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The ‘Shameless’ ship is sailing once again

Cameron Monaghan (left) as Ian Gallagher and Noel Fisher as Mickey in “Shameless.” Chuck Hodes/SHOWTIME/SHOWTIME

The ‘Shameless’ ship is sailing once again

Until last week’s episode of “Shameless” (which I am about to spoil), it looked like boyfriends Mickey Milkovich and Ian Gallagher would probably remain apart for a very long time. Mickey was in jail for attempted murder, and Ian was pulling his life together, working as an EMT and learning about gender issues with his trans boyfriend Trevor.

But fate — as well as writers aware of audience affection for Mickey and Ian’s relationship, perhaps — had other things in mind. Their ship is sailing once again, now that Mickey has escaped from jail and, after some indecision, Ian has decided to join him on the run.

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Like the Internet, which has affectionately labeled the relationship “Gallivich,” I am pleased. I mean, I’m frustrated that Ian is throwing everything away, since he has really found himself recently; he is and will always be a Gallagher, and self-destruction is like a member of the family at this point. But I’m happy to see the pair together, because they have such powerful chemistry. Let’s see if it lasts this time — OK, we know it probably won’t last, because of the whole fugitive-from-justice thing, but we can dream, right?

Ian and Mickey have been one of TV’s most interesting and unexpected same-sex couples for years now. Like Omar on “The Wire,” they fall outside the gay stereotypes we still often see on TV, the “safer” gay men who talk fashion and use “totes” and “adorbs.” They’re from rough, poor Chicago backgrounds, they don’t have great verbal skills, and they’re surrounded by people who don’t understand what it means to be LGBTQ.

Mickey, in particular, is an unusual sight, a street thug with a violent temper who had a hard time accepting himself until he exploded (his coming-out episode was one of the show’s best). He does have a tender side, but it’s buried deep in hostility and ignorance.

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Both Cameron Monaghan, as Ian, and Noel Fisher, as Mickey, are extraordinary on the show. As the hard-loving members of one of TV’s scrappiest love affairs, they’re still a great mess.


Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewGilbert.