#howlinathowl

Monica and Bob seem to have moved into the Gallagher house. Bob is excited to get the DNA test back proving Liam isn’t Frank’s kid. Lip and Ian are eavesdropping. Look at these two worried baby faces!

Fiona and Steve seem to have moved into the new house, but she’s keeping tabs on Debbie and Carl with a baby monitor. They have school the next day. If the last episode ended on a Sunday, and they had time to get a DNA test, then maybe this is Monday night? But is Fiona wearing the same exact outfit she was wearing when she left Sheila’s the episode before? Is it the same night? Have they not done the DNA test they were just talking about yet? Who knows you guys! Who knows!

Anyway, the next morning is a classic hectic Gallagher kitchen moment. Monica is struggling to keep up in the morning and Lip is loving it.

This picture might as well be this one:

Carl needs $10 for a field trip to the aquarium. Deb needs poster board and markers to run for re-election. Lip needs $40 for a new textbook. Monica hasn’t made lunches. And Ian is unamused.

Also, the calendar on the fridge hasn’t changed still.

Fiona is losing her mind listening in. Steve buys her a new phone and gives her money for a couch. Lip gives Bob and Monica shit for trying to take Liam, then walks out. Monica follows him, asking for forgiveness, but Lip is so heartbroken and angry.

This episode’s really hard to make funny. It’s just a lot of these kids being sad..

The Jacksons seem to be doing better as a family, but Frank and Sheila aren’t doing as well. She’s not happy with Monica’s re-emergence, especially since Frank wakes up bright and early to head over to pick up Monica to sign the settlement papers. Also, there’s a car following Frank. Bob is excited to leave, but Monica is having a moment of good, wanting to stay and be with her kids. Frank comes to pick up Monica to go sign the settlement papers, but Bob says Monica won’t unless he convinces Fiona to give up Liam. And here’s a fun fact about Frank you might not have remembered if it weren’t for me doing these recaps. You’re welcome!

The car following Frank is being driven by Jasper the disability guy. He’s trying to catch Frank in a lie about his injury so he doesn’t get any more disability money. Meanwhile, Ian checks in on Mickey, asking Mandy how he’s doing. Here’s his scrunchy little worried face.

Kash is doing ok. Lip comes over and tells Ian they need to skip some school. Ian goes, no questions asked, but not before Lip and Mandy have a flirty eye moment. Please notice Ian’s “what the fuck why are they flirting” face.

Tony seems a little bitter about Steve buying the house next door. Vee and Fiona get the new couch in the door and find Frank waiting for them. The asshole is literally willing to sell his kid for the settlement money. Fiona is worried, so she and Vee start looking for a lawyer. Everybody’s got worried faces today!

Lip and Ian have a BROTHERS moment in a stolen car he borrowed from Steve. Ian tells Lip about the Mickey/Kash situation, and Lip is shocked. Please see this post by @gardenerian‘s most brilliant Anon. I’ve waited months to share that post. Anon, if you’re still out there, please take credit for this! Also, Thank you. Also, Lip’s face when Ian says he’s going to go see Mickey in prison. Think he knew his baby brother was already gone for the neighbourhood thug?

Anyway, They follow Monica and Bob to whatever appointment they have with Liam. Vee and Fiona see a lawyer. Fiona’s got a folder to explain why she should have guardianship. We find out that Monica’s been gone for 21 ½ months. If Liam is about two years old, means she left just shortly after he was born. She asks about their parents, if Frank is a drinker, and well—

(Thanks @gardenerian​ for these specially made gifs!)

Unfortunately Fiona doesn’t have the money to support them and she has to prove her parents’ incompetency, so the lawyer explains the kids would likely be split up into foster homes. Not ideal.

Bob and Monica find out that Liam is Frank’s. Carl is busy building some kind of bike ramp that’ll likely kill him. He gets away with just a broken arm. The fact that this kid grows up to be a fucking cop…

Frank is still being followed by Jasper. Lip and Ian have more brothers moments, swabbing their cheeks to find out if they’re Frank’s. Like, how cute is this!

Also they discuss whether one of them has the drunk gene from Frank or the dummy gene from Monica. Which, haha writers. I see what you did there…

Frank uses Carl’s broken arm to get Jasper to leave. Eddie is taking Karen to a Purity Ball, and she’s all dressed up in a pretty little pink and white dress. They have dinner together and Eddie is confused why Sheila would wonder if boys get Purity Balls too. Isn’t it just soooo nice?

Ian goes to see Mickey and those two babies are adorbs. Mickey’s got a year in juvi, a few months if he’s on his best behaviour, but we know Mickey.

Steve and Tony have a moment. Good Officer Tony isn’t so Good sometimes. The Gallaghers confront Frank at the Alibi to make sure he doesn’t sign parental rights of Liam to Monica. Frank is his usual self and Lip hits him. Good for Lip.

This Purity Ball is disgusting. But Karen has her fun. She explains that she’s been having oral sex since she was 13 and started having sex in the 8th grade. She explains that she’s experimented with guys and girls while high. And participated in an orgy. She keeps going until Eddie calls her a whore. Karen is absolutely heartbroken. She goes home and wrecks Eddie’s creepy little basement bedroom.

The Gallghers are having a dramatic family dinner over some burnt lasagna. Ian seems to forget what lasagna is though.

To be fair, it is a little burnt..

Lip comes home with the DNA results. Ian is not Frank Gallagher’s son. Frank seems more upset about Monica doing PCP without him than Ian not being his son. He’s pretty mad that Monica fucked his brother, though. Yeah, it’s a lot to deal with baby Ian.

Fiona tells Monica to leave and never come back, and Sheila kicks Eddie out and in her anger, she follows Eddie outside, where Frank sees her. He points out that she’s out of the house and Sheila is ecstatic. Good for her!!

The Gallaghers are watching Bob and Monica from the window of Steve’s house. They see them packing, then leave the house with Liam. Monica does the right thing and gives him to Fiona. And then she leaves again.

And after all that, Frank doesn’t get his money.