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DVD Description
In the fourth series of Paul Abbott’s Shameless, the Gallaghers return to prove that life is just as usual on the Chatsworth estate, reconfirming their status as Manchester’s most dysfunctional family in the process.
In this series, Frank (David Threlfall) is sent into a spin when mum Monica (Annabelle Apsion) turns up, claiming to be back for good. Will the house be big enough for her and Sheila (Maggie O'Neill)? In the meantime, Lip (Jody Latham) is juggling with parenting issues, while Ian (Gerard Kearns) is looking for love, Carl (Elliott Tittensor) is busy on a secret crime spree, and Debbie (Rebecca Ryan) decides to interview potential boyfriends. Carol (Marjorie Yates) is still having trouble keeping her legs and mouth shut, and Kash (Chris Bisson) is happy screwing the council. And, just to make things even more interesting, this series will reveal the bizarre connection between Kev, Veronica, Marty, Sue and a Romanian baby! Next door at the Maguires, Jamie (Aaron McCusker) returns after a stint in prison and sparks fly with him and barmaid Karen (Rebecca Atkinson). Then there are his brothers--the not-so-bright Shane (Nicky Evans), and Micky (Claran Griffiths), a wannabe hard man struggling with his own secrets.
Synopsis
The fourth series of offbeat TV drama Shameless promises plenty of laughs from Manchester's most dysfunctional family, the Gallaghers, as they go about their hectic lives. Join Frank and his six kids--Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam--, for whom there is never a dull moment on Chatsworth housing estate. Series 4 serves up a heady cocktail of sex, drugs, gratuitous violence, love, and scams, ensuring there's something for absolutely everyone!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I really couldn't bring myself to like this, though I am a big fan of the first three series.
I watched all the way through every episode, but it was an effort, not a pleasure. Some may argue that change prevents stagnation, but here the formula has diverged too far for my taste.
Another two of the best characters, Kev and Veronica, have left the show, and a number of other favourite supporting characters have disappeared or have only fleeting parts. In exchange, we have a much expanded role for the hideous Maguire family, which really does not sit well with the dynamic of previous series. That's not to knock the actors, who I think did a good job in making the Maguires nasty pieces of work when they made occasional supporting appearances. Here though, we are expected to accept them as bungling pantomime characters who get more screen time than the Gallagher family.
Then there's the new police officers, who appear to take inspiration from the keystone cops and just irritated me for some reason. Or Frank, who says and does nothing of any moment the entire series, and Debbie who is now much more mature, but does not seem to be her usual devious self. Lip, Ian and Carl are "around", and even have epsiodes centred around them, but they take something of a back seat much of the time.
On the plus side, we see quite a bit of Karen (Rebecca Atkinson), and Norma is revealed to be a more complex character than previously expected, nicely acted too.
Overall, this is a weak and repetitive series compared to the previous ones. Ever more extreme, shocking and unlikely plot devices are used to compensate for a lack of interesting stories and characters. Perhaps the worst thing about it though, is that there is virtually no humour in it anymore. Dig out your DVD of Series One and compare the warmth and sharp humour on display there.
I watched all the way through every episode, but it was an effort, not a pleasure. Some may argue that change prevents stagnation, but here the formula has diverged too far for my taste.
Another two of the best characters, Kev and Veronica, have left the show, and a number of other favourite supporting characters have disappeared or have only fleeting parts. In exchange, we have a much expanded role for the hideous Maguire family, which really does not sit well with the dynamic of previous series. That's not to knock the actors, who I think did a good job in making the Maguires nasty pieces of work when they made occasional supporting appearances. Here though, we are expected to accept them as bungling pantomime characters who get more screen time than the Gallagher family.
Then there's the new police officers, who appear to take inspiration from the keystone cops and just irritated me for some reason. Or Frank, who says and does nothing of any moment the entire series, and Debbie who is now much more mature, but does not seem to be her usual devious self. Lip, Ian and Carl are "around", and even have epsiodes centred around them, but they take something of a back seat much of the time.
On the plus side, we see quite a bit of Karen (Rebecca Atkinson), and Norma is revealed to be a more complex character than previously expected, nicely acted too.
Overall, this is a weak and repetitive series compared to the previous ones. Ever more extreme, shocking and unlikely plot devices are used to compensate for a lack of interesting stories and characters. Perhaps the worst thing about it though, is that there is virtually no humour in it anymore. Dig out your DVD of Series One and compare the warmth and sharp humour on display there.
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Like a few others, I felt the third series represented a bit of a dip in the Shameless trajectory with not enough laughs and not enough of the Gallagher kids featured in the stories. I'm delighted to say that the fourth is a triumphant return to form.
The action is neatly divided among the main characters with a bit less of Frank, who I thought dominated the third series a little too much (though his fans needn't worry - he's still around in abundance). Some will lament the loss of Kevin and Veronica who, like Fiona and Steve, are now gone, locked in a Romanian jail. Others will dislike the Maguire family, who make the Gallaghers look like The Waltons...or at least The Simpsons. I think they add humour (despite the ever-present threat of violence). The key difference is that, in a programme where, at times, it's possible to sympathise with almost every character, you'd really be hard-pushed to like anything about Mimi and Paddy Maguire!
As always, the storylines have moments of incredible sadness among the comedy but this never descends into sentimentality or pathos. One of the delights in the writing is always in the reversal of conventional wisdom (such as the Maguires' horror that their son Jamie wants to get married without having got anyone pregnant). Carl and Debbie are now older and their storylines richer, giving them moments of joy and sorrow as intense as those of the other characters.
If you haven't seen it yet, I don't want to give too much away, but Shiela and Marty find happiness in ways you'd not expect and as for what happens to Ian...no, I mustn't reveal any more.
Shameless says more about Britain as it really is than just about anything on television. It's easy to focus on the sex, drugs and crime but its message that family, community and love are the most important things in life has won it an audience with viewers of every age.
The action is neatly divided among the main characters with a bit less of Frank, who I thought dominated the third series a little too much (though his fans needn't worry - he's still around in abundance). Some will lament the loss of Kevin and Veronica who, like Fiona and Steve, are now gone, locked in a Romanian jail. Others will dislike the Maguire family, who make the Gallaghers look like The Waltons...or at least The Simpsons. I think they add humour (despite the ever-present threat of violence). The key difference is that, in a programme where, at times, it's possible to sympathise with almost every character, you'd really be hard-pushed to like anything about Mimi and Paddy Maguire!
As always, the storylines have moments of incredible sadness among the comedy but this never descends into sentimentality or pathos. One of the delights in the writing is always in the reversal of conventional wisdom (such as the Maguires' horror that their son Jamie wants to get married without having got anyone pregnant). Carl and Debbie are now older and their storylines richer, giving them moments of joy and sorrow as intense as those of the other characters.
If you haven't seen it yet, I don't want to give too much away, but Shiela and Marty find happiness in ways you'd not expect and as for what happens to Ian...no, I mustn't reveal any more.
Shameless says more about Britain as it really is than just about anything on television. It's easy to focus on the sex, drugs and crime but its message that family, community and love are the most important things in life has won it an audience with viewers of every age.
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'll start off by focusing on the bad points of Shameless series 4. Firstly, the Gallagher's ever-reliable neighbours, Kev and Veronica (Dean Lennox Kelly and Maxine Peake) leave the series in the first episode, swiftly followed by the wonderfully barmy Sheila (Maggie O'Neill) soon after. This void is filled by the gruesome Maguire family, who move in lock, stock and more than two smoking barrels next door to the Gallaghers. The Maguires worked best when they were semi-regular characters, but their promotion to main character status means that they aren't as effective any more. Meanwhile, the show's most popular character, Frank (David Threlfall), barely appears after the initial story arc! I would also argue that the writing isn't as sharp as it once was, and most episodes seem to be played for laughs, with less of the great drama we've come to expect from the show. Lastly, the conclusion of the series is a real Marmite moment: love it or hate it. I hated it!
Now for the positives. The characterisation of the Gallagher kids continues to be well-handled, and Debbie has firmly stepped into the role of mother figure left by Fiona (Anne Marie Duff). There's an excellent change in the dynamic when Frank's errant wife Monica (Annabelle Apsion) returns, announcing that she is no longer a lesbian! This creates some superb tension in the Gallagher household, as Monica and Debbie vie for 'mother' status. Lastly, the supporting characters, including Marty, Carol and Yvonne, get some interesting developments, and the ongoing Maguires storyline is nicely resolved. Overall, the show manages to adapt to the loss of more of its big characters, but its clearly lacking some of the sparkling writing of the first two series. If there's another series, hopefully we'll see some of the old stars pop in for guest appearances (hint hint, Mr. and Mrs. McAvoy!)
Now for the positives. The characterisation of the Gallagher kids continues to be well-handled, and Debbie has firmly stepped into the role of mother figure left by Fiona (Anne Marie Duff). There's an excellent change in the dynamic when Frank's errant wife Monica (Annabelle Apsion) returns, announcing that she is no longer a lesbian! This creates some superb tension in the Gallagher household, as Monica and Debbie vie for 'mother' status. Lastly, the supporting characters, including Marty, Carol and Yvonne, get some interesting developments, and the ongoing Maguires storyline is nicely resolved. Overall, the show manages to adapt to the loss of more of its big characters, but its clearly lacking some of the sparkling writing of the first two series. If there's another series, hopefully we'll see some of the old stars pop in for guest appearances (hint hint, Mr. and Mrs. McAvoy!)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The McGuire's haha
Im so glad they became full time cast members! Have to say Kev and Veronica are sorely missed though! :( Veronica was my favourite character! but i love Frank and Debbie too! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Trina
LOVED EVERY EPISODE!
Buy this now, shameless is easily the best programme on telelvison, the maguire family are epic in this, its sad not see veronica and kev anymore but they are replaced with... Read more
Published 15 months ago
not happy
still not recived this iteam dont belive i ever will i want my money back
Published on 31 May 2010 by Mr. Martyn Antony Dobson
great
love shameless this was the last boxset i needed to complete my collection. very cheap
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by S. Jepson
Shameless Brilliant
This proved to be just the ticket for dvd entertainment .
Don't you just love Frank.
Don't you just love Frank.
Published on 16 April 2009 by Sandy
shameless 5
The Irish family have really put a spark into the mix
Twists in the plots are superb
Twists in the plots are superb
Published on 4 April 2009 by Mrs. D. Swinbourne
Shameless - definately
Shameless is definately an acquired taste. I am definately bias with this production, I find it offensive, funny, sad and definately brilliantly written. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by D. Amos
Shameful more like!
What went wrong? We have watched series 1 ,2 & 3. But from episode 5 it went completely down the tubes. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2009 by Ailsa Reynolds
FAB!
I do not get why people seem to hate Shameless 4 as its one of my fab series. Yes I loved Kev and Veronica but things had to move on and the Maguires are so much fun! Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2008 by Cazanya
Love it
Obviously this series was not as good as series one and two but it was good all the same. I thought with all the main characters such as steve, Fiona, Kev, VEronica and Sheila... Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2007 by Katy R
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