Mo White!

Last updated
"Mo White!"
Shameless episode
Episode no.Season 9
Episode 2
Directed byErin Feeley
Written byMolly Smith Metzler
Cinematography byAnthony Hardwick
Editing byChetin Chabuk
Original release dateSeptember 16, 2018 (2018-09-16)
Running time55 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Are You There Shim? It's Me, Ian"		Next →
"Weirdo Gallagher Vortex"
Shameless season 9
List of episodes

"Mo White!" is the second episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless , an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 98th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by Erin Feeley. It originally aired on Showtime on September 16, 2018.

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 to find a new way to make money, while Fiona considers a future investment. Meanwhile, Ian is released from prison, and Lip realizes that Xan may be more difficult for him than expected.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.12 million household viewers and gained a 0.39 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized the thin characterization and development of the episode.

Plot

Frank (William H. Macy) walks into the Alibi, lamenting that he is broke. A nearby customer suggests a possible job; with the congressional elections underway, a candidate offers money to people that pull out the rival's pickets. Due to Frank's STD scandal, Liam (Christian Isaiah) is kicked out of Hopkins Academy.

Fiona (Emmy Rossum) takes Liam with her, as she decides to invest in some commercial properties. She meets skeezy investor Max Whitford (Neal Bledsoe) and Liam helps her by using his knowledge from the academy. Max offers her a $100,000 investment in a retirement home, but Ford (Richard Flood) does not like the idea. When Xan (Amirah Johnson) is caught stealing a woman's wallet and abandoning Amy and Gemma, Lip (Jeremy Allen White) confronts her over her actions; Xan reveals she wanted the money for her mother. Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) is given an opportunity to get a promotion, although he is frustrated by the amount of tasks needed to prove his worth. However, he shows growth by saving dogs from being put to rest, preferring to give them a proper burial.

Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) consider sending Amy and Gemma to pre-school. They discover a prestigious pre-school, but it is expensive. They are redirected to an affordable Catholic preschool, but the school only has one slot left. To get the twins enrolled, Kevin and Veronica get Gemma and Amy to pretend to be one girl. Debbie (Emma Kenney) continues to protest for women rights, leading a protest outside a construction site. Nevertheless, no one is interested in joining her, and she is ridiculed by some of the employees. Later, she is visited by Alex (Ashley Romans), a woman disguised as a man in the construction site, who supports her movement.

Ian (Cameron Monaghan) is surprised when he is bailed out from prison. He believes Fiona did, but it is revealed that his followers have paid for the bail. His Gay Jesus Movement has spread nationwide gaining millions in funding from donors and getting various conversion camps shut down. However, Ian realizes his actions have inspired arsonist acts outside the city, and decides to abandon the church. Frank earns money by scamming both political parties, but ends up fired for more diversity hires. At the Alibi, he tells the patrons that they need a person who can support their ideologies. One of them suggests Mo White (Dan Lauria), a retired Republican representative. They collect money to support his campaign and visit him at his house to convince him to run. Despite Ford's opposition, Fiona makes the $100,000 investment, and celebrates with Liam in a vacant development land.

Production

The episode was written by producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by Erin Feeley. It was Smith Metzler's second writing credit, and Feeley's first directing credit. [1]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Mo White!" was seen by an estimated 1.12 million household viewers with a 0.39 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.39 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [2] This was a 15 percent decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 1.31 million household viewers with a 0.47 in the 18–49 demographics. [3]

Critical reviews

"Mo White!" received mixed reviews from critics. Myles McNutt of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "C+" grade and wrote, "The comic situations the show creates are often given thin justifications, and that's just supposed to be par for the course, but Frank's story demonstrates the consequences when the writers get sloppy constructing the setup to those situations. And when those comic situations don't really pay off in any significant way, or if the dramatic situations aren't explored as in depth as they could have been, you end up with another meandering episode that fails to tap into what the show can do best." [4]

Derek Lawrence of Entertainment Weekly wrote "Nine years in, how could Shameless find a way to get even more dirty, conniving, and, well, shameless? Five words: Frank gets involved in politics." [5]

David Crow of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote "The second episode of season 9 is not quite as strong as the premiere, but it still comes out of the gate swinging and by maintaining last week's strongest element: Frank Gallagher's incorrigible awfulness as a human being." [6] Kimberly Ricci of Uproxx wrote "The recent Shameless season premiere set up most characters for unlikely success and probable failure in their continuing Sisyphusian struggles. The shambolic antics continued in episode two, “Mo White,” but only one of the Gallaghers' happenings was truly compelling and worthy of examination." [7]

Tamar Barbash of Telltale TV gave the episode a 2.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote "Two episodes into the season, it feels like we're heading up the steep incline of a roller coaster. Life is slowly progressing upwards... but the inevitable drop is just around the corner. Who's going to survive it?" [8] Christopher Dodson of Show Snob wrote, "This season version of Shameless is shaping up to have monumental changes, rather than gradual character arcs. Things are moving quickly, with more on the line than ever. Lip's life, Carl's West Point dream, and Fiona's new career-driven life require quick, sharp thinking." [9]

Jade Budowski of Decider wrote "Since Shameless premiered some nine years ago, the Gallaghers have all been trying to get off first base in their respective ways. Well, except maybe Frank, who has been content to get his hands on cash and booze from his comfy state of mediocrity. This week's installment is no exception, as the South Side clan do their best to get ahead and strive for that ever elusive home run." [10] Paul Dailly of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 3.8 star rating out of 5, and wrote, ""Mo White for President" was a decent installment of this Showtime dramedy. While the show is starting to repeat itself, there is still a lot to like about it." [11]

Related Research Articles

<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.

"Lost" is the thirteenth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 109th overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells, and directed by co-executive producer Iain B. MacDonald. It originally aired on Showtime on March 3, 2019.

"Found" is the fourteenth episode and season finale of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 110th overall episode of the series and was written and directed by series developer John Wells. It originally aired on Showtime on March 10, 2019.

"You'll Know the Bottom When You Hit It" is the twelfth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 108th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Joe Lawson, and directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini. It originally aired on Showtime on February 24, 2019.

"The Hobo Games" is the eleventh episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 107th overall episode of the series and was written by Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by co-executive producer Iain B. MacDonald. It originally aired on Showtime on February 17, 2019.

"Los Diablos!" is the tenth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 106th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental, and directed by Roberto Sneider. It originally aired on Showtime on February 10, 2019.

"The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Alibi" is the eighth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 104th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Joe Lawson, and directed by Zetna Fuentes. It originally aired on Showtime on January 20, 2019.

"Down Like the Titanic" is the seventh episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 103rd overall episode of the series and was written by producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by Silver Tree. It originally aired on Showtime on October 21, 2018.

"Face It, You're Gorgeous" is the sixth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 102nd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental, and directed by Allison Liddi-Brown. It originally aired on Showtime on October 14, 2018.

"Black-Haired Ginger" is the fifth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 101st overall episode of the series and was written by producer Philip Buiser, and directed by main cast member William H. Macy. It originally aired on Showtime on October 7, 2018.

"Do Right, Vote White!" is the fourth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 100th overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells, and directed by Mark Mylod. It originally aired on Showtime on September 30, 2018.

"Weirdo Gallagher Vortex" is the third episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 99th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Joe Lawson, and directed by Kat Coiro. It originally aired on Showtime on September 23, 2018.

"Are You There Shim? It's Me, Ian" is the first episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 97th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental, and directed by co-executive producer Iain B. MacDonald. It originally aired on Showtime on September 9, 2018.

"NIMBY" is the fourth episode of the eleventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 126th overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Sherman Payne, and directed by Iain B. MacDonald. It originally aired on Showtime on January 10, 2021.

"Debbie Might Be a Prostitute" is the eighth episode of the tenth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 118th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by Rose Troche. It originally aired on Showtime on December 29, 2019.

"Which America?" is the third episode of the tenth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 113rd overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by executive producer Silver Tree. It originally aired on Showtime on November 24, 2019.

"We Few, We Lucky Few, We Band of Gallaghers!" is the first episode of the tenth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 111st overall episode of the series and was written and directed by series developer John Wells. It originally aired on Showtime on November 10, 2019.

"Occupy Fiona" is the seventh episode of the eighth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 91st overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Molly Smith Metzler, and directed by supervising producer Iain B. MacDonald. It originally aired on Showtime on December 17, 2017.

"Sleepwalking" is the twelfth episode and season finale of the eighth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 96th overall episode of the series and was written and directed by series developer John Wells. It originally aired on Showtime on January 28, 2018.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOONE!" is the ninth episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 105th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Philip Buiser, and directed by Loren Yaconelli. It originally aired on Showtime on January 27, 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "Shameless - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  2. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 18, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  3. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 11, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  4. ↑ McNutt, Myles (September 16, 2018). "Frank gets political, sending Shameless stumbling through an ideological minefield". The A.V. Club . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  5. ↑ Lawrence, Derek (September 16, 2018). "The Shameless shameless rankings: Frank puts the dirty in dirty politics". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  6. ↑ Crow, David (September 17, 2018). "Shameless Season 9 Episode 2 Review: Mo White". Den of Geek . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  7. ↑ Ricci, Kimberly (September 17, 2018). "Can Any 'Shameless' Gallagher Truly Become More Than Their DNA In 'Mo White'?". Uproxx . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  8. ↑ Barbash, Tamar (September 17, 2018). "Shameless Review: Mo White! (Season 9 Episode 2)". Telltale TV. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  9. ↑ Dodson, Christopher (September 17, 2018). "Shameless season 9, episode 2 recap: 'Mo White'". Show Snob. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  10. ↑ Budowski, Jade (September 17, 2018). "'Shameless' Season 9, Episode 2 Recap: First Base". Decider . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ Dailly, Paul (September 17, 2018). "Shameless Season 9 Episode 2 Review: Mo White for President". TV Fanatic. Retrieved July 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.