Entertainment
Where is Fiona Gallagher going on Netflix’s Shameless?
Web Editor Jenny Diaz
Emmy Rossum, also known as Shameless’ Fiona Gallagher, has left the ongoing Netflix show Shameless. Rossum played the character in the last episode on season nine titled “Home,” which marked the last appearance of the Fiona Gallagher character. This is fitting since the penultimate episode of the season was called “Lost,” which featured the character still trying to get on her feet after a setback.
So this is what has happened to the character Fiona Gallagher -- and warning, this may have some spoilers. In the episode, Fiona is very much an ensemble installment. Throughout the series, Fiona sensed that she was no longer needed as the mother of the family, The children were growing up, and Debbie (Emma Kenney) was stepping up take Fiona’s place. In Fiona’s last episode in Shameless, she said her goodbyes to her father, Frank (William H.Macy), and it wasn’t really a warm goodbye for the two. When Fiona was saying goodbye to Frank, he didn’t even bother to move from the couch, he also had a brisk exchange with Fiona as she left to live her own life and do what she wants to do.
As Fiona was walking to the door to leave and go who-knows-where, Frank and Fiona exchanged a few words to each other. Fiona stated "Afraid if I stay, I won't ever leave”; Fiona then told Frank about the party that Lip (Jeremy Allen White), Fiona’s brother, was planning for her. Frank then came to say "You did a good job...you stepped in and helped. Thanks." Then the conversation between Fiona and Frank continued: "Helped? I did it all, Frank," Fiona said. "Well, if that helps you sleep better," Frank then stated. "See you around, Frank," Fiona said as she leaves the house to go live her own life.
On Twitter Rossum broke down the scene between her and Frank for a fan who had shared their interpretation. Rossum tweeted a fan of the show a break down of the scene by stating "It's him trying to say, ‘I love you in my way' and her saying I know." The executive producer of the show, John Wells, explained how Fiona’s goodbye between her father and herself was way different when she was saying her final goodbye to her Brother Lip (Jeremy Allen White).
John Wells explained that they are the same type of scene, but with completely different emotions and different personalities between the two people when they are saying goodbye to Fiona for the very last time. The subtext of Lip and Fiona saying goodbye to each other could be summed up with that “Thank You,” which is really saying that he is thankful for every single thing that Fiona has done for him since he was a little kid. Lip is also happy for Fiona, for getting a chance to finally live her own life for once. This is the exact opposite of what Frank, Fiona’s father, wanted for her. Frank is a narcissist and he feels that everybody is always leaving him.
Wells told TVLine "that Monica ( Frank's ex-wife) left him, and his mother left him, and now Fiona's leaving him. So it's all about him and how badly he feels, and he isn't thankful.” Wells stated that he sort of intentionally shot it so that the audience sees Frank, but Fiona can't see his face. So we can actually see how painful it is for him, even though he's refusing to say what we all know he should say, and Frank just can't bring himself to say it. He even knows he's supposed to say it. But he can't bring himself to say it, because she's deserting him, she's leaving him.
Rossum also acknowledged that the shirt she wore in her very first episode of Shameless was the same as the shirt she wore in very last episode. Fiona at the end of her final scene she stated to E! News "Tonight, on my last evening as Fiona, I want to express my gratitude and love for the Shameless family and our faithful audience. It's been an honor and privilege to be your Fiona."