The episode airing March 4, "Parenthood", received 1.6 million total viewers, its highest-rated show of the season.

New developments shift in the lives of the Gallaghers' family and friends: Fiona is now waitressing alongside Veronica at a bar; Ian expresses interest in attending West Point; Mickey is sent back to jail after punching a cop; Karen has joined Sex Addicts Anonymous and has a new eccentric partner, Jody; Tony now lives in the house next door to the Gallaghers; Kevin and Veronica begin trying for a baby.

As her pregnancy progresses, Karen feels she would be an unfit mother and decides to put her baby up for adoption.

Frank's abusive mother, Peggy "Grammy" Gallagher is released from prison on medical furlough and immediately storms trouble within the family's already hectic lives.

Though Fiona is suspicious, Monica comes back to care for the children and help out around the house, though unbeknownst to the rest of the family, she is not taking her medication.

On the day of Monica's attempted suicide, Karen gives birth in the hospital, but the baby boy is Asian and has Down syndrome.

In the season's final scenes, the family gets rid of an unconscious Frank, removing him from their home and good graces.

The show's second season began shooting on July 5, 2011[13] and it premiered on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at a new time slot at 9:00pm.

The critics consensus reads, "The good times continue to roll in Shameless's second season as the series ups the ante with outrageous gags and unabashed joy for the ties that bind.