I’m rewatching season 9 because I never reeeeeally gave it that much attention when I binged, and two friends of mine are working their way through it right now, so I decided to join them.
Not my best idea, to be honest.
First time through, I knew Cam left halfway through and I was anxious to get to season 10 because it was airing live at the time and that’s where the Mickey was. Going back over the time period a few things strike me:
* The show is so much better when the Gallaghers are interacting. For several episodes at the start of season 9 they barely have anything to do with each other. Ian gets out of jail and it’s just... not a thing, really.
* Ian’s mania makes very little sense here. Like the getting back on the meds, which he appears to do... when does that happen? Or more to the point, why? No one is really dealing with him once he’s out, when in prison he still seems like he's in the full grip of his delusions, but once he’s out, he isn’t. There’s no depressive period, really, and there isn’t a moment where we clearly see him decide to start taking care of his health again. Or, if there is, I fully miss it. So either he’s not medicated, or all of that takes place off screen. Did I miss something essential here?
* Fine Young Capitalist Fiona is not her best look.
* The Courtney Cox stuff is random, but the city of Chicago has a lovely waterfront, so it’s nice to see it.
* I hate Ian’s hair so much. Just so, so much.
