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Fiona’s mother’s death marked a turning point that prompted her to relinquish her matriarchal role in the family. Her independence and success as a business owner empowered her to contemplate a life beyond Chicago. As her siblings matured into adulthood, Fiona no longer felt the constant obligation to care for them, freeing her from familial responsibilities. Despite Shameless being adapted from the British series, the American version, particularly through the character of Fiona Gallagher, is hailed as a compelling and emotionally engaging TV drama on Showtime.
Fiona, portrayed by Emmy Rossum in the initial nine seasons, is the eldest sibling thrust into the role of the family’s de facto matriarch, juggling the responsibility of holding the family together amidst her complicated personal life. Fans were dismayed when Fiona decided to part ways with her family at the end of Season 9, concluding Rossum’s tenure on the show after almost a decade. However, whether or not influenced by Rossum’s departure, Fiona’s choice to leave is justified in the context of the character’s development.
Nearly five years after this pivotal decision, it’s worthwhile to examine Fiona Gallagher’s trajectory in Shameless and the factors that led to her departure.
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The Death of Fiona’s Mother
While Season 9 of the popular Showtime series Shameless is often seen as a crucial point in Fiona’s storyline, the real catalyst for her departure from Chicago can be traced back to the death of her mother, Monica (Chloe Webb), in Season 7. Fiona had to step into the role of the family caretaker due to Monica’s abandonment when she was a child, leading to lingering resentment towards her parents. Despite these feelings, Fiona still harbors some deep-seated love for them.
The pivotal moment comes with Monica’s death in Season 7. Fiona clashes with her family over funeral arrangements and makes a seemingly heartless decision to burn Monica’s corpse in a parking lot bonfire. Notably, Fiona chooses to destroy her share of the methamphetamine inheritance left by Monica, foregoing a significant fortune. Following this, Fiona reconciles with her father and allows him back into the Gallagher household.
The insightful writing in Shameless subtly lays the groundwork for Fiona’s departure. By bidding farewell to Monica and rejecting her mother’s inheritance, Fiona unconsciously starts to release herself from the matriarchal role she has played in the Gallagher household. Her divergence from her siblings’ funeral plans and her willingness to let Frank be a father again foreshadow Fiona’s imminent departure.
Fiona Gained Autonomy With Her Own Business
In Season 8, Fiona takes on the role of a property owner, immersing herself in the world of real estate in Chicago’s south side. As she dedicates more time to learning the ropes, renovating her building, and attracting tenants, her focus on family diminishes. Fiona becomes increasingly independent, and her attention is divided by Ford, a charming Irish man with his own real estate insights. By Season 9, she discovers Ford is married, influencing her decision to leave.
Fiona’s growing success as a building owner empowers her and prompts her to consider a life beyond Chicago. Despite facing various challenges and enduring demeaning jobs for money in the past, Fiona’s legal and independent success as an entrepreneur proves to herself that she can build a better life without relying on privileged connections or charity. This experience, gained through hands-on learning and overcoming obstacles as a sole proprietor, gives her the financial means and personal strength to eventually leave her family behind.
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She Was No Longer Needed By her Family
As viewers witnessed the evolution of the Gallagher kids in Shameless, Fiona played a crucial role in their upbringing, ensuring their basic needs were met. In the initial stages, she took on the responsibilities of feeding, bathing, clothing, and providing shelter for her younger siblings, such as Lip, Ian, Debs, and Carl. It was evident that they genuinely needed a maternal figure, and Fiona took on that role, despite the challenges.
As time passed and the characters matured into adulthood, the dynamics shifted. Fiona’s siblings, now grown, faced their own challenges and responsibilities. Debs became a parent herself, navigating adult problems, while Lip took on the role of a guardian for Xan. Ian faced legal issues due to his activism, and Carl found structure in the military. With each sibling handling their own adult issues, Fiona began to sense that her constant support was no longer as crucial. This newfound freedom allowed her to release the burden of familial responsibilities that she had carried throughout her adult life.
Moving on to Greener Pastures
In Season 9, Episode 14, titled “Found,” Fiona bids a subtle farewell. After facing the consequences of a bad real estate investment, she works as a gas station clerk. However, her fortunes change when a former business associate surprises her with a $100,000 check from a successful deal. This windfall frees Fiona from her financial troubles and domestic responsibilities.
Given the chance to reshape her life, Fiona considers various options, including real estate investment and extravagant spending. However, guided by the advice of her attorney and a visit to her brother Ian in jail, she decides to move away from the Southside and embrace adulthood. Her lawyer encourages her to leave behind the “hood rat crap,” and during a conversation with Ian, he gives her his wholehearted blessing to leave town and start anew. With the support of her brother, Fiona decides to leave her past behind and seek a fresh start.
An Unknown Warmer Climate
After departing Chicago, Fiona’s ultimate destination remains uncertain, as revealed in “Found.” Expressing her aversion to winters, she hints at heading somewhere near the equator. Despite her family’s farewell party, Fiona opts to say her goodbyes to her siblings and exits, suitcase in hand. Frank acknowledges her assistance with a begrudging “Thanks,” to which Fiona, true to form, retorts, “Helped? I did it all, Frank,” before leaving his life.
In the concluding scene of Shameless, Fiona boards a plane alongside a young girl, both experiencing their inaugural flight. Despite Fiona’s premature transition into adulthood for the sake of her family, her final moments evoke the image of a vulnerable girl filled with wonder about the boundless possibilities ahead. This poignant conclusion to Fiona’s character, portrayed authentically and with heartfelt pathos by Emmy Rossum throughout, is a fitting end. Fiona leaves behind a parting gift for her family: $50,000 and a warm farewell note expressing love. Watch it on Netflix.
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