Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
After Debbie becomes pregnant, Fiona refuses to support her decision to have the baby, and the sisters’ conflict runs through the season. Fiona’s own relationship with Sean grows serious, while her marriage to Gus remains unfinished. When the Gallagher house faces foreclosure and auction, the family is forced out; Fiona later works to reclaim it after the original buyers withdraw. Frank, grieving Bianca’s death, tries to act like a devoted father and briefly sides with Debbie. Debbie and Frank return from Queenie’s rural commune before Debbie gives birth to Franny.
Lip’s problems at college deepen as his relationship with professor Helene and his drinking spiral out of control. After he is expelled and arrested, Professor Youens pushes him toward treatment. Ian puts his relationship with Mickey behind him and begins dating firefighter Caleb; with Caleb’s support, Ian works toward a more stable future and takes an EMT job. Mickey remains in prison, while Svetlana faces the threat of deportation. Carl returns from juvenile detention and becomes involved with a new girlfriend, Dominique, as the family struggles to keep its home and relationships together.
Fiona accepts Sean’s proposal and prepares to marry him, but Frank discovers that Sean is still using heroin. On the wedding day, Frank arrives high and exposes Sean’s addiction in front of the congregation. Fiona’s wedding stops, Sean admits the truth, and he leaves to fight for custody of his son. Lip, still drinking heavily, is bailed out by Youens, who drops him off at rehab. Ian tries to return to his EMT job, and Debbie’s new baby joins the Gallagher household. The season ends with Frank thrown into the river by his family after the wedding disaster.