The premiere of a series following the escapades of a hard-partying Chicago father who provides no guidance to his dysfunctional brood of six. First up: daughter Fiona has her purse snatched but manages to make the acquaintance of a handsome young man, and Lip discovers an unsettling secret about younger brother Ian.
Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the bar spending what little money they have, he's passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.
Liam out-Gallaghers Frank, Lip works to convince Tami to stay in Chicago with their baby, Debbie turns over a new romantic leaf and Kev’s new business takes off, but V wonders where the money is going.
Frank finds a cushy place to make his new home. Lip gets cold feet when Tami moves forward with a plan for their future. Ian sees a new side of Mickey, and Debbie’s love triangle reaches a breaking point.
An incident in the Tamietti family presents Lip and Tami with a new opportunity. Faye’s betrayal lands Frank in front of a judge. Mickey’s antics drive Ian to online dating. Carl makes an unexpected discovery at his new job.
Frank goes back in time to uncover his connection to Faye, as Debbie’s day with Claudia’s daughter goes awry. Carl takes extreme measures to toughen up his new group of cadets. Ian struggles to connect with Mickey after their blowup.
Debbie weighs the pros and cons of a new career path. Frank uncovers the truth about Faye’s living situation. A miscommunication between Ian and Mickey has disastrous consequences and Lip and Tami disagree over who should be taking care of Fred.