It is the 92nd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Nancy M. Pimental, and directed by main cast member Emmy Rossum.
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.
While cleaning the new youth center, Ian (Cameron Monaghan) and Trevor (Elliot Fletcher) learn that one of the kids, Jamie, who tried to commit suicide after his parents forced him to visit a gay conversion church.
While accompanying Debbie (Emma Kenney) to Planned Parenthood, Lip (Jeremy Allen White) sees Charlie (Chet Hanks) got a girl pregnant.
Nessa and Mel (Perry Mattfeld) throw a party to celebrate both of their pregnancies; Fiona discovers that Ford had voluntarily fathered both of their babies, and is not the first time he does it.
Club gave the episode a "C" grade and wrote, "“Frank's Northern Southern Express” does nothing to keep the season off its downward slide, even if it's an improvement on last week's low point.
"[4] Derek Lawrence of Entertainment Weekly wrote "Emmy Rossum, Fiona herself, directed “Frank's Northern Southern Express,” which serves as her second time behind the camera on the series and one of the season's best installments.
"[5] David Crow of Den of Geek gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote "Ms. Rossum did a fine job directing it, and all the cast was very game, but even though this was scripted over half a year ago, it very much feels like the writers' room was already off for the holidays.