So all this stuff the writers and various sites have been saying about Lip being the only one who will get out - apparently the only one who should get out? - of the Southside…it’s been bothering me. For a lot of reasons, but this is what keeps sticking in my head: Lip will get out because of his intelligence. Which is fine and lovely and I want Lip to succeed, I really do. But you know why this isn’t the right story to be telling?
Because Lip was born with his intelligence. He’s a natural genius. And that’s awesome. But Lip doesn’t work hard. He isn’t dedicated to improving himself. Sure, he’s had moments where he’s set his mind to things, but for the most part, he’s been skating by because of his natural gifts (and the hard work and devotion of others). So if he’s really the only one who has any potential to have a better life? What does that say? Well, this: that it doesn’t matter what you do in life. It doesn’t matter how hard you try or what you want. You get born with certain advantages and disadvantages, and that’s it. That’s all that matters. If you’re born with natural talent and intelligence? Congrats, you’re gonna be fine, no matter what happens. If not? Well, might as well give up now. No hope for you.
You know who did have ambitions, and who worked hard for them? Ian. But Ian was born with bipolar genes. So apparently that’s what matters. That’s what will define him. Never mind his goals and desires. The second his disorder kicked in that became all he was. You know what would be a story worth telling? Ian learning how to reconcile his previous goals with his new situation, or even just developing new ones. Ian getting to prove that he is more than just the genes he was born with. But apparently that’s not the story Shameless is interested in telling. And that’s just sad. Because if I’m to take what Shameless is selling as truth, we might as well all give up any sense of drive. Either we’re born with the potential to succeed or we’re not. There is no middle ground.
But…why would I want to accept that? Why would anyone?
blakekathryn
pixelskylines
theartofmadeline
yousharknotpass
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