Gallavich things I can't stop thinking about from 11x02:
Franny running straight to Ian and Mickey's door first to wake them up for her birthday.
"Hey, hey, hey, birthday Franny."
Mickey looking immediately irritated with Ian's chipper morning demeanor.
And the robe (I don't care what anyone says; I fucking love it. Robes don't have to be pretty. They have to be cozy, and Mickey's looks cozy as fuck.)
Also, Gallagher kitchen scene, y'all.
Uncle Ian bringing home a special box of cereal for Franny. And I don't care what anyone says, this was sweet. He used the resources he had to try to do something special for his niece. And I loved the way he was trying to chat with her about it. It was cute. (Also, love the fact that the top of the fridge is used for cereal storage because same).
Mickey being an ass while pouring his coffee because he can.
Ian snarking right back as he crowds behind Mickey to grab a mug.
And for real, y'all, they're bickering, but they're still so casually gravitating toward one another—it's beautiful.
Ian grabbing the coffee pot literally the moment Mickey puts it down.
Ian discovering said coffee pot is empty, looking a little disappointed, but just putting it back and moving on without a word about it. Which I also found very sweet. With all the bickering, Ian easily could've turned that into a thing or swiped Mickey's cup or whatever, but he just lets Mickey have the last of the coffee without a peep, even though Ian's the one who's about to head to his shitty job while Mickey stays home.
Mickey's super quiet "get off my back" when Ian says "at least I have a real job."
Mickey recognizing right away that when Ian says "I'm finally gonna get my first paycheck later, so I can start paying for my part of the bills" that the my means just Ian, which feels important because it implies that Ian talks almost exclusively in we now, and I really just love that.
Mickey insisting he's still on his honeymoon six months after their wedding. (It's ridiculous, but it's also adorable.)
Ian's emphasis on the we when he says "we need money."
"I could go get money in 30 fucking seconds" "Legal money." And I really do find this so important because it's pretty clear that Mickey has been honoring Ian's request that he keep out of illegal shit for the most part (with the exception of his fake pay stub scam). And while obviously they both do need to pull their weight in the relationship, I think this shows very clearly how much Mickey loves and respects Ian, even if he's clearly annoyed (and maybe even a little hurt) over Ian's insistence that he not return to old habits.
Ian turning kind of soft and moving up close into Mickey's space when he says Mickey could apply at the warehouse.
Ian pulling back again as soon as Mickey rejects the idea.
Ian threatening to withhold sex until Mickey gets a job in front of literally the entire family.
Tami's face, y'all.
"I don't give a shit, man. I don't need your disgusting-ass dick." Sure, Mickey. Sure.
"You guys been married what, like, 50 years now?" I mean, it must feel that way mid-pandemic. Also, Tami still giggling over the whole exchange.
Couch Mickey (aka me).
Not gonna lie, I loved that he wiped away the jam with a throw pillow.
Mickey getting bored with The Price is Right and flipping channels while talking at the TV about his annoyance over the idea that he would give a shit about the cost of speakers when he could just steal them (and I know it's silly, but again, this felt like an important glimpse into Mickey's annoyance over Ian's insistence that he do things legally, and I do get where Mickey's coming from, because I imagine this feels like a rejection of who Mickey is. I mean, even in s10, Ian pretty clearly knew that Mickey was getting money for the wedding illegally, even if he didn't know exactly how, and I so I imagine the idea that Ian would suddenly insist on legality now that they're married is frustrating for Mickey, even though I also understand Ian's insistence on it because he doesn't want to lose Mickey to prison again.)
Mickey (kiss me and I'll cut your fucking tongue out) Milkovich getting hot and bothered enough to jack off to two fully clothed dudes making out on a network TV series.
The excessively aggressive community college commercial.
Mickey talking back to said commercial.
The "stop disappointing the people you love" immediately catching Mickey's attention because he knows Ian's upset with him, and even though they may be bickering, Mickey still loves Ian deeply and wants to make him happy.
Mickey stomping up the stairs all irritated but on a mission.
Mickey's fake resume and the fact that he clearly cleaned himself up for this interview he didn't even want in the first place.
Mickey realizing he's forgotten his mask and immediately putting (even if incorrectly, he's still trying).
He's so nervous.
"Oh, I'm not into that shit anymore. I got married" as he holds up his hand to show off his ring. (Also, to everyone worried about monogamy, take note.)
And I admit I struggled a bit with the interview scene because I was expecting Mickey to be better at it than that, but at the same time, he is visibly nervous, and I can't imagine he's ever done a job interview before. I mean, Ian asked Linda to give him the job at the Kash and Grab, and his P.O. got him the Old Army job, so I imagine this was all new to him. So while it may have been a little over the top, I could also see Mickey just kind of blurting out whatever comes into his head because he's nervous and feeling awkward.
Ian stopping dead in his tracks and his nervous, shifty eyes when he spots Mickey there.
Mickey turning to make eye contact with Ian as he says "look" and then leans in and gets quieter because he doesn't want Ian to hear that he's really trying as he says "I really want to make it work here." And I think that's both very sweet and a little sad that Mickey's trying for Ian, but he also doesn't want Ian to know so he can keep up the bravado. And I do get it. I think Mickey worries a lot about what Ian thinks of him and he doesn't want to let Ian down, but Mickey's also defensive because he does care so much and he doesn't like to let that show, but they'd be in such a better place, I think, if Mickey just let Ian know that he's trying and he does care and he wants to make Ian happy and proud.
I also just realized that I think Mickey might throw the rest of the interview because his expired food scam occurs to him literally at the moment the manager explains that Ian's checking expiration dates and tossing the shit that's expired. And this was the moment that I had the most trouble with the first time through, because I just didn't buy that Mickey would start going on about weapons in the middle of a job interview, but coupled with his response to the knowledge that shit just gets thrown away, it does kind of feel like he's got other wheels turning and doesn't really give a shit anymore. Like, he can say he tried, and he also has an immediate way to bring in money with this new plan, so it actually does kind of work for me now that I've watched it again more closely (instead of through my fingers from second hand embarrassment).
Mickey going off on the manager when he's denied the job, and sweet Ian standing there shaking his head and then looking nervously at his coworker.
Also, this particular rant felt very much like Mickey also thinks Ian is above this job to me and that he doesn't like the shit Ian's being put through for a paycheck, and I found that very sweet.
"Fuck you, and fuck you, and especially fuck you." Iconic.
But poor Ian—he just doesn't even know what to say or do, so he just kind of turns wide eyes on his coworker as Mickey kicks over a box on his way out and then Ian just kind of walks away.
Mickey hot wiring the truck.
"Jack-fucking-pot" (I don't know why, but this one cracked me up.)
The fact that, instead of just taking the truck quietly, he made a show of it to be sure the dude he was stealing it from knew exactly what was happening. And he looked like he was having so much fun. This scene felt very reminiscent of some of the early Mickey moments (the moving scam is the first that comes to mind).
Ian's little smirk he tries to hide by taking a sip of his drink while he's hustling his coworkers literally at the exact same moment that Mickey backs the truck up to the dumpster.
Also, that was pretty fucking impressive driving on Mickey's part.
Mickey once again looking like he's having fun when he hops out of the truck to talk to José.
That smug smile when he throws his arms out (for real, though, I love anything that showcases that arm tattoo).
Seriously, he's so fucking giddy and smug through this entire scene. And honestly, of all the illegal shit he could do, why the fuck not? The shit was just being tossed anyway.
He knows what he's fucking doing and he's in his element, and I fucking love it.
That laugh. The smug bastard, I love him.
Poor sweet Ian looking absolutely exhausted as he's walking up to clock out and collect his paycheck. (As a side note, his manager calls him "pretty boy" as he hands him the check—a pretty good hint at things to come.)
The way he stops in his tracks to inspect his paycheck.
The anger and frustration on his face when George tells him why he's short six hours (and seriously, fuck retail).
Ian, Liam, Tami, and Lip playing with the balloons.
Ian giving Sandy that look when Debbie tells them to grab their song lyrics (plus everyone else's faces).
Ian scratching at his head with his tiara on.
Ian doing his half-assed little dance as he sings along awkwardly. (And again, I really found this so sweet. Like, he obviously feels ridiculous, but he's all committing to the thing for Franny and Debbie, even if he knows Franny's not really into it.)
"Ho, ho, ho! Happy birthday, Franny!" Seriously, this asshole. I love him so much.
The way he just bursts through the door demanding Franny's attention (and rightly so, since he's the only one who showed up with something Franny wanted).
This petty asshole looking straight at his husband as he says "look what I bought ya" to rub it in Ian's face that he's found a way to get money, warehouse be damned.
Poor Ian looking annoyed but resigned.
"These are from me, okay? Only me, your favorite uncle" as he gives Ian the finger without sparing Ian another glance, which, seriously, the fucking timing. (Also, I love the implication here that without clarification any gift given should be assumed to be from both of them. I mean, I know that's probably standard practice in a lot of families, but I just love the domesticity it implies for them.)
And I am feeling for Ian here after all the shit at his job and the discovery of the issues with his paycheck. He's trying so hard and everything's against him, and Mickey's kind of (understandably) being an ass, and I get where they're both coming from, but I just want poor Ian to have a job he doesn't hate.
"Yay, guns!" "Guns!" This was so fucking cute, though. Especially the way she ripped her tiara off in response. Franny's not pretending with Uncle Mickey around. (Also, I love Tami's face at Franny's reaction.)
The way Mickey just keeps smiling at Franny, but then immediately turns on Debbie when she scolds him and gives her that scowl and the "tough titties," only to immediately shift back into that happy playful face when he refocuses his attention on Franny.
"Let's play!" "You got it, kid!" Seriously, this was so sweet. Like, I know this was in part to get on Ian's nerves, but Mickey's so focused on Franny and making her happy here that I just don't buy that as his only reason. Especially because he immediately chases after her and takes her to play in the yard, like you don't do that if you're not actually committed to making a kid happy.
UNCLE MICKEY
Ian apologizing for Mickey with that tired headshake before he looks down to study the lyrics in his hand.
"No, no, go ahead, go ahead, shoot me in the head!" "I'm gonna get you!" "Blow my brains out, kid!" "Okay, okay! I got you, you're dead! I shot you!." How. Fucking. CUTE. (Seriously, I just adore Franny, and I'm so glad she's featuring more this season.)
Mickey sitting on their bed counting his money and smiling away while giggling to himself.
Ian trying to work off some frustration with sit-ups ('cause, ya know, he took sex off the table).
Also this asshole with the "guess the interview didn't go so good?" when he knows damn well exactly how it went, and I can't decide if this is petty as fuck or sweet and endearing because he's trying to talk.
Mickey all flippant about it with the "nah. I don't do normal" which I do find important. Like, he's clearly trying to abide by Ian's wishes lately by keeping it legal (or at least by keeping out of illegal shit), but it's like this new scam he's got running has sparked a renewed energy in him and he's not willing to pretend anymore. And in general, I don't know how I feel about this because I do think Ian is right to want Mickey to get a legal job so there's less chance of him landing back in jail and because I think Ian's generally trying to plan for their future, and I do think legal work (even if it's only part of their income while Mickey runs scams on the side) will provide them with more stability and options. But at the same time, I get why Mickey doesn't want to be slaving away for bullshit pay when he knows he can make more by doing something as simple as selling off the shit the warehouse had just tossed, especially because Mickey's right to point out that that's just who he is, it's who he's always been, and the idea that Ian would insist Mickey change that now that they're married must be extremely frustrating and maybe even a little insulting for Mickey.
"It's boring as fuck, man. I don't wanna end up a monkey like you anyway." And again, I think this is important. All of these little digs they're throwing at each other seem relatively minor, and in general, I do think they are, but there are a lot of hints here that I think lead us pretty clearly to the "who's the man storyline," and it feels quite well crafted, actually.
Also, I am enjoying the view of their room.
"So we gonna fuck or what?" Mickey, honey, you need to work on your sweet talk, especially if you're trying to get laid 30 seconds after insulting your husband.
"Nope. You didn't get a real job." Ian so matter of fact and Mickey giving him that amused side eye and shrugging it off.
"Fine by me, man. See if I care." It's cute how he tries to be all convince while he's actually transparent as fuck.
The fucking show this asshole puts on of shoving money down his pants, while poor Ian is just trying to workout.
And look. I know everyone's sick of the bickering, but I'm kind of loving it. Because they still seem to be solid. They're not afraid to annoy the shit out of each other because they're still happy together and still love one another, they're just in the middle of a petty disagreement and sometimes they get a kick out of pissing each other off. I'd take this over the all of the pain and struggle they had to go through to be together in earlier years any day.
