Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
The Gallaghers begin the season dealing with the aftermath of Frank’s recovery from a coma and Lip’s return from rehab. Fiona concentrates on work, buys a laundromat and sells it for a profit after renovating it. Lip tries to maintain sobriety and return to college, while Debbie steals and sells strollers as she raises Franny. Carl earns a scholarship and leaves for military school. Ian starts volunteering at Frank’s neighborhood shelter, where he meets Trevor, and the two begin dating.
Ian’s new relationship is tested when he learns that Mickey has escaped from prison. Ian reconnects with Mickey, who is on the run and asks him to cross the border into Mexico. Ian initially agrees, but at the border he changes his mind and lets Mickey go alone; he returns to Chicago and his EMT work. Monica also comes back, frail and hoping to make amends. She and Frank reconcile and renew their vows, but Monica dies in her sleep the following morning from a brain aneurysm. Fiona’s memories of their mother’s neglect leave her with little sympathy for Frank’s grief.
As Fiona prepares Monica’s funeral, Frank divides bags of meth among the children as their inheritance. Fiona buries her share with her mother rather than sell it. The gathering turns into a dance party as the Gallaghers reckon with their complicated feelings for Monica and Frank. The closing moments show the family moving into new routines: Debbie begins welding classes, Lip attends a meeting and finds a new sponsor, Carl returns from military school, and Ian is back at work. With the laundromat profits, Fiona buys an apartment building and begins work as a landlord.