My Oldest Daughter

"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.

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 1.60 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.

Now able to pay for insurance, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) decides to take Debbie (Emma Kenney), Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) and Liam for regular medical check-ups.

Debbie expresses interest in going on the pill, to Fiona's dismay, while Carl unsuccessfully tries to use the visit to get prescriptions for Frank (William H. Macy), who is trying different methods to get alcohol in his system.

Kevin is ecstatic over the news, until Kate (Kerry O'Malley) reveals that Stan left the bar in a heavy debt.

Club gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, ""Simple Pleasures" was a slight downshift, but considering the show's established start-slow pacing, it was an auspicious beginning to season four that solidified the Shameless streak.

"[5] David Crow of Den of Geek gave the episode a 3.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "There is no shame in keeping secrets, if they can remain hidden.

Crow was mixed over the episode's cliffhanger, writing "this sort of fourth season reveal could be the sign of desperation as played out in generic family sitcoms when they need to revitalize the cutsey dynamics every five years or so.

"[6] Leigh Raines of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5, and wrote, "Sometimes you just can't escape your roots, upbringing, family, the ties that bind, etc.