Fuck Paying It Forward

"Fuck Paying It Forward" is the fourth episode of the eighth season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name.

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.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.59 million household viewers and gained a 0.61 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.

Brad (Scott Michael Campbell) tells Lip (Jeremy Allen White) that he should consider a "no strings attached" relationship.

Ian (Cameron Monaghan) lets a shelter girl of Trevor's sleep at the Gallagher house to help her out of a bad spot.

Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) attempts to catch a junkie breaking into houses on the block, after learning the thief stole a disabled veteran's medals.

[1] In its original American broadcast, "Fuck Paying It Forward" was seen by an estimated 1.59 million household viewers with a 0.61 in the 18–49 demographics.

[2] This was a 18 percent increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 1.34 million household viewers with a 0.47 in the 18–49 demographics.

The more the cycle repeats, however, the more we learn to distrust progress, knowing that inevitably something will come along to upset the balance and erase the growth that had pushed the characters forward.

"[4] Derek Lawrence of Entertainment Weekly wrote "Many wild things have happened at the Gallagher household, but “F— Paying It Forward” manages a first: turning it into a strip club.

"[5] David Crow of Den of Geek gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote "Overall, it was a perfectly serviceable episode of Shameless with a few really inspired moments involving St. Francis in a PTA meeting or V worrying that the rednecks have decapitated poor, dim Kev.