‘Shameless’ 15 Years Later: 7 Times Gallavich Proved to Be One of TV’s Most Enduring Couples
Shameless is ringing in a major milestone as the series celebrates 15 years since its premiere on Showtime. Originally broadcasting on January 9, 2011, Shameless may have started off as an Americanized remake of the British original, but it quickly gained its own intrigue, due to the Gallaghers of Chicago’s South Side.
While we’ll always have a soft spot for eldest daughter Fiona (Emmy Rossum), brainy Lip (Jeremy Allen White), and even the chaotic patriarch Frank (William H. Macy), we’d be lying if we didn’t admit that one of the main reasons we kept tuning into the show was because of the romance between Ian Gallagher (Cameron Monaghan) and Mickey Milkovich (Noel Fisher), affectionately known as Gallavich by fans. Although their relationship was often toxic, we couldn’t help but be swayed by their unwavering devotion to one another over the seasons.
So, in celebration of the series’ 15th anniversary, we’re rounding up seven of our favorite Gallavich moments that prove Ian and Mickey are one of TV’s most enduring couples.
Shameless, Streaming Now, Netflix
When Mickey Came Out at the Alibi
In Season 4, Ian was fed up with feeling like Mickey’s little secret as they continued to get together despite Milkovich’s sham of a marriage to Svetlana (Isadora Goreshter). While attending a party for Mickey’s son with Svetlana, Ian tells his love that they’re through due to his refusal to come out. There’s no denying, it was wrong of Ian to pressure him into revealing the truth about their relationship publicly, but Mickey proved that his love for Ian is deeper than a fear of a beating at the hands of his bigoted jailbird father Terry (Dennis Cockrum).
Getting Ian Help
When Ian started to experience extreme bipolar episodes in Season 5, Mickey worked tirelessly to get his love the help he needed with the assistance of Gallagher big sis Fiona (Emmy Rossum). Despite Ian having run off with Mickey’s son in a manic state, he didn’t waiver from his partner’s side in getting him the proper care, even if he didn’t entirely understand what Ian was going through. Their embrace at the mental care facility’s gate is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
Mickey's Support
Following Ian’s time at the mental facility for his bipolar disorder, he’s sent home and provided medication to level his mood, but the side effects are extreme as he appears to go on autopilot. But Mickey sticks by his side, ditching his own family to take care of Ian and taking the saying of “being there for someone else” to another level.
When Ian Helped Mickey Over the Border
One of many goodbyes between the duo took place in Season 7 when Mickey re-entered Ian’s life after spending time in prison. In an effort to make some cash, Mickey takes a job tied to the cartel which leads the pair on a road trip to the border. Following Mickey’s lead, Ian supports his on-again-off-again love up until the moment they reach the end of the line. Although it broke Mickey’s heart that Ian wouldn’t join him in Mexico, their shared understanding to follow their own paths proved that they had each others’ best interest at heart, even if it hurt them.
Ian's Arrival in Prison
Shortly after announcing his exit as a full-time cast member in Season 9, Cameron Monaghan’s Ian entered prison following his Gay Jesus van explosion stunt. After bidding his family farewell, he was shown to his cell where he began to get settled. Shortly after arriving though, he learns that his cellmate is none other than Mickey who ratted on the cartel in exchange for a choice of prison and cellmate. The joy shared between the men in that moment is clear and plain on their faces. And the relief of knowing Ian isn’t alone in prison is certainly another comfort.
Close Quarter Complications
While Ian and Mickey were thrilled during their Season 9 reunion, Season 10 was a bit of a different story as the pair proceeded to act like an old married couple after months of close confinement together. Forced to deal with each other’s annoying habits, the duo wasn’t sure they could stand the test of time without some more space between them, but despite this hiccup, this experience revealed that if they could survive each other in prison, then they could survive almost anything together.
They Say 'I Do'
It’s insane to think back to where Ian and Mickey started out in Season 1 of Shameless as enemies turned lovers, but they have come through the roller-coaster as the pair wed in Season 10’s finale. Even with plenty of hurdles and obstacles in their way, Ian and Mickey’s love prevailed through burned-down wedding venues and homophobic foes for one memorable ceremony and union that we feel will stick for the pair, even now, long after the series is over.
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