'Married to Medicine' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  4. ↑ Alston, Joshua (January 11, 2015). "Shameless: "Milk of the Gods"". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  5. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (January 11, 2015). "Season premiere review: 'Shameless' – 'Milk of the Gods': Just the tip". HitFix . Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  6. ↑ Johnson, Allyson (January 11, 2015). "TV Review: Shameless (5×01) – "Milk of the Gods"". The Young Folks. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  7. ↑ Crow, David (January 12, 2015). "Shameless: Milk of the Gods Review". Den of Geek . Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  8. ↑ Evans, Whitney (January 11, 2015). "Shameless Season 5 Episode 1 Review: Milk of the Gods". TV Fanatic. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Emmys 2015: Complete List of Episode Submissions". Gold Derby. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  10. ↑ Beachum, Chris (September 12, 2015). "Joan Cusack ('Shameless') finally wins first Emmy Award on fifth try". Gold Derby. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 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.